Friday, September 24, 2010

Thank God For Teachers



"Train up a child on the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6


One morning last month I had the privilege of bringing a word of encouragement to the whole staff of the Kalamazoo Christian School Association during one of their preparation days for the new school year. Well, ever since then, I've been thinking about the value teachers play in our lives. They play such an important role in shaping our lives, and their efforts can last a lifetime.

Personally, I'll be forever grateful to Dale Hanson who was my senior high graphics arts teacher. He saw something in me, and I'm not even sure what it was. But God used him to help me believe in myself when I was lost and out of focus. The sad thing is, I never did thank him. Do you have similar story? I bet all of us can remember a teacher who took the time to make us feel special, or helped to point us in the right direction.

So I just want to give a shout out to all you teachers out there. Whether you're teaching in a public, private, parochial or Christian school—or even in the home—your work is valuable; it's important, and even though at times it may not look like it, you are making a difference.

I would like to particularly thank the teachers at Kalamazoo Christian School who have helped our kids in so many ways. They describe Christian education as a stool that has three legs: church, home and school. We couldn't agree more. Beth and I are forever grateful for the solid Christian worldview that our kids received there, and hold onto today. As pastors, we did our best to model our values and our faith at home and at the church. But having the kids attend a school that reinforced our faith in Jesus Christ was huge for them and us. Even though it cost a bundle to send them to a private school, it was worth every dime.

But here's the other benefit from that experience. Attending a Christian school helped our kids decide to attend a Christian college. Our daughter, Meghan, graduated last May from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. Our daughter, Annie, and son, Luke, both attend Spring Arbor University near Jackson. Both are excellent schools, both helping students maintain a Christian worldview as they continue their educations. I don't have to tell you that life at a secular college is quite a bit different than at a Christian college. The other night we went down to Spring Arbor to watch Annie play volleyball and after the game, both Annie and Luke were going to go to a worship service at 10:00pm with Ron Kopicko, the school chaplain. Given the choice of seeing your kids head to a worship night rather than out to the club would make any parent appreciate the place.

So, here's to you, teachers, wherever you are. We appreciate your hearts to help our kids and for making such a positive difference in this world!

In Him-

Jeff

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Get Over Yourself


"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Romans 12:3

Have you ever had your feelings hurt, been offended because you weren't treated fairly, or blew your stack because things didn’t go the way you thought they should? Well, just get over yourself. I hate to break the news to you, but the world does not spin around you and there are something close to 7 billion others of us living here on “Planet You.” Now don’t stop reading, because from time to time, we all find ourselves on the same boat; you know the one, the “SS ME.”

But this verse gives all of us some hope. It tells us that we can actually tap into the grace of God and begin to see ourselves differently. God is reminding us that we shouldn’t see ourselves more highly than we should, but to think of ourselves “soberly”; no better or worse than anyone else.

I want to share with you three simple truths that will help you do this:

(1) Get Low and Stay Low

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Get the picture? We’re not to do anything out of ambition, conceit, or pride, and notice it doesn’t say to look at others as equal, but better than us. Wow, honestly when was the last time we did this, and placed others before ourselves?

(2) Be Others Focused

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Later on in this same chapter, the Apostle Paul tells the church at Philippi that of all the leaders he’d been training, that only one guy, Timothy, would naturally care for their state, because all sought their own.

So maybe we should take a little time and help those around with things that are important to them first, before we look at our own interests.

(3) Be Servant of All

Mark 9:35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Jesus’ disciples had been arguing about where there would fit on the ministry flow chart. They were fighting among themselves on who would be the greatest! Can you imagine how dumb that conversation must have sounded? But Jesus reminded them, as He is reminding us today that if we want to be great, then we must choose to become servant of all. And by the way, the last time I did a word search on the definition of all, it came back meaning all. In other words, we don’t get a chance to pick and choose who we serve, we should just serve everyone.

What do you think? Willing to try it for a day? What if all of us decided to purposely serve EVERYONE we come in contact today. How much would our world change? We’d love to hear how it went, let us know.

Peace-

Jeff

Friday, September 10, 2010

Things I Meant To Tell You Before You Left



Proverbs 1:8 “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.”

