More than I imagined...

When I consider God’s wrath, there are a few passages that immediately spring to mind. I think of Lot’s wife looking back on Sodom before being turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). I recollect the 42 youths that were mauled by bears after a group of boys jeered and threatened the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-24). My thoughts drift to the story of Ananias and Sapphira who dropped dead at the apostles’ feet after deceitfully misrepresenting their charity offering (Acts 5:1-11). I typically picture God’s wrath or anger against sin to be sudden, swift, obvious, and deadly. However, it is not as I’ve always imagined.

In Romans 1, Paul describes a different type of wrath (1:18-19). A wrath that is dangerous for sure, yet a type that is subtle and often difficult to recognize. As the apostle addresses the church in Rome, he describes how we are all without excuse because of God’s general revelation. Nature displays the Lord’s divine attributes in a way that is clearly perceived by everyone (1:20). As Paul goes on to explain, the problem is that mankind has become so foolish as to chase after created things, instead of the Creator. We want what God can give us more than we desire Him – His presents more than His presence. We have exchanged truth for a lie, and our hearts have been darkened (1:21-25). Now what is interesting is that God’s wrath is not revealed in this text through people being struck dead with lightening bolts. His wrath is not shown by way of immediate punishment, but is rather a turning over of one to pursue his own lusts.

Consider verse 24, “God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity...” Verse 26 says, “God gave them up to dishonorable passions...” Verse 28 – “(He) gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not be done...” While there is definitely an emphasis placed on sexual immorality (Romans 1:26-27), Romans 1:28-32 makes it clear that Paul is not only referencing sexual sins. There is an entire smorgasbord of evils that man will undertake when left alone. Now isn’t that intriguing? God doesn’t drop a grand piano or a giant anvil from the sky. He doesn’t send a rain cloud to hover over an ungodly individual (Sorry, I watched lots of cartoons as a child!). Life is not suddenly taken away. Instead, we are released to chase after the wind.

In this letter we see God’s anger against sin revealed much differently than one might expect. Paul says that His wrath often releases us to pursue our own evil desires. In this context, God’s wrath may actually involve receiving a raise, accumulating more, achieving a better social status. It may not include persecution at all. In fact, it may allow an individual to avoid discomfort completely. In this description of God’s anger toward sin, we are given opportunity to attempt to fill our souls with possessions, relationships, substances, experiences and the like, all in hopes of satisfying our deepest longing… And of course, the world brutally falls short in this endeavor. But here’s the good news: in the same way we often fail to recognize God’s wrath, we can also miss His grace. For it is often in such dark places that the light of the Gospel is finally seen.

Solomon describes his unique experience in the book of Ecclesiastes. After trying an excess of everything under the sun, the wise king reflects back on his fleeting life and determines that one must go beyond it. For “(God) has put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).” This world can’t do the trick. It fails to satisfy. It always has and always will. While there is certainly much offered here to be enjoyed, at best, such pleasure will only last a season. There is a deeper itch inside our souls that we can’t scratch – a deeper thirst that can only be quenched by the living waters of Jesus (John 4:13-15). Mathematician, physicist, and apologist Blaise Pascal described it this way: “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

We must be aware of God’s present wrath as it's revealed and cling to the sweetness of His grace so that we do not lose heart. Sometimes our misunderstanding of such topics leads us to question His favor. So much of the world seems to be outright antagonistically against God and for anything but His ways, meanwhile the Lord appears quiet and far-removed. Indeed He’s not. Social and legislative decisions that defy and defame the God of Scripture are not examples of His permission but are evidence of His turning over to pursue “what ought not be done.”

