Restoring Honor

I sat in church last Sunday and listen to a man talk about reentering society after four years in prison.  He was brutally honest about his past, his addictions, and his intense struggle to stay clean. He was not a paid speaker, nor was he someone asked to give his testimony. This was just a guy sitting behind me, speaking from his heart. It was his first time in church, brought there by his brother.  He is desperately seeking restoration, but it is obvious that his struggle is not over.

Another man gave him encouragement, and shared a testimony that I had heard before. Actually, I was there several years back, and witnessed when his transgression became public. That night was not rock bottom for him.  Decline took another few years to manifest before he was ready to again accept God's grace. He described his fist-shaking anger at God. His self pity, hopelessness and depression. 

This was a gifted, praying man, who was always deep in the word. Until that is, he allowed compromise to creep in. He never believed that he would be vulnerable. He insisted that he was strong enough to resist temptation. And he never thought he would slip away from always doing what was right. But he fell, and fell very hard.

But God is good, and always faithful. When we turn to Him, confess our sins, truly repent and trust, we give God exactly what He needs to fully restore us.  

As I listened to his witness, God revealed to me, the multiplied glory that comes to those lost, who choose return home.  I had written the message "Lost and Found" Saturday (the day before), but listening to my friend speak about his recovery, brought even more clarity to the parable of the prodigal son.

God grieves when He loses a son or daughter, but is OVERWHELMED with joy upon their return. In many ways, I think those who experience absolute life changing atonement and restoration, are risen to even greater heights.  God uses their example, to show the complete depth and breadth of His forgiveness. 

  

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

His Son Died

Tony Dungy's son James, tragically died by his own hands in December 2005. As devastating as that loss is to the Dungy family, listen to Tony talk about the blessings that God has brought into their lives... through the pain of losing their oldest son.

Blessings through the pain of losing their oldest son.  Imagine the blessings God is experiencing through the pain of giving His only Son.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."  Because He loved, He gave. 

Tony spoke at a Super Bowl Breakfast in early 2006. I have two links (out of order) listed below.  The message that I really want you all to hear is in Part Two. There are two questions that Tony asks, that want you to think about:

> If God had a conversation with you where he said, "I can help people see, heal relationships, save lives, give some eternal life, but I need your son to do it, you make the choice." Can you do it?

> With all you know about Heaven, if you had the power to bring him back, would you?

PART 2          PART 1

Our God is good. He is wise. And His love for us cannot be measured this side of Heaven.

Seeking and Following,

Dean


We are praying for you Dick.  May He heal you and get you back to work soon.

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Lost and Found

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!"  –  Luke 15:28-30

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is about the lost and found, self-righteousness, and the joy that comes with salvation. Its about a parent/child relationship, sibling rivalry, and forgiveness.

The young son rebells against his father, and demands his share of his inheritance. The son leaves home to experience the world. He squandered his fathers money on the wild life of the day.  With his money gone, he hits rock bottom. And it was there that he realized what he had, and threw away. Completely broken and humbled, the young man, confesses his sin to his dad, and asks to come home to work as a servant.

The parable is about all of us. Sinners lost to the world, until we've reached a point to where we have nothing or no one to rely on but God. Total submission, confession, and complete humility. It is about our selfishness. And it is about forgiveness.  It's an example of how to parent, and how to be parented. Like the father in the parable, our Father can't wait to forgive and fully restore. The parable is not really about the son at all, but about the father... about our Father, and His grace.

The Bible is, from Genesis to Revelation, God providing us with the perfect blueprint for living. 

I hope you will take the time to read the parable all the way through (Luke 15:11-32). I also hope for you, that you will watch the video of "The Prodigal Grandson."  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7bdj1H9xn0&feature=related

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

God Thumbs and Planted Seeds

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" – Matthew 28:19

I've heard it said that "anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed."

