"Who has the keys?" or "I am my co-pilot"

Tonight was our last youth Bible study for this school year. We met at Landa Park, played sand volleyball, tossed the pigskin, ate some delicious hot dogs from the grill, and finished up our study on obedience.

We've explored obedience like a map. Check it out:

Some people see a map and feel restricted to only the places the roads take them: "Why isn't there a road directly from San Antonio, TX to Akron, OH? You mean I have to go through Dallas, Texarkana, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus? How restrictive! If it were up to me, I would pave a road straight from where I am to where I want to go! Staying on these roads is a drag!"

Other people see a map and feel liberated by all the places the map can take them: "You mean that by following these roads I'm free to see Dallas, Texarkana, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati and Columbus on the way to Akron? How cool is that! I'll bet there's new, exciting things to see in all those places, and thanks to the roads, I get to explore all of them! If these roads weren't here, I'd be trapped where I am, but now I'm free!"

We made a connection between those attitudes and the different perspectives people have on obedience. Such as:

Some people see obedience as a list of restrictions - someone telling me what I can and can't do and when I can and can't do it. To these people, obedience = rules = not making my own choices = no fun. Looking at it this way, obedience is a prison and the warden is a cruel killjoy, creating a situation where I never get to do the things I would like.

On the other hand, the Bible describes obedience as freedom. If we choose, day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute and decision to decision to live in obedience to God's commands, we experience genuine freedom, and have the chance to realize the fullest extents of what human life on earth can be (see John 10 for more about that).

So, either obedience = rules or obedience = freedom, depending on your perspective. Obviously, the human side of us goes directly to the restrictive opinion, and as we explore our relationship with God (or "shine our spoon" - see a previous blog post about that), our opinion of what obedience is can be transformed as well.

Once we've come close enough to God to see that obeying God brings freedom, then we have to deal with our will. To submit to God (decide to be obedient), we have to put our will aside and pursue His. That is not always easy (almost always not easy, in fact), and is probably the biggest obstacle keeping us from being obedient to God and experiencing the full life that Jesus came to bring us.

I remember seeing the following slogan on a bumper sticker: "Jesus is my co-pilot." I appreciate the idea the person was trying to get across, you know, including Jesus in every area of life and all that, but I disagree with the seating arrangement. Jesus didn't come to earth, live a sinless life for 33 years and die a cruel death on the cross to pay for my sins to sit in the passenger seat and be my co-pilot, just in case I ever need Him. Jesus did all that to be the pilot - to drive - to be the guy with the keys. Maybe a better way to get your point across would be a bumper sticker that says "I am my co-pilot, Jesus has the keys" (I may need to work on that a little...it's more theologically accurate, but doesn't really flow like a bumper sticker should).

So, tonight, at our final Bible study, we reviewed those ideas, and to help these principles stick in the minds of our students and leaders, I gave everyone a blank car key with two things engraved on it. Check it:


This side says "WNL 08-09" (stands for Wednesday Night Live 2008-2009). Wednesday Night Live is the name of our youth Bible study.

This side has "John 14:15" on it. John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will obey what I command." If you really love Jesus, He won't be in the co-pilot seat, in the back seat, in the trunk or surfing on the roof of the car. He'll be driving (making the decisions about where you go and when).

I'm hoping that my students put this blank key on their keyring, put it in their pocket, wear it on a chain around their neck, or find some other way that it can serve as a constant reminder to them about the importance of obedience, and give them the chance to make the good (hard) choice to be obedient - this summer and beyond.

Until next time - RevPhil

Your Mom Does!

A poem I wrote for the Kids' Moment at First Protestant Church on Mother's Day 2009:

Who changes your diapers and washes your clothes?
Who tucks you in bed, and wipes your runny nose?
Your Mom does!

Who clips the nails on your fingers and toes?
Who tickles your feet and your belly and nose?
Your Mom does!

Who holds you so tight whenever you’re scared?
Who gives you a bath and washes your hair?
Your Mom does!

Who loves hugs and kisses (even when you’re sweaty)?
Who helps you look when you can’t find your Teddy?
Your Mom does!

Who makes the best sandwich (with crust or without)?
Who takes you to Schlitterbahn when it’s 100° out?
Your Mom does!

