October 18th is a very special day for two of my friends. I’m not going to directly mention any names because I don’t want to embarrass anyone (you know who you are!), but it is their wedding day! I’m so happy that this day has finally arrived. I hope that they not only enjoy their wedding today, but also that they enjoy married life together.
It’s interesting to contemplate that the very concept of marriage is God’s idea. Way back in the Garden of Eden, before sin was even introduced into the world, God saw that the very first man, Adam, was lonely (Genesis 2:18). God, in response to this, makes the very first woman, Eve, and He brings her to Adam (Genesis 2:22).
At this point, I try to imagine Adam’s response upon seeing Eve for the first time. I can picture him absolutely mesmerized by Eve and her beauty. I imagine him not being able to take his eyes off of her; finally he gently takes her hands in his. What a scene it must have been!
I’ve heard it said that God Himself performed the very first wedding ceremony. I agree. This makes sense particularly when we read these words soon after Adam meets Eve: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). That last phrase of becoming “one flesh” doesn’t just mean becoming one sexually. It means becoming one emotionally, spiritually, and yes, physically. It means a joining of two separate lives that are now merged together into one.
It saddens me to hear how some spouses talk about each other after several years of marriage. For example, I hate it when a husband calls his wife “my old lady.” I don’t feel the love and respect in that designation. I want to encourage all of you married couples to view your spouse as a gift from the hand of Almighty God (James 1:17). Honor, treasure, and value your spouse; he/she is a gift to you.
Kevin
Friday, October 18, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
"Honor those you should honor"
Romans 13:7, in the Common English Bible (CEB), reads, “So pay everyone what you owe them. Pay the taxes you owe, pay the duties you are charged, give respect to those you should respect, and honor those you should honor.” In the spirit of this verse, today I want to speak of my pastor, Bill Oudemolen. I do this because October is pastor appreciation month, but more so, because I believe that Bill is worthy of respect and honor.
I want to mention three honorable things about Bill today. Number one: Bill is a man who week after week points people to God, not himself. I would submit that perhaps the number one trait in Bill’s life is his humility. Too many today parade themselves and boast of how great they are. Not Bill; he is humble. I’m reminded of what John the Baptist said in John 3. He said, “He [Jesus] must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30; NKJV).
Number two: Bill is a man who submits to God’s plan for his life. It is God’s plan for Bill to be a pastor, and he willingly submits to that plan. Is this easy? Not necessarily. As laypeople we tend to think that the life of a pastor is all fun and games, but this is not always the case. Nevertheless, I’m encouraged and fortified in my own life to see him live in the role God has called him to, even though it’s not always easy.
Number three: Bill has an obvious love for the truth of the Word of God, and proclaims it with passion. Furthermore, he practices what he preaches. God, in his kindness, has blessed me with a friendship with Bill (and his wonderful wife, Jan) when he is not behind the pulpit. I’ve seen firsthand that Bill practices what he preaches. Don’t get me wrong: he is not perfect and sinless (no one is), but he is striving to live as the Bible instructs, just as he encourages others to do.
I could go on and on. I could speak, for instance, of how he deeply loves, values, and treasures his wife, Jan. I could speak of his generosity, or how servant-hearted he is. But you get the point: my pastor is worthy of the respect, honor, and appreciation that I give him.
Kevin
I want to mention three honorable things about Bill today. Number one: Bill is a man who week after week points people to God, not himself. I would submit that perhaps the number one trait in Bill’s life is his humility. Too many today parade themselves and boast of how great they are. Not Bill; he is humble. I’m reminded of what John the Baptist said in John 3. He said, “He [Jesus] must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30; NKJV).
Number two: Bill is a man who submits to God’s plan for his life. It is God’s plan for Bill to be a pastor, and he willingly submits to that plan. Is this easy? Not necessarily. As laypeople we tend to think that the life of a pastor is all fun and games, but this is not always the case. Nevertheless, I’m encouraged and fortified in my own life to see him live in the role God has called him to, even though it’s not always easy.
Number three: Bill has an obvious love for the truth of the Word of God, and proclaims it with passion. Furthermore, he practices what he preaches. God, in his kindness, has blessed me with a friendship with Bill (and his wonderful wife, Jan) when he is not behind the pulpit. I’ve seen firsthand that Bill practices what he preaches. Don’t get me wrong: he is not perfect and sinless (no one is), but he is striving to live as the Bible instructs, just as he encourages others to do.