Have you ever heard of Mordecai Ham? I never had.  But in November of 1934, Pastor Ham preached a series of revivals in Charlotte, North Carolina, planting a seed in a young 16 year old boy, that would forever change the world. So moved by Pastor Ham's messages, the boy sought to join a local youth group, but was refused membership because  he was "too worldly." And while attending Bob Jones College, Bob Jones, Sr, told him that "at best, all you could amount to will be a poor country Baptist preacher somewhere out in the sticks." From those challenging beginnings, it is estimated that more than 3 million people have stepped forward to accept Christ at Billy Graham's crusades.

Not many have reached and saved as many people as Rev Graham, but to Jesus, the charge was to make disciples. We are not measured by the number. Some choose to evangelize in the mission fields of South America, or the plains of Africa.  Others are called to minister in prisons, ghettos and hospital rooms. In God's eyes, the unsaved are lost whether in Ho Chi Minh City or Tidioute, Pennsylvania. We need not travel 10,000 miles save souls.  Our call to witness may be to a brother, neighbor or coworker. To God, our witness, whether in a rice paddy half way around the world or on our neighbor's front porch, is a sign of obedience.

If you have never planted seeds, please accept my encouragement to do so. Let Him surprise you with how much of a God thumb you may have. Plant seeds where ever you are, and let God do the watering.

This short video shows lifetime of planting millions and millions of seeds through the years:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5mpd13hsXs&feature=related

Seeking and Following,
Dean


Melissa, Welcome to A Brand New Day!

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

"Winning"

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." – Proverbs 10:9

Earlier this week, the Florida Gators beat BYU 83 to 74 in the NCAA Sweet 16 tournament.  But the final score is not the final story.  In losing, BYU has won.

Just weeks before March Madness began, number three ranked BYU, a favorite to make it to the Final Four, stunned the sports world, when it suspended its number two player Brandon Davies for breaking the school's honor code. Not since 1981 has BYU been poised to be a contender at the big dance. But the suspension of Davies severely weakened the team's ability to go deep into the tournament.  At a time in college sports, when more and more schools are choosing money and winning over integrity, standing firm on a code of honor has made BYU an underdog, and a favorite.

We've gotten used to top athletes and celebrities crying "poor me," when they've gotten caught. Remember Barry Bonds and Charlie Sheen?  So how did Brandon react  to his discipline? He has not gone from TV show to TV show, giving Sheen-like rants. He has not hired a high-priced attorney to sue the school or demand reinstatement to the team. In fact, he was the one who turned himself in.  Like other big time universities have recently done, it would have been tempting for the athletic director and coach to cover up the situation — but instead, they immediately notified the school's honor code office.

Not only did BYU talk the talk, they walk the walk, sticking to its guns and morals, despite the consequences. With millions of dollars and exposure on the line, BYU chose to do what was right by them. To often, college athletics turn from their stated purpose, trample values, and look for loopholes. Most recently Tennessee, Ohio State, Auburn, Oregon have all broken NCAA rules, and did everything to squirm out of the consequences. But here, neither BYU or Bandon Davies broke any NCAA rule. Brandon broke the code of honor contract that he made with his school, and some may say, with God.

Our country can learn a lesson from Brigham Young University — a lesson about sports, honor and walking in integrity in the presence of God.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Are You a Dream Killer?

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."  – Proverbs 22:6

How many parents push their kids to excel in everything but what really counts?

I sat at a meet this past weekend and heard a sad story about a promising young swimmer.  Of late the promise has faded a bit, as the swim times have just not been there.  The want and passion, necessary for success in this sport, are now hidden somewhere beneath the surface. She has told teammates that she no longer cares, that regardless of her effort, pleasing her mom would still be a distant dream. Mom, by not accepting of her daughter's accomplishments, but wanting more, is pushing a girl that is too young, to find acceptance in the arms of a boy, and away from the sport.

God, please let me always be accepting of the accomplishments of my children.  Let me teach goal setting, but let the goals be theirs. Help me find the balance between teacher, mentor and dad. See to it that I am able to walk the line between discipline and self-discovery.  And that I may I learn fatherhood from Your perfect example.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

God Hates!

