Will You Trust The Guide?

Last week I blogged about the Mancation trip we took in early July to Colorado. One of the events we participated in that week was a white water rafting trip down the Arkansas river. The rapids we were to raft through were rated as Class 4 out of 5 classes. There is a 6th Class but those are not rafted commercially.

Here are the definitions of a Class 4 and Class 5 white water rapids according to wetplanetwhitewater.com: Class 4: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require complex maneuvering in turbulent water. The course may be hard to determine and scouting is often necessary.

Class 5: Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes, which should be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions are difficult, and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. The upper limit of what is possible in a commercial raft.

Suffice it to say, I was glad we were not attempting the Class 5 rapids.Our group of 11 had to be split into 2 boats, so we decided to have the fathers and sons in one boat, since there were 6 of us out of the 11 and that worked out great. Below is a picture of us approaching one of the Class 4 rapids.

If you look at our faces, we are focused on what is ahead. Look at the guide in the far back. He is REALLY focused on what's ahead because he is telling us what to do at every moment of this rafting trip. We are told to always be looking down river. We are told to listen to his voice and we have been trained prior to and right after we entered the raft on how to use our oars to steer the boat. So, when the guide tells us to row forward or backward or one side of the boat to row forward and the other side to stop, etc. 

 In order for this raft to stay upright in the water, we had better listen and do as the guide has instructed.The guide also trained us on what to do IF we fall out of the raft. The main thing, if possible, is to stay as close to the raft as possible. The guide will help you by telling you what to do. We received plenty of instruction on various scenarios of falling out of the raft, how to handle ourselves in the water to keep from getting hurt.There was also instruction for the guys who were still in the raft on what to do as well.

The next picture below shows all of us now looking at the large boulders in the water that are causing the rapids we are about to go through.

If you can see the guides face, he looks calm and is determining what will be the next instruction to call out in order for us to get past these rapids and keep the boat from flipping. If you can see our faces, they do not look as comfortable as the guides. If you could read our minds they might tell you all kinds of things we are thinking at this point, the main thing being "stay in the boat!!". 

The next picture below you will see a much different picture. We are now flowing through the rapids.

Look at the guide. You can see where he is looking. He's watching everyone in the boat, looking at the boulder and he has this calm look on his face. Look at the rest of our faces. I can tell you we are still listening to the guide. In fact, the three guys on the low end of the boat are about to shift to climbing to meet the other three guys at the top of the boat to make sure the weight of the boat is pushed on the top side to keep the boat from flipping over on top of us.

This was one of the most fun things I have done in my life. It was also very rewarding to have done it with my step-son Karis. The other guys in the raft were Andy Currey with his son Brad. They were with me on the bottom side of the raft. I was in the back closest to the guide. My step son Karis is in the back and at the top of the raft, with Jason Guiver in the middle top of the raft with his son Logan at the front top of the raft. Fathers and sons working together to make a memory.

But as I was thinking about the rafting trip and I can see how there are so many object lessons that can be compared to our Christian walk. If we shared these object lessons with our children, at New Beginnings we  would call these "Faith Walk" conversations.

We have a guide that we follow in our Christian walk. Jesus Christ, when he left this earth, gave us the Holy Spirit. Rafting down this river we call life, there are going to be some calm waters and there are going to be some white water rapids. We need some training and that training comes from the Word of God and through Godly teachers and mentors.

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."




John 14:26  "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

We need to listen to our guide. We can have confidence that our guide will be calm during the rough rapids. We need to trust our guide that He knows what to say and when to say it. We need to hear our guide, because if we can't hear Him, we won't know which way to paddle.If we don't know which way to paddle, we might flip the raft or we might fall out of the raft. We need to know what to do at the most crucial times so that we don't flip the raft. The guide will also help us IF we fall out of the raft. He can help us to get back in the raft where it's safe.

There are plenty of opportunities to use object lessons to begin Faith Walk conversations with your children about God and how He is working in and through their lives everyday.

  

 Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg

It’s Happening Again…

Well, kids and parents alike know it’s coming. Most people are dreading it. There are a few who appreciate the structure more so they like the days ahead. But most of the parents we’ve talked to lately are definitely not looking forward to it. That’s right. I’m talking about school starting back. 

