Hidden Rites of Passage (Little Boys)

It was a beautiful spring day. A light cool breeze, but you could feel the heat of the sun on your skin and after a seemingly long winter it was nice. A whole group of little boys in a makeshift field for baseball practice. My oldest son, Sankie, was one of the boys moving from t-ball to coach-pitch baseball.

One of the coaches was throwing balls high in the air so they could practice getting under it to field pop-fly balls…and then it happens. 

Baseball is a game of inches and sometimes that glove being an inch out of place is the difference between a catch and getting hit square in the nose. Sankie’s glove was in the latter position. He got hit pretty hard by the ball right in the face. I was standing over at first base helping to grab balls that got past the first baseman and he was in right field about thirty yards away. I saw it hit him and immediately the coach ran over to him. It’s those first little silent seconds after an injury that become interesting. It seems eerily quiet. How bad is it? Did it do something really bad? Is there blood? Are they really injured? 

I stood there watching to see if he was going to come running over to me or would he allow the pain to subside in a few seconds and go back and get in line so the other boys could check out his red, swollen face? These are the little rites of passage that grow us. Everyone wants to run to mom or dad when there is unexpected pain. But as children get older, they begin to learn that mom and dad really can’t change the pain inflicted, they can merely be there present with them in the middle of it. 

Sankie stood there with the coach rubbing his head and checking out his face for about twenty seconds. I could tell he was dying to come over to me, but he was also trying to hold back the tears and hold in the cries. He took it well. The coach said “Man, what a tough guy! You’re alright. You’re gonna be okay!” He said some words that MUST come from a dad, but MUST also be affirmed and confirmed by other men around their lives. 

As a dad, I cannot fail to affirm and confirm his steps in becoming a young man. We cannot sit in passivity allowing them to “find their own way.” We must lead them spiritually, emotionally, physically, and even culturally. We must be honest with them and guide them to know there are dangerous waters ahead, but there is no need to fear. They can become the type of Christ-follower who takes hurts and trials in this life, while enduring temptation, because of what Christ has already done on our behalf. 

After practice, he came running over to show me what had happened. And now, the embarrassment or fear had given way to almost prideful accounts of his injury. I told him I saw it happen. I told him it's probably going to happen several times in baseball--and maybe even harder. But I also told him I was proud of how he got right back in there and was pretty tough. He needs to hear that from me on lots of occasions. He needs to hear that from other boys and other men also. Next year, it may not be baseball, it may be a musical instrument he's trying to learn or it may be some difficulty in academics. It may be that his growing desire for more autonomy needs to be met with gospel humility--which is much more painful than a ball in the shins or missing a few notes on an instrument. 

At New Beginnings, we’re trying to create environments where parents engage in leading their children spiritually. Some of that happens through parent-equipping classes, but most of it is just trial and error as parents start to lead their children in Faith Talks, Faith Walks, and Faith Mission. We also have a NB Faith Map with specific milestones during certain periods of a child’s life where we want to emphasize to parents, children, and teens some specific areas of intentional maturity. Many of these serve as rites of passage as they grow and mature both physically and spiritually. Again, these are very intentional planned “Milestones” that will include an event for emphasis and training. But we don't look over the daily spontaneous moments to point them to a higher calling in life. Who else is going to do that? 

There are other “rites of passage” as children continue to grow and mature that aren’t necessarily spiritual milestones. For some that may be riding a bike with no training wheels or graduating from Kindergarten to 1st grade. For Sankie this week, it was taking a baseball in the face and getting back up from it with others watching. He's not great because he didn't cry much and because he got back up and played immediately. This isn't a story about making "tough boys" more manly. It's a story about a parent being close enough to rush in when hurt is involved, but waiting to see how they handle the hurt--and then being intentional about engaging in conversation with them about that immediate hurt and how to deal with thousands of other hurts that will come their way. 

