Specializing in Redemption

Redeem \ri-ˈdēm\ v. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum…to set free; rescue. To save from sin. To make up for. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1983)

It’s one of the sweetest words in the English language. A third baseman can make a throwing error in the top of the ninth allowing the go-ahead run to score. But when he comes to bat in the bottom of the inning he has the opportunity to redeem his mistake.

A student may score poorly on a math quiz, but a good grade on the final exam can redeem his work.

I recently messed up on my wife’s birthday present (or lack thereof), but was able to redeem my folly by coming through with a gift she truly enjoyed later. Not that I advocate ever messing up on your wife’s birthday, men.

These examples, however, pale in comparison to the way God has redeemed His people in Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul stands as one of the greatest example of redemption this world has ever known. Before he was redeemed, Saul, as he was called then, was a very zealous man, rising high in the ranks of the religious elite. He had earned all of the accolades from the religious establishment and took home all of the trophies one could carry.

He thought he had it all together. And from all outward appearances from the world’s viewpoint, he did.

It wasn’t until he had a personal encounter with the risen and living Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus that he truly understood his sin and his need for a Savior. Paul’s own testimony shows what redemption in Christ is all about.

“I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, appointing me to the ministry – one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. Since it was out of ignorance that I had acted in unbelief, I received mercy, and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ – and I am the worst of them” (1 Timothy 1:12-15).

Though Paul’s former way of life seemed to be on track, when Jesus met him that day he began to see how sinful he really was. God redeemed him, recovered him, bought him back with the blood of Christ, rescued him and released him from the grip of sin’s enslavement and set him free to live in righteousness. That’s what the mercy and grace of God does in those who acknowledge and confess their sin, repent from it and turn in wholehearted faith and devotion to Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives.

Maybe you’ve read of the death of Chuck Colson this past week. He serves as another great example of God’s ability to redeem. You probably know of Colson’s role in the Watergate scandal and of his reputation as Pres. Nixon’s “hatchet man” in the White House. But following his arrest, God got Colson’s attention. He repented of his sin and received the riches of God’s mercy and overflowing grace by trusting in Jesus.

God redeemed Colson’s life. He spent the next 40 years ministering to prisoners and their families through Prison Fellowship Ministries. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Colson “lives on as a modern model of redemption and a permanent rebuttal to the cynical claim that there are no second chances in life.”

In 1973 the Boston Globe wrote: “If Mr. Colson can repent of his sins, there just has to be hope for everyone.” How true.

Friend, there is hope for you. God’s willing to give you another chance. Repent and turn to Jesus. He specializes in redemption.

When I Grow Up

I always wanted to be a rock star. Right after being a professional football player, that is. Growing up I dreamed of becoming the next Roger Staubach, quarterbacking the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl. Turns out there’s not much interest from the scouts in balding 40 year olds who stand in at 5’10” with my shoes on, weigh 150 pounds, and can’t throw the ball more than 30 yards down the field. 

Oh well. But I could still be a rock star. In fact some of the bands I listened to 30 years ago are still touring. There is hope yet! All I’d have to do is choose an instrument, start practicing, get really good, find some other guys who are really good, land a few gigs, come up with a hit song, sign a deal with a record label, buy a bus and we’d be ready to roll. And, of course, convince my wife that this is God’s will for my life. 

How hard could that be? 

So maybe not. Who knew that God had a much greater plan in store? Being a pastor of a local church never showed up on my radar screen. But God knew it all along. And it’s a higher calling than anything I’d ever dreamed of. 

What’s fascinating is looking back at how the Lord had been preparing me for this all along, even though I never had a clue. Space prevents me from elaborating in detail, but I can tell you that God has put certain people in my life at particular times who have pointed me in the right direction. He has given me experiences and opportunities that have become useful in ministry. He has shaped my heart, transformed my will and renewed my mind to follow His lead. 

Not that I’ve responded perfectly along the way, believe me. But thankfully the Lord has never given up on me. He has always been faithful. And He has blessed richly in spite of myself. 

