Today, my kids and I were talking and they asked me if God made bad people. I said that God doesn’t make bad people. He makes people who have choices, and some people choose to do bad things. Then one of my kids gave the answer every parent wants to hear, “Well daddy, I choose to love!” Of course that sounded like the right answer, but as I thought about it for a second, that really is the way it works.
We have choices to make every moment of our lives, and one of them is whether or not to love…choose love!
Jay, Sarah’s and my five-year old son, played Upward basketball in the fall and loved it! So what’s the natural next step? Sign him up for T-ball! Sarah, Jay, Caroline (our 4 year-old daughter), and I were driving home from Jay’s first T-ball team party recently—a time planned to meet all of his new teammates and their parents. Sarah and I were talking about how excited we were. She was talking about the plans she had as the team mom and I was sharing the plans I had as one of the assistant coaches. The conversation paused for a moment and Sarah hesitantly interjected: “I hope he likes baseball.” My reply? “I haven’t thought about that.” It had just made sense; he liked basketball so he should like baseball.
I know parents are bad about placing expectations on their children. However, it’s not just parents that place expectations: Friends do, spouses do, employees/employers do, Christians do! It is pretty common. Some expectations are harmless, but some are life-altering. Many will say that others expectations are only consequential if we allow them to affect us. But, in Acts 12, Peter is imprisoned and facing death because of the expectations of people—and he can do nothing about it! He can do nothing that is except put his prayers and faith in the Lord, which is exactly what he does. What happens? God delivers him. Acts 12:11 (NKJV) says:
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
Don’t allow the expectations of others to control you. But, when you are in a situation in which your decision has no bearing, believe in the One who can set you free—mind, body, and spirit!
I share in many of you guys’ excitement about the powerful atmosphere of us being together as one! The elders and I had been praying and planning for weeks for Super Sunday and for God to make it evident to us if He wants us to continue to be together as one family for a season. I think He answered our prayers emphatically with an incredible time on February 1, followed by overwhelming support in comments on this blog and via other communications. Therefore, as mentioned in service yesterday (Sunday, February 8), our new Sunday morning service time will be 10:10 am, beginning Sunday, March 1. I am also excited to continue making preparations for Sunday morning discipleship which will begin in spring.
Sarah and I thank you all for your comments and your overwhelming support!
Jesus Christ “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Last night, Trinity Chapel’s staff had the privilege to honor and recognize the ministry volunteers who actively serve the body of Christ on a monthly, weekly, and even a daily basis. These women and men do an incredible job of extending the same love, acceptance, and forgiveness that Christ extends to all of us every moment of our lives.
So from Trinity Chapel’s staff, thank you for letting us stand and serve with you. We fully realize that so much of what is accomplished through Trinity Chapel for the kingdom of God is because of your commitment and your sacrifice. We admire the way you so faithfully serve your church, your community, and the world. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you, thank you, thank you! We love each of you very much!
Upon hearing the news of the death (actually, the beheading!) of His cousin John the Baptist, Jesus demonstrates to us the very reason He came to this earth—to serve (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Rightfully so, the word “serve” is the centerpiece of most every mission statement of churches in America. However, serving others is not an event, relegated to a predetermined day of the week, planned by church staff for the congregation to flood the streets of a community to “serve” the world. Serving is a lifestyle motivated by compassion for others. Compassion is defined as a “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
13 “When Jesus heard it (the news of His cousin’s death), He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” —Matthew 14:13-14 (NKJV)
Even though Christ was wanting to slip away alone for a time to process the death of his cousin, He was sympathetically aware of others’ pain and had a desire to help them heal. What separates Christ from most of us is not that He simply felt compassion, but that He was moved with compassion. In the midst of His own pain—His own loss, He responded to His desire to help others heal. He took action. It is not enough for us to merely feel compassionate; we must be moved with compassion!
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” —Acts 4:13 (NKJV)
Note how the observers of Peter and John’s life not only realized they were believers in Christ, but the observers also realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus—that they had spent time with Him. Peter and John went beyond merely talking about Christ; they boldly demonstrated that they had spent time with Him!
“God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.” —1 Corinthians 4:20 (The Message)
Thanks to each of you for taking the time to share your thoughts with Sarah and me. In addition, I want to thank Trinity Chapel’s elders and staff for their creative insight and behind-the-scenes planning for the powerful day. Most of all, I thank God for showing us a glimpse into our spiritual destiny. I believe God allowed us to experience physically what He is doing spiritually at Trinity Chapel. He is uniting a group of believers who want to accomplish something awesome—not alone, but as a family! Super Sunday was a huge success, but most of all, God was glorified in an awesome way!
May we all share in answering Christ’s prayer to the Father:
“20 I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” —John 17:20-21 (NLT)
Today is definitely a great time to begin blogging—the day after Super Sunday at Trinity Chapel! I know we have had many powerful services and great crowds in the past; however, Sarah and I don’t ever remember participating in a worship service with such unity. To each of you who participated and helped make the incredible day possible…thank you!
There is no question that the past two months have been challenging for Trinity Chapel, but yesterday’s service was an incredible testimony and demonstration of the level of maturity and faithfulness by one group of people. This one thing is true: I am proud to be a part of the family of Trinity Chapel!
I look forward to your thoughts and comments.