Our job as parents is NOT to keep them protected from any and all possible pain and suffering in life. Although, that is a popular thought for many parents. Our job is to prepare them for the difficult path of life in being able to handle it when it does come. We cannot bubble-wrap them so that all the evils of this world will never touch them. This isolationist attempt usually shows it's weakness immediately after their 18th birthday. Instead, we teach and prepare their minds for the path that is knowingly filled with hurtful evils and try to lead them to know how to navigate that path. They will make mistakes. They will fall many times. We must point them to continually looking to the gospel after their fall--because it is the "great news" that overcomes the painful, "bad news" they will encounter in life. And we must train them to learn to look to the beauty of the gospel before falling into sin--so they may enjoy the pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom. They will definitely get hurt in this life. But in God's economy, avoiding hurt never seemed to be part of the deal. We need to point them to the sovereign, present, ever-sufficient Person of Jesus Christ as the all-satisfying refuge in the middle of suffering and hurt. 

Sankie P. Lynch

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

'Not losing' isn't winning...

For the first time in my adult life, I made it through the first weekend of March Madness without picking a single game incorrectly! Yes, crazy right?! Well, before you get all excited thinking I was prophetic enough to have the Flyers and Vols reaching the Sweet Sixteen, let me share this little bit of information: I also didn’t pick a single game correctly. That’s right, not a single tournament prediction from me. I guess I was just too busy or too indifferent or in need of a topic for today’s blog. Whatever the reason, I simply didn’t fill out a bracket this year.

You know, this got me thinking… Just because I wasn’t wrong about anything, doesn’t mean I was right. Just because I haven’t lost, doesn’t mean I’ve won a thing. 'Not losing' isn't the same as winning. What is true in bracketology is true in life. You gotta play to have any chance of winning. Sitting the sidelines may keep you from making an early embarrassing first round exit, so to speak, but you can only win if you play.

Now let me pause for a second to clarify what I'm addressing. I’m not referring to how one is saved from sin. In that regard, we are helpless and hopeless apart from the atoning work of Christ on the cross. The Gospel announces the good news that Jesus came to save those that were lost. He came to give life to the dead. So truly, the Gospel is good news because it reminds us that we not only would not and could not have ever won on our own, but that if it were left up to us, we would have never even wanted to play. Thank God for sending Jesus  in our place! So then, now that we are clear, what I’m referring to today is our obedience. For us to experience the fullness of our victory in Christ, we’re going to have to take the court.

Victory requires some sort of risk. And yes, that means we may drop one every now and again. We will assuredly fall short from time to time. However, as I scan the scriptures, I see a theme of upsets and Cinderella stories everywhere. I see Jesus choosing a group of ordinary and unschooled guys to be His disciples, before eventually turning over the responsibility of spreading the Gospel to this same group of goofballs. I read of the apostles being sent out and taking some licks along the way. Yet it was through their faithfulness and the long line of saints that followed that the message of hope was eventually delivered to me (and you). I read of the Old Testament heroes of faith and see more scars and warts than quality traits, yet God was somehow glorified in their struggles. To stick with the basketball analogy, the bumps along the road prepared them to make a deep run later. That is, their authentic faith, though often weak and inconsistent, proved the faithfulness of the One who called them. Through their grace-driven pursuit of God, they were able to make much of Him.

So do we really have an excuse to not play? Clearly, God redeems the irreverent and rebellious. He also seems particularly pleased to work through the most undeserving and unlikely of characters. So while there is some risk and uncertainty, isn’t that what faith is all about? Would we rather stay in the stands where it is seemingly safe or take a chance at savoring hard fought triumph? Are we satisfied with being a spectator or is the risk of facing some bruises worth lacing it up and hitting the floor? It wouldn’t be March without a Hoosiers reference. Watch the following clip and consider Coach Norman Dale’s words to Scott…

I believe the same is true for us too. God wants us on the floor! Faith is meant to be the vehicle that carries the righteous through life, not a hobby that we only enjoy when circumstances allow. Whether we are challenged to be more steadfast in loving our spouse, called to parent our children more intentionally, prompted to steward His resources more devoutly, or charged to finally share the good news with our coworkers, God is calling us to obey Him and trust Him more deeply. For in our obedience, He is glorified. Through these experiences we discover how much better He is. We see Him as greater, stronger, sweeter, and far more beautiful than all else. We realize that He is our treasure. We see that victory belongs to Him and it is something He freely grants to His children… We discover that He is already on the court, leading the way, and since that's where He's found, there is no other place that we’d rather be. May we enjoy the dance and find that our greatest reward is Christ alone.

