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
Saturday, September 28, 2013
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
Monday, August 26, 2013
A "life-changing" moment?
The other day I was driving somewhere and I happened to be listening to a sports station. Generally, I listen to Christian music in the car, but I decided to listen to a segment of sports talk. During a commercial break, this particular station promoted the fact that the listener could also hear this sports station online. What struck me as baffling is the reason that they cited for the listener to keep up with the station online. It wasn’t to remain informed on the state of the local teams. No, they claimed that one should listen to their station, “so you won’t miss a life-changing moment.”
I sat there in stunned disbelief. Did they seriously just claim that their station, or sports as a whole, is “life-changing”? I think this is a good reminder for us as the NFL’s regular season is about to commence: sports are anything but life- changing. Yes, I would certainly grant you that sports can be life-changing for the individuals actually playing the sport, but I’m talking about the spectator here, not the athlete. For the fan, any sport (be it football, baseball, etc.) is just inconsequential entertainment.
Let me be clear so I’m not misunderstood: you are not hearing me say that it is wrong to watch sports. There is nothing morally unsuitable about spending a Sunday afternoon watching your favorite football team play a game. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how all the teams in the NFL will do this year, not just the Denver Broncos. I’m a fan of the entire league, and I have been since I was a very little boy. I’m simply saying that when you get right down to it, a football game is not a life-changing event. Sports are wonderful. Sports are exciting. Sports are unpredictable and enthralling. But sports are not life-changing.
Kevin
I sat there in stunned disbelief. Did they seriously just claim that their station, or sports as a whole, is “life-changing”? I think this is a good reminder for us as the NFL’s regular season is about to commence: sports are anything but life- changing. Yes, I would certainly grant you that sports can be life-changing for the individuals actually playing the sport, but I’m talking about the spectator here, not the athlete. For the fan, any sport (be it football, baseball, etc.) is just inconsequential entertainment.
Let me be clear so I’m not misunderstood: you are not hearing me say that it is wrong to watch sports. There is nothing morally unsuitable about spending a Sunday afternoon watching your favorite football team play a game. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how all the teams in the NFL will do this year, not just the Denver Broncos. I’m a fan of the entire league, and I have been since I was a very little boy. I’m simply saying that when you get right down to it, a football game is not a life-changing event. Sports are wonderful. Sports are exciting. Sports are unpredictable and enthralling. But sports are not life-changing.
Kevin
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Habakkuk's amazing declaration
Habakkuk 3:17-18 reads, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
This is such a fantastic statement. I paraphrase this passage as follows: “Even if there’s no money in the bank, even if friends choose to abandon me, even if health fails and intense trials overtake me, even if everything in my world is falling apart, I still trust in the Lord and His will."
I just recently completed a homework assignment where I gave an outline for the entire book of Habakkuk. This book is relevant for our lives today. I’m not going to take the time to rehash everything I wrote in my assignment here, but I had to relay Habakkuk’s beautiful statement of faith and trust in God.
I have a T-shirt that has a cross in the middle of it, and the inscription “In God I trust.” Along with that, there’s a citation of Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Recently, I’ve been going through several trials in my life. I don’t see the point in sharing all the details, but I’ve had to draw on Habakkuk’s words of faith and echo them back to God for myself. I’ve had to quote Proverbs 3:5 to myself, and I’ve said to God countless times, “Come what may, Lord God, I trust You.”
Why am I telling you this? Am I proclaiming how great I am? No, a thousand times no! Please get this: I am not great; the God that I worship is great. Furthermore, this God is worthy of our trust. We may not understand why God is doing what He is doing (incidentally, that’s where Habakkuk found himself for most of his book), but His will and His plan is always superior to ours. If I didn’t believe this, the direction of my life would look very different. But I do believe, with every fiber of my being, that God’s plan is better than my plan.
Kevin
This is such a fantastic statement. I paraphrase this passage as follows: “Even if there’s no money in the bank, even if friends choose to abandon me, even if health fails and intense trials overtake me, even if everything in my world is falling apart, I still trust in the Lord and His will."
I just recently completed a homework assignment where I gave an outline for the entire book of Habakkuk. This book is relevant for our lives today. I’m not going to take the time to rehash everything I wrote in my assignment here, but I had to relay Habakkuk’s beautiful statement of faith and trust in God.
