THE VIEW FROM THE TREEHOUSE

Right now we are going through a change in our church building.  As I look out my window, I see construction equipment tearing down parts of our church that had been there for years.  In the beginning, I embraced the change that was about to take place, but now, I am flooded by the memories of the almost 20 years that I have spent in those now ever changing structures.  I am told that change is good, but I will miss some of the old things as they make way for the new.  

I am reminded of  story in the Bible of a man named Zaccheaus.  He was set in his ways for a long time and many thought that he would never change.  He had lived his life getting rich by cheating and putting harsh taxes on the people and they hated him for it.  Then one day, he found out that Jesus was going to pass his way.  

You know the story.  The Bible tells us that he runs ahead of the crowd, climbs up in a tree, and waits.  Then as Jesus passes by, the master stops and tells Zaccheaus that He wants to go to his house and stay for a while.  Can you imagine?  Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords wants to visit with this terrible excuse for a human being.  Zaccheaus had a decision to make:  Invite Jesus into his home, or make like a tree and leave.  

Zaccheaus' response tells us that he wanted change in his life.  Luke 19:6 says, "So he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully."  Even though he was a sinner, because he believed that and encounter with Jesus could change his life forever, he welcomed Jesus into his home quickly and joyfully.  He did not wait to think about it.  He didn't care about his former life.  He wanted change.

There are three things to note here if we want change in our lives:  

One, we must WATCH for change.  The Bible says in Luke 19:3 that Zaccheaus "sought to see who Jesus was".  He was looking for Jesus.  He was waiting for Jesus.  He was a rich guy who climbed a tree.  When was the last time you climbed a tree to see anything.  We must be willing to climb whatever to seek out Jesus.

Second, Zaccheaus WELCOMED change.  Here was Jesus inviting Himself over.  Zaccheaus could have said, "wait till I get my house cleaned, then come over".  He wanted Jesus in his home no matter what it looked like.  Don't wait till you have it all perfect for Jesus to come in.  He is asking to come over.  Welcome Him in.

Last, Zaccheaus WORKED toward change.  The Bible tells us that immediately Zaccheaus promised to give half of his wealth to the poor and to repay those he had cheated fourfold (Luke 19:8).  He was not just wanting to change on the inside, but to show that he was different on the out as well.  We must not just know we need to change, but do something about it.  

That's when Jesus proclaimed that salvation had come to Zaccheaus' house.  He had changed and allowed change to take place in him.  Change is not always easy, but if we are watching, welcoming, and working toward change, it will transform our lives.  So, let it happen today.  Climb a tree.  You never know what you might see up there.

UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

Imagine what it must have been like for the shepherds on that first Christmas night.  One minute, you are just sitting there doing your job, the next minute, all heaven breaks loose.  Suddenly you are surrounded by a great heavenly display that would blow any Hollywood special effects team out of the water.  Their message is simple.  Today in the house of David, a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).  In their message, they stated three things about this child.

First, He is Savior.  Jesus is in fact the savior of the world.  His purpose for coming to earth was so we might be saved (see John 3:16).  He knew that His sacrifice was the only way to restore His people to the Father.  So He gave up His place at the right hand of God to come to save us from destruction.  He truly is our Savior.

Second, He is Christ.  This indicated that Jesus was the one they had been waiting for.   Ever since the first prophet was told of a King, generations have passed this word from child to child.  These shepherds were seeing firsthand thousands of years of prophecy unfold before their very eyes.

Third, He is Lord.  This shows the deity of Jesus.  It tells of the fact that He is man yet still God.   The shepherds as well as everyone else had to come to this understanding that a little baby lying in a manger of all places is in fact their Yahweh.

The shepherds immediately went to find this baby.  They wanted to see their Savior, Christ and Lord.  So what will you do?  Who is He to you?  Is He your Savior?  Is He you Christ?  And is He your Lord?  This holiday season, I hope you find out that He truly is. 