I love being a pastor of a local church. I love being in the place where the Lord has brought me. I love studying His Word and leading others to do so. I love preaching the gospel of Jesus and leading people to Him. I love serving the Lord and shepherding His body of believers. I love the church despite our weaknesses and imperfections. 

There are times when I realize I’m totally unqualified to do this. Often I face situations where I’m in over my head and I don’t know what to do. I feel a lot like Jehoshaphat the king of Judah. In 2 Chronicles 20 we read that some men came and reported that a great multitude was coming up against him for battle. It was an overwhelming army, and Jehoshaphat knew he was in deep trouble. 

So what did he do when he didn’t know what to do? He “set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord…” (2 Chron. 20:3-4). 

Get your Bible out and read the prayer that follows in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. Jehoshaphat acknowledges the sovereign power and rule of Almighty God. He recalls the Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant and His promise to help in times of trouble. He presents the current situation and appeals to God’s justice for the sake of His own name. He concludes by praying, “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 

That’s the heart of a man who knows his own inability, but is confidently looking to the Lord’s supernatural ability. That’s a man who recognizes that apart from Christ he can do nothing, but that in Christ nothing is impossible. That’s a man who trusts not in himself, in his own wisdom or resources, but trusts fully in the name of the Lord his God. 

That’s who I want to be when I grow up, even if I never throw a single NFL pass.

The Daily Miracle

In my previous life I spent eight years working for the Rockford Register Star, the daily newspaper in Illinois’ second largest city, at least at that time. If you’ve never been around a newspaper operation, you need to take a tour sometime. And you’d better do it soon before newspapers go the way of the dinosaur. 

I worked in classified advertising as a mild-mannered sales rep. If you wanted to hawk your collection of Beanie Babies, host a neighborhood garage sale, hire an Industrial Engineer, haul trash or hold an auction, I was your guy to call. All it took was entering your information into the system, setting up the publish dates and charging you an arm and a leg for it. 

But it took someone else to “dump” the ads. I didn’t coin that term, that’s just what they called it. Every night someone had to make sure that everything entered into the system actually came out ready to print. Kind of like eating a burrito. 

Then that person hands off the ads to someone else who begins to lay out the pages together with ads, news, obituaries, stocks, weather maps, comics, crosswords and box scores. It goes from there eventually to the press room, where the press operators set everything in motion and the magic happens.

In the meantime, there’s a whole graphic design department creating retail, real estate, automotive advertisements and more. There’s a whole team of sales professionals out showing specs and making deals. There are journalists frantically gathering and writing stories, researchers digging for information, editors proofing and creating headlines, photographers capturing newsworthy moments and editorial cartoonists humoring readers with their latest satires.

And that’s not even getting the paper out of the building. It takes an array of people to truck the papers out to the carriers, who in turn throw yours into the bushes rather than on your doorstep. Then it takes a whole army of employees in the circulation department to field your calls complaining about why your paper ended up in the bushes.

Then there’s marketing, human resources, finance and billing, administrative assistants, information tech geeks – I mean, gurus, building maintenance and cleaning people, somebody to keep the coffee fresh, and so on.  

No wonder they call it the daily miracle. Every department is dependent upon every other department. Everybody realizes this. Without working together well, that newspaper would never end up in your bushes an hour late every morning. 

Unity is essential not only in the newspaper business, but in the church as well. What do you see happen in the Bible after Jesus rises from the dead? You see the church working together. They’re dependent on each other and they know it. Reading in the book of Acts you see the church united in Christ and united with one another. 

“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship…Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul…” (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:32).

This is God’s design for His body, the church. This is Jesus’ plea for His followers. This is the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of believers. Unity. Devotion. Togetherness. Teamwork. Fellowship. Being one in spirit and purpose.

“There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). 

Why not come and be part of the daily miracle that is called the church?

The Blessing of Believing

One of the stories around Easter that almost everyone can relate to involves a young man named Thomas. Thomas is just like you and me. Not content to just believe the reports of the witnesses, Thomas had to see for himself. He wanted to examine the evidence. He would have made a good CSI detective.