Sometimes we observe a friend or loved one that is far from the Lord. Lost in vain wanderings and chasing the world’s empty promises, we fear they are too far from the reaches of grace. May we remember the stretch of our Savior. For while the future wrath and judgement that awaits those outside of Christ will come with finality, Jesus daily saves us from this present wrath. Many of our testimonies speak of how the Lord intervened in that desperate hour. Our stories describe how we hit rock bottom, only to finally look up for the first time and see our heavenly Father beckoning us to come home (Acts 17:27). May we never forget that we were all dead in in our trespasses and worthy of an eternity separated from our Maker. We were all without excuse. We have all exchanged His eternal glory for trivial trinkets that fade away. None of us were worthy of God and none of us were looking for Him (Romans 3:10-12), oh, but for His grace!! He stepped in at just the right time. His Spirit enlightened our hearts and drew us unto Himself. He brought sight to the blind eyes of our soul. He gave life to that which was dead. May we be reminded that He saves and restores, and that through the cross of Christ there is hope, both now and forever!!

Like most people, I’d like to comprehend all that the Lord is up to. I confess that I often try to figure out the day-to-day specifics of His plan. However, there is a grace-driven gratitude in my heart for the mystery of the Gospel that is far greater (Ephesians 6:19). I came across this quote by D.A. Carson this morning and felt like sharing it here: “There are some things you will not understand, for you are not God." Might we not wrestle those concepts beyond our grasp, but find encouragement and rest in knowing the One in control. Finally, I pray we will walk, talk, and proclaim the hope of Christ in every facet of our lives so that others might also be engaged with this Good News. May God’s grace and goodness be found as sweeter, more precious, farther reaching, and simply better than anything we could've ever imagined.

matt@nbchurch.info     Twitter: @FattMowler     Facebook: TheFattMowler

Be Careful Little Eyes, What You See

CC's bright eyes!

It’s no secret that I am using my weekly blog posts to show pictures of my grand daughter CC. If that bother’s you then"

1. You have not met my grand daughter, or
2. You are not a grand parent, or
3. There is something wrong with you but God still loves you.

It is this little face, and the billions of other beautiful faces like this one, that motivate New Beginnings Church to focus on family ministry. The goal of Family Ministry?

New Beginnings Church is realigning it’s proclamation and practices so that parents—especially fathers—are acknowledged, trained, and held accountable as persons primarily responsible for their kids’ discipleship.

March 14, 2014 I started a blog theme that asked the question, “Which way is the right way to raise our children?” I would like to recommend that you read the blog post about starting with the Gospel in raising your children.

How do most parents feel about raising children in the prevailing culture?

• Missiologists say the church may become unable to fulfill the Great Commission within 12 years.
• Hundreds of unfunded missionaries wait and try to find vanishing funding.
• Pastors are quitting.
• Churches are closing.
• Islam is the fastest growing religion in America.
• Baptisms have spiraled downward for 14 years in a row.
• Our children are shot down in grade school.
• Gangs are the new family.
• Homosexuality is celebrated.
• Politicians are scandalized.
• Marriages end in divorce, while more young adults choose to cohabitate.
• Terrorism threatens.

What can guide us through the travails of raising children in a chaotic culture and transform our characters through the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17)?

 

CC's peaceful sleep

Michelle Anthony in her book, “Spiritual Parenting" seeks to discover what it means to seek God as our primary audience. Spiritual Parenting isn’t perfect parenting - it’s parenting from a spiritual perspective with eternity in mind. This means putting God at the center of the family. She says, If we want faith to endure for all generations, we must become increasingly confident and focused about the kind of faith we are trying to pass to our children. (Spiritual Parenting," Page 27)

Psalm 78:1-8 has been called the blueprint for families who understand that God has called them to be the primary disciple-makers for their children. The Psalm explains that it is God’s desire for each family to pass on their faith to the next generation. God set up the infrastructure that He envisioned would be best for this replication – the family! (Spiritual Parenting," Page 30)

Psalm 78:1-8 My people, hear my instruction; listen to what I say. 2 I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past— 3 things we have heard and known and that our fathers have passed down to us. 4 We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord,
His might, and the wonderful works He has performed. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children 6 so that a future generation— children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children 7 so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep His commands. 8 Then they would not be like their fathers,
 a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

It is exciting to dream that one day your great-great grandchildren will gather to recount how their ancestors were God-fearing and faithful examples of Jesus’ devoted disciples. They will describe how without you, your children, your grandchildren, and their children had faith that has impacted the world.