This is on open letter to our son Luke. We moved him to Spring Arbor University to begin his freshman year on Monday. If you’ve gone through this then you can totally relate to the emotions a parent goes through at a time like this. If you haven’t, then let me warn you, it’s horrible. There I was crying like a baby, knowing all the while that Luke was smack dab in the center of God’s will for his life, but still not wanting to let him go. As we drove away, I thought of a million things I meant to tell him about life. So, I thought maybe I could share a few of them with you:

(1) Do you remember all those bedtime stories I made up about “super boy”, the kid in the neighborhood who always rescued the other kids when they were in trouble, and then always ended the story by asking, “do you know who super boy really is?” and you would smile, point to yourself and answer “Luke”? I meant to tell you that I did that because I wanted you to grow up with the confidence that you had what it takes to help people who are in need. I can see that now in you as you reach out to your friends who need a word of encouragement or just a little help in life, you're there for them.

(2) Do you remember the time we laid down in the driveway to face the wind and the thunderstorm that scared the snot out of you? I meant to tell you that I did that because I wanted you to learn to face your fears. Because no matter how old we get, things come up in life that scare us and we need to learn to face them just like we did with that storm. Now I can see that you’re a guy that doesn’t scare easy and that you have a strength and confidence that comes through everything you do.

(3) Do you remember when you joined the Rocket Football Team and thought that first side-ache was terminal and wanted to quit? I meant to tell you that the reason I wouldn’t let you quit is that if you were ever going to be a winner in life then you would have to learn to push through, and press on, when things get tough. That every successful person I know has had to learn how to do the “hard things." I can see that in you as you’ve faced the challenges of learning to shoot and edit videos, create your own website, and become a worship leader. Aren’t you glad you didn’t quit that dumb football team?

(4) Do you remember all those mornings after our time at “big daddy’s bistro” that I drove you to middle school and you slept the whole way? I meant to tell you that I didn’t mind getting up early to make you breakfast and then drive you to school because I loved to spend time with you. I wanted you to know that your Heavenly Father is the same way. He just loves spending time with you too. I can see that today as you make your personal devotion time with God a real priority in your life. I love seeing how genuine your relationship with Jesus is and how much He has helped shape your life.

(5) Finally, do you remember the million times we butted heads on issues? How I seemed to hold you to a higher standard then your sisters, or even your friends? I meant to tell you that I wasn’t trying to be hard on you, but was just trying to help you become the man God created you to be. So, when those seemingly little things became big things it’s only because every decision we make in life has consequences, and consequences matter. But I’ve watched you over the last few years make some really great choices and decisions in your life.

Well that’s all there’s room for. Just know this Luke, even though the season has changed and you’ve gone off to college I’ll always be your dad, and you’ll always be my super boy. I love you son!

Thanks everybody for letting me share this with you.

With love-


Jeff

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Heirs Together


Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:17

There are two parts of this scripture that are worth taking some time to drill down on. The first is this idea of living with your spouse “with understanding” as a way of honoring one another. Which means that it’s possible that we could be married for years but really never take the time to understand each other. If husbands and wives are ever going to understand each other than we need to take time to have honest, God honoring communication.

The other day I came across 10 questions that I had ask my wife to answer for me about 8 years ago to help me understand her better. According to this verse if we can learn to understand each other we get to partake in the second part and become “heirs together of the grace of life.” In simple terms, this just means that we can expect God’s grace to rest upon our lives and marriage. I don’t know how it is for you, but the more of God’s grace I get to tap into the better!

So, these questions are not original with me, and frankly I just don’t remember where I got them. So, if you’re reading this and think, “hey, I’m the author of those questions”, well let me apologize. I don’t mean to plagiarize you, I just forgot the source, so please don’t sue me. Here they are:

(1) Is there anything I could do to cause you to feel more loved

(2) Is there anything I can do that would give you the confidence that I respect you and the desires of your heart?

(3) Is there anything I need to do that would cause you to feel more secure?

(4) Is there anything I can do that would indicate that I hear and understand your heart?

(5) Is there anything further I need to do to cause you to have an even greater confidence regarding our future direction?

(6) Is there any attribute you would like for me to develop or strengthen?

(7) Is there any attribute you would like me to help YOU develop in yourself, even if it’s only by praying for you?

(8) What achievement in my life would bring you the greatest joy?

(9) What can I do to indicate to you my desire to be more like Jesus?

(10) What mutual goal, or goals would you like to see us accomplish together?

May I suggest that you share these questions with your spouse and see how you can understand each other better? It may just result in you both becoming, “the heirs together of the grace of life.” May God help you take your marriage and your life to a whole new level!

Peace-

Jeff