The Desire of Your Heart

People long for and want what they cannot have and then spurn what they are given. This season of the year is a perfect example. The little child opens his present only to discover that it is not what he wanted and the wrong color at that. Not mentioning the fact that the gift costs them nothing, people will still think or speak of how they received something they did not desire.

There is one Christmas in particular that I remember as a young boy. My family went to my maternal grandparents house and the time to open gifts arrived. I was so excited. With several gifts to open from my family laying in front of me I chose my gift from uncle Jim to open. Ripping the paper into shreds I found a Lego set.
Now, I should have been grateful and happy (I know now that Legos are expensive), but I wasn't. I actually pouted and when mom and dad told me to say thank you I didn't. In fact I was so stubborn about appreciating the gift and saying thank you that I took a spanking and time out more than once before I said it. I don't even remember what I wanted that I didn't get. Yet, the funny thing is I still have that Lego set and now my son plays with it when he goes to grandma and grandpa's house?!

What I didn't want at first turned out to be one of my favorite toys. Sometimes what we want is not as good as what we get. But what about those times when you get exactly what you want.

My senior year of high school I wanted an electric guitar for Christmas. My parents had taken me to look but they were quit expensive and I figured it was possible to get one but not exactly the one I wanted. I had my eye on an American made Lone Star Strat with two single coil pickups and a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates 2 Humbucker, Maple fretboard in white with a red turtle shell pickgaurd, it was the perfect guitar for me!

Christmas morning came around and what did I get? A single box with a kapo in it. A 4" x 4" box with a KAPO IN IT! I was not happy, not only did I not get my guitar, or any guitar for that matter, I only got one measly present. I however acted grateful even though I sinfully was upset and selfish inside. Then my father asked if I had gotten everything out of the box. I said yes and he responded, "I don't think so." Upon further investigation I found a note saying the rest of your Christmas is in your room. I walked back to my room and there laying in the middle was, yep you guessed it, a Lone Star Strat with a maple fretboard in white with a red turtle shell pickgaurd. Let's just say I was excited. I had received exaclty what I wanted!

You know the Lord works a lot like these two stories. He gives us what is best when our desires are wrong or they are misguided. He gives us what we want when we are seeking the things of his will, but in his timing. What do you long for and want from God? What have you been given that you neglect?

When you know that you want what God wants, ask for it and patiently await his timing to bring blessing and opportunity into your life. Then when it arrives don't neglect it or take it for granted for nothing is better than the Father's grace. It is an amazing thing when God gives you the desire of your heart!

Unworthy but desiring,
dave m

Really?

The Pinnacle

When Jesus was taken to the pinnacle of the temple by Satan during the wilderness temptation, the test was to throw himself down so that the angels would catch him. Think with me for just a moment, what a sight that would have been. This unknown carpenter from a little useless town of Nazareth standing at the edge of the massive cliff, jumping off. If no one noticed that, I am sure the legion of angels carrying him safely to the ground would have garnished some attention. And upon his landing, then what? Instant recognition. There would not have been a person for miles around Jerusalem that did not hear of the amazing occurrence. Those who didn't believe, they would have come to meet the man for themselves.

But why not? Why did Jesus refuse? The easy answer is the Devil asked him to do it and we know Jesus would never listen to the devil. But wait just a moment. Jesus was a man, God for sure, but a man too. He had not eaten for forty days and was at the point of bodily injury and starvation. Why, because the Spirit, that is his Father's Spirit, led him to do so. This was a training session in obedience for the Son, a next step in the road to the cross. However hard the wilderness may have been, it was not what the cross would be.

Jesus must suffer and obey the heavenly Father as a man, no divine privilege here, no supernatural scapegoat, just the fortitude and will of a man to obey perfectly his Father's will. That is why we could not do it. I would have broke. "I take the easy way, give me a bread loaf from that rock cause I am about to die." But not Jesus, he trusted in his Father's provision and endured in obedience, even when the circumstance was extremely hard.

