A Tribute to My Father

Today as I reflect upon Father’s Day I am grateful to God for the absolute blessing of having a godly earthly father. I can truly say that I understand and realize the spiritual adoption/sonship that the Bible so powerfully presents in Romans 8, Galatians 4 and Ephesians 1. As being one who is adopted both spiritually and physically, I genuinely cherish my heavenly and earthly fathers who took someone that nobody wanted and called him their son. That’s my story. My heavenly Father sought me out, called my name, placed me at his side to be his son, and blessed me with every spiritual blessing! I am now his child forever! I have access to his eternal name and the bountiful inheritance which he offers to me! I am his son.

So to my Heavenly Father who has given me spiritual life and upholds my physical life in his power, I give Him my gratitude for my earthly father. There has never been a doubt in my childhood that my Dad loved God and desired to do what his Father wanted in his life. My Dad has always been devoted to God’s service. For the last 30+ years that entailed loving my Mom, raising 5 kids to love and serve the eternal King, committing time and sacrifice to Kingdom work via the Church, and working extremely hard in the vocation which he had been called serve: farming.

So Dad, I’m thankful that there was never a day in my childhood in which I thought you were not committed to your marriage to Mom. I never had reason to doubt that you loved her and were willing to give your life for her, just like Jesus. Dad, I’m thankful that you never talked of leaving Mom or us kids. You were always present in our childhood. You were always there for your wife and your kids. Thank you Dad.

Dad, I’m thankful that you were intentional in your instruction and discipline that we as your children would understand and experience the presence of God and the power of the Gospel!Thank you for deliberately raising us with Jesus as our only source of substance and existence.Dad, thank you for pointing us to the cross at such an early age. Thank you for living a Spirit-led life. Thank you also for placing great emphasis on God’s work here on earth. Thank you for training us to embrace Kingdom work. Thank you for showing us sacrificial service and a love for the local church!

Dad, lastly I want to thank you for being devoted to the call of God upon your life. Never was there a day where you shirked or ran from your responsibilities and the extreme hardships that accompanied it. You taught me how to work. You taught me how to be diligent. You taught me how to be a steward. You taught me how to be responsible. You taught me how to simply live life. You taught me how I could be a child of God.

So Dad, today is Father’s Day, and I want to wish you the happiest, joy-filled Father’s Day ever.As I sit here and type over a tear-stained keyboard, I cannot express to you and to the Lord of how thankful I am to have an earthly father like you. Looking back at all the bumps in the road, I can truly say that if I could be half the man that you are I would be absolutely thrilled! Dad, thank you for everything! Thank you for your life, your love, your devotion!

Thank you Dad. I love you! Happy Father’s Day!

Your Son

"You're so gay"

I came across this post today and it spoke to me. Currently this is where I am at...things are "gay and retarded," but not in the technical sense...at least in my mind. However, my thoughts and intents are not always communicated in the best manner and so I can understand how these things can be taken wrongly. It is an interesting and controversial topic and one that cannot be solved overnight in one's life. A while ago I mentioned to my a buddy of mine that if we move to Vancouver and begin ministry in the city (which is known for is acceptance and open embracement of homosexuality) that my vernacular is going to have to change....I should probably begin now huh?

God of This City

Katie and I just recently bought Chris Tomlin's newest cd, "Hello Love."  His fourth track is called "God of This City" and as I listened to the lyrics for the first time, the Lord instantly turned my mind to the people of Vancouver.  God is God, and we are not.  He is in control, and His will is sovereign.  He choose to use us as broken, dirty, and useless vessels to carry out His cause and His kingdom!  What an incredible and humbling privilege and calling!  As I listened to this song the Spirit of God just burned in my heart, and I became so excited for the future ministry and the people of Vancouver, BC which God has divinely given us a burden to reach with the Gospel!  Ironically, the week in which we bought the cd was so hectic that Katie and I didn't see each other until several days later, and when we finally had some down time we immediately asked each other about this song, and we both felt the Spirit of God moving our minds and thoughts to the ministry and people of Vancouver!  

"Lord use us as you want whatever the cost.  By faith we'll preach your Gospel till our dying breath!  Let your kingdom come.  Let your will be done, so that everyone might know your name!  Let your song be heard everywhere on earth.  Until your sovereign work on earth is done!  Let your kingdom come!"

