No matter what our age may be, most of us probably do not enjoy being corrected. In fact, one of the hardest things to do is to stop and listen when someone is trying to correct us or our behavior. Many of us have seen this played out time and time again while we were correcting or disciplining our children. Children do not like to be corrected, but, honestly, neither do we.

However, just because we do not like to be corrected does not mean we do not need to be corrected. We all have moments in our lives where we find ourselves saying or doing things that make us look bad and bring shame and reproach upon the church. When such moments happen, we need someone to reach out to us with a gentle and loving hand of correction, not to be the Christian police, but to help us in our walk with God.

The wise man said, “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Prov. 12:1). Wow, what strong language. Why use such strong language? My guess, because it gets the point across. There are times we need correction in our lives and when those times come, we must stop and listen.

The apostle James wrote, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jam. 1:19). Notice he says be “swift to hear” and “slow to speak.” When someone is trying to correct us, our typical response is to start offering excuses. Instead, we need to stop and listen. They just might be saying something we need to hear.

Brothers and sisters, we all are going to find ourselves in need of a gentle hand of correction at some point. When that time comes, how will we respond? Will we offer up a variety of excuses, will we accuse the person trying to correct us of being judgmental, or will we stop and listen to what we are being told?  That correction just might change the course of our eternity.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

It was a cold morning on this day four years ago when my life forever changed. At 8:19 a.m. Miranda and I welcomed a little baby boy into this world and our lives have never been the same since. I will forever be grateful for God allowing me the opportunity to be Caden’s earthly father. This little guy, although only in my life for a few short years, has already taught me many valuable lessons that I will forever cherish. In honor of his birthday, I would like to share a few of these life lessons.

1. Ask questions, and ask them often. I knew over the course of his life I would have to answer some of the tough questions that crossed his intriguing mind. Little did I realize those questions would come at such a young age. I am thankful he is already using his God given mind to stretch, grow and learn, but boy has that been challenging at times for daddy and mommy! Sometimes I am just not sure how to answer the little guy’s question because the answer may be complex and I am not sure how to explain such to a 4 year old. Caden’s fascination with learning and discovering is a constant reminder that even though I have degrees hanging on my office walls, I should never quit asking questions and stretching my mind.
2. Take time to play and do something you enjoy everyday. Caden loves to play many different things, but his favorite thing to do is play sports. So every night when I get home from work, Caden and I take time to play football, basketball, baseball and soccer. I know those are his favorite things to play and the things he most looks forward to everyday. What a great reminder this has been for me on a personal level. No matter how busy I am, I need to take time every day to do something I enjoy, whether that be going for a run, reading, writing or simply playing.
3. Set your mind to do something and then go do it. Right now Caden is at the age where he thinks he can do anything. No matter how many times we tell him he’s not big enough or old enough to do something, he follows by saying,”I can do it!” I have learned that just because I might not think he is old enough or big enough doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the case. I didn’t think Caden was big enough to hit a baseball without using a tee. He thought otherwise. After trying and succeeding to hit a baseball like big boys and girls, I realized he was right and I was wrong.This example can be repeated in many different areas of his young life. Thank you, Caden, for reminding daddy that you (and anyone for that matter) can accomplish almost anything if you set your mind to do so.
4. Love is an action, not just mere words. Too often people use the expression, “I love you” but allow their lives to say something different. Caden reminds me every day that it’s not enough just to say, “I love you” if my actions speak otherwise. I must demonstrate my love through my actions. I must demonstrate how important he is to me by giving him time and my undivided attention every day. My love for him, mommy and others needs to be expressed through my actions and behavior. The world would be a much better place if we all lived with this understanding.
5. Always remember to pray even for what others might think is insignificant. If you have ever heard a child pray you know what I mean here. Not only do children pray for what most adults would deem “important,” but they also pray for the things they deem to be important; the things that we as adults sometimes forget to pray about (toys, friends and being able to stay home with mommy and play). Listening to Caden pray is always a much needed reminder for my own prayer life. We should take time to pray for “ALL” our the blessings in our lives, even those blessings we sometimes take for granted.

They say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, but I beg to differ. In just a few short years Caden has taught me many lessons that will bless my life from here on out. Lessons I had forgotten or might not have ever learned. Lessons I will forever be grateful to him for teaching me. I hope and pray God grants me many more years to be this little guy’s father. He is certainly a blessing from God. And who knows, in time I might be a completely different dog because of the many lessons my young son teaches me.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

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Over the last few years, Christians have embarked on many different crusades. Most recently Christians are in an uproar over Starbucks’ new holiday cups. This year Starbucks will be using a red cup without any kind of reference to Christmas. The lack of the words “Merry Christmas” has caused many Christians to voice their strong displeasure with Starbucks.

As much as I love the Christmas holidays, I do not love the reputation followers of Jesus are getting among the very people we are trying to reach. We are no longer known for the good works we do in our communities and for our neighbors, but rather we are becoming known for what we stand against vocally and on social media sites. Let me ask you: is standing against Starbucks because of their red cups really what we want to be known for as Christians?

In the days of the early church, the book of Acts records what Christians were known for: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:44-47). Did you catch that? The early church was known for being generous, loving and supportive of one another. As a result, the Lord added to their number daily.

I am sure the early church stood against different things in the first century, but that’s not what they were known for. They were known less for what they stood against and more for what they did for others.

May we be known as people of love and good works and may the church, through the grace and mercy of God, grow both spiritually and numerically because of the actions and reputation of faithful Christians.

Now that’s Something To Think About!

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Have you ever felt alone? If so, you understand how this one emotion can create a roller coaster of negative thoughts and feelings in one’s life. We hate being alone. Sure, there are times we probably prefer to be alone; after all, sometimes you just need to get away. However, at its very core, no one desires to be alone.

When God was finished creating the world and everything in it, He looked over it all and “Behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). God was proud of His creation, at least, until He saw that Adam was alone. Then God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). Although the context of this passage involves the marriage relationship, it’s apparent God didn’t intend for us to go though this life alone. God saw we would need help along the way and decided to take action.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we need other people. We need other people to help us with our physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, wrote, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Yes, it is true…I need you and you need me. To get through this life with all its difficulties and trials, we need to rely on other people. God knew this was the case and gave us exactly what we needed, one another. I’m grateful God saw the blessing of having other people involved in our lives.

Now that’s Something to Think About!