So what does that mean for us. Well, simple. If Christ was willing to endure a forty day fast in the wilderness just because his Father told him too, what will you endure. We bail quick when it doesn't seem right. We retreat when things don't make sense. Do you think that it would make sense to you if God asked you to go to the wilderness and not eat for forty days. Most of us would rationalize and say obviously I didn't hear from God. Including me. Not Jesus, that is why he is the Messiah. That is why he has the authority. He is the obedient Son who is blessed by God.

Jesus knew the Father better than any of us ever will. Follow his lead, emulate his example and endure in obedience. The Father knew best for Jesus, and his obedience provided salvation for all who are in Christ. What will your obedience provide?

The pinnacle was not to be the temple mount. The pinnacle was obedince unto death, even death ona cross. There and only there, all the world may see and believe.

struggling with all His energy

I have wanted many times to explain and share my heart as to the title of this blog, “struggling with all His energy.” I hope this post will give you my heart and why I do what I do, and one reason why I long to grow in Christ myself.

Colossians 1:24-29 (ESV) 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

What is the minister to take from this exhortation from Paul? I do not intend to exegete the passage but I hope this story from a sermon I am preparing gives a glimpse of the powerful truth Paul gives in his example to the minister of the gospel.

A young couple deeply desired to have a child. It had been nearly six years since they married and four since they began praying for a child. It seemed as though all the prayer along with doctor visits, strict diets, and treatments were all for naught. Was God unhappy with them? Had sin caused this hurt? All of their friends were having children and were starting their families. Every birth was more of a burden than a time of rejoicing to this couple. But God had heard their prayers and God did understand their desire. The four years of waiting seemed as only a day when Grace arrived. She became the passion of them both.

Years went by and their love only grew stronger for the little girl. They could not understand how anyone could have this much love for another. Among all the joy were struggles and problems but all paled in comparison to the blessing God had placed in their care. All was well until one fateful night. Grace was now thirteen and was sleeping soundly when she found herself trapped, mouth covered and terrified as a man who she did not know began carrying her out of her room. She had time to let out a small scream after biting the hand of the intruder.

Her father hearing the sound sprang from his bed into the hallway seeing in the faint darkness the outline of the predator. Without hesitation he ripped his daughter from the intruder's hands noticing in the moonlight from a window the shimmer of a knife blade quickly moving in his daughter’s direction. He threw himself between the knife and his daughter receiving the cut of the knife directly in the face. Quickly the intruder exited the house leaving behind the scar of that night on the father’s face

More years went by and Grace, now a young woman, had become deeply committed to a young man and talk of marriage began. The young man wanted to ask her father for her hand in marriage, and the night had arrived. Looking intently into the face of grace’s father, all the young man could notice was the severe scar, barely resembling the face of a man, yet reminding him if the intense love he had for his daughter, a love willing to sacrifice his very life for her. Still yet he asked, “May I marry your daughter, Grace.” To which the father responded, “Promise me you will love her the way I have loved her.”

The minister has been entrusted with preparing Christ’s bride, the church, to be presented complete when Christ returns. To do that we must love her as Christ loves her. Christ gave his life for her what are we to give?

The day of the wedding finally arrived.Grace was beautiful. Standing with her father behind the closed doors to the sanctuary, neither could hold back the tears. All the years of prayer, struggles and laboring to raise his daughter in the Lord had paid off. His love for her was evident by the scars he bore on his body, but even more was the image standing there before him in a white dress, pure and innocent about to meet her bridegroom. The doors opened and Grace’s father walked her to the alter with head held high, his job was complete and it was the bridegroom’s turn to take his place as her provision now. “Who gives this bride in marriage,” asked the preacher. “Her mother and I,” he responded knowing that he would not even trade his scared face for this day.

One day the church will be united to her bridegroom. Are you willing to fill up the afflictions lacking in the body of Christ. I don't know about you, but that is a hard question to answer. May God give the grace that we may be faithful to this task as we procliam the mystery hidden for ages but now made clear to Christ's church.

Don't miss out?

As a response to a dear friends blog, If I perish, I perish.

It also amazes me that there are those who think that they cannot whole heartedly follow Christ because they might miss out. The amazing thing is, that is me to often.

