7 reflections from my working vacation
1. I will miss my Dad every day for the rest of my life and I don’t need to fix that. My grief is mostly connected to the reality that for the rest of my time here I will not have a Dad. I will not experience the joy of seeing him, hugging him or even just sitting with him. This hurts and that’s ok.
2. Grief is not wrong nor is it a lack of faith. My faith is active most when I face the pain and lean into God’s love. Faith is present when we process not pretend.
3. Jesus grieves with me. The future promise of resurrection and eternity does not remove the pain of the present and Jesus understands this…look at His tears over Lazarus.
4. God’s Grace always comes before my faith. The scripture tells me I have salvation; “BY Grace THROUGH Faith…” This means the BY determines the THROUGH, If I am trying to get THROUGH life and grief with my works I am not BY Grace, I am ultimately BY myself- in more ways than one! I hang my hat on His Grace not my faith. In other words processing through pain begins with reveling in His love and sufficiency, not reeling in my lack of devotion or discipline. For faith is simply a BYproduct of His Grace.
5. Parenting is supposed to be way more fun than pastoring! If parenting feels like a drag and pastoring is what captures most of my affection and attention, something is terribly wrong. As a dad my pastoring will ultimately be shaped and dictated by my parenting. In addition to that it is imperative that I constantly remember parenting and pastoring are not opponents; rather they are teammates, and parenting is the star player who will always make the other player better. I must make them a team and let them play together. Lastly it should be noted I have never met or even heard of a father later in life who expressed regret over spending too much time with his children.
6. Fun is a medicine and should be taken daily. The scripture says; “A merry heart does good like a medicine…” But for medicine to work you have to take it. Not enough people take fun seriously! Fun sometimes just happens but most of the time has to be planned and entered into; “taken!” Take your medicine, enjoy life(it’s short) and make memories! P.S - Jesus was anointed with Joy. His followers should recognize that they too are anointed for joy, dare I even say you may be anointed for fun!? Food for thought.
7. Jesus is first and foremost forever!
Anonymous asked Is this working?
Yep!
RESPOND TO GOD don’t REACT TO LIFE…there is more where that came from- see u at church…Gal.6!
TONIGHT (after the USA win!) we finish the Galatians Series @thecitychurch 17 sermons later- don’t miss the climactic conclusion!
What an honor to preach @forwardcon and be with @jentzen - he is a hero!
HEY EVERYBODY! I need ur help wishing @elijahwaters (our amazing youth pastor) a huge happy bday right now! Can u give him some love!?
The church is more than a special interest group you join its a family you’re called into and it lasts forever.
Just saw “THE GOAL” on my DVR.
3 reasons u shud date ur spouse- 1. To Talk leading to sex 2. To Listen leading to sex 3. To Flirt leading to sex