REMEMBER AND DO NOT FORGET

A Moment from Deuteronomy 6

Remember the promise my child, the promise that I gave to you in the book of the beginnings? Remember what I did in the lives your forefathers? Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Remember the promise, and remember the promised seed? What promise and what seed you may ask? The promise of a land, seed, and blessing is the reply. Remember that through Abraham all the nations of the world would be blessed? Remember the promised seed that came from the womb of a ninety-year-old woman? When it was humanly impossible the seed was born in order that it might sustain the divinely promised Seed. But remember it is God who is rich in mercy and grace. It is Yahweh who gives to us all things whether they are (not good or bad, but rather) pleasant or unpleasant.
Chosen one, forget not what Yahweh has done for you. Do not forget who givs you your life. You did not form yourself; rather it is He, the Creator who sustains you. Do not forget who gives you your health. Do not forget who gives you your food, your clothes, your home, and your jobs. Brothers, when the good times roll do not forget, neglect, or forsake the Giver and Provider of all things. Remember the One who makes straight your paths and sheds light upon your feet.
But most of all O child of God, remember what your Lord and Savior has done for you! Redemption. Salvation. Justification. Propitiation. Remember O sinner what you used to be. Sinners. Haters of God. Vile. Unjust. Idolaters. Lovers of evil. But God, in His great love with which He loved you chose to save you. He, the Creator God predestined to redeem you before He even created you. He gave you a Savior, His own Son. The Son, the vicarious, atoning Son, perfect, spotless, blameless before the Father, this Son died for you and for me.
Do not forget O man your redemption. Remember your bondage and slavery. Do not forget your Exodus, when the very hand of God Almighty led you out and away from your bitter enemies. Oh, and remember that He not only delivered you, but He also saved you from them. Remember the horrific yoke of sin that captivated your soul. Remember how your Lord in His Sovereign will and time took the writing of requirements written against you and nailed them to a tree. Remember that sinner, and do not forget. This promised Seed, the one who was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob gives you an inheritance. You are now adopted. You are now children of the risen Lord. You have all the spiritual blessings which the heavens afford to bestow.
Oh, and one more thing redeemed one, remember to fear God and keep His commands. Do not forget who you are and who you used to be. Do not forget why you do what you do. Remember what the “beginning of wisdom” is, and where true understanding is derived. Do not forget that it is the fear of the Lord; it is the knowledge of the Holy One. Do not forget the LORD your God. Do not forget what He has done for you. Do not forget His marvelous, divine acts which He has displayed for you in the past. With all that to remember O justified man, remember to tell your children. Tell them, teach them, instruct them, and remind them of who God is and what God has done. Men, model for your kids righteousness and remind them of the greatness of God. Remember the Great Shema. Remember, you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. P.S. Don’t forget!

Grieving, Yet Rejoicing

God is so good. His ways are always perfect, even though I cannot understand them at times. Since our time out here in VA Beach, Katie and I have really plugged in and connected in many ways with our church family. Immediately after bringing Katie out here last August we got involved and joined the local body of believers at Colonial Baptist Church of Oceana. This past weekend for Katie and I however was one with a bitter sweet taste.

This weekend Pastor Tim and Becky announced that they will be leaving the ministry here in VA Beach to take a small church plant in Westerville, OH right outside of Columbus. When Pastor called us the evening prior, I have to admit our initial feelings were not joyful ones. But as we sat in service the next day and listened to Pastor explain what God was doing in their lives, I could not help but sit back and rejoice in that fact that God dominates their lives.

Now this is not to exalt a mere man, but indeed God gives us godly examples to learn from. Pastor Tim is a man that I hold in high regard. His life, ministry and love for righteousness are some aspects that instantly come to mind when I think of this man. I am so grateful to my Lord for allowing Katie and I to sit under the preaching and teaching of such a man (even if it was for only a year).

So, we rejoice that members of the larger body of Christ get to fellowship and learn from the passionate examples such as the Valentines. We rejoice that through this time of transition may the hearts of Pastor Tim and Becky be encouraged and excited about what God has in store for them. In the meantime, we at CBCO are excited about the shepherd whom God has in store. We are ready to learn and looking forward to moving forward by faith.