Don't miss out? Don't miss out on what? Let's just be frank, the reason we do not want to miss out on the things of this world is because they are more important to us than Christ. We enjoy our sin. That is why people sin isn't it? If sin were not fun, if sin were hard work, would people be as apt to do it?

Take for instance a teenage boy, (I a going to be "to the point" here) who is a sexual relationship with his girlfriend. The truth of the matter is, he likes it. He likes it enough that he is willing to risk in order to have it. There is a satisfaction in his actions. This is not to say they are right, just to say that it is obvious the action is worth doing to him.

To break this down to the simplest form, this young man does not consider a relationship with Christ worth more than the moment of sin, providing instant pleasure. A relationship with Christ is hard work and it does not satisfy him the way sex does. We could go into all of the consequences of the sin and the reasons why he will pay for his sin, and the possible situations that it will produce, yet all this has taken a back seat in his mind for the gratification. Christ is seen as less valuable than sex.

This situation is simplistic, I admit, but the truth is in any sin we choose the sin over our relationship with Christ. What that says is, we do not truly know or are thinking about who Christ really is. The treasure he is and the true joy that he can bring. We have set our sin ahead of Christ because we do not know him well enough to know that it is absolutely ridiculous to trade a growing relationship with him for a moment of selfish desire.

We must go back to the book and remind ourselves of the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. We must, when tempted, set our minds on things above. Why? Because if we truly know what the things above are, sin, in comparison, seems complete nonsense. As C.S Lewis says we are content on making mud pies on the shore when God is offering us a holiday at sea.

If you desire the things of this world more than Christ, then ask God to capture your heart and show you the truth of how much he is worth and what a relationship with him is priceless.

Why can Esther (The woman in my friends blog) walk all over South Korea, loose toe nails and risk life, because she understands that Christ is worth so much more, and to disobey is to deny what she truly desires. May the Lord reveal to our complacent, stubborn hearts the same truth.

Love Requires Discipline

Fifty years of artistry had placed a old but vibrant gentleman in the seat of honor. Gathered around were those dressed in black tie honoring the life and work of this fading inspiration. Hung around the hall were examples of a life spent recreating the events and memories that related all humanity together. It was his gift to society and his contribution to the world, his life on display.

Gleaming with confidence, he was approached by a small girl. "I like your paintings. My dad has one in our house, sir." "Well thank you," he replied. The young girl responded, "I wanted one for my room, but daddy said that the cost to much for just my room. I was wondering if you might draw me a picture on the paper I brought so I could hang it in my room?" Flattered the aging artist quickly took the sheet of paper and sketched a picture of the little girl in pencil.

Later that night as the ceremony and peagentry was at its height, the master of ceremonies unveiled what had been heralded as the masterpiece of the artists life. Before it had even been conceived and produced its place in the Louvre had already been promised. Three years of painting went into its creation of which only 2 months were spent on the canvas displayed that night. Scraps and failures were piled in the corner of his studio, wasted canvases discarded until the perfect work was completed.

Gasps came from the attendees as the cloth was removed. It was as if a photo had been taken and placed upon the canvas with oils. There was no doubt that the artist had spent tedious hours crafting and perfecting this amazing work of art.

Which of these works did the artist love more? The pencil sketch of a little girl quickly scratched on paper or oils meticulously spread across a canvas to be hung in a prestigious art museum?

C.S. Lewis writes, "We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character." The very fact that God chooses to discipline his children is the very proof of His amazing love.

Some would say that if God really loved us, then he would do whatever it takes for us to be happy. God would remove all suffering and allow us pleasant existence. Rather than being a divine Father, most want God to be a divine grandfather. Is love nothing more than kindness, or is there more? On this question again Lewis writes, "Kindness consents very readily to the removal of its object - we have all met people whose kindness to animals is constantly leading them to kill animals lest they should suffer. Kindness, merely as such, cares not whether its object becomes good or bad, provided only that it escapes suffering."

Is this the God that we really want? More importantly, this is not the God that scripture reveals. To want a God who is merely concerned with our happiness is to ask for less love, not more.