You can’t blame him. He saw how it all went down. He saw the guards come into the Garden of Gethsemane with their torches and weapons. He saw them arrest and bind Jesus and lead Him away.

He was aware of the “trial” they put Jesus through. He knew how brutal a “scourging” at the hands of Roman soldiers was. He heard about the crown of thorns they twisted together and pressed upon His head.

Thomas was no dummy. When a man gets a Roman death sentence there’s no endless string of appeals and retrials. There’s no Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton stirring up the masses to protest this great injustice.

When a man gets handed over to be crucified, that’s it. It’s all over. Death by crucifixion was the most horrible way a man could die, and the ruthless Roman soldiers were experts at putting people to death in the most horrific ways possible.

When a dead body is laid to rest in a tomb, that’s the end of story. When the stone is entrenched in place, secured, sealed and guarded by a squadron of Roman soldiers, there’s no way out. No hope for another miracle. He saved others, but now He’s gone.

So when his friends told Thomas that they had seen the Lord Jesus alive, you can understand his hesitancy to accept their report. I would have been skeptical, too.

“Alive? No way! Not after being crucified. Not with that tomb locked down. I say no way. Not unless I see for myself those nail marks in His hands. Not unless I place my finger into those marks and into His side. There’s no way I’m believing it.”

Isn’t that the doubting mind of faithless men ever since? We cry out, “Show me the money!” And refusing to believe, we condemn ourselves to a futile lifelong pursuit of something more, something real, something eternal. We search in vain for something that will satisfy the deepest longings of our heart. We seek for happiness, peace, hope, truth and meaning in life, but come up empty. We’re looking for love in all the wrong places.

Friend, may I say to you that everything your soul longs for is found in Jesus? He is the Door through which we are saved and find pasture. The devil is the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus is the One who has come to give life, and give it to the full. He’s the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep.

And He not only laid down His life for us, but He also had the power and authority to take it up again. Satan has no ability to destroy Christ in death. The burly Roman soldiers had no chance to keep Him down. The stone was rolled away – not so Jesus could get out, but so we could see He’s no longer there.

When Jesus appeared eight days later to Thomas, all doubt disappeared. Thomas didn’t even need to study the case, for the very real and living presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords convinced him beyond a shadow of a doubt. All he could do was fall at Jesus’ feet and cry out, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus responded, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). That’s faith. That’s why we rejoice eternally in Christ. And that’s why we’re blessed.

Maybe you can relate to Thomas’ initial doubts. But please don’t stay there! See for yourself that Jesus is alive. Need a personal revelation? Then come join us Easter Sunday morning at 10:45. Come and see, believe and be blessed!

The Cleansing and Refreshing Forgiveness of Christ

It’s not my favorite thing in the world, but yesterday I mowed the yard for the first time this spring. A few days later than most of my neighbors, but done nonetheless. The first of some 30-40 times this year, I suppose, although I’m not one of those guys who mows his yard every three days. I had a neighbor like that in Ridgway. His lawn looked like a golf course. Mine always looked like it needed to be cut.

Really I’m just glad my mower started. It didn’t want to, and flat out refused, actually. The thought momentarily crossed my mind that perhaps I could get out of mowing and hire someone else to do it. Until I did the math, and even paying $3.95 a gallon for gas is still much cheaper than paying somebody to mow. And buying a new mower, well, that’s not in the budget, either.

Then I remembered that last year when the Bolen threw a fit, my neighbor came over and jump-started it. So I dug out a set of jumper cables and basically forced my lawn tractor into submission. Kind of like how I wish our puppy would learn to stay down off the kitchen table. Not that I’m thinking of using jumper cables to do the job, though.

This year, however, I’m teaching my 12-year-old son to mow. Yesterday he got his first lawn-cutting experience in by taking a few laps around the yard, and did a pretty decent job. Now we’ll see if his mother will let him take a turn with the weed eater.