• Being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
• Becoming Jesus’ trusted disciples?
• Passing down the faith and mission of Jesus to our kids, grand kids, great-grandkids, and beyond?
• This is the best hope we have for our families.
• This is the best hope we have for our church.
• This is the best hope we have for our nation.
• This is how we express God's glory!
  Isn’t CC lovely?

  

  Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
  twitter.com/philsallee
  facebook.com/phil.sallee
  philsallee.info
  nbchurch.info
  nbfamilies.info

  
  

Teens and Drugs... What You Should Know

10 things… You Should Know About Teens & Tweens

Drugs & Alcohol

“In 1969, a Gallup poll found that a whopping 84% of Americans believed that marijuana should be illegal. This year, for the first time, according to its latest poll, the majority sentiment on this issue has changed… 51% polled thought that the drug should be legalized, while 46% thought otherwise” (Forbes.com)

Great resource: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/

-       Legal Substances

o   Spice (K2, Fake Weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks… Sunthetic Cannabis)

o   “Skittles” (oxy, Percs, Vikes, Barbs, Reds, Candy, Tranks, Speed… Pharming Party)

o   Robotrippin’ (Robitussin, Cough Medicine… containing DXM)

-       Household Items:

o   Inhalants (Whip-its, Laughing Gas, Snappers, Poppers, Bold… Huffing)

o   Bath Salts (Bloom, Cloud Nine, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning)

o   Duct Tape

-       Did you know…

o   Jell-O shots… Soaked Gummies… Pixie Sticks

o   “21 Ways to Hide Your Booze & Drugs” (Buzzfeed)

§  “Cellphone flask, Purse with wine compartment, Shaving Cream, etc.”

-       *Light Bulb moment… Ultimately teens drink for one of two reasons:

o   They love to party (typically to compensate for something: abuse, legalism, etc.)

o   They want to fit in

§  Can we do anything about either of these two reasons??

7 Things you can do to prevent your Teen from taking Drugs (Adapted from About.com)

1)   Be a role model. If you drink, drink responsibly - and don’t ever use illegal drugs.

2)   Be the scapegoat: ‘I can’t do that, my parents would kill me!’ Or be the parent who will pick up your teen w/o immediate repercussions.  Be there when they need an out.

3)   Get to know your teen’s friends and their parents on a first name basis.  This will help you know what your teen is doing and you may make a good friend to boot!

4)   Talk to your teen often about drugs. Use ice-breakers from television shows or the radio in the car. Remember these are conversations, not lectures.

5)   Ask questions when your teen makes plans to go out. Who will he be with, where is he going, what will he be doing, etc. Then check up on him. Call other parents.

6)   Connect with your teen by doing things together as a family. Make this a routine outing and have your teen help plan it. Eat family meals together. 

7)   Drop any baggage you may be carrying. Don't allow the mistakes you made as a teenager or young adult to influence your teen in a negative way.  Let the past go!

Humility—What would you give for it?

How often do we see Hollywood A-list celebrities, performers, politicians, or professional athletes show true heart-produced humility? Can’t think of many? 

How many people show random acts of humility? Like say, when someone is caught off guard with millions of people watching and in the pause of about three seconds you’re asked to respond to very hurtful attacks on you. 

I love how Durant is caught off guard with the question, like it shocked him that someone was saying that about him. The reporter has to step in to mention, “well it’s making national headline news.” 

Ooohhhh. Ooohhhh. That should change everything. Now I’ve got to be offended. Right? Now I’ve got to be outraged. 

