Papaw

I graduated high school in May 2002.  Three months later I moved off the family farm to attend college.  9 years later I am very happily married, proud father of 4 year old son, homeowner, and pastor of a church in Shelbyville, Ky.  Last week I took a few vacation days to work alongside my grandfather to help him get a few things done around the house.  I didn't expect the experience that I got - praise God.  Two days on the farm reminded me of the countless memories that were made doing everything under the sun.  Riding four wheelers, swinging off vines into the creek, building forts, playing wiffle ball, running from the rain, and so much more.  All the fun memories made my childhood at the time.  But the time that I spend alongside my Papaw have made my manhood. 

My Papaw is the most influential man in my life (I could say my dad is but Papaw helped mold my dad as well).  He taught me the value of hard work because his work was relentless.  He taught me to never give up because he never quit.  He taught me that I can achieve whatever I want in life because he overcame.  He taught me to keep family close because I watched him hold on to family and love them through their struggles. 

Papaw started hauling coal near his hometown of London, KY to help provide for his family after his father passed away.  He drove a dump truck full of coal every morning before going to high school.  He fell in love with his high school sweetheart and they all said "it wouldn't last".  More than 50 years later I think he has proven them wrong.  He moved to Cincinnati, OH to work for the Ford Motor Company but after a few years on the job with perfect attendance he walked away and never looked back.  Over the years he has successfully owned and operated a motorcycle dealership, race track, bar, and an ostrich farm.  Gentleman Jim's Suzuki on Colerain Avenue in Cincinnati, OH was the top Suzuki dealership in the nation in 1984.  Papaw engineered the first ever walk in incubation system for ostrich eggs.  He sold breed-stock African Black Ostriches all over the world.  He has accomplished all this with a high school diploma. 

Full of love and gratitude my whole heart goes out to the man who has helped mold me into who I am today (and continues to).  This blog is not eloquent or elaborate - my only goal is to honor Papaw.  I have the utmost respect for him.  He is the patriarch of our family - strong, courageous, insightful, loving, and funny.  Thank you - I look forward to many more conversations over chocolate syrup and biscuits, Friday night Fry nights, or Saturday night Steak & stone crab. 

Love

1 John 4:7-12 

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The Word of God is absolutely pure and refreshing.  The revelations of God’s heart have been recorded because of His unfathomable love for us.  As temples of the Living God we can provide a reunion of children to their Daddy – through love.  Merriam-Webster defines love as “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties”.  Verse 12 uses the Greek word teleioo meaning to complete, accomplish, or make perfect.  The cycle of God’s love for us is made perfect when we release His love.  Essentially, we can become windows to Heaven and God’s character through love. Yeah God!

Spiritual Fathers

I can honestly say that there are very few men in my life that I trust for spiritual advice.  People (especially young men and women) need spiritual parents in their life.  Spiritual parents have many of the same qualities as natural parents - unconditional love, trust, and guidance. 

I can count on one hand the spiritual father figures in my life that show me love, trust, and guidance.  I value these men more than they probably will ever know.  They have helped mold me, refine me, correct me, and rebuke me because of love.  I cherish their example as men of God who walk in faith and grace. 

Some of my spiritual father figures live in Kentucky, some are in other states, and some have continuing worshipping Jesus (as they did on earth) in Heaven. 

Conversations about serving Jesus and His Kingdom will be missed.
Greetings accompanied by the strong handshake of their right hand will be missed.
Hearing testimonies of the goodness of God will be missed.
Witnessing strong men willing to be humble to obey God will be missed.
Receiving Godly counsel through words and their daily actions will be missed.

Despite all of the many things that I will miss I can rejoice because their life was Christ-like.  They have released a spiritual heritage to many because there were willing to pour into the next generation.  I will never be the same and my hope moving forward is that I can pattern my life after them because they patterned their life after Jesus.  May the wisdom and insight that I have received be passed down to whoever the Lord puts in my life. 

Thank you God for being a good, loving, compassionate, healing God.
Thank you for allowing me to share a few cups of coffee and conversation with one of the most amazing men of God.  He has probably assumed a position in the heavenly alongside of other Godly warriors like David and Paul. 

I like Francis Chan for multiple reasons. 

