You Alone Can Rescue

Matt Redman's latest project, We Shall Not Be Shaken, was released on iTunes today. The lyrics from my favorite track nearly brought tears to my eyes as I read Samuel's update this morning.

Who, O Lord can save themselves
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

You, O Lord, have made a way
The great divide You healed
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, Your love goes further still

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes,
You're the giver of life
[Repeat]

Samuel

Please continue to pray for Samuel. Bryan and Kathryn were informed on Sunday that Samuel is in critical condition and anything could happen at any time. Our hearts ache for them as they continue down this road on which God has them. Their testimony of faith is amazing and has challenged me in so many ways.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19)

What they don't teach you in History class...

Thanks to Huckabee, I've discovered a website that offers a plethora of information supporting the claim America was founded on Christian principles. The organization -- WallBuilders -- is "dedicated to presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, whit an emphasis on the moral, religious, and constitutional foundation on which America was built."

John Adams, for example, "is regarded as one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States" (Wikipedia). In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, he wrote:

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those principles are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."

After perusing the website, one can only conclude the Founding Fathers were influenced by their faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Why are we told otherwise?

I'll Never Be The Same

I have NO musical talent whatsoever, but LOVE music. I'll never forget the first time I heard this song -- I was watching Passion 07 online. I felt like it was my theme song -- "'Cause I know that You're alive; You came to fix my broken life; and I'll sing to glorify; you're holy name Jesus Christ."

As I shared in my testimony; I'll never be the same.

Extravagant Worship

In an earlier post I mentioned the three anchors of Passion City Church -- The Glory of God. The Grace of God. Extravagant Worship. This month's gathering focused on Extravagant Worship.

Louie started his sermon with a video clip of Michael Jackson fans. As you can imagine, the fans were hysterical. Louie's point: We were wired for worship -- and we're really, REALLY good at it.

Worship is not an option -- WHO or WHAT you worship is. Louie defined worship as us responding to what we value most in life. You only get one lifetime of affection. Who or what is on the receiving end of it?

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 11:36-12:1)

More Je-Ja!

Maddie and I were just dancing to Let God Arise. Here was the exchange after the song:

Maddie: "More"
Me: "More of what?"
Maddie: "Je-Ja!" (i.e. Jesus)

So we danced again.

More than Just a Clean Slate

I was listening to a Cornerstone podcast and heard something along the lines of:

Let's say you write a check. There's not enough money in your account. The check bounces. Your bank charges you a fee. Now you owe the bank. You forgot about another check you wrote. It bounces too. You're charged another fee. Now you owe the bank even more!

Let's assume someone notices your struggle to make ends meet. They pay off your debt to the bank. It's just the break you've been waiting for. Now you have a clean slate. BUT if you go to the ATM to withdraw $50, all you're going to see are goose eggs. You still don't have any money. You're still broke!

But what if someone says "Let me sell my house, my car, cash in my retirement accounts, etc. and give you everything I have." This is more than the break you've been waiting for. Not only do you have a clean slate, but that $50 is going to be there!

That's what Christ has done for us. His death on the cross has cleaned our slate and by placing our faith in Him, we have a right standing relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Do you want more than just a clean slate? Click here to learn more.

Our Nation's Motto

Andy started a 2-part series this weekend titled God & Country.

Did you know on July 30, 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring "In God We Trust" to be the nation's motto?

According to Wikipedia, it was placed on all currency in the previous year as a reminder of the self-evident truth that as long as this country trusts in God, it will prevail!

A Contemplation & Celebration

To be in the same venue that will host the likes of Dave Matthews Band and Kenny Chesney for the purpose of amplifying -- and I mean AMPLIFYING -- the name of Jesus Christ was amazing. Louie also took time to reflect on the cross, sharing that because of the cross, we can be Alive. Clean. Embraced. Healed. Free.

For "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Happy Easter!

Symbol of Hope

Andy's sermon on Sunday -- The Final Hours -- set the tone for Easter by recounting the final hours of Jesus' life. While the cross had been a symbol of shame, ONE crucifixion has made it a symbol of hope. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him" -- that is, whoever places their trust in Him, makes Him the Lord of their life, etc. -- "shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Thank you Jesus, for not only choosing death, but death on a cross, so that I may enjoy the freedom that is found in You.

Passion City Church

Emily and I visited Passion City Church last night. Two of the top names in Christian music taking the stage to lead worship can only be described as "surreal." But like Louie said, it's not about them. It's about God.

Louie shared the three anchors of the church: The Glory of God. The Grace of God. Extravagant Worship. But don't be fooled by "Extravagant Worship." It's not just music. It's justice. Compassion. Mercy.

According to Louie, the church gave away 100% of its offering from the first gathering. Last night's focus was on women and children who are trapped in sex slavery and prostitution. Did you know Atlanta is among the top three cities in the U.S. for child prostitution? Wellspring Living is one of two organizations in Atlanta that exists to create restorative environments for victims of forced prostitution. A portion of last night's offering was to allow a 17-year-old join the program. Sari Bari -- a project in India providing rescue and restoration to women and children through micro-enterprise -- was featured as well (One Million Can).

These guys know what it means "to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

Spicy Beef Wraps & Jesus Christ

After reading Romans 10:9 this morning, I thought I would share part of my story.

I grew up Catholic. Our church attendance tapered off as I got older. I was introduced to Fellowship of Christian Athletes -- a campus ministry at University of Kentucky -- my sophomore year. A fellow by the name of Travis Freeman was involved in leadership. The unique thing about Travis -- he's blind. He lost his vision when he was 12. According to his website, his condition -- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis -- has a 70% death rate and those that survive typically have little or no ability to function as a normal human being. He was only the second case in the world where the infection had only affected the eyes.