Resolutions Redefined

My New Year's resolution is to not make any New year's resolutions.  See, I have already broken one.  It is amazing how the mindset of a person can change from December 31, to January 1.  Even though it is only one day, it is a new year and that greets us with promise, excitement and forgiveness.  That is why so many people decide at the beginning of the year that they will join a gym.
So you get a membership, go a few times, and maybe even get a new outfit (or workout clothes for you men).  You are all stoked because when summer arrives, you will have that beach body and be the envy of all those who have watched you go from flab to fab.  You set goals, make a plan and even tell your family that you are not ever eating hamburgers again.  Then it is time to actually GO to the gym.
The first day goes ok.  You are a little sore and out of shape, but that is to be expected.  After all
Rome was not built in a day right?  You are proud of yourself for passing up on the donuts for breakfast and have a salad for lunch.  This is going to be a piece of cake.  That is until you see the piece of cake.  The next thing you know you have already gone through the drive thru and ordered a number two super sized with a bladder busting soda (I don't know this personally.  I am just repeating someone else's story).  The next thing you know you are trying to avoid seeing the trainer you hired, speeding past the gym, and don't even know where you put that new outfit (workout stuff).
The same is true with our relationship with God.  We decide that today is the day that I get my life back on track.  We find our Bible, join a church, and even get us a new outfit (church clothes).  We feel good about our new decision and our new devotion book we picked up.  But as time goes by, life sets in, and it seems like your new found life has taken a back seat to the same old life you have always lived.
God desires more from us.  Luke 9:23 says, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (NKJV) That means that we must let go of our own wants and desires, start lifting daily and follow after our trainer Jesus Christ.  Notice that we are to do this daily and not just on days when the church doors are open.  Many of us want to follow after Christ but when it comes to picking up our cross daily, we fall short.  Don't just try to think of what you will look like in a year from now, just give tomorrow a try.  The next thing you know, you will be living like a follower of Jesus, pumped up and ready to take on the world for Him.
So make a plan.  Start today.  Take it one day at a time.  If not, there is always next year.  January 1st can't be that far away.

FISH OUT OF WATER

Imagine swimming along, minding your own business and then the next thing you know, you are in the fight of your life.  Last week I had an opportunity of a lifetime given to me by my good friend (and brother in law, and Pastor of Cowboy Junction church, and fellow coach of our sons' team, and now fishing buddy) Ty Bean to go to Montana fly fishing for trout.  We had a blast hanging out with several pastors and church leaders and hosted by Refuge ministries who minister to pastors and give them a time away and a place to catch lots of fish.
We went out each day with some great guides who were patient, very knowledgeable about fishing and also blessed with quick reflexes (lots of hooks flying around their heads and all).  While they rowed the boat, we fished.  And boy did we fish.  We caught so many fish, that we lost count.  Fun is an understatement.  But the thing I loved the most was not only the catch but the release.
You see, trout are a very delicate and fragile fish.  You cannot just catch them and then chuck them back in the water.  They require a little tender loving care.  After catching one, the guide would carefully take the hook out and then slowly lower the fish into the water facing it upstream and holding it still, lightening his grip until the fish gets his bearings and gills acclimated to the water again.  Then when the fish is ready, he slowly swims away back to his home.
I finally got to try it myself.  At first, the fish was resistant and tried to flop away.  Then when I lowered him into the water, he just stayed there.  Finally when it was time, he slowly swam away and hung out right there with me until he decided to take off into deeper waters.  It was truly amazing.  A bond with nature that is hard to forget.
Sometimes in life, we can feel like that fish.  We are in the fight of our life being pulled by a force that we cannot shake and taken places that we do not want to go.  We are caught and out of our element, disoriented and confused.  Then we allow God to take us in his hands.  He gently takes the hook that has ensnared us, and sets us back into the water where it is not only safe but our home.  As we wait to get our direction and bearings, he holds on to us keeping us faced in the right direction. And when we are ready, he gently lets go and lets us swim on our own.
The problem is, the more we fight, the worse it gets.  The sooner we learn to trust God, the better we will be. Psalm 7:1 says "O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me."  The enemy will try to catch you, persecute you, and devour you, God seeks to deliver you.  Trust in him and you will be saved.
And another bit of advice, avoid food with strings attached.

NO BULL

Many years ago, my pastor asked me and another intern working in the church to help him with a problem he had on his ranch in Graham, TX.  You see, on his ranch lived a bull named "Limo".  Limo had injured himself on a barbed wire fence and needed to be looked at by the vet.  What our pastor wanted us to do is simply put Limo into the chute with the harness to hold down the bull while the vet worked on him.  The only problem was that I had no idea how we were going to get him in the harness.  I guess because my pastor knew that I grew up in Arkansas, naturally I knew what to do with livestock.  Boy was he wrong.

So I strapped on my only pair of overalls (Old Navy 39.95), which by the way were in style in the 90's, and my Doc Martin boots (30 dollars from mexico) and off we went to punch some cattle.  Upon arriving, I noticed that Limo had already been put in a little pen right by the chute.  This was going to be easy.  A couple of hours later, the vet shows up and we have not made Limo move one muscle.  The vet was furious.  He took one look at us and knew that we were not going to get the job done.

He gives a pitch fork (I didn't know they even used stuff like that anymore) to my buddy and tells him to poke the bull as hard as he can in the rear when he tells him to.  Then he tells me to go to the harness and pull the lever when the bull runs through the chute.  Then he does something totally insane.  The vet picks up a two by four and goes up to the bull and hits him square between the eyes.  Limo gets mad (no duh) and comes toward the chute where the vet was.  When the bull stops, the vet tells my buddy to jab Limo with the pitch fork.  This makes the bull even madder and makes him charge right for the harness where I was waiting to clamp him down.  The only problem was that this lever was really rusty and when Limo comes through, I fail to clamp him down.