God disciplines his children because he is scrapping those things that are contradictory to his character, those things that make us unlike Christ. The love of God requires discipline, because he will settle for no less than perfection. God will not quit on you! He will not give up on you! God is constrained by His love for you in Christ and cannot accept anything less than what is in your best interest. Trust in the discipline of God. Heed His corrections. You are a masterpiece in process and the master Artist has many brush strokes left to complete.

As Henry Blackaby writes, "God knows we are missing out on the life for which He created us. Because of His love, God disciplines His people when we depart from Him and sin against Him.

Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves , and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. - Hebrews 12:5-6

A Heart Shift

On a crisp Friday night, the small town gathered for their weekly ritual. Bright under the lights, full moon shining, the players trotted onto the field, small white puffs of vapor rising from each helmet giving evidence of winters advance, only restrained by fall's last days. The season nearing end was building the noticeable pressure to win. The struggle through the fall had positioned the hometown boys for a playoff spot, the first in nearly 20 years. Leading the charge all season had been what had become a local phenomenon. A timid and cautious Junior had transformed into a record breaking, nationally recognized senior quarterback. Considered to be a top recruit every game presented opportunity for scouts to see him in action, from Florida State to USC.

Amid the chants and cheers, boisterously coming from the stands, the quarterback, focused on the task ahead and the win so desperately needed for a playoff birth and his future career in NCAA sports, was interrupted by an unmistakable look from a young girl in the stands. Knowing not who she was, his attention had suddenly been changed in an instant. The sounds of cheerleaders, the thump of news choppers overhead, and the yells of the crowd faded in a silver screen moment. Their eyes met and time slowed to a crawl. As well known as he had become in this small town and even around the nation how could he have missed such a gorgeous girl in the school hallways everyday? Why had she not found her way to him? All those things however didn't seem to matter because he had one thing now on his mind, what is her name and how can I meet her.

The movie moment was cut short however as his running back gave him a hard slap on the helmet and the team began their pre-game warm ups. His attention however was not so focused anymore, his mind kept wandering to the stands where she was sitting trying one more time to find that moment to let her know he took notice.

The game that night took a different turn. It seemed nearly every pass was a little off the mark, handoffs were sloppy, and defenses that he had seen on tape a hundred times looked confusing and different than expected. Not only had the crowd noticed, but so had the coach, which he realized as a time-out was called from the sidelines. Huddled with the offense the coach began chiding, "Where are you tonight, kid? We need you out there?" All of which was background. He had noticed that the young lady moved from her place in the stands. The rest of the time out was spent glancing from the coach to the stands looking for where she may have gone.

Heart shifts. They happen everyday and in the most unexpected places. Once committed to a day before the Lord in service and worship one finds oneself amid temptation drawing attention away from the task at hand. Focus is moved away from the Lord and the object of reflection replaces our relationship to the Father in a moment.

The trouble for many of us is how we handle these intrusions. Sudden shifts of the heart are not taken captive and steered back to a relationship with the Father, instead we act upon them and allow them to draw us away until we find ourselves wondering how we got so far away. Henry Blackaby writes in his study Fresh Encounter, "People can become substitutes for God. . . . Religious activity and tradition can become substitutes for a relationship with God. We can be busy going through the motions of religion and never experience life in Him."

Where is your focus? Do you find yourself far away from God, or maybe even just a little out of step? Go back to your original focus, return to your first love and find satisfaction in your life, the Lord God. Even the smallest event or change of attention can pull you away from your first love. Realize when it happens and put your mind back on the things above.

Change

I sat and thought of an unusual occurrence amid all the rainy days here in Louisville the last week. Not to long ago I was greeted through the back door by a loud but muffled announcement in 3 year old English from a dirty sand box covered little boy, "Daddy, I wanna stay OUTside!" With a stomp of the foot and a matter of fact frown my son's position had been established to which, as a strong and firm father, I responded, 'Well your mother said to come in and change clothes. She will get us both if you don't." "I don't' want to change," he said with a puppy dog face, knowing that it was going to happen.