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

How to Raise the Perfectly Selfish or Selfless Child

A favorite picture of our kids (Left to Right: Jill, Josh, & Julie)
Incidentally, they are on a bus during a mission trip to Mexico

Two weeks ago 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.

We agreed that each of our children are unique individuals with distinctive needs and strengths. We also agreed that each child has a unique design that could thrive in the right situation or dive in the wrong situation. Finally, we agreed that if parents would learn to identify and avoid the extremes in parenting (enmeshed smothering versus disengaged ignoring) and live out the gospel in our families, then God 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).

I promised two weeks ago that I would attempt to bring some proven experience and a fresh perspective about how to raise children into adulthood the right way.

Today, and next Friday, we will examine a proven method for addressing selfishness though acts of service.

Like their parents, children are not naturally born with a inclination to serve. Parents, especially mothers, rightfully serve the needs of their infants by doing everything for them (feeding, burping, changing, dressing, etc.). If it were not so typical, we would all find the scenario of a child, too young to speak, squawking orders to their parents humorous.

• Baby squawks! (Interpretation: “I have a dirty diaper and I’m going to need some help here”)
• Junior shrieks! (Interpretation: “I’m hungry and I’m not going to be eating any strained vegetables today”)
• Infant yelps! (Interpretation: “I want gold fish crackers now! Not when you have time”)
• Little tot screams! (Interpretation: “I’m tired and grumpy and there’s nothing you can do to make me happy”)

Humans, you and me and our offspring, naturally come into this world learning, “The people in my life are here to serve me.” I remember unintentionally becoming the “pack-mule” dedicated to hauling a huge and heavy bag crammed full of all the things we might need for the squawking baby at a moments notice. My job was to shoulder the carrier designed to satisfy the impulses and cravings of the squawking one(s) (pacifier, diapers, wipes, crackers, juice, blanket, transitional love object, books, toys, etc.).

Moreover, now each infant has a “transportation system,” which consists of a car seat, stroller, and a matching baby carrier. It is similar to the transportation system of the Egyptian pharaoh’s chariots or carrying chair (called “Ceremonial Litters” they consisted of a canopy covered armchair. An honor vied for by princes and nobles). Because of our fallen nature and the pursuit of our parents to keep us satisfied we each develop an appetite toward selfishness. It is our basic selfish impulse to be served and not to serve one another. We eventually learn how to serve ourselves, but serving others is counterintuitive to who we are as selfish human beings.

Josh Sallee in Mexico con dos amigos.

• So what needs to be done to intentionally direct ourselves and our children away from selfishness?
• Is there anything we can do to lead our families to become servants like Jesus?
• We need to do more than just fill our children’s minds with lots of data about God and the Bible.
• We need to give them opportunities to express what the bible is teaching.
• We need to match their/our experiences of faith with practical actions.
• We need to match knowledge that they’re learning about value, character, and honor and integrity with the honor and privilege of working out their faith (Philippians 2:12-13).
• We need to be intentional about this because we will always fight the temptation to make our children into "head-and-not-heart" Christians.

If Westernized consumer Christians are not careful they will allow the culture to dupe them into believing that all Christian service is to be done outside of the home (Mission trips, volunteer work, soup kitchens, poverty assistance, etc.). The reality is that a genuine Christian culture of service must start in the home. Creating a culture of selfless service is a significant feature of becoming vibrant disciples.

Michelle Anthony in her book, “Spiritual Parenting" recommends that parents work at creating an ”Environment of Service.” She recommends that we make the following changes to create this environment of service.

