Seeking Sonship 101

 It's that time of year again. Yes, it is time for trees, lights, and presents; but, it is also time for stories about why Christians should be on guard. We will soon hear about some other "war" on Christianity. We will be made to feel like we should be upset because people say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". We will be told to feel persecuted because the word "Christmas" is not found on holiday cups at our local coffee places. As American Christians, there seems to be a constant battle against the culture which seems to be heading into a post-Christian or sometimes anti-Christian worldview. Yet, are we really under attack? Sometimes it is hard for me, from the comfort of America, with my freedom to follow Christ, to feel like I am under attack. I read how in China pastors are drowned in urine for the gospel. People in other countries must hide their Bibles for fear of being reported and jailed by their own families. Furthermor...

 I recently heard a song about how weeping endures for a night, but only one night though. I'm not knocking the song, but I often wish it was only for a night though. Sometimes that night is an extremely long night. Sometimes tears are all we have to offer for the situation. Sometimes every teardrop is a desperate prayer for something to change in our lives.  I have to be honest. I don't always cry. Sometimes a reaction video to a returning soldier or a children's adoption video will get me, but most of the time I am pretty logical. However, in this season I have found myself crying a bit more than usual. Not getting the job, not getting my wife pregnant, not having certainty about how I am going to pay the bills, and carrying it all on my shoulders. I can tell my wife it will be better, but in my heart fear, frustration, and disappointment come together to create weeping in the privacy of my solitude. Every tear is a cry for help from my heavenly Father. I don't unders...

  Maybe I shouldn't say this as a Christian, but I enjoy watching scary movies. I started watching them around the age of eight, and I enjoy watching them to this day. There is nothing like the jump scares, the humor, and the horror scenes that make you cover your eyes. When I was younger the movies were campy and not very realistic, which allowed you to be scared at a safe distance. However, as I got older the scary movies have become too much, and often I can't finish them due to how fear-inducing they are. For some people, it is jumping from heights, or roller coasters, or running with bulls. However, fear that we can control is much more entertaining than fear we cannot.  Just like with scary movies, as I have grown up the things that induce fear in me have become all too real. As a young kid bad grades, a book report, asking a girl out, or getting caught made me afraid. Now the fear has changed. My monsters are no longer called Freddie, Jason, and Michael; they are bills,...

  Is there another way to God the Father? Many times today we hear about the many ways to God. In the name of inclusivity, we often accept all messages, under the desire to be loving, to provide a path for all people to be able to "go to heaven". So how is the gospel inclusive in a world where people want to feel more included? Well, the gospel is exclusive inclusivity. Jesus states in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He also states in John 10:9, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." From these verses, we clearly see that Jesus is stating He is the only way to the Father. It is not our good behavior, our good works, or any other way. Jesus gives us a one-way sign. If we want to "be saved" and come to the Father, we must enter through the gate of Jesus. This is the portion that is exclusive. However, in Jesus there is incl...

  God is light! However, as we walk through life, even as Christians, it can feel like walking in the dark.  At times you can only see God's plan as far as the next footstep. We can make plans, but they don't work out. We can do what we've always done, but it doesn't go the same way. We can fast and pray, but nothing seems to move or light up. You just keep walking on the path that you can see, hoping that it becomes much clearer. When it seems like nothing is making sense. Nothing is going the way it should. Nothing is going to plan. Just remember that God promised in Matthew 28:20 that He is with us always until the end of the world. When I don't feel You? Always. When I can't see Your plan? Always. When I can't hear Your voice? Always. When I am walking in the dark? Always. Always means always.  I pray that in the seasons when we can only see the next step, we can trust that God has ordered the steps we take in the dark. 

  It used to be so easy! I remember when I was a newly converted Christian. It seemed like I would barely pray and my prayer would be answered. When I went through problems, God would immediately come to my rescue. I truly felt loved and protected by God during those times, and there was never much uncertainty and fear when it came to God working in my life. However, I started to be in the Lord's presence much longer, and it seemed like He didn't respond the same. He still provided, but it was often at the last possible moment. He still protected me, but it seemed like I still was allowed to get some scratches and bumps along the way. What in the world is going on here? Since I had father issues, much of the times when God didn't "sprint" to help me, felt like abandonment. Getting sick for a long time; putting in over 30 applications, and not being hired right away; seeking housing stabilization. All of these times felt like God was not keeping His promise. Hebrew...