Who covers the fridge with your elementary school art?
Who helps you ask Jesus into your heart?
Your Mom does!

Who teaches you how to tie up your shoes?
Who takes you to museums, Chuck E. Cheese, and to zoos?
Your Mom does!

Who cries for 3 hours on your first day of school?
Who dives in to save you when you fall in the pool?
Your Mom does!

Who makes you put on sunscreen so you don’t get burned?
Who takes you to school, and then asks what you learned?
Your Mom does!

Who helps with your homework and takes out your splinters?
Who makes you hot chocolate so you’re warm in the winter?
Your Mom does!

Who sits in the bleachers and calls out your name,
At every Little League, soccer and volleyball game?
Your Mom does!

Who knows if you’ll pick sour-apple or grape?
Who gives you a band-aid when you get a scrape?
Your Mom does!

Who makes you soup when don’t feel right?
Who lets you climb in for a cuddle at night?
Your Mom does!

Who pushes you forever on the swings at the park?
Who plugs in your night-light if you’re afraid of the dark?
Your Mom does!

Who covers you with sunscreen and blankets and prayers?
Who loves you and helps you through all of your cares?
Your Mom does!

Who’s your angel from heaven, who shows you the way?
Who deserves all your love, today and always?
Your Mom does!

Happy Mother's Day!

Until next time - RevPhil

"Dad, I want a haircut..."

And there was much rejoicing!

Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am not a fan of lots of hair - especially on guys. I don't think I have a reason for this, I've just always prefered to have short hair - really short - you know, like so short you can't see it.

Well, our oldest son recently decided that he was tired of having the hairstyle that I have, and started growing his hair out. Ugh. I was not in favor of this process from the beginning, but he is almost 8 years old, so it's probably time that I let go and let him start making a few of his own decisions.

Here's what we ended up with:

I'm going to go ahead and refer to this picture as "before."

When I came home from the office today, he said the words I've been longing to hear: "Dad, I want a haircut."

Along with generally just not liking longer hair, this particular haircut was bothering me because I'm the one who gets him ready for school every morning, so I'm left dealing with his tangled birdnest mess of hair. Every day is a struggle. Getting him to hold his head up while I spray the hair, trying to keep him calm while I comb through the hair - it was a disaster, usually ending in tears (his and mine).

So, needless to say, I was excited at his change of heart. Here's the amount of hair we took off:

The basketball is just to give you an idea of the magnitude of hair that I trimmed off the boy's skull. There's probably more hair on the sidewalk right there than I've ever had on my head - OK, that's an exaggeration, but seriously, that's a boatload of hair.

Here's the final product:

Much better! And just to put your minds at ease, I remind you, this was HIS idea! And he likes the results!

Somedays it's so easy to make your dad proud and happy!

Until next time - RevPhil

Enchanted Rock (brought to you courtesy of the Swine Flu scare)

Yesterday was a long day.

The kids were home from school. Wife of RevPhil was home from school. It rained. We were in the process of determining what activities were cancelled, how long they would be cancelled for, and spreading the word about those decisions (not always smoothly).

Being inside with your mom all day is only exciting for so long, you know. So needless to say, yesterday had it's share of tension (dad, mom and kids all included).

The prospect of repeating that pattern today was not attractive to me or Wife of RevPhil, so we had a brainstorm: pack up the kids (along with a few books, a rented DVD and their DS's) and take a road trip to Enchanted Rock (for those of you unfamiliar with it, check this link: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/enchanted_rock/ )

I went there last year with the youth as a warm-up for our spiritual adventure trip to Colorado last summer, and I've been wanting Wife of RevPhil and the kids to experience it, too.

So we all piled into the van and took the 2 hour trek - and we had a great day! The ride was nice (kids were busy with video games and The Velveteen Rabbit on DVD), and the weather was perfect when we got there (sunny, warm but not hot, and with a nice breeze to boot). Wife of RevPhil and the kids were a little surprised at the strenuous nature of the climb, but we all made it to the top and saw some great vistas (and took a few fun pictures).


This one was taken at the beginning of the trail on the way up.

This one was taken near the top as we started back down.

The only question that still remains..."Hey Dad, what are we doin' tomorrow?"

I have no good answer to that.