I could go on and on. I could speak, for instance, of how he deeply loves, values, and treasures his wife, Jan. I could speak of his generosity, or how servant-hearted he is. But you get the point: my pastor is worthy of the respect, honor, and appreciation that I give him.
Kevin
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Chivalry is not dead
One of the creeds that I live by is this short phrase: ladies first. I make it my habit to open the door for ladies, let them walk ahead of me, and offer to help them if they are carrying a heavy object. Chivalry isn’t quite dead yet!
By the way, I have to say this: when I open the door for women or carry something heavy for them, I’m not in any way implying that they are incapable of doing these activities on their own. Women are more than capable. I once heard the story of how a youth pastor was chivalrous with his wife, only to be berated for it by an onlooker. This youth pastor explained to this person that when he opens the door for his wife, he is not doing so because he believes she is unable to open a simple door; he does so to honor her. I agree. I also am attempting to honor women, not demean them.
A part of the reason I’m bringing this up today is because, not too long ago, I saw a segment on chivalry on “The Steve Harvey Show.” He was attempting to train a group of young men to be gentlemen. At one point, he mentioned something that I had never previously considered. He said always open the car door for a woman and let her enter the vehicle first, only then you should enter your side of the car.
I knew that much, but Steve explained that doing this is a way of protecting a woman. He continued by asking, what if you are in the car, with your seatbelt on, and someone runs up and attacks your wife or girlfriend? What are you going to do, unbuckle your seatbelt, get out, and then go help her? It would be much better to let her get in the car first. That way, she is protected and safe in the car if anything dangerous happens. Great thought, Mr. Harvey, thanks.
I’m trying to imagine an extreme reaction I might get from a female reader. They might be thinking something like, “If someone came up to me, I don’t need my husband/boyfriend to help me. I’ll just spin and transform into Wonder Woman, like Lynda Carter did, and take care of it myself.” (Some of you may not have caught the reference: Lynda Carter is the actress who played Wonder Woman in the 70’s.) Of course you could handle the situation. Once again, I’m not advocating that women can’t take care of themselves; I know that they can. But understand my heart on this: as a man, I want to protect the women in my life, and I’m not going to apologize for that.
Kevin
By the way, I have to say this: when I open the door for women or carry something heavy for them, I’m not in any way implying that they are incapable of doing these activities on their own. Women are more than capable. I once heard the story of how a youth pastor was chivalrous with his wife, only to be berated for it by an onlooker. This youth pastor explained to this person that when he opens the door for his wife, he is not doing so because he believes she is unable to open a simple door; he does so to honor her. I agree. I also am attempting to honor women, not demean them.
A part of the reason I’m bringing this up today is because, not too long ago, I saw a segment on chivalry on “The Steve Harvey Show.” He was attempting to train a group of young men to be gentlemen. At one point, he mentioned something that I had never previously considered. He said always open the car door for a woman and let her enter the vehicle first, only then you should enter your side of the car.
I knew that much, but Steve explained that doing this is a way of protecting a woman. He continued by asking, what if you are in the car, with your seatbelt on, and someone runs up and attacks your wife or girlfriend? What are you going to do, unbuckle your seatbelt, get out, and then go help her? It would be much better to let her get in the car first. That way, she is protected and safe in the car if anything dangerous happens. Great thought, Mr. Harvey, thanks.
I’m trying to imagine an extreme reaction I might get from a female reader. They might be thinking something like, “If someone came up to me, I don’t need my husband/boyfriend to help me. I’ll just spin and transform into Wonder Woman, like Lynda Carter did, and take care of it myself.” (Some of you may not have caught the reference: Lynda Carter is the actress who played Wonder Woman in the 70’s.) Of course you could handle the situation. Once again, I’m not advocating that women can’t take care of themselves; I know that they can. But understand my heart on this: as a man, I want to protect the women in my life, and I’m not going to apologize for that.
Kevin
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Wave the white flag to God
One of the radio stations that I listen to has recently started playing a new song by the Christian group Unspoken called “Lift My Life Up.” This is a song about surrendering to God. It is such a fantastic song! Every time I hear it, the message resonates with me. Every time I hear it, I offer a deep, heartfelt cry of surrender to God.
The dictionary defines the word surrender as “to give up possession of; yield to another on compulsion; to give up or abandon; to give oneself up, esp. as a prisoner.” Chris Tomlin actually has a song about surrender entitled “White Flag” and I think that’s a good picture for us. It’s a voluntary yielding of your life to God.