I don't want to change either most of the time. This may come as a surprise to some seeing that I have lived in 10 different residences in the past 8 years, worked 8 jobs in that same time, and have attended 3 different schools and five different churches. Still yet, one thing has remained constant, God's leading in my and my family's life. What a journey and what a future. There is really no certainty about what tomorrow will bring or where tomorrow will take me, yet one thing remains, God will be leading.

Personally, the reason I don't like change is because I often attach situations to God, rather than God to situations. I see events for God rather than God in events. The difference has always been allowing God to be the constant and the events as peripheral. But, certainly I fail, instead seeing events and people as constant.

People change. Events change. Friends come. Friends go. Life is easy. Life is hard. But the words of Jim Elliot ring true. "Wherever you are be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Do not be paralyzed by fear. For as my pastor says often, "You worship what you fear." Instead be hopeful and ever ready to recognize and take part in what God is doing in and around you. You never know what He has up his sleeve when it comes to his glory, except that it will glorify His Son, and that it requires your involvement.

If God is changing you or your surroundings right now, trust His work. Do not mistake what has been and what will be for who is.

O Lord please send Revival!

It is a momentous time in the life of Cedar Creek Baptist Church. We have started a study entitled Fresh Encounter. The Spirit of God is moving among our people.

Last night during our Wednesday Night prayer time, one of the most memorable, uniting, and honest prayer times took our congregation through cooperate confessions of failures as a body before the Lord. We confessed sin and asked for a fresh blessing from the Lord. It is my hearts desire that God would do something amazing among us his people.

After reading through the book of judges three things strike me. One, everyman did would seemed good in his own eyes, two, the Lord punished sin, then three, the Lord revived the people when they cried out to him. I know that we have done many things that seemed good in our own eyes, yet we missed the heartbeat of God for our church and community. There is no single person to blame, or single group, we are all one body and we are all in need of repentance and a fresh encounter with God.

Lord, I pray that you will give us an intense hunger for your Word and brake our hearts that we could hear your Word. May we learn as our Pastor John has told us many times, who you are, who we are, and the vast difference between the two. I ask that you, Lord, turn us away by whatever means necessary from what seems good in our own eyes. Return us once again to the cross, to cherish it. To live its truth. To die again to ourselves taking up our cross and following you. May we cling to Jesus our Savior and Lord, the head of our church and authority in our lives, with everything that is in us. Grant us the grace and mercy to return once again to a love relationship with our only hope and foundation, Jesus Christ. Rescue us from ourselves and send revival Lord. Please send us revival.

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Acts 3:19-21 (ESV)

A Day at the Zoo with Solomon

This is mostly for the grandmas but my kid is pretty cute to everybody.

Three year olds spend a lot of time doing one thing. Jumping from perfectly safe places.

Dad, why is the monkey biting the window?

We always have to see the rhinos.
Hope you guys enjoyed the pictures!

Dave, Ann, Solomon, Caedmon

Coming January 2007

It's unlike any other that has come before.
It will move you.
Inspire you.
Transform you.
It is expected yet surprising.
You will have to see it to believe it.


Caedmon Tyler Miller
Coming January 2007.


Ok Ok I know but it is a big deal to us. So now we will have Solomon Jacob, then Caedmon Tyler, then Addilyn Taylor (Lord willing we get a girl cause we for sure don't have anymore boy names) Then all the names kind of flow, like we planned it or something.

This blog was pointless but hey I got you to smile and we have finally decided on a name!

Only for the Lord.
Col. 1:28-29

And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who helped in this campaign. Ann and I would like to thank everyone involved because we know the sacrifice and the diligence each of you displayed during these last few days. But the voting has ended and the numbers have been counted and the winner is... drumroll ... drumroll ... drumroll...
Ta ta da...

CAEDMON

So what if that name got only one vote, Ann and I like it and we are the ones who name our child. So don't feel offended friends, it is nothing you did or said. But Kayla wins the day! Thanks for the great name we are going to use it!!!

