Children’s Ministry in Need

There is a Children’s Ministry here in Murfreesboro, TN that is in desperate need this holiday season (actually, all year).  Due to the economic slow down and generally tough time, charitable donations are down across the country.  During these uncertain times, people (myself included) tend to hold on to money because of fear.  Fear of losing a job, fear of not being able to pay bills, etc.  When we start holding onto our money, we start handicapping organizations that depend on donations.

So, with that in mind, our family has decided that enough is enough.  We’ve decided that today’s presents turn into tomorrow’s junk and clutter.  Not always, but often.

Today we are adopting a ministry in need.  Helping those who are helping others.  Instead of spending money on gifts for our family, we hope to provide a boost to people in need.

For us, I think we’re going to “adopt” this ministry and help out as best we can.

Will you consider doing the same?  It doesn’t have to be this particular ministry, but look around where you are.  Every charitable ministry seems to be struggling right now, opportunities for assistance abound.

If you feel led to give, here is the website for the Murfreesboro Good Shepherd’s Children Home.  Take a look around and give if you can.  Or if you want to give to something more local, contact your local churches to see where the needs are.

God Bless you and yours this Christmas.

Good Shepherd Children’s Home

Open letter requesting support from the Children’s home:

Open Letter Requesting Contributions

You can donate via PayPal on the GSCH web page under the donation tab.

In Christ,

Chris

Dad, you can’t teach me about God when you’re playing Madden.

Last night I came home geared up to watch my favorite Redskins play the New York Giants.  As they both play in the NFC East, I have no fondness for the Giants,Eagles, and especially the Cowboys.

The kids were doing homework and drawing etc, and I sat down in front of my laptop to play some Madden 2005 (Yes, 2005.  I don’t have a newer version but it serves).

Anyway, my wife was at work and I sat and played Madden for about an hour, or an hour and a half.  Then the game came on.

So I put Madden away and God chose that time to hit me with a two by four.   Right between the eyes.

The simple pleasures of knowing God

Sometimes I wonder off the path of just enjoying God’s grace. The beauty of His creation and the joy of my salvation. Often I dig into deep dive theological discussions (debates?) that end up only robbing me of the simple pleasure of knowing God. I forget to listen to the world around me and pick up on the laughter, the giggles, the innocence, the simple things that can be found if you listen for them.

“BECAUSE I SAID SO.”

Why do I have to take the trash out? “Because I said so.”
Why do I have to watch my sister? “Because I said so.”
Why can’t I go to the movies? “Because I said so.”
Why can’t I go out with her? “Because I said so.”
Why can’t I take the car? “Because I said so.”

I still hate that reasoning even when I use it on my kids.

I don’t know about you but I was so glad to finally “grow up” and get away from that reasoning. College, work, social life, marriage, kids. I remember the feeling of not having to ask permission for anything. If I wanted to do something I could do it, and if I got in trouble for it I could ask forgiveness. But I wasn’t going to take “NO” for an answer any more if it was something I wanted to do.

“Sometimes its better to ask forgiveness rather than permission.” How many times have we used that reasoning in our daily lives? I’ve lived a big part of my life operating under that one principle. If I felt that there was a good chance I’d be told “NO”, then I just wouldn’t ask.

We feel like its our responsibility (and our right) to push the limits. Why do I have to park in this area? Why do I have to obey this speed limit? Why do I have to smoke in this area? Why do I have to work in this cube? Why do I have to pay this fee? Why do I have to pay taxes???

Ooops. Guess what. We’ve been busted. What does scripture say about this attitude?

Rom 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Rom 13:2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Rom 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Rom 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
Rom 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for {rulers} are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax {is due;} custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Rom 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled {the} law.

Wait, you might say. That’s governmental authority. That has nothing to do with a parking area, or a smoking area, or speeding, or…, or…
Read verse 2 again. If we cannot accept earthly authority, how can we accept God’s authority in our lives?

How about this one?
2Peter 2:9 {then} the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
2Peter 2:10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in {its} corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,

So taking this a step further:

1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

So, how can we be subjected to God whom we have not seen, if we cannot subject ourselves to authority which we have seen?

Now, how about something to really “bake your cookies”. There is no scriptural support for rebelling against civil authority. Which means, scripturally, our Revolutionary War was a rebellion with no scriptural support, though there were sermons preached for and against it.

There is plenty of scripture to support working within the system to change the system however. See the Prophets preaching to a fallen/rebellious Israel & Judah, see the Kings of the Old Testament repenting before God and their kingdoms flourishing, see the exhortation to preach and to teach and to live Godly lives.

So it boils down to this. If you have the attitude, “Sometimes its better to ask forgiveness instead of permission”, you are actually opposing God’s teachings.

I’m sure there are times when the Holy Spirit would encourage us to “rebel” against authority if abuses were occurring that impact the welfare of people. However, we would be wise to be ABSOLUTELY sure that we are listing to the Holy Spirit, and not our own pride and emotions.

Sometimes “BECAUSE I SAID SO” really is the right answer after all. No matter how much we don’t want to hear it.