Now this 1 million pound bull is free to go wherever he wants.  No pens, no fences, not even a cattle guard is stopping him from going to downtown Graham and living it up.  But this bull does something that I will never forget.  Instead of taking off for the hills, Limo makes a turn and goes right back through the gate and into the pen he was originally held in.  He was free but chose to be penned up just like he was before.

Many times we are like Limo.  We have been beaten.  We have been poked and prodded.  We have even felt the bonds of imprisonment.  Then Jesus sets us free.  But it seems that we go right back into the pen and allow ourselves to be bound up again.  Galatians 5:1 says "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage".

What makes us go back?  Comfort, fear of the new unknown, and sin are a few of the reasons that bondage seems to fit better than freedom, but going back leads to more pain and holds us back from living the life God intended for us to live.  So don't settle.  Live free.  And if you ever run into a bull named Limo, don't give him my address.

KING SIZE REST

I love my bed.  There I said it.  

A few years ago, Haley and I decided to upgrade our bed status.  We had lived for years with a normal queen size bed that was given to us.  Even though we were grateful, it was time to change.  For some reason, even though we flipped and rotated, it still seemed to dip on my side a lot.  So not thinking that we would spend a lot on a new mattress, we went shopping.  Boy was I wrong.

The salesman show us all different kinds of mattresses; firm ones, soft ones, pillow tops, and memory foam.  Bed after bed it seemed like the price would get too rich for my taste.  Then I saw it.  The bed of all beds.  After one time falling on it, I was hooked.  Haley and I both knew it was the bed for us.  

Now, sleeping in this bed is like falling into a cloud (except it holds you up and you don't go plummeting to your death).  After a long day, just knowing that when nighttime comes, rest awaits.  

I could go on and on about how wonderful my bed truly is but I won't.  The fact is that just telling you about my bed does you no good.  You cannot come over and sleep in our bed.  So don't even try it.  But believe me you should want to.  But once again, you can't.

One thing I have observed about my bed is that it only works when I get "IN" it.  Just talking about the bed does not good.  I must crawl into it, put the soft sheets and blankets over me and lay my head on the billowy pillow.  Until I lay down, I cannot truly experience rest.

The same is true in our relationship with Christ.  We can talk about Him, or know a few things about Him, but it is not until we find ourselves in His loving arms that we can truly find rest.  Psalms 37:7 tells us to "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."  Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 to "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

So I guess what I am trying to say is that unless I am in my bed, anywhere else is a distant second at best.  And unless you are in Christ, you will never find the peace and rest that you need to make it.  So if you are looking for some spiritual rest, don't settle for a full, twin or even a queen but go for the King of all Kings.  It's the best rest you will ever find.

PRAY DAD PRAY

Kids can be the best teachers.  I mean, God gives them to us so that we can shape and encourage them to become productive members of His kingdom, but sometimes they show us just what it means to live.

I learned a valuable lesson one day when my oldest son was around 4 years old.  I decided to take him to play golf with me.  We could get outside and enjoy a little fresh air and he didn't know how good golfers were supposed to be yet so it was perfect.  

Somewhere around the third hole, my son comes up to me with complete joy in his eyes.  He had a bonding with nature moment.  He holds out his finger and with utter excitement tells me, "Look daddy I found a fly".  As I look down at his little finger I notice that on the end of it is not fly but in fact a huge bee.  Automatically I try to warn my son but as soon as I tell him to shake it off the bee, sensing my threat, defends his newly acquired territory and stings my son right on the tip of his finger.  

Now my son's face has transformed from that of wonder and amazement at his close encounter with another species to horror at the thought that this fuzzy little creature could cause so much pain and destruction to his body.  As he looks at me tears begin to well up on his face and he lets out this wail that I have heard many times with my boys indicating their dissatisfaction with life. 

As I begin to try to console my son, in the back of my mind I know that he is going to be ok, but he doesn't know that.  To him, he is going to die at the hands of a sinister little insect bent on taking over the world one finger at a time.  Finally, after exhausting all of my calming techniques, I ask him, "Just what do you want me to do!"  Without missing a beat he screams, "PRAY DAD PRAY!"  

Here I am, the man of faith and power, the one who people come to for guidance and prayer, and the one thing that I could do, the one thing my son wanted me to do, was the last thing that I thought to do. My son had heard enough sermons, enough lessons to know that there is power in prayer.  So I prayed for him.  I prayed a prayer of faith, power and victory.  I prayed a prayer of healing and restoration.  I prayed a prayer of vengeance for that evil bee that terrorized my son.  We had revival on the golf course that day.

And believe it or not, it worked.  By the time we reached the green he was healed.  He looks at me with tear residue on his face but smiling and says, "Dad, I'm all better now.  Your prayer worked."  From that day on, he has believed in the power of prayer.  Now you may say that he was eventually going to be ok and that bee sting pain eventually goes away but I am here to tell you that he was healed and that God heard that prayer and touched him that day.  

