Excellent Video Preparing for Christmas!

Advent: God With Us from The Village Church on Vimeo.

Thanks, OBF... Excellent Video!

Blessed to be a blessing... a real life story of a Miami Student...

As we think about this season of Christmas, let's remember that we have been blessed to be a blessing.  Jordan Habel is a freshmen at Miami University involved with CRU and this semester trusted Christ.  Watch this video about how Jordan desires to be a blessing to starving children all around the world.

Don't Take a break from being a man... Step Up!

I just started reading a book entitled Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey and as I reflect on the holiday season, my mind tends to drift towards how I can be refreshed. While I do not think this is necessarily bad, I want to challenge myself and you to consider working on stepping up as a man. This can be applied in a variety of ways. If you are a father, move towards your kids intentionally this holiday season.   This is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give your kids: a non passive, involved father who moves towards his kids.  I just got an e-mail from a friend who just graduated from Miami and is working on his adult relationship with his father. He said, "When I hear my father say he loves me, he is proud of me, and I am good at ____________" I can do anything.  So, for the fathers out there who have not said these three powerful statements to their children, this holiday would be a great time to "Step Up"! Could you imagine how much influence this could have in your son's life? For men who are not yet married or do not have children this holiday season maybe  you need to move towards a friend and confess a sin you have never shared with anyone.  Maybe you have never heard your dad say the above three statements. Step up and ask him for them.   No matter where you are on the journey of manhood, let's all step up this Holiday Season!

Zakar God's Faithfulness...

After studying Hebrew for an entire summer, I cannot recall much of what I "learned". The irony is that one of the few words I do remember is Zakar (זָכַר ) which means "to remember".  This little word is used 222 times in the Hebrew Bible.   This morning I was reminded of this word while studying Deuteronomy 8.  God says to Israel as they are preparing to enter the Promise Land to not forget the Lord who brought you out of slavery (Dt. 8:14) He is the One who led Israel through the wilderness. (Dt. 8:15-16)  Deuteronomy repeats over and over again truths that Israel had already learned.  This repetition occured because Israel had the same problem we have today in 2011. This is the problem that I suffer from on a daily basis.  He says, "Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth."  How often I forget that all the good that I have is form the Lord.  I suffer from what I call Christian amnesia.  I tend to forgot all the ways in which God has worked in my life.  I forget God's faithfulness in countless ways.    What is the cure?  "But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth..." (Dt. 8:18) We are to Zakar that the Lord is the One who has given us all that we have.  This is a great challenge this Thanksgiving week.  I want to spend time remembering God's faithfulness in my life.  It is because of his grace that I get to take another breath.  Before you do anything else, pause, and thank God for His faithfulness in your life.  Start a list of things you are thankful for this Thanksgiving season. How long would your list be?  

Just a thought away from ruining my life...

Only time will reveal what really happened with Jerry Sandusky at Penn State.  To say that it is  a very tragic and difficult situation is an understatement.  While I had a range of emotions when I first heard about the scandal from shock to anger to empathy to sadness, I also had fear. Now this fear was related to my own potential to fail.  You see, I sin just like Jerry. My sin may not be dressed up the same way as Jerry's, but I sin.  In fact, I have thoughts that are not always pure and holy.  I have moments in my mind that I would never want shared on this blog.  So the challenge for me is this: what do I do with my sinful thoughts?  The Apostle Paul urges us to "...take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5) But he says this in the first person plural. He says "We are destroying speculations..." (NASB)  Paul is putting himself in the same category as the listener.   1 John 1:9 says that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  John does it as well.  I have never noticed this plurality in 1 John 1:9.  John does not put himself above the need to confess his sin with the reader of this passage.   John is saying that if we confess our sins or agree with God that we have sinned, He cancels our debt.  I understand the value and necessity of confessing my sins to God.  But for the longest time, I thought confession was a personal thing between me and God. And to a certain extent it is this. But I also think there is a need confess us sins to others.  You see, I am not above failing big time in my personal and professional life.   Paul warns us in 1 Cor. 10:12 "Therefore, if anyone thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."  I am just a thought away from ruin.  The question I have for you is this: when is the last time you confessed your sin to someone? James 5:16 urges us to do so.

  If you want to read a thoughtful response to the Penn State tragedy, check out Tim Henderson's message that he gave to PSU's CRU meeting:  http://pennstatecru.org/lovefull.html

Knock, Knock... You can change the course of your life!

As I have been working with college students for over 22 years, I have seen both the positive and negative influences  that can come from a father.  I would argue that unless we deal with these wounds from a Biblical perspective, we can be set up to repeat them with our children.  Check out this poetic video that can give young men hope!