Travis was in several of my classes, so I offered to serve as an "escort." While eating lunch -- spicy beef wraps -- one day, he said something along the lines of, "Mike, I don't know that much about you." I thought to myself, "What does he want to know? How many brothers and sisters I have? What are my hobbies?" Then Travis asked me a question that changed my life forever. "If you were to die today, would you go to heaven?"

That wasn't exactly the question I was expecting. I was nervous. I had never REALLY thought about it. I assumed I was going to heaven because I had been baptized in the Catholic Church. Unsure as to what to say, I responded, "Well, to be honest with you, I don't know. I try to be a good person. Isn't that enough?" Right then and there, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I felt like the heaviest weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My life has never been the same.

"That if you confess with you mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8).

What are the consequences?

I don't know about you, but I tend to "forget" about some of the Ten Commandments. Murdering, for example, is NOT one of them -- it's a law -- you WILL spend time in prison -- you CAN be put to death. But keeping the Sabbath day holy? What are the consequences if I don't? According to the Old Testament, you WOULD be put to death (Exodus 35:1-2).

After reading that, it dawned on me that -- if keeping the Sabbath day holy IS one of the Ten Commandments (#4 to be exact) and failing to do so resulted in death -- how I spend my time on Sunday (MY seventh day) is probably more important to God than I think.

What does keeping the Sabbath day holy look like? I don't know, but here are some helpful resources -- Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy and Keep the Sabbath Day Holy.

Sometimes it takes Him a while...

Andy started a 3-part series this weekend titled He's Still* Got the Whole World in His Hands. It's a timely series given the uncertainty surrounding us. "Knowing that God is still active during uncertain times allows us to maintain hope and faith, and keeps us from despair" (NP). He closed Part 1 by sharing a conversation he had with Rev. Otis Moss at the National Prayer Service. Towards the end of the conversation, Rev. Moss -- an African-American who grew up orphaned in Middle Georgia during the days of racial segregation -- paused, gazed off into the distance, and then recited the first half of Romans 8:28, "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him." adding, "And sometimes it takes Him a while."

Can you maintain your faith in God when there's absolutely no evidence of His activity in your life? According to Andy, your answer to that question will determine your response to the uncertainty in your life.

Happy Valentine's Day

While you demonstrate your love for your significant other this Valentine's Day, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the greatest demonstration of love ever -- the cross.

Proud of Our Pastor

We were tipped-off by a NPCC "insider" that our pastor, Andy Stanley, was invited to pray at the National Prayer Service yesterday. So, we DVRed it and watched it last night. Here's his prayer:

"Gracious God, whose glory is in all the world; we commend this nation to your merciful care that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant Barack Obama, President of the United States, and to all in authority, your grace and good will. Bless them with your heavenly gifts. Give them wisdom and strength to know and do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve the people of this land in honor of you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Renew Your Mind

I read an interesting - and challenging - article in this month's issue of Charisma entitled "Go Against the Flow" by Rich Rogers. The article addresses the challenge of "staying faithful to God when the people around you are compromising." A study was conducted on 10,000 individuals from around the nation and found "that most people who claim to be a Christian don't have the mind of God on important issues." According to the results, 84% claimed to be Christian and some of the "same people also deemed the following behaviors and lifestyles 'morally acceptable':"

• Abortion - 45%
• Adultery - 42%
• Cohabitation - 60%
• Gambling - 61%
• Pornography - 38%
• Sexual relations between homosexuals - 30%
• Use of profanity - 36%

Rogers notes, "The Bible tells us that man will never think the thoughts of God unless he experiences the transformation of the mind" and references Isaiah 55:8-9.

"So, how does one begin the transformation process? Simply put, you must learn what God has to say about everything. How? Become familiar with His Word and allow it to change the way you think."

Good News of Great Joy for All People!

My favorite part of the Christmas story is whent the angel says, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-12). The birth of Jesus is GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY for ALL PEOPLE. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

For a different take on the Christmas story, check this out.

Merry Christmas and may God bless you in the New Year!

Dada!

I was listening to Mark Driscoll's Pray like Jesus: the Lord's Prayer on my way to work yesterday. I'm sure you're familiar with the prayer - "Our Father in heaven..." Mark pointed out that "Jesus addressed God simply as 'Father', and taught his followers to do the same." He went on to say that "understanding that God is Dad is primary to prayer" and "if we understand God is Dad, then we will naturally speak to him anytime about anything because we know we are loved, cared for and safe with him."

When I got home, I took Maddie upstairs with me as I normally do. As soon as we walked into the bedroom, she pointed to a picture of Emily and me as if she DESPERATELY needed it. I grabbed the picture and brought it closer. She pointed to me and said "dada". It was the first time I've heard her say it without being prompted to do so!

Whether or not this was a coincidence, I was reminded that my relationship with Maddie has been ordained by God and it's my responsibility as a father - and a husband - to reflect the image of God.

To add a little humor, I asked Maddie to give me a kiss (in the picture) and she did. I then asked her to give me a kiss (in real life) and she ferociously shook her head NO!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I LOVE Thanksgiving - fall is my favorite season, the food is delicious, I enjoy watching football, and the thought of getting a good deal the next day (i.e. Black Friday) excites me. But is that what Thanksgiving is all about?

According to George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation (1789), we celebrate Thanksgiving "to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor." According to the proclamation, both Houses of Congress recommended we have "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God."

As is with every Thanksgiving, I have a lot to be thankful for. But, what I'm most thankful for is:

• The cross - I've been forgiven; I've been set free.
• Emily - She's an answer to prayer; a living example of Proverbs 31.
• Madeleine Grace - Knowing she can't comprehend how much I love her reminds me (a child of God) I can't comprehend how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

So, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever" (Psalm 136:1).