Until next time - RevPhil

Curse of the Swine

We're shuttin' it down!

The swine flu outbreak is causing extreme reactions in our area. There have been confirmed cases in neighboring counties, so as a precaution all the schools in our county have closed for the remainder of this week and all of next week.

The health department is recommending that everyone avoids gatherings of 20 or more people to keep the spread of the germs down.

So...

That means no youth Bible study tonight, no nursery, Sunday School, Kids' Connection (junior church), and no Confirmation Recognition service. Everything youth and children related is called off through Sunday, May 3. Decisions on adult services will be made today for this weekend, and further updates will be available here, on facebook and at www.firstprotestant.com

Cue up your favorite movie, pop a bag of corn and get ready for a marathon! Stay in and stay healthy my friends!

I'm cooking up some bacon right now to get my frustrations out.

Until next time - RevPhil

Is "dude" all inclusive?

"Dad, what's a girl dude?"

My 4-year-old asked me that this afternoon. That got me thinking - I don't think there is one! I really don't like "dudette" - it doesn't roll off the tongue.

Don't take this the wrong way, ladies, but I think that even though the term "dude" is normally applied just to guys, it can apply equally appropriately to both guys and girls. Check out the following examples and see if you agree with my analysis:

1. "Dude, how you doin'?"

2. "I walked in and there was a room full of dudes."

3. "Whoa, that's a DUDE!"

4. "Dudes, what's up?"

5. "Come on, dude, let's go!"









1. Both

2. Guys

3. A guy

4. Both

5. Both

Now, I understand that not everyone sees my favorite word that way, but that's OK. Just don't be offended when I greet you with a heartfelt "Dude, what's shakin'?" (regardless of your gender).

Later. (dudes) - RevPhil

Come Sail Away

God's will.

One of the most important aspects of the Christian life is the concept of God's will. From an early age, and continually along our journey with Christ, we are reminded that God has a divine plan for our lives - that He has put considerable thought and planning into the smallest part of each of the days we spend on earth.

The sticky wicket in that line of thought is this: each day, each hour, each moment we are faced with decisions such as what we think about, what we say and what we do. The sincere hope of a disciple of Jesus is that in each of those decisions, we can find ourselves living in accord with God's plan for us, God's will for our lives.

For much of my life, I likened that process (albeit unconsciously) to walking a tightrope (no connection to my previous post is intended :). My genuine desire has been to find God's will, and make the decisions necessary to have His will become a reality.

Unfortunately, because I approached God's will that way, I found myself constantly on edge, worrying that any slip or mis-step on my part would cause me to fall out of God's will for whatever period of time it would take me to recover and get back to where God intended for me to be.

Living with that mindset is a stressful experience! You can imagine the intellectual strain you would be under if you had to walk a tightrope everywhere you went! Every step is measured. Even a slight breeze in any direction causes a major adjustment and is a source of worry.

I really don't think that having a personal relationship with a loving, graceful, merciful (I could go on) Savior who has a plan for my life should be such a stressful, joyless experience! That doesn't jive with God's character. He didn't rescue us from the painful, eternal effects of sin in our lives to give us a strained life! He put on humanity and humbled Himself to die on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, so that we could be restored to a right relationship with Him, and spend eternity exploring and enjoying Him with joy and gladness.

So I've changed my approach to God's will. I'm not walking the tightrope anymore.

Here's the way I'm seeing it now. I picture my life as a journey across a lake in a sailboat. God's will is the wind. Sometimes it's strong and directs my boat in a certain direction, sometimes it's gentle and my boat just sits. The water can be calm, and it can be stormy, but the constant is the wind - it's always guiding my boat exactly where it should be.

My role is to keep the sails up, ready for the slightest breeze to lead me - to be sensitive to the direction of wind and not try to steer the boat myself. By doing that, I allow the wind to decide where I go, how fast I get there, and how long I remain there.

And that is a much more joyful and less stressful way to live. God's will leads the journey across the lake, what kinds of water I travel through and as long as I have my trust in the wind, I know I'll be just where He wants me to be, so I can savor each moment, each experience as a gift from my Redeemer, who loves me and has had a plan for me since before I was born.

So - come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with meeeeeeeee...

Until next time - RevPhil