An Easy Thing to Say

One day I picked up my youngest son Micah from preschool and
headed back to the house. As we were
driving down the road Micah said to me, “Dad I love you!” I responded back, “Micah, I love you too!” He then promptly said, “Love is an easy word
to say!” That statement caused a big
smile to form on my face. In the
innocence of it all I knew that Micah was so right. However, it also saddened me to think about
all of those who would disagree with Micah because of the hurt and
disappointment that is present in the lives and relationships of “grown-ups.” As I thought about the interaction that I had
with Micah I was reminded of the interaction that Jesus had with his disciples
and some children in Matthew. We read in
Matthew 19
13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands
on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
In verse thirteen we see the disciples rebuke and in verse
fourteen they get rebuked for rebuking.
I just find that rather comical. I
always have pulled for the underdog. These
disciples who have been called to follow Jesus the Rabbi get rebuked for not
modeling the greatest characteristic of their Rabbi….the characteristic of
love.
Very few in the Jewish culture had the opportunity to follow
a rabbi. Jesus’ disciples at one time
didn’t make the grade. When Jesus came
to the Sea of Galilee these disciples had already been sent home to learn the family
trade. When Jesus comes to them and
offers them the opportunity to follow him they are overjoyed with the
opportunity for a second chance. These
former fisherman would leave their village, their father and their nets and
devote themselves to learning how to do what their rabbi did. On this particular occasion they failed to
model the acceptance and love that was priority one to their rabbi and as a
result they were rebuked for their rebuke.
No wonder Jesus said, “that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these.” There is much about my youngest
boy that I have grown to appreciate but one of my favorite characteristics is
his constant willingness to combat silence with the words, “I love you.” I am convinced that God gives his kingdom
away to voices who have come to discover that “love is an easy word to
say!”

trials of life

Today I read, "Do not be afraid to enter the cloud descending on your life, for God is in it. And the other side is radiant with His glory" (Cowman). "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ"(1 Peter 4:12-13).

I rejoiced this morning when I read these words. I recently have had some trials but I came to discover after my time with the Lord this morning that my trials are so small as it relates to the struggles of many. I found myself praising the Lord that I can at least in a small way "participate in the His sufferings."

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

Is there any instance when giving up could be considered a good thing? In our culture giving up is frowned upon (as Americans we take great delight in our rugged individualism). However, there is one exception. Our surrender of our self and life before God is the most important victory that any of us will ever experience.

C.S. Lewis states, “Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement:
he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over
again from the ground floor---that is the only way out of the hole. This process of surrender is called repentance.”

Let's get out the surrender flags and raise them high.

Abiding in Him!

15 Shekels and a homer of barley

I just felt led to share an excerpt from my prayer journal this morning.

"This morning I read in Hosea 3 about the Lord’s command for Hosea to go and show his
love for his adulterous wife despite her sin. The Word says, “Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” I in so many ways see myself as the adulterous wife. I wonder how many times I have chosen other things over you. Lord God forgive me and cleanse me. I am desperate for you. Hosea purchased his wife back with fifteen shekels of silver and a homer of barley. However, the cost was much greater for you in that you would sacrifice your only Son in order to pay for my sin. It is my desire that my life honors that sacrifice."

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

Truth seekers and speakers

I remember in kindergarten my mother spending a significant amount of time helping me read a book. The following day I was suppose to read it for my teacher. However, when it was my turn to read Ms. Van Dine asked me, “Stephen, are you ready to read?” I thought to myself, “I didn’t realize I had a choice” so I simply responded, “No, I don’t think so.” When I got off the bus that afternoon my mother asked me, “How did you do with your reading?” I responded, “I didn’t miss any words!” Later that evening the telephone rang and to my horror it was Ms. Van Dine informing my mother that I had opted not to read. It wasn’t a very good evening after that point for me because truth came knocking at my door.
I have spent a lot of time lately thinking about just how difficult truth can be sometimes. Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy people exert to avoid telling others the truth when they are fearful it may hurt their feelings? We easily can be tempted to make someone’s feelings more important than honesty. As a response to this thinking I have committed to making “truth spoken in love” my ultimate goal as it relates to those that live within my faith community. Relationships are hindered when we aren’t willing to be honest.
Let’s commit to be truth seekers and truth speakers even if it may bring discomfort.

Cam, Dad,gratefulness & victory

Warning: I'm back!!!! Just thought I would warn you. It's been nearly two years since my last blog. Over the last two years I have remained focused on finishing my masters degree so I decided to neglect "blog nation" for a season. Now that I have completed my coursework I felt led to pick up where I left off.

"But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ...." (2 Cor. 2:14)

This past week was extremely special for me. I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days alone with my middle son Camden. On Wednesday afternoon we climbed into the F150 and drove to Raleigh for the NC State v. Miami basketball game. After the game we drove to my in-laws in Burlington to spend the night. The next day we played some golf together, ate a rack of ribs and returned home "all the better for the time we had together."

During the trip with my son I was reminded of an important characteristic......gratefulness. I lost count of how many times that Camden sincerely thanked me for the adventure. He thanked me for the Five-Guys burger, the milkshake at the game, the souvenir, the mountain dew, the candy, the rack of ribs, the round of golf and the overall experience. It does something to a father's heart when a child expresses their gratitude.

I came away more determined to be more grateful for all that my "Heavenly Father" has done for me. Hope you join me!

We were excited that NC State won the game. However, I couldn't help but think that the game was only a small part of the victory we experienced this week.

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis

assembly of believers

This past Sunday I found myself in my driveway shoveling snow. It really wasn't what I had envisioned when I finished writing my message on Thursday. As I continued to shovel my driveway my heart yearned with in me to be in corporate worship with my family of faith at LFCN. As I shoveled I made it a worship experience as I listened to praise music on my ipod. However, it wasn't quite the same. I feel sorry for those who don't have the opportunity to worship weekly with the people of God. I know that it isn't always easy, people are imperfect and the church is made up of people. When we put ourselves out their we run the risk of rejection, we run the risk of being misunderstood, and we run the risk of being disappointed. However, there is nothing like belonging to a family of faith that geniunely loves you celebrating our Great God with them weekly in corporate worship. Take it from someone who had a "drug" problem from birth..... mom and dad "drug" me to church everytime the doors opened. There's nothing like belonging and worshipping with the family of God.

Stephen Willis
www.lynchburgnaz.com

As I write this blog post I am holding out hope that the prediction of snow for this weekend goes away.