And here’s the beauty in that little moment. Most people who are huge Thunder or Durant fans were incredibly outraged. So don’t think for a second that those first remarks weren’t shocking and hurtful to Kevin. He’s a person. Not only an MVP. He gets hurt just like the rest of us. But in that moment, while the rest of us were outraged (and no doubt internally he felt the same) he responded with gentleness, kindness, and humility. He didn’t defend himself. He actually defends the writer saying that is what that guy is supposed to write, if in fact, he is actually not playing to his usual standard. So, he doesn’t defend himself, but tries to even agree with the writer’s assessment that he (Durant) had not been playing in “reliable” fashion compared to his usual performance. 

That takes great humility. He not only doesn’t defend himself, but he partly defends the person who took a shot at him. 

One of the things I loved about Durant’s response was how caught off guard he was when asked the question. Here he is, already interrupted from simply changing clothes without having forty people asking him any number of questions as well as how he feels about being called a loser basically. 

How frustrated and inconvenienced would I be for forty people to interrupt me changing clothes—not to mention questioning me about the economy, various global concerns, evaluations of other NBA players, and then how I feel about a public shot at my own ability? 

Durant simply states that he can’t let those comments distract him. He knows he is loved by his family and he knows he is loved by his fans. You see, love wins! (and not like Rob Bell means it)

Another thing to notice—humility doesn’t win you any more news media. The story is dead, except for a few Thunder-faithful people in Oklahoma who love Durant and what he stands for. Nobody cares if he doesn’t get in a tizzy and fire back some shots. It’s not newsworthy for a person to respond with gentleness, kindness, and humility. Move on. Find another celeb that’s got the chance to crumble. 

Humility—What would you give for it to characterize you? 

I say this easily, because first, I don’t believe it characterizes me very often. And second, because it seems to be a forgotten trait of virtue replaced by the more eye-catching trait of self-esteem and pride. Most of us never think through what circumstances could be used to produce humility in our lives. We very easily think through what circumstances could build pride. And when you begin to look at history, seeing that the first 4,000 to 6,000 years of human existence (depending on your view of origins/time) there had never been such a fixation on self-esteem and pride. But only in the last thirty years has this growing fixation on self-esteem and pride roused its head. 

Think through this: Would you as a parent rather see more pride or more humility developed in your children?   (Have you ever thought through it that way?)

In looking at your life, how much time is spent in accumulating stuff (power, position, possessions, influence, freedom of time) that puffs up your pride versus time spent in cultivating humility? 

How much of what we do cultivates a worldly pride versus cultivating a Godly humility? 

How do I respond when life doesn’t make sense? Is it with the pride of shaking my fist angrily at God for His failure or a softened heart in cultivating humility?

How do I respond when circumstances go against me and it seems life is not working out the way I thought it would? Is it with the pride of complaint in telling God how He has not met up to my expectations and fulfillments or a heart of humility understanding the world is not about me and my desires, but instead Him and His desires. 

Many of us can survive the pleasures and comforts of great success, but get close to turning on God when some of those things are ripped away from us. 

Humility—What would you give for it to characterize your children? 

Are you preparing your child to stand before Christ in utter humility one day in the future? Then what are you doing today to mortify pride in their life and to cultivate humility? 

My boys are in the fast lanes of baseball here in south Tulsa. To be competitive with these powerhouse high school teams (Jenks, Union, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby) you’ve got to get them started early (at least that’s the thinking). Everyone knows Tiger Woods’ dad got him started extremely young…and look how he turned out. Right? 

I’ve tried to use some of the strike outs, errors, mistakes, and small failures to help them to see and appreciate humility. Yet I feel this strong pull to always tell them they’re great—no matter how they perform. Do you see how this philosophy has encapsulated our thinking? There is nothing wrong with encouraging young kids to keep trying and to tell them they are incredibly valuable to us and to God no matter how well they compete in different forms. But how much more important to help them to see and embrace true Biblical humility! 

What are my ambitions for my children? Are those ambitions filled with Biblical qualities flowing out of Christ-like humility or do I really just want to see my kids succeed immensely in the world—along with attending church? One of those avenues of ambition requires so much intentional investment in time and conversation about Christ and His cross as the most humility-embracing center of all to live for. 