So no matter how big or how small your "sting" may be, just take my son's advice.  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.  And if you see a fuzzy brown and yellow bee buzzing around the Hobbs Country Club, tell him to watch his back cause we are still looking for him.

LIFE LESSONS FROM A RUBBER BAND

Have you ever seen someone instantly change right in front of your eyes?  This happens on a regular basis with my toddler Charlie.  He can be in a raging fit; crying and mad as a hornet, then like the flip of a switch just all of a sudden calm down when you show him a blow pop.  The snap back to peace seems instant.  For whatever reason all the rage and fury subsides in an instant and he is back to normal.  

I am amazed by the elasticity of kids.  One minute they miss the winning goal and the next they are celebrating with ice cream sundaes.  Life for them can seem so carefree.  It makes me think that we should be more like our kids in so many ways.  I call it the rubber band principle.  A rubber band can give us so many life lessons if we just observe a few things.

One, a rubber band stretches to incredible lengths.  You can pull it back and it seems to stretch forever. Then when you let it go, it simply goes back to it's original form.  Life, many times, will stretch us to great lengths.  From pressures around us to things pulling us in every direction, it seems like we will get bent out of shape.  If we can truly have "elastic power" then no matter what life throws at us we can bounce back.  

Two, a rubber band is not worth much when it does break.  There are times when a rubber band gets to it's breaking point, then it will never be as good as it once was.  We must never get to that place where we think things are so bad that we cannot recover.  II Corinthians 4:8-9 gives us great perspective on this by telling us, "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."  This means that no matter how bad things may seem, we (unlike a rubber band) can choose when and where we will break.  No matter what, stretch till you think that you can't anymore, then stretch some more.  You are not crushed, in despair, forsaken or destroyed.  With Jesus in your life, you have that "elastic power" you need to see anything through till the end.

The third lesson that we can learn is that a rubber band only has value of what it is wrapped around.  Every day (except Mondays), a paper comes to my house.  That paper costs 50 cents on a news stand and dollar fifty on Sundays. A rubber band wraps itself around those papers and has the value of each days edition of information.  Take that same rubber band and wrap it around a wad of 100 dollar bills and that rubber band just got an upgrade.  Take that same rubber band and wrap it around the arm of one of my sons and it just became priceless.  When we wrap ourselves (like a rubber band) around things in this world (i.e.. jobs, relationships, etc) we only hold its value.  But when we wrap ourselves around Jesus, we just gave ourselves the ultimate upgrade.  

So stretch but don't break, and wrap yourself around Jesus.  Hold on no matter what happens.  Allow His love and mercy the opportunity to give you that "elastic power" that you need to survive a world that will stretch you to your limits.  And if you do break, don't try to fix it, give it to God.  Let Him make you new.  After all a tied up rubber band never worked very well anyway.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM

Mom,

It has been a while since you have passed away from us.  1996 feels like an eternity.  I know that you are in a much better place and would not wish one more moment of pain for you here just to see you again, but I sure do miss you sometimes.  I just wanted to write some thoughts down (and post it for the world to see) and tell you how much you have meant to me.  

I owe you a lot.  I truly believe that the person that I have become today is a direct result of the impact you have had in my life.  I see so much of you in me it is crazy.  Thank you for giving me the ability to let "stuff" roll off my back and let it go.  No matter how bad, you always had a smile.  Thank you for teaching me that others come first, and that love is unconditional no matter what they did to you.  Thank you for the gift of noticing the good in everyone, even when it is hard to find.  But most of all, thank you for your joy.  Even as the last few days were coming, you never stopped believing and when you did understand what was about to happen you just simply smiled and said you would see us again.  The one thing that I will always remember you saying is that "Happiness is not a destination, but a daily way of travel".  That has been a theme for my life.

Lots have happened since those days mom.  I am married now and, oh mom, you would love her.  Haley is so beautiful and funny.  She truly melts my heart each day.  We do everything together.  I wish you could have met her.  If so, she probably would understand better why I am the way I am sometimes.  

I have three boys.  Jackson is a tall beautiful kid (looks just like his mom).  I catch myself looking at him and just am amazed that we are related.  He is a popular kid who really should concentrate on school more that friends but he just loves people.  He loves sports and does real well with them.  It seems like he is dragging us (or really us dragging him) to ballparks and football fields all year round.  We are really proud of him.  Sam, mom, Sam's a mess.  You see the look in his eye and you know that the wheels are turning, you just don't know if its gonna mean we end up in the emergency room (sound familiar?)  He looks just like me (not as fortunate as Jack) and has a lot of the same quirks.  He climbs everything from trees to buildings.  I call him superman.  He is a big time momma's boy and has the most tender heart.  And last but not least, we have a new addition.  This past September, little Charlie came on the scene.  We thought, "We have an 11 year old and an 8 year old, why not throw in a baby".  People said that we were crazy but I cannot imagine life without him.  He has been so much joy to Haley and I and now we truly feel like a complete family.  Jack and Sam are wonderful to him and help so much that it makes things really easy.  The verdict is still out on what kind of kid Charlie will be, but all I know is that I have never in my life seen a baby laugh and smile as much as this kid has.  I mean, every time he wakes up, he's happy.  Maybe a little DNA passed on from his grandma.