Perhaps one of the reasons I’m not terribly thrilled with mowing the yard has to do with seasonal allergies. Someone suggested I wear a mask when I mow, but that just doesn’t look cool. Another reason is all the dust that kicks up and cakes from head to toe. Maybe if I took better care of the lawn there wouldn’t be as much dust, I understand. But it is what it is. I just don’t like to be all itchy and sneezy (my spell-checker says this isn’t a word but I’m using it anyway) and covered in dust.

So the first thing that happens when I finish mowing is that I go take a shower. There’s nothing like rinsing and cleansing all the grime away. It feels revitalizingly good. It’s refreshing. Amy lets me back in the house. 

And isn’t that like what happens when we let the Lord Jesus Christ cleanse us from the grime of sin in our lives? The dust of disobedience covers us from head to toe, and our souls itch to unload the guilt and shame of our sin. But when we repent from our sins and turn to Jesus, He forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

King David, as well as anyone, knew what it was to be guilty of sin. Adultery. Conspiracy. Murder. By his own account he said his bones wasted away, he felt the Lord’s hand heavy upon him, and his strength was dried up as in the heat of summer.

But he also knew, perhaps better than anyone, how good it was to be forgiven. When he confessed his sin to God and did not cover up his iniquity, he found this to be true: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Ps. 32:1). You can read his passionate prayer of repentance to the Lord in Psalm 51.

He was refreshed in body and soul. And God let him back in the house.

Friend, can I lovingly urge you to do the same? Don’t pretend that you haven’t sinned. Don’t try to cover it up. You can’t fool God. You need the cleansing that Jesus alone offers. His blood shed on Calvary is the shower of forgiveness that washes away our sins. Yes, even your sins can be blotted out, removed as far as the east is from the west. You can enjoy times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

The songwriter says it well:

   My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought
   My sin, not in part, but the whole
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

Come to Jesus, and see how good it is to be forgiven.

Acknowledging God as Creator

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

One of the most essential, foundational, universal truths exists in this first statement in the Scripture. This fact is as non-negotiable as water is wet and as chocolate pie tastes yummy. The Lord God Almighty created the heavens and the earth.

Every building has a builder. Every novel has an author. Every piece of artwork has an artist. Somebody had to make that chocolate pie. And creation has a Creator.

Of course the Bible is unmistakably clear about this. Not only in Genesis but throughout the Scripture this truth is affirmed in numerous ways. You simply can’t believe the Bible and not believe God is the Creator. Let me offer a brief sampling:

“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You” (Nehemiah 9:6). 

“This is what the Lord says…It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry host” (Isaiah 45:11-12).

“Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3).

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).

The list could go on and on. Read through Job 38-42. Read Psalm 136. Read Isaiah 40. Hebrews 1. Colossians 1. Romans 1. God is not only the Maker but also the Sustainer and Sovereign Ruler over His creation.

Personally, I take great comfort in knowing that we’re not just here by chance. The God who set the world in motion and keeps it going is the God who has a purpose and plan for every one of us. He’s the One who loves us and gives new, abundant and eternal life to those who repent from sin and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

But even those who aren’t convinced that all Scripture is “God-breathed” really have no excuse for rejecting this truth. I once heard a preacher on the radio explain it something like this: Look at the watch you’re wearing. Think about every piece of every part that went into making that watch. Before that watch was ever made, imagine if every single piece that it would take to make that watch was lying out on a table. Then imagine if you put all of those pieces into a Ziplock baggie.

How long do you suppose it would take to keep shaking that bag until suddenly all of the parts came together, assembling themselves in the form of that watch to create a timepiece that began ticking and kept perfect time? Not likely! But isn’t that something of how you have to explain the existence of the universe apart from a Creator?

Don’t you just know it somewhere in the depths of your being that there is a Creator – as you stand along the shore of the ocean stretching out so vast and mysterious before you? As you gaze into the sky on a cloudless night and are mesmerized by the multitude of stars and wonder what’s out there. As you plant the tiny seed in the ground and watch it grow to harvest. As you witness the birth of a baby, a new life conceived in the womb and now taking his first breath in the world.