Is Biblical humility, flowing out of their true identity in loving God and loving others the supreme goal for your children? In what ways are you cultivating humility in their hearts and minds? 

What if we found out that all our efforts were actually just building up and supporting worldly pride that doesn’t know how to respond when difficulty, suffering, or attack come? 

Is there the chance that we’re pushing our children into avenues full of sinful pride and thus keeping them far from environments that produce humility? 

Jaw-Dropping, Soul-Captivating, Beauty-Intensifying, Eternity-Shaping Humility

Philippians 2:1-11

Did you get that?

“Do nothing of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself…and He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Humility—what would you give for it? You don’t have to—what was needed has already been given for you in your place. 

Jesus took on our sinful pride and our incessant grasping for prideful things, humbling Himself because He knew we would never want to nor be able to have the Godly humility necessary for inheriting the Kingdom of God. 

Sankie P. Lynch

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

1. Many thoughts on "Humility" stirred from the book by C.J. Mahaney, Humility. 

To drink or not to drink?

Well, that's really not the question at all... We can buy coffee with the purpose of making a kingdom impact, or intentionally cut back on those purchases and do the same. Allow me to explain…

We at New Beginnings Church have teamed with EOTE Coffee Company for several months now. The acronym EOTE comes from Acts 1:8 and stands for Ends Of The Earth. EOTE is carrying out that commission and doing so with coffee. Through their partnership with THRIVE Farmers, EOTE is working to engage coffee farmers with direct trade and a business model that offers sustainable income for their families. This not only benefits the local farmer and his community but it helps invest in the lives of children here in Oklahoma (Willow Springs Boys Ranch) as well as a handful of other programs around the globe. When we realized that by intentionally spending a little more each month, we could not only improve upon the quality of coffee we serve each week, but do so for a much greater good, it was a no-brainer for us. We moved away an industrial mass quantity producer and joined EOTE.

Then last night at a concert we hosted, Jimmy Needham shared about one of his ministry partners, Mocha Club. Essentially, for the price of a few Skinny Soy Jamocha Double-Shot Frappuccinos (not even sure if that's a real drink or not) a month, a person could help rescue a woman from sex trafficking and prostitution. By cutting back on a little something extra, clean water, economic freedom, and complete health care can be offered to exploited women and children in Ethiopia. But please know that coffee is only one example. It could be a few extra gallons of gas, one less trinket, or one less late night stop at the drive-thru a month. Instead of wasting on those expenditures, one could use the same amount of money to support an organization that rehabilitates women and shares the hope of the Gospel.

I love coffee and I’m not necessarily planning on quitting anytime soon. In fact, whether I’m enjoying a cup of EOTE at home or on a Sunday morning at church, I am honored to be able to support EOTE’s passion. However, there are plenty of excesses in my life that need examination. There are places and things we spend on each month that could be better utilized for a bigger purpose. With that in mind, my wife and I are prayerfully considering cutting those things out and partnering with Mocha Club as well. Look, I know there are dozens of other organizations doing amazing things for the kingdom and that we cannot help everywhere. The point is this: if the Lord is stirring our hearts and moving us to make some changes, we would do well to respond in obedient action. 

I pray we may live our lives in a way that truly, whether eating, drinking, or doing whatever, we are seeking to bring God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let’s research our coffee. Research our other purchases too. Let's investigate our own extra expenses and ask God to help us focus our energies for Him alone. The question is not whether we drink coffee or not, but rather, WHY? We can spend our time, money, and resources as if everything is meant to terminate on us… Or we can invest in people and purposes for a deeper, far more precious, eternal value. Might we be kingdom minded and intentional, and by God’s grace, may we repent of our selfish indifference.  

matt@nbchurch.info     Twitter: @FattMowler     Facebook: TheFattMowler

Terror of the child-gods!