So now the only thing that remains is a middle name? What in the world goes with Caedmon? Jeff and Michelle Baxley have been working diligently to appease a very tough audience (Ann and I) trying to come up with a middle name. Anybody have suggestions, other than your own name, or Elvis?

Caedmon is set to be released January 16. Watch for the commercials and media hype!

You still have that Cardboard Crown?

To all who have read this article before, I apologize, but this post had to be revisited for my own humors sake. It should not be surprising to me that the world wants to be first and that everyone owes them their time, effort, and attention, so that "I" may not be inconvenienced by others actions. "I" might not do anything for anyone else, but "I" expect everyone to do what they can to keep my life happy and uninterupted.

Jesus taught that he who wants to be first must serve. He had to teach this because it was a revolutionary idea, completely contrary to our human way of thinking. This spiritual truth is opposed to the flesh. The point is not what must I do to lead, but that you have a leader, Jesus Christ, so serve. Suffer me and read "Cardboard Crown" and see if you like me must crucify your "rights."

When I was a child I remember going into Burger King and putting on one of the cardboard crowns. I was the burger king, but so were all of my other friends. We all had crowns so I guess that made us all kings. (even though it was of burgers) Who did we rule over? Each other, well obviously not because we all had the crowns. We ruled over nothing. We were just pretending and when we left the restaurant the crown would be either thrown away or dropped in the floor of the car to be thrown away later, all smashed and stepped on. So much for my kingdom!

Funny how people do the same thing with God and expect it to work. It is nothing new. Even as far back as Adam and Eve we see man claiming for himself the rule and reign of his own life that rightfully belongs to God. Today, everyone from the CEO to the independent three year old are making claim on their "right" to do as they please. AKA Rule their personal kingdom.

Just today, on Fox News, there was a story of a tenth grader who posted a website under the name of his high school teacher. A legal battle has begun. The teacher said his "rights" are being violated and the student said he has the "right" to post the site. Sounds an awful lot like this world is wearing their own cardboard crowns expecting everyone to bow to their personal authority. Just one problem, if everyone is in charge than no one is in charge. That however is not the case. It is only a view utterly the product of sin's distortion of reality. There is one who is sovereign, when GOD says it, it will happen.

Taking a look again at Genesis we see a common theme among man. Sin. Though in many forms, are all related in a disobedience to the authority of the soveriegn God and dependence on His word, instead struggling to aquire for ouselves independence.

In a book entitled Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands Paul Tripp brings this point to life. He writes,

This rebel spirit affects the way we approach difficulty and blessing. Independence, self-sufficiency, and self-absorption lead us to think of ourselves first and to climb over fences between ourselves and our desires. We want control and hate being controlled. We want to make up the rules and change them whenever it suits us. Essentially we want to be God, ruling our worlds according to our own will. No matter what else we are rebelling against, our rebellion is ultimately directed at God. We refuse to recognize his authority, robbing him of his glory and usurping his right to rule."

Tripp also brings to light a portion of Genesis chapter one. Read there and you will see the need of man for the word of God. After being created as perfect individuals in a perfect relationship with God Adam and Eve still could not figure life out on there own. They had no direction until, "God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen 1:27) God had to tell them the purpose of life and what they were to do. Adam and Eve, even though they were perfect, were created to be dependent on the word of God. Tripp writes, "They did not need this help because they were sinners. They needed help because they were human." This shows that man is dependent and in need of direction, even before the fall. We were created to receive the word of God.

Now look at Genesis three. Here we see Eve entertaining the deceptions of the serpant. The serpant has taken the word of God and has questioned its authority. "Has God indeed said...?" Then he completely denies it, "You will not surely die." Then Eve began to think and, "when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate." Don't miss the signifigance of what Eve just did! When the women saw, not with her eyes, but when she, considered, thought, decided, then she acted on her own authority. Eve traded her God given gift of dependence on the Soveriegn of the Universe for a burger king kids toy, her very own cardboard crown. Then she gave some to her husband and he picked up his very own cardboard crown fit just for him.