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 

A proud look, 

A lying tongue, 

Hands that shed innocent blood, 

A heart that devises wicked plans, 

Feet that are swift in running to evil, 

A false witness who speaks lies, 

And one who sows discord among brethren." – Proverbs 6:16-19

These words are pretty straightforward.  "The Lord hates" is about as extreme as it gets.  

I remember decisions and choices that I made in my life. There were times that I made decisions as to not disappoint my parents. Then there were choices I made, where I hoped to keep from them. But with our Heavenly Father, there is no hiding anything.  He knows who we are, the condition of our heart, and our desires.

I am a sinner, something in which I find no pride.  And as a seeker, sin in my heart is something that I pray to lose each and every day.  For the asking, God forgives. But I'm not so sure His grace is our free ticket to continue choosing sin.  The verse today is a pretty bold conviction of those things that displease our Father.  If there are things that we would never do, as to not disappoint our parents, why would we do them knowing that God knows?

Seeking and Following,

Dean

Aunt Nancy, We were so sorry to learn today that Uncle Earl passed away last evening.  Our prayers of love and comfort are with you.

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I Wish You Enough

“Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."  – Proverbs 30:7-9

As a dad, I want to give things to my kids that they want, and am disappointed when I cannot.  But this morning I heard one of my favorite people on the radio talking about giving to his kids.  While this man does very well for himself, and can certainly afford anything of his children's desires, he has found the more he gives, the higher their expectations. He has learned that giving material things must be tempered, so that he does not destroy God's spirit with in them. 

In the poem below, the writer eloquently suggests that a life too easy breeds gluttony of the heart, but just enough of God's simple pleasures, grows appreciation for His blessings in our lives.

I Wish You Enough – by Bob Perks

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. 

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

When Tragedy Hits Home

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you."  – Isaiah 54:16-17

Unfortunately through the evening news, tragedy has become an everyday part of our lives.  Sadly, the most horrific deeds committed by man have become commonplace.  But when something bad hits home, it hits home in a surreal kind of way.  

We met Dean and Tami Kendall and their 6 kids, at a swim meet several years ago. Mel was in the locker room with Giorgie, when in the changing area next to her, she heard an amazing, angelic voice singing, "Amazing Grace." It was Tami singing to her daughter Hannah. If you know my wife, then you know where this story goes. The short story is, we've become good friends with the Kendall family. Luke, the oldest child of Dean and Tami, as Mel tells it, is the only boy that has her permission to date our daughter. Imagine our shock one evening this past November, when the call came informing us that Luke had been stabbed five times.  Imagine the horror, fear and panic that must have gone through that family. 

Knowing the family as we do, we know God is solidly at the center of their lives. When attending meets in Winter Haven, it's the Kendall family that always organizes the Sunday morning on-deck chapel. Tami sings and Dean brings the message. They have gone on missions to Africa, and are founding members of their church. With this background, watch the video and listen to their testimony and witness. Pay special attention to Luke's interview. Most people would react to the stabbing of their son with anger, vengeance or fear. But Dean, Tami and even Luke, have allowed the Lord to speak clearly through them in a very powerful way.

The Kendall Testimony:  http://vimeo.com/16870680

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Coincidence or God Moments

Since this blog has gone up, you have become accustom to each message closing with the benediction.  Rather than reading it last, today, read it first, then come and read the rest of today's note.

I used to think of them as coincidences - remarkable concurrences of events.  But as my faith deepened, He revealed to me that there are no casual connections, but God connections. If you will awaken your senses to His spirit, you too will see, that nothing happens by accident.  God has a way of bringing people and experiences into our lives for teachable moments.  We need only be tuned in, so as those moments happen, we are ready to grow.

Last Spring, as we as a family were coming to grips with my father's illness, I was on the phone talking to him about "God things." At the very moment when we were on the phone, two things happened. My friend Bryan Davis sent me a video about a young man dealing with cancer. And, on the other end of the phone, the chaplain had walked into my dad's hospital room to talk to him about his illness and faith. I KNEW IMMEDIATELY that God was working here.  A moment that we both embraced.