School would be great if you could keep the same attitude and schedule of summer. Things get too difficult in the schedule?—go chill beside the pool for a while. You’ll feel better. Kids getting too loud?—turn up the iTunes beside that pool. Frantic pace of driving little people around to practices, events, functions, and games got you stressed just thinking about it?—Take a swim at the lake and let the burdens wash away with the ripple of the waves up close to the sunset. Summer has it’s own attitude. Summer has it’s own schedule. 

We’ve talked to many parents, who, like us, have been more laid back in our schedule over the summers. We let the boys stay up a little later in the summer (if you’re judging already you may want to hit that red “x” in the top corner). It starts out sounding like a good idea, “a little extra time watching movies or grabbing a snow cone late as a family,” turns into a bad version of “Lord of the Flies.” We hang out with several couples and they get to stay up later there also. They still only get to play “devices” on weekends and for limited times. But those limited times seem like they’ve stretched over the summer (again if you’re annoyed at my parenting the little red button helps). We’ve probably had close to too much sun and too much fun—if that’s possible. 

We’ve got to point them to some of our favorite evidences of God’s beauty and power in watching simple sunsets over the water and trees at the lake. It may not be a scheduled “Faith Talk,” but those “God Moments” are worth pausing and sharing when they explode right before your eyes. 

If you remember a couple of months back as summer began, I wrote a blog about how we as a family were going to slow down our pace—to work on God’s idea of “rest” and to truly try to enjoy this time in life with these little ones. It is passing so fast and we don’t want to live with regrets later on. We don’t want to have the regret of too much time spent pursuing other things when the most valuable things were right in front of us—but we were too “BUSY” doing so much “for them” that we missed actually being “with them.” They don’t really need all that busyness either. The polls and studies show that even awkward teens would be open to doing things together if it were truly some sort of quality time—not merely rushing to the next forced calendar event. 

We also intentionally planned on spending more time building relationships and getting to know people better. We’ve got to spend lots of quality time with many new and old friends over coffee, dinner, time at the lake, and poolside. And as I stated in last week’s blog, after assessing our decision to simplify, rest, and enjoy where God has us in this season of life, Jamie said, “This is probably the best summer we’ve ever had.” 

We purposefully checked out of any activities or sports. We truly wanted to enjoy our family and the people we’ve built relationships with as we’ve moved to South County. We’ve stuck to our plan and you know what…it’s been incredible! 

Who would have thought that simplifying your life, working hard and learning to rest well would actually be rewarding and enjoyable? 

But we’re not alone. Some of you have also failed at parenting in many forms this summer. And like us, you’re not wanting the later nights to disappear. But oh how they’re going to disappear! Those little mongrels don’t bathe or feed or dress themselves ya know. They require more maintenance…more guidance…more structure…more parenting. They suck the life out of you! I’m convinced they devise plans and team up with secret stashes of Mountain Dew tucked away in their rooms somewhere. So what do you do when you’ve relaxed the schedule more than you had planned and you’ve dropped some of your more structured intentional parenting over the summer? 

Here’s a handful of ideas to get you back to a more intentional and purposeful plan.  

Concerning Family Worship

1. Be intentional with a workable plan—and then make that plan work itself out into the practical daily, weekly, monthly schedule. 

• Need an idea of a plan--check this out--NB Faith Map. 

• “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan next week.” —Josh McPherson (Grace City Church-Wenatchee, Washington)

• We often think we have to have all the questions answered and all the variables thought through and nailed down into a perfect plan. But you’ll never get started if you’re waiting on all the perfect pieces to fall into place. You’ll always feel inadequate spiritually guiding your children. You’ll never know all the answers to all the questions. But you don’t have to. Just get a simple plan and then stick to that plan. 

• “Perfection can be the enemy of progress. One step of action today is better than a perfect plan next week or month.” —Brian Howard

Do you have a plan for your family? Or are you merely full of good intentions for the upcoming semester? (Next thing you know it’s November and you’ve still not followed through)

2. Let the natural rhythms and passions of your life help you as a family—not hinder you. 

• Eating: You know your family has to eat. With a tiny bit of effort and planning you can redeem your families meals together and try to have several times each week where you eat meals together as a family. 

• Creative Energies: Let your kid’s passions and ideas lead to the parents joining them in those pursuits—not merely being a bystander, a critic, or a provider. Truly join them. Enjoy them in it—not merely the success or abilities they’re developing—but enjoy “them” in the process.

• Entertainment/Recreation: If your family loves football or snow skiing or hiking or Scrabble or watching family videos or golf—spend a bit more effort and think through how this could be a family thing you do together—not extended periods of silence and solitude away from each other. 