If you’re honest with yourself, that’s got to resonate in your soul. God has made it plain. There is no excuse for not acknowledging Him by honoring Him and thanking Him. I think I’ll acknowledge Him now as I enjoy a piece of chocolate pie!

Serving Jesus Willingly

I want to first of all say thanks to everyone who came to the showing of “Courageous” last Friday night. I told you it was a powerful film. That makes three times I’ve seen it now, and I believe it hits home a little harder each time.

Let me also say thanks to a terrific group of volunteers from the church that made this evening possible. From the ladies working the kitchen to the childcare workers to the greeters and usher and counselors and everybody in between, thank you for caring about families in our community and serving Jesus willingly by serving others.

Speaking of serving Jesus willingly, let me introduce you to a man named Sam Winger. For 21 years Sam has willingly served the needs of the needy in the name of Jesus through Serving Jesus Willingly Urban Ministries in Springfield.

Our church had the pleasure of getting acquainted with Sam this past weekend. On Saturday we had a group of nine children and seven adults participate in Children’s Ministry Day. Our team’s ministry assignment for the day was to work on site at SJW on South Grand Ave. The day consisted primarily of sorting clothes for give-away, dismantling and disposing of an unsolicited organ donation (the kind with keys and pedals, as opposed to say a heart or kidney or something), eating lunch, which was the days’ highlight for some, and doing yard work. 

We were paired with another church group from Medora, IL. Together, and with the children doing most of the work, in just three hours we filled nearly 40 yard bags with leaves, sticks and thousands upon thousands of sweet gum balls. 

Can I just say how encouraging it is to see so many children getting involved in such meaningful service toward others? It wasn’t just our group. We were one of about 50 churches across Illinois participating in this event. Nearly 700 children and their adult leaders (many parents) spent Saturday making blankets for crisis pregnancy centers, playing games with residents at nursing homes, collecting canned goods for the hungry, delivering food to firefighters, making cards for the elderly and much more. If you’re tempted to look down upon today’s youth, you should have been there Saturday! 

But perhaps the best thing about the whole day for us was meeting Sam. I don’t have room to tell you much, but I will tell you that Sam’s heart for helping others puts mine to shame. At 75 years of age he doesn’t have to do this day in and day out. As a widower he doesn’t have to put the needs of others first. But he does, and does it willingly. There’s always a song in his heart and often on his lips. 

And let me say the center of why he is so willing is Jesus. His mission is to bring Christ, “the hope of glory,” to those without hope. His statement of faith goes like this: “We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died to save all mankind from their sins, and that He is our only Savior…” That’s why Sam does what he does. 

Then talk about serving! Sam gives away clothes, food and household items and provides emergency help as needed. He also gives away Bibles, prays for his community, leads men’s Bible studies, and looks for every available opportunity to spread the Good News. Each month his ministry serves some 200-400 people in Springfield. 

Serving. Jesus. Willingly. 

I’m also glad Sam came to worship with us in Petersburg Sunday morning. He shared more of his love for the Lord and his love for others. I hope it becomes contagious. I need to get infected with this kind of love, and I pray it for the church as a whole. I think we’re getting there! Maybe the children will keep passing the bug around! Maybe the movie night volunteers will keep it going. Let’s keep serving Jesus willingly!

Tornado Hits Close to Home

Last week’s tornadoes in Southern Illinois hit a little too close to home. Our former home, anyway. Prior to moving to Petersburg in August last year, we lived in Ridgway, IL, the “Popcorn Capital of the World,” home of the Dinger baseball bats, and a town now recovering from the devastation an EF-4 twister left behind as it quickly roared through the village early last Tuesday morning.

Most of the media coverage appropriately focused on Harrisburg, where six people were killed, over a hundred injured and hundreds of homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. I did not personally know any of the deceased, but some of my pastor friends in Harrisburg conducted their funerals over the weekend.