Take a few minutes to listen to the words of Zac Smith.  This video was a great source of comfort to both dad and me.  Zac died a week after this video came to us. But in Zac's words, "God is still God, and God is still good. To God be the glory."

http://vimeo.com/9796056

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

V for Victory

"But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." – 1 Corinthians 15:57

Victory by definition, is an act of defeating an enemy. To the Christian, sin is an enemy, a transgression against God. And we know the "wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Through God's grace alone, we have "victory" – salvation and eternal life.


The moment when you say "I do" to God, victory takes breath! Is victory living in you today?

"A Living Place"

by Stephen Young

There is a moment when victory takes breath. 

When the force of triumph becomes something alive. 

Something that draws breath

and claims the ground beneath it.

Victory becoming a living place. 

There are people who walk here. 

Amid trees and flowers and butterflies. 

Children and white-tipped sparrows. 

a garden with a pulse, 

where the breeze is breath 

and sunlight the shine of celebration.

Yes, this place is proof of hardfought battles, 

and a monument to sacrifice, 

but its victory never stops breathing. 

The land is forever green and growing. 

And while the glory of this garden 

rises from the survivors who rejoice here, 

the promise of it belongs to 

the mothers and daughters and sisters who might.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

What is Your Name Worth?

Names are more than words.  Names can evoke emotions – positive or negative.  What do you think of when you hear the names, Adolf and Osama? Conversely, what are your impressions when you hear of Jesus and Job? Our name, good or bad, says who we are. It  becomes synonymous with our character and the values by which we stand... or not. A good name tells the world that we are trustworthy, of high morality, and a person after God's heart. A bad name on the other hand, is remembered down through history for vile inhumanity, dishonestly and perversion. 

Jesus is all about humble servanthood.  The King came to serve the least of us.  To show us by example what Godliness should look like. Adolf and Osama are all about ruthless hate. They represent the stench of humanity, and by example show us what the most evil looks like.

Proverbs 22:1 says that "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

This verse is not saying wealth is bad, but that a good name is priceless. The world teaches us that success is measured by how much we accumulate.  If I can teach my children just one thing, I want them to know that wealth is measured by the godliness associated with their name.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

We Threw Him Under the Bus!

Imagine your closest, most trusted friend, throwing you under the bus. Betraying you in the most personal of ways. Stabbing you in the back to save his/her own skin. 

Imagine the range of emotions that would rip deepest into your heart. 

Disappointment, intense hurt, burning anger, unbearable rejection, disgust, and maybe even hatred. You know you could never forget, but could you forgive? 

Could you ever repair and return the relationship to where it was?  Do you want to? Could you ever trust again?

Human nature is to hate and get even. The world teaches to never forgive and certainly not to forget. We need look no further than Islam's hatred for Jews and Christians.

But our God is amazing. The depths of His love is truly beyond our comprehension.  His capacity to forgive and forget, is something that we will never understand on this side of Heaven. 

After Jesus was arrested, Peter was unfaithful to his Lord. He stabbed Him in the back. Cursed Him. Peter sold out the Christ, the Son of God, to save his sorry self. 

Peter was a wretch – no different than you and me.

In John 21:15-18 after his resurrection, Jesus was talking to Peter, when the following conversation took place:

"Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” 

Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep." 

Peter denied Jesus three times.  And here, he affirms his love for Christ three times. More than unconditional forgiving, Jesus erased Peter's betrayal, and entrusted him with His ministry.  What's more, Jesus set forth His expectations of Peter, to feed and tend to His flock.

Peter's betrayal (our betrayal) of the Christ was the most despicable deception in the history of humanity. Yet, through His love, Jesus not only forgave, he restored. 

There may very well be a Peter in your life who betrayed your friendship, trust and love.  Your Peter is also in need of forgiveness. Are you willing?

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.