Infancy

Joanna and I have had the privilege of caring for 3 infants thus far. Infants are so precious. They are so small. They are also completely dependent. Infants would not be able to survive for very long if they were left in their crib for a number of days. They aren't able to walk to the kitchen to get food and water to help them grow. They are dependent on their Mom to feed them. Imagine how bad a diaper rash would be if they were left for a few days without a diaper change. Infants are totally dependent on the care of their Mom and Dad. Infants grow fast through the love, commitment and nurture of their parents.

In the same way, a new follower of Christ is totally dependent in their early stages of infancy. As a person steps out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to work in them, making them new and free. However, infant believers or new disciples are dependent on the body of Christ to assist them in growth.

The parenting of infant followers of Christ is often neglected in the church. So often churches do well at seeing that people have the opportunity to trust Jesus and receive salvation, or certain churches will have a focus on the deeper life of a disciple, and therefore in both situations infants are left in their crib. When this happens, the infant is not able help themselves and in most cases fall back into the same sin traps they dealt with before trusting Jesus. We must do something about this.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2-3, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." An infant needs someone to come alongside them and train them in the Word. They need someone who is willing to hold the bottle of milk so they can get nourishment. They need someone who will show them Scripture that will empower them as they begin their journey. Someone who will teach them the core principles of walking with Jesus.

Here is a list of core principles/practices:
1) Daily nutrition in the word
2) Communicating with God in prayer
3) Understanding faith
4) Sharing our faith in evangelism
5) Putting on the armor for battle
6) Worship and giving thanks
7) Plugging into a local church
8) Embracing God's plan for the nations
9) Understanding baptism and communion
10) Tithing

Last week, I started a beginner's Bible study for a group of youth who have just recently trusted Jesus as their Savior. I have to tell you, sitting at the table and looking into the eyes of these students reminded me of each birth of my children. I had a sense of astonishment and wonder. I was thinking of all the exciting days that are ahead for these students as they begin their new life.

Trusting Jesus is the most important decision a person will every make. However, it doesn't end there. Trusting Jesus isn't just about avoiding eternal damnation, it is about living a life that is surrendered to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus. Baby Christians need nourishment and care to begin their new life in Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit and godly men and women, they will enter into a new life of joy and freedom that will last a lifetime!

Leap B 4 U Look

When was the last time you dared to do something that you've never done before? I mean something that you would consider risky. Doing something risky always comes with hesitation. Each of us like to calculate the odds of getting through and surviving whatever it is we are attempting. Some of us have a high threshold for fear and some of us are afraid to walk in the dark.

Last Summer, my son and I enjoyed a father-son retreat to the North Georgia mountains. We had a blast together! We enjoyed experiences together such as making s'mores, building a fort in the woods without tools, and participating in a father-son scavenger hunt. Each of these events were fun, but by far my favorite part of the whole weekend came toward the end of our free time one afternoon. Allan and I went down to the lake to swim and ride the water slides. We also discovered that they had a 50-foot high jump over the deep end of the lake. We had to try that out! Allan and I both climbed the steps leading up to the wood platform that led to the end of this high-dive. He and I both stood there, on the edge, looking down on what seemed like a massive drop. It was somewhat unsettling for both of us as we looked down. Allan decided that he wanted to watch me take the plunge and jump down first. I took a few steps and took the leap, and felt the rush of the few seconds it took in the air to get down, before splashing into the water below. I thought my demonstration was going to be enough for Allan to join me in the lake. Little did I know that it wasn’t going to be that easy. I tried to encourage and cheer him on from the water. Meanwhile, there were other kids jumping off the high-dive, some who were younger than Allan. They too were trying to encourage him. There were several times that Allan looked as if he was going to jump, and then he would get to the edge, and then he would clam up and chicken out. Forty-five minutes had passed and we were running out of time for Allan to make this happen because it was almost time to get cleaned up for supper. With four or five other fathers and sons watching and cheering Allan on, he began to cry and climb down the stairs as if he was about to give up on trying. Deep down, Allan wanted to jump, but every time he got close to the edge and looked down at the lake, he wasn’t sure if his body would survive the plunge. I met him with a hug as he climbed back down the steps to the high-dive. Then I looked at him in his eyes and told him, “Allan, you can do this!” I coached him and challenged him to conquer this fear. After a few minutes he made the climb back up the stairs and made his way out to the edge of the high-dive. By this time, he had a small crowd of fathers and sons cheering him on from the edge of the lake. He took one glance down at the lake, then walked back a little, and then Allan took a leap of faith and jumped down into the lake below. (See picture)