1. He loves Jesus
2. He keeps things simple
3. He shaves his head
4. I agree with his teaching.

I know, # 4 sounds pathetic.  People are so funny, we tend to like people who are similar to ourselves.  I would also like to confess that I  love to listen to and hang out with people who are different than I am.  Whether its listening to some wild televangelist who is pushing the prosperity gospel, sitting down for a prayer meeting with guys over 50, or where ever my somewhat peculiar life takes me.  There was a time (not too too long ago) that I had everything in common with my high school friends..  We all played sports, had part-time jobs, went to school, etc.  However, now I am realizing that I have less and less in common with them.  Many are single, enjoying their 20's (away from the Lord), no kids, no spouses, no mortgage.  I still enjoy time with them.  People are fascinating.  I think that Jesus thinks all people are fascinating.  He is a master builder and a loving father all in one - so I don't think He leans back on His throne and admires His junk. (I wonder if His throne looks like the chair Paul & Jan Crouch sit on while hosting TBN?)  My next blog might be about the prosperity gospel or the name it and claim mentality.

Okay, back to the video.... will we be surprised when we get to heaven and there is so much diversity?  Will we surprised at who didn't make it?  Or who did make it?  What about the multitude of people that are traveling on this "middle road"?  I realize that God has so much grace but what about things like vomiting out the lukewarm, let the dead bury the dead, deny me before men and I'll deny you before my Father? 

I'm not the eternal judge and don't want to pretend to be.  However, I know from experience walking the broad and wide road of destruction can mean that you attend church, own a bible, have all the right Sunday School answers.  The pharisees were good at playing church but they were not good at bearing fruit and walking the narrow road that leads to life.

   

 

Books

Let’s get this thing started with repentance.  I did not read one book from cover to cover throughout all four years of High School.  I deeply regret that.  If I could do it over again I would have tried harder, learned more, and still had fun.  I always thought, “I’m not a reader.”  But that has changed over the years and I am developing a desire to seek counsel from others and equip myself with tools for life.  I’d like to give a few thoughts on books that I have read over the past 18 months (other than the bible).

·         The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

Amazing book that taught me more about holiness and pushed me to live a life of holiness.

·         Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall

Used this for youth ministry as small group study – praying and believing that all the students will develop a personal relationship with Jesus.  Turn head knowledge into heart knowledge.

·         Congratulations… You’re Gifted by Doug Fields

Want to use this for youth small group study.  God has made each of us unique and He wants to use us with the talents that we have.  We do not have to conform to whatever society says is “normal.”

·         unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons

Great read with tons of research that explains the perception of “twenty-somethings”.  These “twenty-somethings” say that they do not regularly go to church because Christians are unChristian.

·         You Lost Me by David Kinnaman

Much like unChristian - this book outlines the beliefs of “twenty-sometings” that have left the church for various reasons.  According to their research the church as a whole has done a poor job embracing them and keeping them connected with the body of Christ. 

·         Believe That You Can by Jentzen Franklin

Very motivating book – it is impossible to please God without faith.  After reading this book I was ready to climb Mt. Everest, run through a brick wall, and fulfill the Great Commission.

·         What Would Jesus Do Today? by Mike Cope and Rubel Shelly

This book really challenged me to walk as Jesus walked.  As we read about the life of Christ it is more than historical information; it is the standard for Christians.  I started asking myself questions like, “did Jesus ever prepare for a sermon or did He just speak from His overflow?”

·         Everyone Communicates: Few Connect by John Maxwell

This book was chalked full of practical tips for connecting with people.  Jesus connected with people.  I want to connect with people.  This is not just a book for preachers or those making business presentations.

·         How Successful People Think by John Maxwell

Honestly, probably the worst book out of these 15.  There were good ideas and practical advice.  However, the book was choppy.  It’s almost as if John wrote 5 pages of whatever success ideas came to mind each time he boarded a plane and then put them all in the cover on one book.

·         Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Read this!  One of the best books I have ever read.  Simple yet challenging.

·         Radical by David Platt

Read this!  One of the best books I have ever read.  Simple yet challenging.

·         Radical Together by David Platt

Read this!  One of the best books I have ever read.  Simple yet challenging.

·         Strengthen Yourself in the Lord by Bill Johnson

King David was greatly distressed but he strengthen himself in the Lord.  As believers this is essential for us to grow and become mature men and women of God.  Graduating from milk to meat means learning in our trials.