Ridgway is about 20 miles east of Harrisburg, a town of about 900. Nearly half of the village’s 400 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Thankfully no lives were lost. The house we used to live in was not damaged, but homes only a block away suffered great loss. The local hardware store was demolished. And a particularly visible and majestic landmark, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, was practically reduced to a pile of rubble. 

As far as I’m aware, the building with the painted mural highlighting the Ridway Eagles’ 1973 State Basketball Championship – the year in which they defeated the Porta Blue Jays on their way to the title – still stands. Just thought I’d let you know.

The St. Joseph’s church was like the Titanic, magnificent in appearance and seemingly indestructible. If you have a chance to go online to view some of the pictures of this church building, try to find what it looked like before the tornado inflicted its wrath. It’s hard to believe it’s gone.

On one hand a church building is just a building. It’s a structure made of brick and mortar, wood and stone. It’s a lifeless piece of property.

But on the other hand, any church member will tell you there’s an undeniable emotional and spiritual attachment to the building. For many in the heavily Catholic community of Ridgway, their own forefathers erected the walls of that building with their blood, sweat and tears. Many have sacrificed financially and physically to maintain and improve the building. Generations of family and friends have been baptized there, raised there, married there and buried there. It’s more than just a building.

Personally, many of the friends I had in Ridgway were Catholic, which may come as a shock to some old-school Baptists and to hardline Catholics! But I say that to say that I hurt for them in this loss. On Sunday I had the chance to speak on the phone with my friend Stephen Beatty, St. Joseph’s priest. While he understands the sorrow this tragedy has brought upon the members and the community, he’s also very encouraged the church will emerge stronger than ever. As he said reflecting on recovery efforts, “The church is not the building. The church is the people going around picking up bricks.”

True indeed. Our God is a God who brings good out of trouble. He is a Shelter in the storm, a Refuge for the hurting, a Healer of the broken and an ever-present Help in time of need. Friend, may I say that whatever storm you’re going through today, look to the King who sits enthroned above the raging rapids, the howling winds and the fiercest downpour. He is the faithful and Almighty One who gives strength to His people, turns their mourning into dancing and clothes them with gladness.

Yes, weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5). That storm hit pretty close to home, but God’s strengthening His people, drawing the lost to seek Him, and getting the glory through it. May His name be praised!     

Courageous Fathering

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

I want to invite you to a free movie night at First Baptist Church on Friday, March 9. We’ll be showing “Courageous,” a compelling story of four police officers struggling with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers. Our doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for refreshments (also free), and we’ll roll film at 7:00 p.m.

This movie speaks powerfully to people of every stage in life, but especially to fathers. That’s why we’re also offering free childcare during the movie, because we really want to encourage husbands and wives to come and see this together. And I’m sure your children will have a great time with our caring volunteers while you enjoy the show. If you need childcare please call the church office at 632-2488 so that we’ll be prepared.

It is clear that the absence of fathers from children’s lives profoundly and negatively impacts not only families, but communities and nations. Research continually bears this out. The website of the National Fatherhood Initiative includes several studies on this issue and finds that children who live without their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behaviors than their peers who live with their married biological (or adoptive) parents. You can check them out and learn more at http://www.fatherhood.org./

I remember reading a story some time ago about Hallmark. Prior to Mother’s Day the card-makers went into one of the federal prisons and gave away cards for the inmates to send to their mothers. As I recall there was so much interest that they ran out of cards. The event went so well they decided to do the same thing for Father’s Day. However, not one inmate came to get a free card to send to his dad. You get the picture?

You may also be interested to know that in 2006 the federal government spent $99.8 billion to provide assistance to father-absent homes. That’s a conservative estimate which does not include indirect costs related to some of the issues mentioned above.

The point is this: kids need dads. Communities need dads. Nations need dads. I have the utmost respect for single mothers who have been left to bear the responsibility for raising their children. I applaud their courageous efforts, and many do an outstanding job despite the obstacles. But even they would be quick to say their children need a dad.