Follow through the rest of the book and you will see, Cain, Lamech, the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Sodom and Gommorah, the list goes on and on, each proclaiming the struggle of man to wear the crown and God refusing to allow his glory to be given to another.

This is man's failed attempt at claiming the story for himself. Sin affects us all, no one is exempt. Where in your life are you still touting your cardboard crown. Might I remind you, in the end it will be stepped on, ripped up, and thrown away. You were created to be dependent, independence from God is sin. Remove your cardboard crown, the time of pretending is over. Live the truth.

I leave you with a final illustration from Paul Tripp's book refelcting upon his days as a kindergarten teacher.

One Monday afternoon, the mother of one of my novice academics asked if she could have a birthday party for her daughter in the classroom on the following Friday. The day came, and after the mother's frenetic preparation, we all entered the room. She had turned our little classroom into a birthday kingdom! The walls and table were lavishly decorated; multi-colored streamers hung from the ceiling, and a balloon within a balloon was tied to the back of each chair. At each seat was a ribbon-tied
cellophane bag of party favors. the only exception was the birthday girl, who was surrounded by a huge pile of beautifully wrapped gifts.

At the far end of the table sat Johnny. Johnny kept doing the same thing over and over. He would look at his little bag of party favors, then at the birthday girl's mountain of gifts, fold his arms, stick out his lower lip, and let out an audible humph! Each time the look on his face got a little more ugly and his humphing more audible. Before long he had become the center of attention and was well on his way to spoiling the party. Then one of the mothers walked over and knelt beside him. She turned his chair so that Johnny was looking directly into her face, and she spoke these profound words: "Johnny, it's not your party!"

Here is a great example.

The first trash can had trash in it. This one doesn't. The difference? Someone emptied it and put a new liner in it. It doesn't matter if you were supposed to be the one to do it. If it needs to be done and you see that it needs to be done then do it without griping, without making sure that the one who failed to do a task knows that "I did it for you." Our role is to lift others up and to stand in the gap when they fail, because one day, believe it or not, they will have to do it for you. The moral of the story, serve with all your heart because God is watching and His opinion matters most!

"A Bloody Shame"

Recently I attened a chapel service here at Southern Seminary. The speaker was my preaching professor Dr. Hershael York. His sermon was entitled "A Bloody Shame." There have been sermons in the past that have had a great impact on my life and doctrine, but few have refocused my eyes and life on the Christian journey as this message has.

You would do well to listen to and refelct on the words of this message from a very weird text from the book of Exodus. I hope and know that you will enjoy.

"A Bloody Shame" Sermon Audio

Were you a child of the eighties?

Okay everone has probably already seen this from an email, and I must admit that I kifed it from one as well. This will be the most hilarious thing you read all day. Sike! It is still going to bring a smile to you. (If you are an 80s 90s kid) Enjoy!

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM" in Kindergarten. (She's Truly outrageous.)
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth grade nothing and all The Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. some of us...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. Don't worry, be happy
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do..getting yelled at by younger hip members of the family)
46. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
49. You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli (Growing Pains, you know the Seavers)was hot.
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," the ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing "We are the World"
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
64. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
65. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

Big Brother Solomon

The Voting is still in progress below! Get you votes in quickly as there is only a few days left!

Vote Your Favorite Name

Okay now we will really find out who those diehard blog readers are. You will know that Ann and I are having another boy if you read this regularly. (I know, I know that means you read it once or twice a month but hey who is defining regular reader, me. So if you are reading this you are a regular reader!)

We are so excited, but we are up in the air about names so we want your vote. Read the possibilities we have chosen. Then tell us which one you like the best by leaving a comment. Thanks for the help guys lets see what you think.

1. Adonijah (One of David's other sons)
2. Jedidiah (The bible's other name for Solomon)
3. Luke (Solomon's choice, he likes star wars)
4. Joel
5. Jedidiah Luke (jedi for short ha ha)

Current Results:
Adonijah (-1)
Jedidiah (0)
Luke (4)
Joel (7)
Jeff (1)
Caedmon (1)
Dave Hare Miller (1)
Elvis Louise (1)

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If God says it, it will happen!