Crossway Life

The ‘lazy’ days of summer are gone, and I am now embarking on the amazing responsibility of schooling my two oldest boys.  As I look at this daunting task, I have two choices: I can run away screaming and tearing my hair out, or I can embrace this season with faith and awe, that God has chosen to allow me to make this priceless investment into the minds and hearts of these children.  Over the last four years of homeschooling, I have learned much and have had the opportunity to watch my boys’ minds be stretched and see some exciting ‘light bulb’ moments firsthand- what a treasure!  I stumbled across a poem written in 1921, and as I read it, I am reminded of my temptation to self-sufficiency in this area of teaching my children, and therefore my need to cast myself on His mercy daily as I seek to honor Him in this area of my life.  And so, to all the ladies who read this: Thank you for your investment in the lives of children! From young mother’s helpers, young adults babysitting, singles whose occupation is teaching, home-schooling moms, public- and private-schooling moms, to Grandmothers with their grandchildren, and everyone in between, we are all called by God in some fashion to teach those who are younger, and so this applies to you, too!  I hope it encourages you all along this amazing journey of instruction!

Before the memories of our vacation fade into the joy and rhythm of daily life, I want to comment on my attempt to grow as a husband and a father this summer. As I wrote on August 14th, I headed into vacation this year with a provocation to grow in my leadership during our annual camping trip (see Leadership + Family Vacations). Now you have to know that previous to this summer I approached vacations with a typical male mentality of what a vacation was supposed to be. I thought of it as a time “to vacate”. I thought of it literally as a time to get away from responsibility and pressure and do whatever came easiest. That meant plenty of time for rest and reading and doing things with my sons that were fun. As long as I put in the minimum amount of planning and packing and activity I could do whatever I wanted and not feel guilty. I have come to realize that more is required of me. Much more.

Since I wrote that I was going to attempt to improve, and since I’ve been asked how I did, I thought I should respond. With the help of my wife’s assessment, which I trust, the official report would be that “some improvement occurred.” To begin with, of the seven possible daunting categories* for growth I chose cultivating a servant’s heart. This is an area which seemed to strike at the root of my failure, a selfish desire to seek my own comfort.

Each morning I made an effort to focus on serving my family by being available to serve their needs. Mostly this involved starting a fire, making breakfast and keeping the camp running smoothly. Over the course of the week I made a conscious effort to engage each of my sons in meaningful conversation regarding current issues in their lives and I led twice in after dinner family devotions. On two occasions I jogged with Cynthia, something we enjoy doing together. In this area I am a blessed man to have a wife of 32 years who jogs and who enjoys it! One highlight for me (which I planned ahead) was a bow and arrow contest in which each male was required to make a bow and arrow from scratch and enter it into competition. This was a memory!

Although these efforts represented “some improvement”, an honest assessment would be that I often did not consider serving others first but lapsed into doing whatever I wanted to do. As I reflect upon this year’s trip I am thankful to God for the grace he gave to me to shuffle along in the right direction and I am truly looking forward to next year when I can make a renewed attempt at being an effective leader on family vacations.

* Seven Categories for leadership on vacations:

1. A Servant’s Heart
2. A Tone-Setting Attitude
3. An Awareness of Indwelling Sin
4. Studying Your Family
5. Skillful Surprises
6. Intentionally Together
7. Gratefulness to God

I return to work today after a summer vacation break eager to pick up my responsibilities again at Crossway. I am very grateful for the time away with my family and had a refreshing and instructive time (more on that later). One unexpected aspect of my vacation was that God greatly encouraged me regarding the power that the gospel has to change a life and the ultimate victory that His death has accomplished for everyone He has chosen. It was as if God kept saying to me over and over again, “no power can stand in the way of my love when I set my affection on a person.”

While away I read these words which seemed to echo what I heard God saying to me.

But Jesus Christ, with his shoulder to the cross, … moved heaven’s judgment from its course towards us and directed it to himself, absorbing it all until every evil in us that justified the wrath of God was fully punished. He did this so that his Father’s blazing love could freely, abundantly, and righteously flow toward those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

The thought that there is no sin in me that is not covered by the cross of Christ coupled with the fact that nothing stands in the way of God’s love flowing towards me gives fresh meaning to the words we sing, .. “and He is mighty to save.” I am looking forward to worshiping with all of you this Sunday.

The Great Work of the Gospel by John Ensor. p. 105

I love a routine.  Ten years ago, if I heard myself say that, I would have fallen over, literally.

It’s true.  What I have found in my few years of experience is this blunt reality: routine is the infrastructure that keeps devotion and discipline afloat.  If I want to make times in God’s Word a priority for my life, let there be routine!