It’s time for men to take responsibility for their families and homes. In the verse quoted above, Joshua was one such man. He understood the call for men to lead their families in the ways of the Lord. He also knew that many wouldn’t. But he courageously stood up before the nation of Israel and declared his allegiance to the Lord, and took responsibility for his house as well.

Men, if you’ve dropped the ball or let go of the wheel, let me say this to you: don’t quit. Maybe you haven’t been the husband or father you know you ought to be, but starting now you can begin to change things. Even if your children are grown and out on their own, what do you think it would mean to them to receive a letter or a call from their dad saying he’s sorry for messing things up, and wanting to make things right? Hearts may not be healed overnight, but don’t give up hope. Start somewhere. Seek the Lord’s help. Walls can be broken down. Relationships can be mended. Lives can be changed by the power of God’s grace and mercy. You can become the man God made you to be.

Come and see “Courageous” with us. This movie might just be the motivation you need to become a better father. As a church we want to help. We’d love to pray for you. Call our prayer-line anytime at 632-5937. Together, let’s be courageous!

Resolving to Be Men of Courage

When my wife purchased for me last fall the book, The Resolution for Men, I must confess that my first thoughts were a bit defensive. I’ve been married for 18 years. I’ve been a dad for 12 years; 15 if you count our first dog. What do I need this book for? Am I not a good enough husband? A good enough father? A good enough man?

Isn’t that kind of like giving Phil Mickelson a Golf Digest instructional video on improving your short game? Or signing up Mark Zuckerberg for a computer class at the local community college?

What a stinking, terrible, arrogant attitude! Talk about a revelation of pride. How could I even begin to imagine that I had somehow “arrived” at a point that I had nothing more to learn? That I didn’t need to continue to grow as a man, a father or a husband? If this was already as good as it was going to get, then I really haven’t learned anything.

Usually I love to learn. I’m always reading a book on preaching (believe it or not!) or church health or something that will hopefully help me become a better pastor. I’m willing to learn to play the guitar better. I want to be in the gym more to work on my jump shot. But learn to be a better man? I thought I’d figured that one out.

The funny thing is, after I’d finally decided to open up the book and at least see what the authors had to say that I was convinced I already knew and didn’t need, I quickly realized how much I didn’t know and how much I really needed this. That’s humbling. Man, I have so far to go!

This is a powerful book that boldly and unapologetically challenges men to “man up” in a culture that has mocked and undermined the God-given responsibilities of manhood and fatherhood. Allow me to quote from the opening chapter:

“Our generation desperately needs courageous men to step up. We need men who will not be swayed by the culture or afraid of criticism. We need men who are resolved to lead their families no matter what. We need men to teach sexual purity to their sons and daughters so that more children won’t enter the world without married parents. We need men who stick to their marriage vows and cry out for God’s help to love their wives rather than giving up during difficult times.

“We need men who refuse to sacrifice their families for the sake of a promotion at work. Men who refuse to let entertainment eat up all of their time and deaden their consciences. Men who will speak out against laws and philosophies that are destroying families. Men who will forgive their dads, break the chains of the past, and set new standards. Men who will pray for their pastors and revival in their churches and make decisions that will strengthen the next generation. We need to be these men. And we need one another!” (p. 21).

I don’t know about you, bro, but I want to be a better husband, a better father, a better man. By the mercy and grace of God, by the power of Christ in me, I want to learn and follow through on resolving to be a man of courage.

If that resonates with you, I invite you to come along with us on a journey to live for what matters most. On Friday night, March 9, we’ll be showing at the First Baptist Church the recently released movie, “Courageous,” which spawned this book my wife bought for me. If you’ve already seen it, come see it again. If you haven’t, then I promise you it will be worth your time. Be watching for details, but go ahead and mark your calendar. March 9, 7:00 p.m. We’ll even provide childcare. Call and let us know.

I yearn for greater faithfulness as a husband, a father and a man, and I want the same for you. Men, let’s resolve to be courageous!