·         The Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Bill Johnson & Kris Vallotton

Bill Johnson could be the most quotable author and pastor.  There is such a depth to his teaching that at times you just have to set the book down and chew on the information for a few minutes. 

·         Developing a Supernatural Lifestyle by Kris Vallotton

When we realize that God desires for us to live a supernatural lifestyle and not merely participate in repetitious religious ceremonies we will no longer have to sell Jesus from the pulpit.  Read the New Testament, these guys didn’t have a massive marketing team.  The best advertising is word of mouth.

Milk and Meat

Hebrews 5:11-14  Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Men and women of God, now is the time to stand up and assume your position as spiritual fathers and mothers.  Our society is becoming the most fatherless group in all of history.  Some statistics say that 40% of all children in America will not fall asleep in the home that their father lives in.  Unfortunately, the church has accepted this societal norm.  We are seeing young believers satisfied with milk instead of meat.  Solid food (meat) is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good from evil.  Championship football teams have coaches.  Boxers have trainers, coaches, and cut men in their corner.  Golfers, tennis players, baseball players, and every professional athlete that I know of has someone to teach them.  Church, we must develop a radical passion for discipleship through being spiritual fathers and mothers.
I remember when my son started to graduate from milk to baby food and then to solids.  One summer day we were treating ourselves to a special family meal and I grilled filet mignon while my wife prepared side dishes to perfection.  My steak was seasoned just right and cooked medium rare to medium.  I cut some of the edge pieces off that were cooked through and cut them into very small pieces.  Connor fell in love with steak that day.  The milk had been good and he probably would have been content with that forever if we had not introduced him to something else.  We took the initiative to push him toward something more complex, unfamiliar, and harder to digest than milk.  Young believers will likely not step into more responsiblity and leadership without training.   
Spiritual adults, lets make a ruthless pursuit of pushing the next generation into situations that are more complex, unfamiliar, and harder to handle.  As I have been typing tonight I heard the Lord say, "milk and meat come from the same source."  Spiritual milk and spiritual meat are both from God but the nutrient information is much different. 
Take a minute to read Judges 2 and Titus 2.  The importance for inter-generational discipleship can never be underestimated.  You would think as a youth pastor I would love the people who say that God is going to do something amazing through youth.  However, to a certain degree I believe it contradicts the word of God.  Acts 2 tells us that God will pour out his Holy Spirit on all people - sons & daughters, young & old, slaves & free.  This quote from the Old Testament mentions the sky above & earth below, blood & fire, sun & moon.  This is all encompassing - no one is left out.

I believe that the key to reshaping the spiritual climate in America is through intergenerational discipleship.  Spiritual fathers and mothers must take spiritual newborns under their wings and disciple them through adolescence and lead them to become spiritual parents themselves.

Through the process of discipleship the spiritual fathers and mothers must step back and release their sons and daughters to be successful.  Fathers and mothers at some point have to take of the training wheels and release their sons and daughters to ride alone.  They might fall, they might scrape a knee, but they will learn to ride through this life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit vs. Flesh Showdown

 Genesis 1: 27-31 --So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”  Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.  And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.  God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

God created light and saw that it was good.
God created the land and sea and saw that it was good.
God created vegetation, plants bearing seed, and fruit and saw that it was good.
God created day and night and saw that it was good.
God created livestock, birds, fish, etc and saw that it was good.
But then, God created man and looked around at all that he had made and saw that it was VERY GOOD.

 God created (yatsar) Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.  God created our very flesh and then put that flesh to work in the garden.  Satan is not a creator - he is a crafty manipulator and perverter.  God spoke that Adam and Eve were not to eat from the tree and then Satan twisted his words.  Since Adam, we have been giving our mortal bodies over for the work of the Kingdom of darkness.  Today is the day to crucify our flesh and put it to work for the Kingdom of God 

Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

God did not create our mortal body in order for us to hand it over for Satan to use at his disposal.  On the 10 mile drive to my church, I pass by 13 churches.  Many churches offer multiple services each week, small group meetings in homes, conventions, conferences, and more.  So why is America in the state that it is??? I believe it is because far too many believers are allowing the sinful nature or flesh to reign supreme in their life instead of the Spirit of God.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, deserves a more valiant effort to obey the voice of God and submit to the work that He asks.