Over Protected and Smothered child-god

On Sundays, we have shifted our emphasis of study to “MINE: How Idols Kill Our souls.”

We have identified several critical truths:

• We were created/designed by God, for God, to worship God.
• Our souls seem to be suffocating and we are often oblivious to our suffering
• Our soul is the kind of thing that can get forfeited. (Mark 8:36-37)
• Anything in life, especially good, pleasurable, and powerful things, can serve as an idol.
• Anything can be an idol, and everything has been an idol.
• Idolatry is a heart issue.
• Idols compete for priority in our hearts.

Can our families become our false gods?

• What is really going on when: parents over schedule their kids and race them to the next thing (ball team practice and games, private lessons, rehearsals and recitals, clubs and groups, tutors and coaches, etc.) yet are too busy to find time for spiritual support (church services and ministries, faith talks, faith walks, faith mission)?
• What are our children learning when they hear us shouting angry obscenities at the referees and umpires, complaining about their coach’s, their teachers, their friends, their church volunteer’s, and their pastor’s incompetences?
• What will our kids become if we shelter them from failure and risk?
• Can our kids become truly wise and creative if we have smothered them with a stifling level of protection and security?

In his blog Tuesday, Jeff Berg quoted Jessica Thompson. She wrote a blog entitled, “10 Surefire Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Family Devotions” Jessica Thompson says:

"Family devotions are a good thing. They can be a means of grace to your entire family, but often we turn them into an idol. We get some idea in our head about how devotions are supposed to look, and we won’t budge an inch from getting that picture exactly right. Have you ever been so rigid in your family devotional time that you made it drudgery instead of a joy?"

Jeff identified how his reaction to a failed family devotion was a subtle warning he needed to heed.

Angry and defiant child-god

Tim Keller, in his book Counterfeit Gods, describes an actual scenario how a good thing (biological sons) became a mother’s false god. Then her idol worship dominated her parenting decisions. Instead of trusting God and parenting with wisdom and trust, she allowed fear and trepidation to foster distrust, worry, and anxiety. Eventually her son began to detest their mother for being too controlling. They acted out rebelliously while they were under her care and couldn’t wait to escape when they were old enough to move away. Keller describes her idolatry like this:

Once was a single woman, [whose biological clock was ticking] who desperately wanted to have children. She eventually married, and contrary to the low expectations of her doctors, was able to bare two healthy children despite her age. But her ultimate dreams did not come true, as she had dreamed. Her overpowering drive to give her children a perfect life made it impossible for her to actually enjoy them. Her over protectiveness, fears and anxieties, and her need to control every detail of her children’s lives made the family miserable. Her oldest child did poorly in school and showed signs of serious emotional problems. Her younger child was filled with anger. Achieving her heart’s deepest desire me in that being the worst thing that is ever happened to her.

God created us to worship Him. We were created/designed by God, for God, to worship God. Everyone of us must choose to live for something. Someone or some thing must capture our imaginations. Someone or some thing must seize our hearts deepest loyalty and hope. The bible warns us that without the intervention of the Holy Spirit what seizes our hearts, what captures our deepest loyalty, will never be God Himself.

Let that sink in.

If we look to anyone or anything to give us meaning, hope, and happiness that only God Himself can give, that someone or something will eventually fail to deliver and break our hearts. It’s not that we can love our children too much, it’s that we can love God too little in relationship to our kids. Our kids then could grow up assuming that are gods. The spoiled child with a false god complex will result in a young adult who is confused, selfish, entitled, lazy, and primed and ready for disappointment away from their parent(s) in the real world. Child-gods, who are crushed under the weight of their parent’s expectations, may one day crush their parent's dreams for a close, healthy, godly, loving family.

• Worship God alone and your kids will observe what is truth.
• Worship God alone and your kids will perceive how they were designed.
• Worship God alone and your kids will witness the priority of your heart.

Terry' Best Blog Post Ever!

Terry welcomed his grand daughter Alissa Ann Heimer this morning at 3 AM.