Well I had better go.  I have never been able to do this and just felt a little selfish.  I wanted others to know just how I felt about you, and how wonderful you truly were and thought that this was a good way to do it.  You know I miss you all the time.  Happy Mother's Day Mom.

Love, Jotty

Do I Really Sound Like That?

Have you ever heard yourself recorded or through a monitor?  It is so strange to hear your own voice outside of what you hear all the time in your head.  So often, we hear one thing and the rest of the world hears another.  I think many times, we live life that way too.
During one of my first few years as pastor, we had a special guest in town.  My middle son, Sam was still a baby in the nursery so I took that opportunity to hold him for a short time during the end of one of the services because he was acting up.  Our church at that time had a window in which you could still see the service going on but no one could see you, so I stayed in there for a minute and watched as the service started winding down.  The service was going fairly long for us and people slowly were sneaking out.  I knew that an offering still needed to take place and was beginning to get antsy about this guy wrapping it up.  Without even thinking, I simply said very quietly, "I wish he would hurry up".  I didn't think that anyone had heard my statement but just then, a little girl who was in the nursery with me piped up and said, "Now you know what we feel like when you are up there".
I was floored.  I could not believe that anyone thought that I, of all people, was long winded.  This little five year old had no idea what she was talking about.  I have been to thousands of services and I know how long they are.  I keep things short and to the point.  And even if my sermon might (and it is a big might) be a tad bit long, they are filled with witty quips, good points and interesting stories.
The reality is that we all see ourselves in a different light.  Sometimes another perspective can really be eye opening.  From friends to mentors to pastors and leaders, God places people in our lives to help us.  They see things from a different perspective and can objectively tell us about things we might not be able to see in our own lives.
Proverbs 27:9 states that "Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty council"(NKJV).  So even though it may be hard to hear sometimes, we need to hear it.  It can make us a better person.  You never know, someday a little five year old may be just the one to see and say things that no one else will.  Even if she has no idea what she is talking about.  I mean seriously, me long winded.  Have you ever heard such a thing?

Church Clothes

I don't mean to brag, but I am a pretty big deal.  You might say that I have somewhat of a celebrity status.  When I go places, people recognize me.  Ok that sounds a little like bragging (actually a lot), but in my line of work I get a lot of exposure.  From weddings and funerals, to being on stage every Sunday morning, I am in a very unique light.  So imagine my surprise when I was given a reality check the other day.
I was simply picking up a few things for the church at our local hardware store.  As I was heading to the checkout, I noticed a lady who just recently started coming to church with her family.  She just moved to the area and I think this was her first day on the job because she was being trained by another lady.  I purposely went to her line to give her confidence and tell her how grateful I was that she had been attending the church.  As I began to checkout, I noticed that she had not recognized me, so I started to talk about the church.  Finally she asked if I was the pastor at that Christian Center Church.  When I told her yes, she immediately said "I am so sorry pastor, I didn't recognize you with your clothes on."  I looked over at the other girl that was there with us and saw the expression on her face.  She must have been thinking "what kind of church is this".  I assured her, and anyone else within earshot, that I usually wear clothes but am a little more dress up on Sundays besides jeans, a T-shirt and Hat.
We all know what the lady meant, but I think it brings up a good point.  We often live two lives.  One we live at church.  You know, the dress nice, watch your mouth, carry your Bible with you Sundays.  But then on Monday, we seem to live another life.  Just like changing clothes, we change lifestyles.
For example, if we were to come to work dressed like we did on Sunday, our co-workers would think we flipped a lid.  If we showed up at the ballpark or at a social gathering with our church clothes on, it would just make people look at us and make us feel uncomfortable.  The same is true if we acted the same way on Monday that we do on Sunday.  People just would not know how to take us.  So we blend in.
James 1:21-24 says:  "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."(NKJV)  James also calls this type of person "double minded"(James 1:8).
We have the opportunity to see things in our encounters with Jesus that can change our lives.  Just like looking in a mirror, we notice the things that need changing, but often we only want them changed on Sundays.  We simply walk away and forget what kind of person we were.
God's desire for us is to look like Christians all week long.  So even though we may keep our Sunday dress and suit in the closet, we can still live like it's Sunday all throughout the week.  People might not recognize you at first but at least you've got the right clothes on.

WHO'S NUMBER ONE

My son, Sam, has obviously drawn the short straw in our family.  I know this because in so many ways, he acts just like his father.  One of the character traits he has picked up is the need to tease and pester anyone and everyone he meets.  It is an incredible talent passed down from generation to generation and he is really good at it.  He can get his older brother so crazy that Jackson doesn't even know if he is coming or going.