3. Let the gospel grow bigger and illuminate more of your thinking as a family. 

• Don’t try to be perfect. Jesus died and provided all that we could never have provided for ourselves. 
• Don’t try to have perfect kids. Jesus died and provided all that they needed and all they could never have done for themselves. 
• Don’t try to portray an image that is better than an unworthy, humbled, undeserving beggar in spiritual matters. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” was the type of spiritual bankruptcy Jesus prescribed for all those who would recognize their great need for Himself. 
• Don't ever graduate Jesus and His cross.  

“Engaging your kids with gospel-intentional talk tonight is far better than a perfectly-crafted program for your family next month.”  —Brian Howard

4. Simply get into the Bible together. 

• The Bible is God’s very words to us that He chose, word for word, to bring self-disclosure to us. If God has spoken (He has/the Bible) then we should read it and study it and learn it and listen to it and memorize it and meditate it and pray it and trust it and live it and teach it diligently and talk daily and often of it throughout the day and discuss it thoroughly. 

• Many parents ask, “What should I start with in the Bible with my kids?” Or “We’ve failed at following through over long periods—so what can we do to be more consistent?” 

• Answer: Brian Howard has  a simple plan — “Read one chapter from the Bible each day."

• What if I don’t do it for several days? —Read one chapter today.

• Shouldn’t I go back and read several chapters to catch up? —Nope. Read one chapter today.

• What if I miss a whole month? —Read one chapter today.”

If there is something in our minds that keeps going back to that thought, "I always fail at reading enough...praying enough...having good enough quiet times..." it may be that you need to go back and stare at what Jesus accomplished on the cross on your behalf.  It had entirely nothing to do with you reading enough, praying enough, or having good enough anything to position you closer to Him. The fact that our minds and hearts want to use legalistic measurements that remove us from enjoying grace and enjoying Jesus should reveal to us how much we do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, reading and praying and silence before the Lord has endearing place--but only because of the Person and Power of the Christ. 

Take a deep breath. Lift your chin up. Swallow. You are going to fail and not follow through with several things this year--especially in the spiritual raising of your children. Jesus is their all-sufficient Savior. Not you their fallible, weak, sinful parent. Point them to Him. And fail. And fall short of expectations. And get up and point them to Him. Repeat. 

I hope you’re encouraged to kick off the new semester with a gathered since of purpose and some prodding thoughts of what you could do as parents to truly spiritually lead your family towards their only Savior. He is worthy of the difficult and tedious amounts of planning and scheduling. He is worthy of every breath and thought you will ever have—so why not pass Him on to the next generation so they can bask in the enjoyment of what He has accomplished for them on His cross. 

Sankie P. Lynch

Pastor of Families

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

Stir my affections anew...

I’m not really sure how to ease into this topic, so I’ll just dive in and get to the point. This past weekend I was…well, kind of emotional…maybe even a tad weepy at times…not sad at all but definitely stirred – so much so that I was left wondering, “What’s wrong with me?” “Why am I so easily moved all the sudden?”

As the weekend progressed and I became increasingly more aware of my sappy state, I tried to pinpoint the cause. However, the usual suspects were not the culprits this time. I wasn’t tired. In fact I was very well rested. There was nothing weighing heavily on my soul. Stress didn’t seem to be an issue at all, as I felt fairly relaxed and emotionally stable. Yet multiple times throughout the weekend, I was moved to tears (feel free to imagine something more masculine here if you’d like).

While doing a few chores around the house on Friday, I was listening to some worship music and the words seemed to deeply resonate with me and my affections for the Lord were stirred. Later that evening at dinner, I was moved by the conversation and transparency of our friends. Because there was another dude sitting across the table, I kept my composure, but man, I was so thankful for God’s evident grace that it was hard to hide my genuine gratitude. Our Saturday brunch at the house was rich and full of reminders of God’s truth and goodness that again, had me feeling all choked-up inside. As you might’ve imagined, Sunday’s worship service was much more of the same. But to top it off, while watching a movie with the family yesterday afternoon, one for which I have seen a half dozen times or more, I found myself emotionally engaged and constantly sniffling and drying my eyes. “What in the heck is wrong with me?!”