1. Teach your children to ask the question: What needs to be done?

   Dr. Anthony suggests that this is one of the best questions you can teach your children to ask. How would things change in your home if each parent and child would learn to, first intentionally, then instinctively walk into any room, situation, or relationship and ask, “What needs to be done?” This question will create a mindset that will change the way they see their world. They/we will become a Holy Spirit led, sensitive and responsible disciple who has decided to intentionally be involved in the solution instead of someone who can only identify the problem, thereby becoming a part of the problem.

2. Use the phrase “acts of service” rather than chores.

   Chores are defined as routine or minor duties or tasks. Ongoing tasks, such as laundry or bed-making, can seem mundane and obligatory. If accomplishing specific chores are linked to receiving a weekly allowance, then, the motivation for doing the right thing is lost and turned into a lesson on consumerism. Children will quickly learn that they can skip their chores (typically using passive aggressive measures like forgetting the chore, doing a poor job, or waiting too long) and receive parental favors without fulfilling their task. Selfishness is rooted, fertilized, watered, and blossoming into lazy entitled consumerism.

   Michelle Anthony says,

   Godly disciple-making parents model at home what it looks like to live in this world as Christ-followers. So, if families have chores at home in a place that’s supposed to be a testing ground for all of life, then their children may see serving others as an obligatory chore when they’re out in the world. What we are really doing is serving our family by seeing our family as interdependent and seeing ourselves as participants in the family.

   “The reality is that my children give me tremendous pushback about serving our family, just as I am sure yours will. But as spiritual parents we are choosing to live this way because it’s a daily reminder to them of what their true calling is—not only in our home but in life. This is their calling from God.” Spiritual Parenting, Page 104

We will discuss two more important steps for creating a culture or environment of service next week.

Mark 8:34-35; Romans 12:1-3; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12:4-8

Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
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Spiritual Safety

The past eight weeks, the men on Wednesday nights and Tuesday mornings at New Beginnings have been going through a study by Kenny Luck, called "RISK". In the last session, Kenny talks about "spiritual safety".

"Every God's man is called to arrange his life and decide that spiritual safety is no longer an option. The spiritually safe life is ultimately the most dangerous of all. How dangerous? Paul put it to the Corinthians this way: if you risk nothing for your faith on earth, you waste your grace."

Then Kenny shared 1 Corinthians 3:10-15:
¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.


What works of yours will be like "wood" "hay" or "straw" that will be burned up by fire and which "works" will be like "gold" that cannot be burned away? In verse 13 it says that "the fire will test each one's work". It doesn't say "many" or "various" or "others" work. It says "each one's work", which means every one of us will have our "works' tested. 

Spiritual safety can lead to works that will not survive the fire.Going through the motions in our Christian walk to complete a checklist, without risking anything, is "wasting our grace." Going through the motions of a Faith Talk or Faith Walk or Faith Mission, or a Family milestone event, without bringing Jesus Christ into the center as the foundation, is "wasting your grace."  

Verse 13, "Each one's work will become obvious". Verse 14, "If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward."

Christian parenting in today's "worldly" culture requires "risk" taking. The "worldly" culture will tell you that having Faith Talks, Faith Walks, taking your family on a Faith Mission, attending a milestone event with your child or student, like the upcoming WIRED Purity for Life event, are all "a waste of time". They will tell you, "that won't work", "who does that stuff anyway?", "you can get by without taking the time to do those things with your kids, they will never know any different if you don't", "purity? in this culture?, not possible." Your children or students may tell you the same thing.

Don't let Satan and the "worldly"culture entice you to sit back in comfort and "waste your grace". Get out of your "spiritual safety zone" with Jesus Christ as your foundation, and stay the course, finish the race set before you, be a risk-taking disciple, be a risk-taking parent for Christ!


 Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg

Don't Stop... Start!!

Two weeks ago I had finally had it.  I have now been "retired" from football for over a decade yet my eating habits had never changed.  Over the years I was able to stay fairly active and thus keep that weight down to some what 'in control.'  However, these past few years have really gotten the best of me... Kids, Work, Blah, Blah, Blah and I when I finally got on the scale it was appalling (and for the sake of accountability, I'll just tell you: 263lbs!!).  