The last few years, God has been teaching me firsthand about the subject of surrender. The big lesson that God has been bringing home to me lately is this: surrendering to God is not a one-time thing. You don’t just sing a great song like “Life My Life Up” or “White Flag” or “I Surrender All” and then never surrender again. I’ve found that surrender is a recurring event. I’ve learned that surrender is a daily choice.
Kevin
The dictionary defines the word surrender as “to give up possession of; yield to another on compulsion; to give up or abandon; to give oneself up, esp. as a prisoner.” Chris Tomlin actually has a song about surrender entitled “White Flag” and I think that’s a good picture for us. It’s a voluntary yielding of your life to God.
The last few years, God has been teaching me firsthand about the subject of surrender. The big lesson that God has been bringing home to me lately is this: surrendering to God is not a one-time thing. You don’t just sing a great song like “Life My Life Up” or “White Flag” or “I Surrender All” and then never surrender again. I’ve found that surrender is a recurring event. I’ve learned that surrender is a daily choice.
Kevin
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
My September 11th blog post
Today is obviously September 11th, a day now forever associated with the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. A part of me doesn’t want to bring up that painful day, but it’s on a lot of people’s minds today anyway, so here I am.
I think everyone will remember where they were on 9/11. I certainly remember where I was. As I have mentally put myself back to the events of that day, I have to say that I vividly remember all the various emotions that I felt.
Sometime in the days that followed 9/11, I wrote “September 11th, 2001” next to a passage in the book of Psalms. Specifically that passage was Psalm 27:1-3, which reads, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked come against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and my foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.”
As comforting as those words from the Bible were for me back then, they are equally as comforting to me today. There is a lot in the world today that can cause our hearts to become troubled and afraid. Just watch the news and you’ll get an endless barrage of things to become fearful and anxious over. There is also a lot in our personal world’s that can cause anxiety and trepidation. You can fill in the blank on this one. Sickness, an unexpected death in the family, job loss, on and on I could go.
I know in my own life I struggle with trying circumstances that can cause my heart to fear. But even in the midst of it all, there’s a refuge that I run to that is faithful and true; a refuge that never lets me down. I’m referring, of course, to God Himself. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Kevin
I think everyone will remember where they were on 9/11. I certainly remember where I was. As I have mentally put myself back to the events of that day, I have to say that I vividly remember all the various emotions that I felt.
Sometime in the days that followed 9/11, I wrote “September 11th, 2001” next to a passage in the book of Psalms. Specifically that passage was Psalm 27:1-3, which reads, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked come against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and my foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.”
As comforting as those words from the Bible were for me back then, they are equally as comforting to me today. There is a lot in the world today that can cause our hearts to become troubled and afraid. Just watch the news and you’ll get an endless barrage of things to become fearful and anxious over. There is also a lot in our personal world’s that can cause anxiety and trepidation. You can fill in the blank on this one. Sickness, an unexpected death in the family, job loss, on and on I could go.
I know in my own life I struggle with trying circumstances that can cause my heart to fear. But even in the midst of it all, there’s a refuge that I run to that is faithful and true; a refuge that never lets me down. I’m referring, of course, to God Himself. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Kevin
Friday, September 6, 2013
The unconditional love of God
I once heard Rebecca St. James state this liberating truth in a concert: “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and there’s nothing you can do to make God love you less.” This is a profound statement. Too often we are tempted to think, “If I just perform well enough for God. If I tithe to the church, or read the Bible; if I do all the things that a good Christian is supposed to do, then God will love me more.” We also reason, “If I’m selfish, if I’m proud and arrogant, if I snap in anger at my spouse, if I indulge in sin, then God will love me less.” This isn’t true.
I’m making a “T” signal with my hands to signal a time-out, as football teams do (by the way, good first game, Broncos! Keep it up.). We need to take a time-out. I have to give a very important clarification. Based on what I’ve said thus far, some may presume that I’m suggesting that it is acceptable to sin until your heart’s content, because God’s love will remain constant and unchanging anyway. Please understand: I am not at all advocating this. It is wrong to assume that we should go out and do any self-centered thing we want to do just because God’s love will always endure.
The reality is if we choose to live an unrighteous and unholy life, God will actually begin to discipline and correct us, as the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12. He does this out of love for His children because the precepts He has laid out in His Word are actually for our protection, not our deprivation. I hope it’s crystal clear that I’m not suggesting that we can just go out and live any way we want. Having said all this, the Bible says in 1 John chapter 1 that there’s not a person on this planet that lives a perfect and sinless life. We all make mistakes. In those episodes of making sinful mistakes, God’s love for us doesn’t diminish.