As I’ve processed through this past weekend and analyzed all that triggered such overwhelming appreciation within, there is only one for which to blame, and that One is God. For the first time in far too long, I took advantage of an opportunity to leisurely spend some time in His word. Friday was my first day off in a while that wasn’t already slammed with an agenda or itinerary of things to do. So, I was able to just be present with the Lord. I didn’t feel pressure to get notes ready to teach nor did I feel a need to hurry on to the next thing. I was able to just be. I was blessed to have His Word speak to the depths of my heart in ways that hit me afresh. So when I proceeded on to chores and heard the gospel through song, I was again moved. When I listened to the testimonies of friends, I saw His truth being fleshed out. Even the movie on Sunday affected me far more deeply. Why? Because the Holy Spirit allowed me to notice some shadows and glimpses of Him in that film which led me to respond in worship.

So as I think back on my weekend, I’m thankful that God would meet with me in such an intimately personal way, for it truly is a gift to be moved! I’m comforted that my being moved to tears does not necessitate me becoming a bigger softie than I already am, as much as it reminds me that He still speaks and by His grace, I am able to hear. I’m grateful for my spiritual eyes that have been opened that I might see. Lord knows I miss plenty, as I am prone to look aside at the temporal distractions of this world! So the real question shouldn’t be “Why am I so moved? but rather, “Why am I not moved more often?” I’m convinced that once one gets a glimpse of the Savior, he will forever be changed. Might we pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to those that are currently far from Him. I’m also certain that as Christ’s followers, our passionate pursuit and obedience of Him is constantly motivated by the gospel. So may we learn to gaze upon the cross daily and have our affections for Christ stirred anew - for our joy and His glory!

Family Idolatry

Tim Keller tells a story, in his book Counterfeit Gods, of a single woman who desperately wanted to have children. She eventually married and struggled with infertility. Contrary to the doctors expectations she eventually was able to bear two helpfully children despite her advanced age.

Had her dreams finally come true? Sadly no, not even close.

Her overpowering drive to give her children a perfect life made it impossible for her to actually enjoy them. Her overprotectiveness, fears and anxieties, and her need to control every minuscule detail of her children’s lives made the family miserable. Her husband compliantly lowered himself beneath her single-minded devotion to her children. Her children grew up filled with anger. Her children resented being manipulated and controlled. Her oldest child showed signs of serious social and emotional problems and did poorly in school. Her drive to give her children wonderful lives actually became the very thing that ruined them. Her family disintegrated. Her adult children, now liberated out from underneath her overprotective control, ardently avoided her. Lonely and ignored, her husband divorced her.

Our children often feel the burden of living up to goals we set for them. Wanting what is “best” for them, we set the bar just out of reach. Consider the Little League player whose parents build their whole lives around his athletic experiences. This is a common theme in the suburbs. Parents get caught up in the thrill of their kid’s success. Or perhaps they’re living vicariously off their children’s accomplishments. Parents refer to their kid’s accomplishments in the first person plural pronoun “WE.”

• “We” must look good for college admissions.
• ”We” looked good out there today!
• ”We” have to study harder next time.
• ”We” won the tournament!
• ”We” got robbed by the umpire!

But what happens when our kids don’t succeed? What then?

• How do they/we act when they strike out?
• How do they/we act when they fumbled the ball?
• How do they/we act when they bring home a B or C?
• How do they/we act when they can’t make the team/squad/band?
• What happens when our kids can only live up to the accomplishments of their parents?
• What then?

Our children feel this pressure. Sometimes our kids are exhausted by our attempt to provide them every opportunity. Though it wouldn’t bother children to make a B on their report card, they know it would kill their parents. So they cheat to make good grades or blame their lack of perfection on their teacher’s incompetence. Kids and parents blaming poor performance on the coaches’, the teacher’s, the official’s (umpires, referees, etc.) ineptitude is always an excellent excuse when the children are the false gods.

As we have investigated our struggle with idolatry, we have learned that idolatry is a heart issue and that we all struggle within the heart with an internal idol worship.. We have discovered that idols compete for priority in our hearts. The human heart tragically transforms good things like a successful career, a love relationship, our material possessions, and yes…even our family, into false gods. Our hearts unfortunately idolizes these things as the center of our lives. We mistakenly believe that our family can give a significance and security that we have been longing for. We incorrectly suppose that we will find safety and fulfillment if we focus intensely and exclusively on our families. Many erroneously look to their family for things like hope, meaning, and fulfillment that only God can provide.