That day, Allan did more than jump into that lake. Allan conquered a fear. Allan stepped out in faith and did something that wasn’t easy for him, something that involved great risk for an eight year old. Needless to say, I was very proud of him. He will be able to look back on that day his whole life, whenever he is faced with a mountain of risk, he can remember the day that God gave him strength.

There was some serious symbolism in that jump. While enjoying our retreat, Allan and I were also anticipating our family’s move to Minnesota. We had spent the last six years living in the South, and we were moving twenty-five hours North to a small town in the heart of Minnesota. We were use to living close to our extended family and this would put us more than a day’s drive away. Why would we make this move? Yes it was risky. Not many people would even consider it. Our family moved to Minnesota because God called us to serve Him. If we aspire to obey the Lord, He will often call us to take great risks for Him.

God asks us to have a risk-taking faith – to move outside our comfort zones and do things to serve others that we can’t do on our own, to follow God into places that cause us to rely completely on Him. Risk-taking faith isn’t for the faint of heart. It stretches us. It breaks us out of mediocrity and it gets us to live out a relentless, nothing holds you back faith in Jesus Christ!

Throughout Scripture we ready of many people who took giant leaps of faith. Abel brought his offering. Noah built his ark. Abraham took his son to be sacrificed. Moses went to Pharaoh. Joshua took charge and rallied the troops. David picked up some stones for his sling. And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg.

God desires obedience. When we walk in obedience, and step out in faith and are empowered by His Spirit, we will do great things for Jesus!

It's Spring-time

Spring is here!  Spring is a time of new beginnings.  In the winter months the ground is dormant, the vegetation is dormant, but Spring-time brings new life and growth!  The last six months have been a time of new beginnings for my family.  It has been fun for us to adjust to our new life here in Verndale.  We have enjoyed building new friendships, getting established in our church and getting settled in at school and in our home.  We praise the Lord for calling us here for such a time is this!

The student ministry, that I pastor, is also enjoying Spring-time and growth.  We have seen an influx of students over the last two months on Wednesday nights.  We have seen around 20 first-time guest come for the first time in the last two months.  Our attendance has doubled in the last six months.  To God be the glory, great things He has done!  We are currently seeking the Lord for wisdom in how to accommodate this growth.  Please be in prayer for our youth coaches as we make decisions about splitting the high school and middle school.  If we decide to split and meet on separate nights, we will be in need of more youth coaches as well.

On a recent Wednesday night, we saw several students launch into new beginnings as they gave their hearts to Jesus.  Our youth coaches planned a gross and messy games outreach, and we had six students give their hearts to Jesus that night.  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  When a person admits the fact that they are a sinner and confesses their sin to Him for cleansing, that person is made new!  These students are experiencing a new beginning!  I will be starting a new beginnings Bible study with these who have trusted Jesus, on Wednesday nights before youth group.  Please pray for these students as they begin to establish a new relationship with Jesus.

This Spring, as we anticipate the warmer months, as we enjoy the longer days and beautiful gardens, let’s also be reminded of God’s faithfulness.  No matter how difficult the winter’s of life can be, there is always springtime ahead.  As long as God is on His throne, we can trust His sovereign plan for our lives.  The Winter may have been long, but Springtime has arrived!