For years I have known it was a problem and even knew it was dangerous for future living.  Though at times I have dropped weight it was never a change in my lifestyle just a diet.  But before you stop reading thinking this is about weight loss give me a few more sentences.  I read an article this week that made me angry!  I didn't get angry because it was "spinning the facts" or because it was about some poor kids in a far off country... I was angry because it was calling me out!!

"They observed 55 caregivers eating with at least one child in fast-food restaurants. Forty of those caregivers used a mobile device during the meal... primary focus of the caregiver’s attention and engagement was with the device rather than the child...Caregivers absorbed in devices frequently ignored the child’s behavior for a while and then reacted with a scolding tone of voice" Read more from the article here

Ouch!!  I don't know if I'm alone on this (according to the article I am not) but this one hit close to home.  BUT... I only check a couple e-mails at dinner or return that important text, I really wanted to show my wife something funny I saw or finish my highest score ever on Doodle Jump (that was for Phil & Sankie), I'll just turn the ringer off, what if it's an emergency... Bottom line:  I've known it was an issue for some time!!  Like my eating habits combined with my lack of exercise and time, it was taking it's toll.  After taking some time to think about it I came across this article: Be an Involved Father (by Carey Casey).  What I loved about it was not only the ideas but that it wasn't about "stopping the phone use."  In the same way diets hardly work, just dropping my phone for the next 30-days wasn't going to fix the bigger issue.  It has to be a lifestyle change or you will simply revert back to life after the "diet" is over!!

Here are the great suggestions from the article (and there are a bunch more from the comments):    

1. Reading. This can be a time of closeness, sharing new ideas and making your child feel special. It’s an especially great way to end the day.
2. Mealtime. Don’t stop at traditional dinners; picnics, carryout pizza or Sunday brunch can add to the togetherness. Maybe it’s time to get out that old fondue pot you got as a wedding gift twenty years ago.
3. Physical affection. When you walk in the door after work, make sure you get hugs from everyone—and that means everyone. (Even if you have to hunt them down in the basement or back yard.)
4. Playing games. What better way to encourage your kids’ imagination, physical and mental prowess, and a healthy spirit of competition? That includes peek-a-boo with an infant, whiffle ball in the back yard or a family chess tournament.
5. Chores and errands. Everyday chores help a child define his place in the family, give him an opportunity to contribute, and provide another opportunity to spend time together. And those day-to-day trips to the store can become priceless times with Dad.
6. Cooking. Get the whole family working on a meal, and then enjoy the results.
7. Taking pictures. Family photographs are a great way to mark and then remember events for years to come. Some kids dread it when the camera comes out, but strive to make it fun; see who can do the most hilarious things in front of a camera.
8. Storytelling. Looking through old photos and videos can lead to some great stories about your youth, your parents and grandparents. Or tell your kids a made-up story where they’re one of the characters. (Or read a story together.)
9. Family outings. This can be a drive into the country to see the cows or a full-blown vacation to Yellowstone. Don’t get so caught up in the destination that you forget to enjoy the trip. And remember, a low-budget camping weekend can mean more to your kids than a trip to Hawaii.
10. Spiritual activities. Praying together, attending church, and family devotions can become unique and priceless rituals. Also, find ways to put it into action—like organizing the family to volunteer somewhere or gather clothes for a homeless shelter.

Big picture moment: 
The point isn't "STOP using the phone" but "START being a dad"!!

Update on the "family" side: My family and I had a wonderful mini-vacation this week in Oklahoma City... I don't always get it right but I did turn the phone off for two days and fished, played in a pool, went to a museum, cuddled, saw grandparents, ran around a playground... It was amazing!!  I hope you can find some time to do the same this spring!!

Update on the "diet" side: Court & I are entered to run a Spartan Beast, November 1st in the Dallas area.  If you are brave enough, we would love to see you there... Sign up here!!  Our team name is "With This or Upon This!"  For you history buffs, this is what spartan women and parents told their soldiers before heading off to battle (Come back victorious or die trying).  We're not crazy... It just has to be more than a diet!! 