There is nothing secret about this.  This is not a radical, super-spiritual key to enhancing your walk with God.  Routines are only the purposeful actions of a person who sees the need for ensuring time with God – and I need as much help as I can get.

My average morning routine:

• 9:30pm (the night before): set out cereal bowl, coffee paraphernalia, Bible and devotional books.  Brenda often teases me at this point, says things like: “oops, did you forget your spoon?”
• 5:30am:  wake up, stare at the ceiling and wonder “is it really morning?”
• 5:35am:  hit the road for a morning run (I think the road hits me…)
• 6:15am: return home from run, cool down, head to kitchen and prepare coffee
• 6:30 to 7:40am: drink coffee, eat breakfast, read and pray

I tell you the truth – this simple routine is a means of grace in my never ending battle where the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

My regret is that I waited until my 30’s until routine became sweet, Ahhh…routine!

A couple of weeks ago I was at a Barnstormers baseball game with Paul Schwarz.  He asked me to attend a company event with an eye to sharing the Gospel with his unsaved co-workers.  Wow, I thought, here is a man who is taking each opportunity to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Before the game Paul and I prayed that God would open us doors for us to graciously share the Good News of Christ Jesus.  Throughout the game I was looking for opportunities to move conversations to the spiritual level.  It can be difficult to break the “surface” conversation into a “spiritual” conversation.  At the end of the evening God gave us an opportunity to break the “barrier”.  After finding out information about the couple sitting behind me (where they grew up and what they did for a living) I simply asked, “What’s your spiritual background?”  The conversation spurred on from there.  I was able to ask a lot of questions and find out what they believe.  It was a wonderful discussion and I was able to proclaim the Gospel to them.  I hope to reconnect with this couple in the near future and invite them to Alpha and Church.  I thank God for these opportunities, and it should build our faith for evangelism.

“The Key to breaking the sound barrier is simply being friendly and talkative when we’re out and about.  This can feel awkward at first because we live in an increasingly isolated “keep to yourself” culture. However, people are usually very happy to reciprocate our friendliness. We just need to take the first step, open our mouths, and say something.” (Proclaim Booklet)

One of the most wonderful ways to open up conversations with people is to ask lots of questions.

So, how are each of us doing with pursuing relationships with non-believers?  Let’s be faithful to pray and ask God to give us opportunities to share Christ with the lost.

Here are some helpful questions from the Proclaim Material to break the barrier:

• 1. What is your spiritual background?
• 2. What three words describe your religious experience?
• 3. If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
• 4. If God asked you, “Why should I let you into heaven?” what would you say?
• 5. Explain the Gospel

God has been shining some light in the darkness of my heart lately.   I love my husband dearly, but sadly I can be impatient towards his weaknesses.  I find it difficult at times to keep on forgiving for the same stuff. I find it difficult at times to remain patient when I think there is a better way to do something. I find myself bitter at times when I can remember a list of all the wrong he has done.

Well, through the kindness of God (and I really feel His kindness through this) I have been sweetly broken. How? By the testimony of a woman I have never met, but highly respect. One day after having a quiet time and feeling God’s softening on my heart, I was reading through some blogs. I ended up on the pray for ian blog. Ian Murphy’s girlfriend, Larissa, had posted the following that day:

How can I stay in love with a man who hasn’t spoken to me in a year and a half? A man who can’t plan a special date for us, can’t tell me anything without me asking first, can’t challenge me, earn money for us, lead us in devotions or call me at work to see how my day is going. I don’t know how. I also don’t know how God still loves me, someone who has nothing to offer Him. But both have happened and have made my life infinitely better.

Tears just poured from my eyes. Wow! What grace is upon this woman to be lovingly devoted to man who cannot do so much as a shred of biblical manhood.  Her words immediately put my situation into proper perspective.  The little things I grow self-righteous over so easily really are little things, and most of them will change in due time.  Most importantly, Larissa reminded me of the Lord’s love and patience towards me in my weak areas.  In some major ways, I have been blind to the grace of God working in my husband.

So, that day I called Doug, and through many tears I asked for his forgiveness.  I told him of all that God did in my heart that day, and I told him that I want him to know of my love and devotion at all times despite of his weaknesses.  I want my voice to be one of grace and a recounting of God’s loving forgiveness to Doug and to my children.  Praise God for His mercy and patience towards me!

This past week the pastors met to determine the church budget for the upcoming 2008-2009 fiscal year. Many of you have been praying for us and we wanted to say “Thank You”. Your prayers strengthened us. Over the course of three days we were able to create a balanced budget that we believe honors God. We worked hard to discern areas to cut and areas to fund and we felt your prayers.  Thank you so much for praying! We love working together with you in the mission of proclaiming the gospel through Crossway Church.