One day, as we were riding in the truck, he thinks that he is going to get a rise out of me.  He turns to me and says that he loves God more than he loves me.  You should have seen the look on his face when I told him that I was so proud of him and that he should love God more than he loves me.  "As a matter of fact," I told him, "God should be number one in your life."  I could tell that this was puzzling him to no end and so I shared some scripture with him.  Deuteronomy 6:5 says that "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength"(NKJV).  Exodus tells us that "you shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3 NKJV).

What he meant to tease me with, we were able to turn into a valuable lesson.  God should be number one in all of our lives.  He should mean more to us than anything and anyone.  This is something we have known in our heads since we have learned the Ten Commandments, but do we really know it in our hearts?  How many things have we put in our lives in front of God?  From our jobs, to relationships, to even our hobbies, it seems like so many times, God is on the back burner.  It's not that we need to give up those things (or sometimes we do), but they need to decrease so our love for God can increase.  

I hope and pray that Sam gets the message along with the rest of us.  He did finally, after a long time to think about it, admit that God should be number one in his life.  Then he looked at me and with a twinkle in his eye and that all to familiar grin tells me, "but mom's number two".  I guess I can handle that.

YOU DESERVE A WHIPPIN

Have you ever noticed parents trying to control their kids at restaurants?  When I was single, I remember saying to myself, "My kids will never act that way in public."  Then I actually had kids.  In the 11 years that I have been a parent, my precious children have not only acted bad, but worse than most of the kids I have witnessed before.
One time, when my middle child, Samuel was around two, we were in a restaurant and he was pushing all of us to the limit.  I thought someone was going to ask us to leave.  Needless to say, I went from patient, to embarrassed, to angry within minutes.  Finally, Haley looks at me with frustration in her voice, and says, "Well, are you going to do something?"  You bet I was.  I'd had enough.  This evil child of mine was going to get the whooping of his life.  With one ninja like motion, I snatched him up out of his high chair and we were off to the bathroom.
The bathroom, however, was all the way across the restaurant.  In that long walk of shame, Samuel did something that I will never forget.  As I am holding him in my arms ready to tear into him, he grabs my face and looks me in the eyes and says "I love you daddy."
I don't know if you have ever stared into the face of one who looks almost identical to you and heard those words before, but let me tell you it is life changing.  All the anger, all the rage, all the frustration that was stirring within had suddenly vanished in one moment.  I looked at my son and said, Do you promise to be good?"  He nodded. And we turned back toward our seats, with me saying, "Just tell your mom that I whipped you."
The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of our Father (Gen. 1:26).  So when we look to Him and tell Him how much we love Him, how could He deny us anything.  He loves us so much and even though He must sometimes show us discipline, He forgives us every time. We fail to realize this because maybe we think that what we have done is too bad for forgiveness.  You don't deserve forgiveness, you deserve to be taken to the bathroom in the restaurant and get a big fat whipping, but somewhere along the line, God sent His Son Jesus as payment for our sins, turned us around and set us back down at His table to eat once again.
So remember, you are God's kid, you are loved, and you are forgiven.  Grab His face and tell Him how much you love Him today.  It will truly melt His heart.

The Worn Out Bible

Her day is filled with laughter and love
Listening to her favorite band
She always enjoys her time spent in prayer
With a worn out Bible in her hand

Through special occasions with family and friends
She helps out whenever she can
Except for the few moments she steals
To read the worn out Bible in her hand

No matter the struggles life throws her way
As unstable as shifting sand
She knows she can find comfort from God
In the worn out Bible in her hand

And as her life comes to an end
And her spirit is leaving this land
One thing is found not too far away
A worn out Bible on the night stand