May we see the opportunities in front of us to love our kids well... May we see the importance in today and not wait until tomorrow... May we love like You first loved us, unconditionally... May we watch our anger and give grace & mercy as much as You have with us... May we be quick to listen and slow to speak... May we be saved by your gospel each day... May we be your hands and feet on Earth!!

The Bergs

**Follow Jeff (Family Pastor of High School), also known as "surgeberg" on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Getting To Know: Sankie Lynch

My name is Sankie Lynch. I am a captivated follower of Christ. My wife is Jamie. She is a captivated follower of Christ. That means we still struggle in sin, but are forgiven and amazed at God’s mercy found in Christ. Jamie and I have been married since 1999. We have three little boys, Sankie Price II (7 yrs), Owen Gregory (5 yrs), and Jackson Xavier (3 yrs), and oh how we would love to have a little girl one day!

As we were getting married, I became a youth pastor in a church plant in NW Arkansas. We served there for almost three years before becoming missions mobilizers for The Traveling Team for two years. It became clear that further education would be helpful in pastoring/church-planting/revitalization in the future. We moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma to finish degrees at NSU and planned on moving to one of the coasts for Seminary. While in Tahlequah, Grace Baptist Church asked me to come on staff as the Associate Pastor of Twentysomethings & Small Groups. We were at Grace for ten years. We have many great memories with some great people over the last fifteen years. We’ve been close with so many people who faithfully served Christ’s Kingdom and are a true joy to be around. 

While at Grace for those ten years, we saw many young college kids progress to marriage and eventually starting their own families. Many of them were in our home several nights each week as our family was ever expanding. We walked alongside many couples in pre-marital counseling, through their weddings and marriages, and now many are young parents. Most of them got to see our flaws and failures in raising our own family, as well as any good points we had to offer. 

For the past seven years I’ve been working on a 96-hour Master’s of Divinity through Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. It is a slow process with full-time ministry, a growing family, and trying to live out life-on-life discipleship. The M.Div had an emphasis in Pastoral & Theological Studies—but I recently switched in emphasis to Great Commission Ministries. I only have about six classes remaining. Seminary has been an incredibly enjoyable experience. Jamie and I made a decision my first year, that our marriage would come first, then our discipling of our own children, then ministry, and then Seminary. 

After fifteen years of ministry experience and hundreds of hours in books and papers you would think I would be better at following this Man I dearly love. Yet, I find His grace and preaching the gospel to myself daily are the only things that keep me in the ballpark of Christianity. This world is full of too many tragedies and hurtful relationships to destroy a person’s faith—if not for the persevering power of Christ that the Holy Spirit enables us to walk in. I fail daily at being the type of husband, father, pastor and friend that I know I need to be. But this living Jesus offers me hope and keeps re-creating me as I gaze at Him in the middle of failure (2 Cor. 3:18). 

We joined the staff at New Beginnings to help cast vision, acknowledge, equip, engage, and encourage parents in becoming their children’s primary disciple-makers. It has been a true joy to join such a great family of people and a group of leaders truly walking in integrity in leading their own families. 

Our family spends lots of time around the dinner table eating, laughing, playing and getting in trouble! With three boys there’s always lots of wrestling, tackle football, baseball, and basketball in the living room. Some of our favorite things are spending time on the coast at the beach and spending time camping at the lake. We’re trying to be very intentional in shepherding their hearts towards Christ and living for His Kingdom, but there’s not a week that goes by where we hit every night with some deep spiritual investment. 

Lynch's At Sea from New Beginnings Church on Vimeo.

                                                   

We’re striving, but struggling like most people around us to find rhythms that keep us engaged in the world while still gathered as a family for the most important things—Christ and His cross. 