It's All about our heart: Mark 7:6

This past week I was challenged to consider the condition of my heart.  I find it easy to hide from others and from sharing what is really going on in my heart. At times, I need to be asked how my heart is doing with specific questions from friends.  Because it is so hard for men to do this, we have used an activity called "The Hot Seat".   I was with 5 students last weekend on our way home from Michigan and for almost 4 hours we each went on "The Hot Seat". This meant we could ask any question we wanted of each other.  This activity is an excellent way to probe areas in your life that  are challenging to go to .  Obviously, this needs to be explored in the context of a safe group of people who you can trust.  But I recommend it.  So how is your heart today? Have you ever put yourself on "The Hot Seat " with a group of your friends?  "The people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." (Mark 7:6)  It would seem that to finish well, I need to allow others to ask hard question in order for me to get to what is going on in my heart.  I long for what I say and do to match what is going on in my heart. 

Couple Married 72 Years Dies Holding Hands - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines

This is the way I want to finish!

Couple Married 72 Years Dies Holding Hands - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines

Ralph Egli, age 88 runs 5ks

This past weekend I met a friend's dad, Ralph Egli. I was struck by the energy and vibrancy he possessed.  Not only does he know Jesus, it seems as though he has not neglected the one area that many do: the physical area.  Steven Covey argues that we need to sharpen our saw on a daily and weekly basis. This includes developing yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  At age 44, I am only half way to Ralph's age.  Yet I want to be asking my middle aged sons and daughter if they would like to join me in a 5k at age 88.  How do we get there?  We need to sharpen our saw physically now.  What you do in your 30's, 40's, 50's physically will effect your 60's, 70's, and 80's.  It seems so counter intuitive to spend time sharpening your saw physically now. But it is not. In fact, the energy and stress relief that occurs through aerobic and anaerobic exercise far out weighs the sacrifice of time. So, what have you done today to sharpen your saw?

Investing in Family with Friends! Awesome Weekend...

COURAGEOUS TRUTH IS NEEDED IN OUR CULTURE, ask Steve Jobs...

This  past weekend I saw the movie "Courageous" with my family.  And while I know some will refuse to watch movies from Sherwood Pictures, I would like to say that it is worth both your time and money.  The Biblical truth this movie promotes hits our culture right between the eyes.  How do we get to the end of our lives without regret?   We invest in that which is eternal.  Think about this past week. How often were you encouraged to invest in eternity? If you are a father, how often were you encouraged to be a great father?  The movie "Courageous" is calling men to step up and be fathers who take their responsibility seriously  to lead their family spiritually and invest in eternity.  Namely, we are challenged to invest in people.  After living on planet earth for 56 years, Steve Jobs was arguably one of the most innovative men of our time. Yet, it came at a price.  He gives the following reasons (From MSNBC.com)  for writing his anticipated autobiography:


"I wanted my kids to know me," Jobs was quoted as saying by Pulitzer Prize nominee Walter Isaacson, when he asked the Apple Inc co-founder why he authorized a tell-all biography after living a private, almost ascetic life.

"I wasn't always there for them, and I wanted them to know why and to understand what I did," Jobs told Isaacson in their final interview at Jobs' home in Palo Alto, California.

Steve Jobs obviously had regret. He had accomplished more in this life than most will ever. But it came at a price.  Let's be men and women who invest in eternity.  This moment, this day, this week, this month, this year because Finishing is better then starting!  Check out the "Courageous" trailer.

Is it possible to finish well without a Jonathan?

Sunday, my friend and pastor Jeremy Carr, preached an excellent sermon on the need for a Jonathan in our lives from 1 Samuel 18:1-5. http://obf.org/media.php?pageID=25&itemID=204  As I reflect on this challenging  sermon, I do believe that it is necessary to have a Jonathan in our lives if we desire to finish well.  Genesis 2:18 says that it is not good for man to be alone.  This need is pointed out by God to Adam prior to the fall.  In other words, there is a need in all of us for people to be in our lives.  What does a Jonathan do?  In 1 Samuel, Jonathan not only loved David and was committed to him, but he encouraged him and pointed him to God.  I need another man in my life to push me, to encourage me, to love me, to help me when I am in need.  This is true if I desire to finish well.   There really is only 1 question:  Do you have a Jonathan in your life?  If you do not have one, pray that God will provide that man in your life. I think for most men this area can be like a 6th grade dance. At a 6th grade dance there are all the boys on one side  of the gym and all of the girls on the other side of the gym.  Each side wondering who will make the first step. Men need to initiate with other men.  Don't wait for the other guy to initiate!  I have personally made it a goal to initiate with other men in my life until I die.   Will you join me in being an initiator?  Hebrews 3:13 says "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today..."  Have you ever run into someone who is over encouraged?  If you have a Jonathan in your life, take a moment today to encourage him.  If you have a friend who is not yet a Jonathan, try to go deeper then just the weather and sports. Talk to him about his marriage, his kids, and His God.  May we be men who finish well!