author:  Jotty Kinney

We Are Surrounded

I have been blessed through the years, to be able to coach my boys in most of their sporting events.  I love getting out on the field with the team, watching them compete and grow as young men.  We have played baseball, basketball, soccer and this year we started football.  No matter what the sport, the game can get intense.  Most of the time, the kids are pretty cool about the whole experience, but the crazy ones are the parents.
When I started coaching, Jackson was around 4. The first sport that we could sign up for was t-ball.  Every kid had the chance to hit and play in the field and parents just sat in the stands and lightly cheered.  It seemed like a wonderful experience.  Ladies in sun dresses sipping lemonade and enjoying the summer night.  Then came the fall and with it, soccer season.  All of a sudden these same ladies traded their summer dresses for warm up suits and went from cheering to straight up yelling.  Yelling at the refs, yelling at the kids and heaven forbid, even yelling at me (mostly Haley yelling at me).  I thought to myself, "What is the difference from t-ball to soccer?"  Then I realized that in soccer, they are keeping score and the competitive juices started to flow.  Ever since then, I have come to learn that parents (including myself) really are crazy.
I have often thought during games what the kids are thinking as this process is going on.  Are they actually listening?  Are they concerned, or could they care less?  I mean, they are surrounded by stands of people, half cheering them on, the other half hoping they lose.  Can you even imagine the pressure we put on our children even at the age of four years old.
It reminds me of a passage in Hebrews.  In chapter 11, there is a long list of people who are deemed the "heroes of faith".  In it are listed a group of heavy hitters who came through in clutch situations for their faith in God.  People like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are there as well as Daniel, David and Samuel.  Then Hebrews tells us in chapter 12 that "we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1).  I imagine a huge stadium filled with saints from the past, family members gone home and maybe even an opposite side hoping we drop the ball.  We also are surrounded by a group of people here on this earth watching us as Christians to see how we play the game of life as well.
So how do we win?  Hebrews 12 continues by telling us to "lay aside every weight, and sin and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus".  It reminds me of a time talking to my under 6 soccer team.  We were huddled up and I could tell the team was losing focus (they are 5 year olds remember).  I told them that Their mom was not the coach, their dad was not the coach, their grandpa was not the coach.  I was their coach, and if they would just listen to me, I would put them in the place they need to be and to play well and even get a chance to win the game.
The world is going to try to yell at you from the sidelines.  You are going to be screamed at from all different directions, but if you listen and look to Jesus the "author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2), then you can be placed in the right position to not only win the game but look good doing it.
So remember, you are an important part of the team.  Don't get distracted.  Listen to your coach.  Win the game.  And as I always tell the boys, have fun doing it.

Baby Food

Having a new baby around has been a real joy for our family. Haley, the boys and I have loved the experience of watching Charlie grow over the past six weeks. Already he's starting to hold his head up, push back, and show his Kung fu grip. It won't be long before he is rolling over, walking and graduating from college.
Ok, maybe I am getting ahead of myself, but the point is, we were made to grow up. If you feed a baby, eventually he will grow (and need his diaper changed). The same is true for us spiritually. The more we feed our spirits, the more they will grow. The problem is, we are not growing.
Paul tells the Corinthian people that he wanted to give them more solid food to consume but they couldn't receive it because they were still drinking the milk. They were living a carnal life and not growing toward maturity (I Corinthians 3).
Imagine holding a beautiful baby in your arms. Watching him sleep, feeding him his bottle, burping him (maybe not that last one). Now imagine doing that for a fifteen year old. In the same way, our Father wants us to move past the early stages of our faith and into a something more powerful. Just as a dad wants to teach his son to play catch, ride a bike, and fish, our heavenly Dad wants to do cool stuff with you. He will never be able if we are still trying to simply hold our head up.
Remember, in order for us to grow, we need to be fed. What are you consuming? Is it growing your spirit? I can't wait to hear Charlie's first word (dada)' wrestle with him (and show him the dreaded "CLAW"), and jump off the bunk beds (don't tell Haley). Maybe, just maybe, God is waiting to do cool stuff with you too.

Love Expanded

The day I became a dad was one of the greatest moments of my life. On November 3, 2000, we welcomed Jackson Parker Kinney into the world.  From the moment I held him I was his.  I remember in that instant, I felt so much love for one person that I thought I would explode.  I was going to teach him everything.  We were going to play catch, go fishing, and wrestle.  I soon realized that I would have to wait a few years for those things to happen, but you get the picture.  I could not imagine loving anyone the way I loved that boy.  

Then along came Samuel Alan Kinney.  He came into the world much different.  As Jack was born, he looked like the movie star baby.  With a head full of hair a tan color and beautiful, he looked perfect.  Sam, however, looked different.  Cheesy and white, he looked like he had just been on the losing end of a twelve round prize fight.  It didn't matter to me what he looked like, in that moment, the love that I had for Jack was not split in half for Sam, but my capacity was doubled.  He was night and day different than his brother, but I loved him just as much.

Now we have welcomed little Charlie into our family.  On September 1, he came screaming into the world.  I thought there was no way I could find a way to love this little boy like the two incredible boys God has already given me, but I have.  All the wonders of making the right decision were quickly expelled as my wife and I began to meet this precious gift.  Now our family is complete.  Jackson, Samuel, and Charlie are the loves of our lives and Haley and I would not have it any other way.

When I think about the love I have for these boys, it reminds me of how much God loves us.  With billions of children on the planet, God doesn't split up His love among us but expands His love to accommodate each arrival.  He's known us since before we were formed and He loves us unconditionally.  No matter what we have done or what we will do, He will never stop.

As a dad now I get it.  That's why I feel like God loves me more than anyone and I guess so should you.  So remember, you are loved with all the love that God has within Him.  He has reserved a special place in His heart just for you.  Whether you are the "perfect baby" or have a few bumps, you are His, and He would not have it any other way.   