• Is there a family relationship in your life that seems to be the determining factor in whether or not you are happy and joyful or sad and depressed?
• To what extent does this person, or persons, determine your state of mind?
• To what extent have you organized your life around this relationship?
• It’s worth comparing the emotions you experience in worship.

The sources of our greatest and deepest emotional expression provide a strong clue to who or what controls us. Worship can and should occur in many different ways. Worship can be expressed loudly in animated emotional experience or softly in private and more introspective experience. Can you say that you experience moving moments worship that approach the depth of what you experience with your family?

I have counseled many adults who grew up believing they could never please their parents. Whatever they did, it was never enough. Even as adults, they are still out to try to make their mom or dad proud. The pressure they feel from mom and dad to meet their expectations has led to a life of insecurity. It seems they are still always trying to hit a home run and bring home a perfect report card. Placing your value and finding your identity in your child puts the child in God’s place in your life.

The deepest joy can come from only one source. As wonderful as marriage and parenting can be, we must know that they won’t be perfect, they won’t satisfy our souls. Only God can do that. When we look to family relationships to do those things for us, we will inevitably be disappointed.

Learn this verse today with your kids. Deuteronomy 6:5

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Then look for ways to direct your love and affection through worshipping God first.

Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
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facebook.com/phil.sallee
philsallee.info
nbchurch.info
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Family and Surprises

Last weekend Monica and I took another trip to Iowa to see our daughters, son-in-law and our grandchildren. I thought it was going to be normal weekend visit, however, my daughters had another plan. They have been working with Monica for weeks on planning a surprise birthday party. My 50th birthday is coming up soon in August.They rented a sky box at the minor league baseball park and invited my mom and dad, sister and brother in law and their family as well as my best friend since I was age 6 and his wife. They did a great job of surprising me. I had no idea what was up. It was really fun for me to see everyone. It was also as much fun for me to see the excitement in my daughters eyes that they had pulled off the surprise on their daddy without him knowing about it.

As I think about writing on this topic of surprises, I think back over the years of how I enjoyed surprising my daughters at Christmas and for their birthdays and sometimes for no special occasion at all. I was trying to create memories, but I was also trying to bring joy to their hearts.

I can see now how they have taken on that tradition. I remember when my younger daughter Bridgette surprised me on a Sunday morning at New Beginnings where she sang a solo during worship on Fathers Day. It was her first time to ever sing at church on stage, ever. It blew me away and I cried like a baby. I remember my oldest daughter Larissa and son-in-law Brian, surprised me on a trip to Oklahoma by arriving way earlier than they told me they were going to arrive, so that we could have more time to spend together.

What is it about surprises that bring us so much joy? And what is it about surprises that make them SO memorable? Maybe it's because the person or persons doing the surprise cared enough to make a plan and to pull that plan off. Plans like that take time and commitment to see them through. Plans like that take a giving and unselfish spirit. Maybe it's also because the person or persons doing the surprise, received joy from providing some happiness and joy for the person being surprised.

Do you think God likes to surprise us? Do you think Adam was surprised when Eve showed up? I wonder if Adam had a smile on his face and joy in his heart when he saw Eve for the first time? Or Saul and his armies joy, when they see David knock out Goliath, surprise! What about any of the miracles performed by Jesus, surprise! Or when Jesus rose from the dead and then showed himself to Mary Magdelene, surprise! What do you think their facial expressions were like when they were surprised? Do you think you would see joy on their faces? Would they feel joy in their hearts? Check out some pictures from my surprise party below. I see joy on their faces. We had a great time together!I am SO thankful for their willingness to share their time with me to make a memory that was very special.

 Think about all of the blessings you have received from the Lord. Did any of those surprise you? When you think about those blessings, do they make you smile? Take some time to reflect on the blessings that God has surprised you with. Now think about blessing others, your family, your friends. Think about creating memories by creating joy for someone else in your life.

Update: Lynch Family

Over the last few weeks and months, many people have asked how Jamie and I are doing coming off of our recent loss (miscarriage), the move to Tulsa (Bixby), and how the boys have handled all of it—so I wanted to give an update on these things. 

First, with the miscarriage in the spring. Many people may not know the history with Jamie and I and our three little boys. As we got married, I was a youth pastor in a church plant in NW Arkansas. This was an incredible group of people that surrounded our new lives together. There were four of us pastors who were all bi-vocational. Many of the families in this church plant had over four or five children. Maybe the Duggar water runs through the country over there? And these were great families. Jamie and I decided then that we wanted a “larger” family of at least four but probably around five or six with maybe some adoptions as well. 