Creative Real LIfe Student Stories

Three things are eternal: God, His Word, and People.  This video encourages me to continue to invest in people until the end!

John 15:1-5 Love this video illustrating Abiding in Christ

Fathers Shepherd Your Family Spiritually

This morning I was studying the idea of Shepherding the flock among you from 1 Peter 5:2. While I am in full time ministry and this relates  to my specific role, it also reminds me of my responsibility as a father.  I am to be a shepherd of my family. Paul puts it this way: "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 5:4)  How are you doing in this area? How am I doing in this area?  I have made great progress yet need to excel still more.  If you are a father of young children, I would recommend the following devotionals that will help you lead your family spiritually. When our four children were younger, we had a family night once a week. And while I first thought I would be using an overhead with detailed notes, instead I found a series of devotionals that are  simple to use.  The series is called the Family Nights Tool Chest. The first book is entitled: "Introduction to Family Nights Tool Chest."  They also have Family Nights Tool Chests for Holidays, Science projects and many other topics. If fathers want to finish well, we need to be leading our families spiritually.  I have two listed in my what "I Recommend" panel.  So, let's lead our families well by shepherding them spritually!

The Test and 4 Stays...

1 Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you , as though something strange were happening to you."

The word test means to "makes someone do something wrong; temptation; enticement."  As I desire to finish well, there are many "tests" that have come my way and will continue to come my way.  Peter says to not be surprised. They will come.  Steve Farrar gives 4 practical tips to  finishing well. I am going to adapt these to the four ways to avoid the enticement to not finish. He talks about "4 Stays". First, he says that we need to Stay in the Scriptures. This is obvious yet so easy to neglect.  Do you have a plan to get in the Word on a consistent basis? Second, he says to Stay Close to a Friend.  The greatest challenge for men in particular is to have a friend. We need men in our lives to process life.  Third, Stay Away from Other Women. If you are not married, stay away from tempting situations. No matter what situation you are in, you need to stay away from other women. This is not to say we are to be rude to women. Instead, we need to be wise with how we spend time with women who are not our wives.    One of the key enticements I will face is the enticement of another woman.  Fourth, Stay Alert to the tactics of the Enemy. It might seem obvious, but Satan longs for you not to finish well. He uses tactics and strategies to trip you up.

My hope is that I will work hard in these practical tips so that I could finish well.

Finishing Well with our daughters...

I have one daughter who is in 6th grade and 3 sons in 12th, 10th, and 8th grades.  One of my problems is that I forget that my daughter is different then my three sons.  She is not just physically different, but she is emotionally different as well. In fact, she has emotional needs that my boys will never have.  The following radio program reminded me of 2 really important needs my daughter and every daughter needs.  First, I need to encourage my daughter's character more then her external characteristics.  Secondly, I need to connect with my daughter with affection. This week, I plan to make the adjustments.   Check out Dr. Meeker's comments. She is the author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.  — FamilyLife Today (A Father's Role: Providing Boundaries - Dr. Meg Meeker)

My First Post Ever

So, I am very new to the entire blogging deal. But I thought I would post some introductory comments of what I want to accomplish through this blog. First, I never really thought I had much to say that anyone would ever want to read. (This still could very well be true.) But as I have reflected on this, I  am convinced that I ma not be the most profound thinker, but I have some thoughts that could help anyone who desires to finish life well.  Secondly, this blog will help me process  my own journey in finishing well. Ever since I can remember, I have desired to finish well. Yet, so many people I have known never make it. Ultimately, I believe it is the grace of God that will sustain me and allow me to finish well. I hope to point you to resources that will help you on this journey.  Lastly, the statistics are startling.  Steve Farrar in his book, Finishing Strong says that " One out of ten men finish strong."  It doesn't take long to look around and see this reality for yourself.  Dr. Robert Clinton has been studying leaders since 1982 and in his study he discovered of the 100 leaders that Scripture gives enough information about, there is only enough information to know how 49 finished.  Clinton identified 4 types of finishers: "Cut off early" Abimelech, Samson, Absalom, Ahab, Josiah, John the Baptist, and James; "Finished Poorly" Gideon, Eli, Saul, Solomon; "Finished so-so" David, Jehosophat, and Hezekiah;  "Finished well" Abraham, Job, Joseph, Caleb, Samuel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, John, Paul and Peter.  This blog will focus on how to "Finish well". And I am not presuming that I will be able to finish well. But prayerfully, by God's grace and through this journey we could see the statistic grow from 1 out of 10 finishing strong to maybe 3 or 4 out of ten. That is my prayer. That is my hope.