We have one goal for our boys as they leave home at 18 and that is to “Love the LORD, their God, with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and “to love others” as Christ has loved them, (Deut. 6:4-10; Matt. 22:36-40; John 13:34-35). We want them to be intentional and purposeful with their lives to make disciples who know how to make other disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). That doesn’t come about through legalistic rigid rules of parenting nor through unintentional church-going. But by a work of the Holy Spirit and thousands of moments of pointing them to the supremacy of Jesus Christ, God may captivate their hearts in Christ. 

I stated earlier that I am Captivated In Christ. That doesn’t mean we think we’re always right or ever better than others. 

Captivated in Christ means that Jesus Christ and what He performed on the cross, in my place, became the sole focus and single worthy object to live for. 

Jesus substituting Himself in my place—He took on every sin I’ve committed in the past, all I commit in the present, and all sins I’ll ever commit in the future. And if we’re not careful, we go, “yeah, yeah…I know, I know…Jesus died on the cross…got it.” And therein lies our problem. For nonbelievers and believers—if we are not halted by this truth—if we are not captured in contemplation over this truth—if it is less than magnificently captivating—we may not have understood it in the first place. 

If you knew the depth of my sins—His grace (unearned favor) and His mercy (not getting the punishment I deserve) are indescribable. It’s indescribable captivating grace.

Sin was once captivating—now I stand amazed—in awe—and captivated by the Person of Jesus  (the perfect, holy, righteous life He lived) and the work He did on the cross (holy innocence taking on wrath as if He was guilty). 

This Jesus changes everything!

Sankie P. Lynch
www.nbchurch.info
www.nbfamilies.info
sankie@nbchurch.info

Something Worth Celebrating

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya and welcome to another St. Patty’s Day!! It’s hard to believe it is that time of year already. You know this holiday offers us lots of opportunities. We could have an extra large bowl of Lucky Charms and be just fine since it would be keeping with the spirit of the day. We could wear our favorite green outfits and pinch all the forgetful folks that are missing the color of clovers from their attire. We could throw back an adult beverage or two, maybe take in a local parade, and certainly speak in our stereotypical Irish accents that no one really cares to hear. We are free to do it all… However, today could also be more than just an excuse to drink and pinch and speak of mythical leprechauns. St. Patrick’s Day provides us with yet another reason to celebrate the power of the Gospel. Check out the short video (2:26) below from our good friend in family ministry, Dr. Timothy Paul Jones (@timothywashere).

Patrick’s story serves as an encouragement for us to stay the course. Maybe you have a child that has thus far been obstinate to the good news of Jesus. Perhaps there is a dear friend or co-worker that simply won’t hear of the hope found in Christ. For 16 years, the message of the cross was of no interest to Patrick, despite the fact that both his father and grandfather were involved in ministry. Yet as depicted in the video above, the Lord revealed Himself to the young man through a series of tough circumstances. Patrick was not left alone during his enslavement, but rather pursued by the Lord. It was precisely through such events that everything began to change for the patron saint.

Similar to the story of Joseph, what others meant for bad, God meant for good (Genesis 50:20). While being kidnapped and taken into slavery must have been a scary and unanticipated chapter in the life of Patrick, it was during this season that his cold heart was melted and eventually transformed. Unbeknownst to Patrick, this was also a critical time of gaining experience that would prove invaluable later on.

After escaping from his Irish master and returning home, Patrick became a monk. Some 20 years after gaining freedom, God moved his heart to return to Ireland, the land of his captors. All that Patrick had learned from his time of enslavement was vital in making an impact as a missionary there as he heralded a message of hope and healing. That’s the amazing power of the Gospel! It allows us to do things we would’ve never thought possible. It changes our wants and grows our trust. It compels us to respond in faith instead of fear. The Gospel reminds the redeemed soul of how fleeting this life is and how much sweeter the next one will be.

The real story of St. Patrick is cause for celebration. It prompts a posture of praise as we consider a God that works through our relationships and trials and is far greater than all of our circumstances. Patrick’s story helps us remember that today is more than our silly traditions and being covered in green. It’s about being found in Him – being covered in His blood. For in Christ there is hope and joy and peace that transforms the soul and surpasses all understanding… And that friends, is something truly worth celebrating! May we make much of Him and have a very happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

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