After being there for the first three years and then moving on to be missions mobilizers for a couple of years, we landed back in Oklahoma to finish up our undergraduates with plans of pursuing seminary. We had often talked about being married for five or six years before starting a family, but had no idea what having children as you’re older in life can be like—the good and the bad! 

When we started trying to have children it began to be one of the most difficult things we had experienced. We ended up going for over thirty-three months without a pregnancy. And for those of you who may read this and are in those months of wondering if you’ll be able or if you’re a couple who have not been able to have children, we know of those pains and fears and hurts that go along with that. We have had several couples around us over the years who have not been able to have their own children but who have still opened their lives to many youth or college or young marrieds in serving Christ and HIs Kingdom. And for couples who never go through that they may never know what that is like. 

The first six to eight months passed by without me really thinking about it. Sure, I wanted Jamie to be pregnant, but I just figured it would happen eventually. But those first few months were hitting Jamie much harder than I initially realized. She was processing much more emotions than I was over the matter—which is completely normal. By the ninth and tenth months of no pregnancy we were both becoming more disheartened. There were many deeper frustrations that set in over those thirty-three months. There were the normal questions of “why us?” Why were we not able to have children? We would see some parents in Wal-mart who were so angry and abusive to their slew of kids that it seemed they didn’t need nor deserve to be parents. So our questions would turn towards God and His sovereignty. 

Needless to say, through all the emotional, spiritual, and physical issues that would come into question—it was a long thirty-three months. But then…a pregnancy!!

We announced it on a Sunday morning and the whole crowd rejoiced with us. They all knew how long we had waited and how long we had been trying to get pregnant. But then within a week there was a miscarriage. 

Then more fears and questions arose. You begin to wonder if you’re being punished for anything you’ve done in your past even though you’ve learned that God isn’t really dealing with us in those terms.

Those were some tough days to continue to walk through. But it wasn’t that much longer, only a two or three months before we were pregnant again. And that pregnancy brought us our first son, Sankie II. Two years later we had Owen and two more years later we had Jack. In all the pregnancies we had concerns, but by the third one we felt we were out of harms way. 

So we understand and empathize with those couples who have struggled with several miscarriages or the many months and years without being able to have children. 

When this last miscarriage happened so late (past 4th months) we were shocked again. You’re always thankful and grateful for what you have and treasure your family in so many ways. So this new addition would add an element of enjoyment for all of us. 

During those months of not being able to get pregnant, Jamie and I searched for names we would give if we were ever able to have a child. Since we were having such difficulty, we knew that if we had a son, we wanted to pass on the name Sankie. And especially since it seemed that we might not be able to have more than one. 

We also found a girl name that we felt was fitting in our three years of trying to get pregnant to no avail. The name is Ellyanna or Ellianna—which means “God has answered.” I have wanted a little girl all along and hope that one day that may come true. But our God has been bountifully graceful and good in what He has given us so far. 

So, as we have progressed past that dreadful day a short few months ago we have been doing well. We purposefully didn’t commit to very many things this summer so that we could truly spend a lot of time together as a family. We’ve been able to follow through with a much simpler season this summer. We're treasuring the hours and days with the boys as we see them growing so fast. We are trying to be careful to lead simpler lives without too many commitments because it is so easy to get to doing so much that you're not really connecting very deeply as a family. We want to guard against that constant pressure of busyness in this season of their lives. We’ve spent time enjoying the beautiful weather and the new circle of friends we’re surrounded by here in South Tulsa. 

Just this past weekend Jamie said this is probably the best summer we’ve ever had. That was encouraging to hear considering some of the disappointments and trials we’ve gone through recently. That is a clear picture of God’s grace and love. 

So we appreciate your kind words, encouragement, and prayers—as we’ve truly lived and experienced great times even through some very sobering and difficult experiences. 

Sankie P. Lynch

Pastor of Families

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

We have much to learn & much to share...

I hear it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission. So I will brag on a special lady from the church today and seek her forgiveness later. This particular person is always serving somewhere. Whether she’s making snacks for Genesis Kidz, preparing the coffee bar area for a Sunday, helping out at VBS, cooking for a summer youth camp or with a Wednesday night kitchen crew, giving time to the local community outreach, or working with her husband in a disaster cleanup effort, Cheryl is always busy pitching in to make the lives of others better.