Do Your Job

Getting up for school in the mornings is a very difficult task in the Kinney household.  Nobody wants to get up.  The kids  want to stay in bed, I want to stay in bed and my wife, Haley, she definitely wants to stay in bed.  So from the time we all get up till we make the mad dash down our street to the school, the house is a toothpaste flying, clothes slinging, crying and yelling good time.
One particular morning, I go in to wake up the boys.  Sam, our second grader, is usually the easiest one to get up, but this morning, he was like a rock.  I am talking about the poke him and see if he moves type of still.  After seeing him stir just a little, I reached into my dad's bag-o-tricks to get him to rise and shine.  I shook him (not too hard so don't freak out).  I rolled him.  I kissed him (which he hates because I haven't brushed my teeth yet).  I even told him that a bunch of girls were coming and were going to see him in his underwear.  I threatened him and yelled at him but nothing seemed to work.  Then I used the scariest move of all.  The one only reserved for the ultimate last resort.  I told him, "If you don't get up, I am going to get your mother in here and she is going to whip your tail."  This made him roll over and say back to me without missing a beat, "You are going to send a woman in here to do your man job?"  After dragging him out of the bed and chasing him all the way to the shower, I began to think about the statement.  Why was I willing to pawn off my job as a parent when I was perfectly capable of doing it myself?
We all have been caught up in the trap of pawning off the job that God has called US to do.  He has given us a task and the ability to complete it but we often feel inadequate, afraid and indifferent to the calling in our lives.  This is nothing new to God.  From Moses' speech issues to Gideon throwing out fleeces to Peter's denial, people throughout scripture have backed out, made excuses and tried to weasel their way out of God's design for their lives.
It is time God's people began to stop getting someone else to do the ministry and get out there and be the church He has called us to be.  I am glad to have learned this lesson, even if it came from sleepy seven year old.  Now the only problem is, how to get these guys up.  I think I will try burning the breakfast and letting the fire alarm go off like my mom used to do to me.

Hurry Up Charlie

Pretty soon Haley and I will be the proud parents of yet another boy.  As the time is coming closer and closer, we are super pumped and cannot wait for little Charlie (news flash if you didn't know the name we have chosen yet) to get here.  As I stood in the doctor's office and watched him on the sonogram, I couldn't help but want to hold him right then.
But enough about me, after all I'm not the one carrying the little man-child, Haley is.  I'm not the one gaining the weight, Haley is (and she looks beautiful by the way).  And I am definitely not going to go through the pain of labor to see this kid come into the world, yep, you guessed it, Haley is.  I asked her to tell me what I should say when people ask me how she is doing.  She simply tells me to tell them that "she is ready".  Every mom knows what that means.
It is hard not to be anxious in a time like this because our excitement level is at an 11.  As a matter of fact, we have been hinting for weeks to get our doctor, Mandy, to go ahead and let's go after him.  She simply explains to us that some things are going to need to wait.
Philippians 4:6 tells us to be "anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God".  People who are anxious have a desire to replace their current time and situation with a future time and a future result. For example, we might like to jump forward in time to when we have that promotion, or that special someone is finally in our lives.  We want to skip the process and go straight to the victory.
What we fail to understand though is that God has a purpose for the process.  We see growth in the groundwork and maturity in the mundane.  And just as a baby needs time to develop in the womb, God gives us time to allow things to develop in our lives as well.
So what do we do?  In everything, bring it to God with prayer and thanksgiving.  Prayer to recognize your need, and thanksgiving to praise God for His ability.  No matter how big or how small, when you bring it to God, you put Him not only in the process, you give Him control.
Look what happens when we do that.  Verse 7 goes on to say "and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (NKJV)  That means that when we bring everything to God, His peace takes over.  Where our understanding gives out, His begins to (and I love this) guard our hearts and minds.
The bottom line is that no matter what you are facing right now, give it to God.  He will give you peace, understanding and guard you from anything you might be worried about.  So for now we will just have to wait.  Charlie's time will come soon enough.  I guess then we will be anxious for him to get out of diapers.

The Launch

In 1995 I had the opportunity to be a councilor at a retreat for PK's (pastors kids).  The weekend was my first experience in the lives of young men and women who were in essence the objects of their home churches affections.  I thought to myself "what a life, everyone must love these guys and think the world of them".  Through the weekend though I quickly found out that life was sometimes difficult to say the least.  All eyes were constantly on them.  The term used during the weekend was "life is a fishbowl".  So as I thought about a title for this blog, I thought about my (and my families) life and how it is like a fishbowl.  As pastors, we are looked upon by our church, friends, family and community.  This is life as we know it.  My boys Jackson (10) and Samuel (7) and the baby on the way (another boy. which is another story for another time) did not choose to be in this fishbowl as Haley and I did, but they are there none the less.  Some would find this troubling to be this exposed, but I have come to embrace the calling.  What a platform to live life and be an example to so many people.  They have seen me succeed (which I have done a few times), but also fail (which I have done a few times as well). People have seen me do really cool things for the glory of God, but have also seen me very human.  Hopefully, people can realize that pastors and their families are just like everyone else.  Through this blog, I hope to share some of the experiences and insights of a typical pastor's life.  So here it is "Life in the Fishbowl".  I hope you enjoy it.

Just keep swimming

jotty