Memorial Day 2008

As I'm sure most churches across America gave honor and praise to the heroes that served our country through out history, ours was no different. It was a very spirit and pride filled part of the Sunday morning service.
Is what concerns me is that while the honoring of our military heroes was and is great, the honoring and glorifying of the God that gives us life and everything else we have in this world is lacking.
The more I observe the local church, the more I see that she has fallen into the trap of praising the gift over the giver. It's ultimately God that gives us everything we have and that includes the wonderful freedom that we as a country enjoy. Our society, which is now full of the high self-esteem soccer mom mentality has us believing that we should hold ourselves in high regard. A teaching that goes against what the Scriptures say about mankind. The Bible says that by nature we are children of wrath and enemies of God. We are dead in sin and trespasses and even our so called good works are as filthy rags to God.
The church has joined in this horrific thought process of believing that we are honoring God by holding His gifts in such high regard. This is dangerous because it ultimately only feeds our society's belief of us needing temporal "things". "Things" are what for a season will feed our worldly desires until we realize that something newer or better has hit the market and the desire returns.
Celebrating the gift over the giver will for a time relieve the guilt of your lack of serving the one true God. That is until you stand before Jesus on judgment day and He tells you to depart from Him because He never knew you.
Will your reply to Him be, "But I loved whole heartily for the children, spouse, home, and even the church that you gave me to help"?

The first Commandment says to love God with everything. It doesn't say to love His gifts above Him.

Where is Jesus on the list of things you love?

Actually, where does Jesus rank on the list of things the modern church loves?

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.

"DO HARD THINGS"

I recently read the book "Do Hard Things" written by Alex & Brett Harris. This is a must read for several reasons, but two in particular are 1) This book will open your eyes to how an entire generation or so have been living with low expectations placed on them by the outside world. 2) The author's are 19 year old twins that have not only written a book, but have led a judicial election campaign and are the youngest to ever serve as interns for the Alabama State Supreme Court. This book is a must read for every young person and adult alike. Visit their blog at www.therebelution.com

Below is an article from the Dallas Morning News showing an example of a local young person doing something that most thought he couldn't just because of his age.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/051408dnmetbrown.3907b4c.html

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.

Important Issues...

As we draw closer to the end of yet another school year it amazes me how the important issues of yesterday differ from the ones today. This morning I awoke with the thought of how I should be ready for the lights of Friday night football or the usual Saturday track meet when it hits me that I'm long past those days. It's kinda funny how it hits me just about the time my feet hit the floor. Then I realize how I'm awaking to a lot of responsibility. Married with a daughter and another baby girl on the way, who would of thunk it. I know that during high school being a parent wasn't in the play book. My priorities where myself and my activities. I was a sinner loving my sins for a season. I cared only about Track & Field and Oklahoma Football. While I still enjoy those sports today it's on a much smaller level. I haven't been to an OU football game since my daughter has been born. I will never forget how cold it was in Kansas City for the 2004 Big XII Championship game though. Heather about two and a half months from being do with Madison and waddling around the stadium because of her crazy hubby. What a great weekend it was. Heather and I got to see a new city and the Sooners dominated Colorado 42-3 on the legs of a young freshman phenom by the name of Adrian Peterson. While all that was fun and will be great to remember I know the best is yet to come.
Madison can be as independent as me and as mean as her momma. She loves books, which I hope is a foundation that she will cling to and hearing her sing "Jesus Loves Me" is by far sweeter then Bob Barry's infamous "TOUCHDOWN OKLAHOMA!!".
I know baby Megan will be awesome as well because she is already giving her momma fits.
A daddy's prayer of thanking God for saving an undeserving wretch like me and how I would do anything for God to save these two little girls and make them wonderful witnesses for Him.

Oh how the important issues of yesterday have changed....

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.