Cheryl treats people like one of her own. She’s kind and has a good sense of humor, as she will not only tease but can take a joke as well. But of all her attributes and offerings to our local body and the surrounding community, she may be unaware of one of her greatest gifts. It is the gift of sharing her story. Because whether Cheryl realizes it or not, wisdom is imbedded in the different stories that she shares. And friends, wisdom is valuable!

Last week I was in the church kitchen warming up my lunch when Cheryl came in to check on something in the pantry. In those brief few minutes of dialogue I learned a little bit more about her and her background. It was clear that she’s spent some time reflecting on her childhood. She's learned from it. And without her meaning to, she aided me in gathering from it as well. We’ve had other similar interactions. I often hear her speak as a parent, as well as from her role as grandma. One conversation in particular has stuck with me for a couple months now. A while back we were discussing how different this culture is from the one in which she grew up in. We were talking about how everything today seems to be disposable. And while much of this is convenient and just part of our technological advancements, some of the residual affects have been damaging.

Stewardship has suffered. Nothing seems to be worth the time and energy that is necessary. “I’ll enjoy this until it breaks, then I’ll get a new one.” “I’ll give this relationship a go until it requires work and then I’ll move on to the next.” Why should one devote himself to something, why make a serious investment, if in the end, he can always get another one?

I’ve contemplated that informal interaction off and on for a while now. What’s cool is that Cheryl has no idea (perhaps until today), that I’ve had this on my mind. She wasn’t trying to teach me anything. She was just talking – just sharing what she knew – what she had experienced – what she has observed… And it made an impression.

So in hopes of bringing focus, let me say that my boasting is not solely on Cheryl. While I do brag on her and her servant heart, here is the reason why: it is not because she greets me with a smile and treats me like family, not because I’m pandering for some of her homemade fresh baked banana nut bread (though I would gladly accept a loaf if offered) or because she lets me sample food anytime I come in the kitchen, but because she is representative of a blessing the Lord has given to us all – the wisdom of the generations that have lived longer than us. How amazing is it that God would love us so well that He would send us direction and encouragement through folks like Cheryl.

The generations before us have learned a thing or two through their life experiences and have much to offer. Question: Are we listening? If you know Cheryl, you might just let her know how much you appreciate her. If this blog reminds you of another that the Lord has blessed you with, let them know how grateful you are for them and then spoil yourself by taking a seat and listening up. You might even grab a pen and paper to take down some notes.

Perhaps though, you are one from an older generation and you’re not currently pouring into others. Might I encourage you to do so? Your successes and failures – the lessons you’ve learned have much to offer us. There are couples that need to hear of your ups and downs – in marriage, with finances, in faith and life. Knowing our struggles are not necessarily unique to this time and place could be very beneficial. There are parents that desperately want to raise children that cling to the hope of the gospel but are overwhelmed to a point that it is a struggle to even know where to start. Perhaps you would have some insight… There are new adult believers that could use some godly mentorship. There are single parents burning the wick at both ends just trying to make ends meet. They need to know that someone is aware of their burden and truly cares for them – someone is praying with them – fighting for them.

If you think this is my way of nudging you to be an expert to everyone that is younger than you, you’ve not heard me correctly. I think there are plenty of others attempting to wear those shoes and for some reason, it just isn’t all that attractive. There’s something about a know-it-all that just isn’t very inviting. I’m encouraging you to make yourself available. Sometimes you can make an impact by simply staying involved in the work of the Church (notice I’m not just talking NBC “church”). We retire from a lot of things as life progresses along – our athletic careers, vocational occupations, various hobbies and the like… However, we never graduate, retire, or surpass the necessity of the gospel and its call on our lives.

As we consider God’s gracious gift of eternal life, we can do nothing but desire to give back. In light of what we have been given through Christ’s death and resurrection, the only reasonable response is worship and faithful service – until we can no longer do so. This is not to repay God, for in a million years we know that we could never do that. We do it out of gratitude in hopes that the next generation might taste the sweetness of the Savior and savor the life of fullness that has been accomplished through the cross.

God has made each of His people and their stories unique and special for the purpose of mutually encouraging, growing and strengthening the body. May we submit our gifts and experiences, our agedness and our youth, our listening ears and intentional engagements to make Him known in this world and bring glory to His name.