Furthermore, as we flip the coin over, it is great to go to church; it's great to give God your tithes and offerings. It's great to pray and read the Bible, etc. However, it's easy for this to become a legalistic ritual. We can begin to think that if we do these things we somehow magically earn Heavenly merit badges before God. God doesn't say, "Make sure you do this and this. Make sure you check off all the boxes, and I'll love you more than I did before." No, nothing could be further from the truth. God doesn't expect us to perform for Him in a legalistic way. We do these things because we want to, not because we have to. Additionally, a Christian is in right standing with God because of Jesus and Jesus alone, not because of any works.
Here’s the point that I want you to hold onto: (and I’m saying the same thing to myself too) God’s love is not conditional or based on what we do; God’s love for you and me is unconditional.
Kevin
I’m making a “T” signal with my hands to signal a time-out, as football teams do (by the way, good first game, Broncos! Keep it up.). We need to take a time-out. I have to give a very important clarification. Based on what I’ve said thus far, some may presume that I’m suggesting that it is acceptable to sin until your heart’s content, because God’s love will remain constant and unchanging anyway. Please understand: I am not at all advocating this. It is wrong to assume that we should go out and do any self-centered thing we want to do just because God’s love will always endure.
The reality is if we choose to live an unrighteous and unholy life, God will actually begin to discipline and correct us, as the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12. He does this out of love for His children because the precepts He has laid out in His Word are actually for our protection, not our deprivation. I hope it’s crystal clear that I’m not suggesting that we can just go out and live any way we want. Having said all this, the Bible says in 1 John chapter 1 that there’s not a person on this planet that lives a perfect and sinless life. We all make mistakes. In those episodes of making sinful mistakes, God’s love for us doesn’t diminish.
Furthermore, as we flip the coin over, it is great to go to church; it's great to give God your tithes and offerings. It's great to pray and read the Bible, etc. However, it's easy for this to become a legalistic ritual. We can begin to think that if we do these things we somehow magically earn Heavenly merit badges before God. God doesn't say, "Make sure you do this and this. Make sure you check off all the boxes, and I'll love you more than I did before." No, nothing could be further from the truth. God doesn't expect us to perform for Him in a legalistic way. We do these things because we want to, not because we have to. Additionally, a Christian is in right standing with God because of Jesus and Jesus alone, not because of any works.
Here’s the point that I want you to hold onto: (and I’m saying the same thing to myself too) God’s love is not conditional or based on what we do; God’s love for you and me is unconditional.
Kevin
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Leaving a legacy
I’ve been thinking about the subject of legacy. This is not a new exercise for me; I do think about leaving a legacy periodically, but it came to my mind again this week for several reasons. The first reason is because, my pastor, Bill Oudemolen, spoke of the topic in his sermon this past Sunday. The sermon was actually titled “Lasting Legacy”. It was the conclusion of a sermon series on the life of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
Another reason that I have been thinking of legacy is because, this week, I stumbled upon some you tube videos from the ministry of Rick Ferguson serving in his role as pastor of Riverside Baptist Church. I was a member of this church, and I, like the rest of the congregation, was plunged into grief when Rick died unexpectedly in 2002 at the age of 46. His ministry had a profound impact on my parents and me. It was good to walk down memory lane in these videos.
I think it’s healthy to consider about what kind of legacy we want to leave. Everyone will leave a legacy, whether we want to or not. Everyone will leave an enduring memory or impression on others. Some may not give any thought to a legacy at all, but we will leave one, nevertheless.
When I think about my own legacy, I think about 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Glorifying God is the motivation of my life. It’s what I want my legacy to be all about.
How about your legacy?
Kevin
Another reason that I have been thinking of legacy is because, this week, I stumbled upon some you tube videos from the ministry of Rick Ferguson serving in his role as pastor of Riverside Baptist Church. I was a member of this church, and I, like the rest of the congregation, was plunged into grief when Rick died unexpectedly in 2002 at the age of 46. His ministry had a profound impact on my parents and me. It was good to walk down memory lane in these videos.
I think it’s healthy to consider about what kind of legacy we want to leave. Everyone will leave a legacy, whether we want to or not. Everyone will leave an enduring memory or impression on others. Some may not give any thought to a legacy at all, but we will leave one, nevertheless.
When I think about my own legacy, I think about 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Glorifying God is the motivation of my life. It’s what I want my legacy to be all about.
How about your legacy?
Kevin
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