I have a T-shirt that has a cross in the middle of it, and the inscription “In God I trust.” Along with that, there’s a citation of Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Recently, I’ve been going through several trials in my life. I don’t see the point in sharing all the details, but I’ve had to draw on Habakkuk’s words of faith and echo them back to God for myself. I’ve had to quote Proverbs 3:5 to myself, and I’ve said to God countless times, “Come what may, Lord God, I trust You.”
Why am I telling you this? Am I proclaiming how great I am? No, a thousand times no! Please get this: I am not great; the God that I worship is great. Furthermore, this God is worthy of our trust. We may not understand why God is doing what He is doing (incidentally, that’s where Habakkuk found himself for most of his book), but His will and His plan is always superior to ours. If I didn’t believe this, the direction of my life would look very different. But I do believe, with every fiber of my being, that God’s plan is better than my plan.
Kevin
Monday, August 19, 2013
My life is not my own
I think I’ve previously told you that I wear a gold ring on the third finger of my right hand that says “true love waits” on it. It’s an outward symbol of my inner conviction to remain sexually pure until married life. Incidentally, sexual abstinence isn’t my main point today, but I do want to say that this subject matter is something that the culture finds archaic, outdated, and inhumane. But that doesn’t matter; sexual purity until marriage (and sexual fidelity within marriage) is something the Bible teaches. Therefore, it is something that the Christian should live out, by God’s grace and power, even if it is laughed at and mocked today. Once again, that’s a subject for another day.
I love the animated movie “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” for many reasons, but high on the list is that it has a line in it that I just love. A seasoned Green Lantern is mentoring a new recruit. In the fictitious world where they reside, there are thousands of Green Lanterns that patrol all the sectors of the galaxy. In one scene of the film, this new wise Green Lantern says to the trainee, “Once you put on the ring [that is to say, when you become a Green Lantern] the life you live stops being your own.”
Ever since I first saw this movie all those months ago, I have often looked at the purity ring that I mentioned that I wear, and I will hear that Green Lantern’s words in my head: “Once you put on the ring, the life you live stops being your own.” This line is applicable to everyone who is a Christian. I suppose I could paraphrase that Green Lantern’s words in this way: “Whenever anyone puts their faith and trust in Jesus for salvation, the life they live stops being their own.”
Why do I say this? Well, the Bible says, “You are not your own; you were bought with a price, therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; NIV). Romans 12:1 puts it this way: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
To be clear: this is about more than just being sexually pure. That’s certainly one practical application, but it encompasses more than just that one subject. It means choosing to live for God, not ourselves. It means living a life dedicated to honoring and glorifying God. 2 Corinthians 5:15 reads: “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” In his book “The Way I Was Made” Chris Tomlin writes, "We were created to shine the spotlight on God."
It is the goal of my life to live in this way. I want to “shine the spotlight on God.” I want to honor and glorify God, not myself. I want to live for God’s pleasure and delight. This certainly doesn’t mean that I’m perfect and sinless, because I am not. I make sinful mistakes like everyone else, but it’s still my heart’s desire to live for God. And I want to encourage you to do the same, because you’ll never regret it.
Kevin
I love the animated movie “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” for many reasons, but high on the list is that it has a line in it that I just love. A seasoned Green Lantern is mentoring a new recruit. In the fictitious world where they reside, there are thousands of Green Lanterns that patrol all the sectors of the galaxy. In one scene of the film, this new wise Green Lantern says to the trainee, “Once you put on the ring [that is to say, when you become a Green Lantern] the life you live stops being your own.”
Ever since I first saw this movie all those months ago, I have often looked at the purity ring that I mentioned that I wear, and I will hear that Green Lantern’s words in my head: “Once you put on the ring, the life you live stops being your own.” This line is applicable to everyone who is a Christian. I suppose I could paraphrase that Green Lantern’s words in this way: “Whenever anyone puts their faith and trust in Jesus for salvation, the life they live stops being their own.”
Why do I say this? Well, the Bible says, “You are not your own; you were bought with a price, therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; NIV). Romans 12:1 puts it this way: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
To be clear: this is about more than just being sexually pure. That’s certainly one practical application, but it encompasses more than just that one subject. It means choosing to live for God, not ourselves. It means living a life dedicated to honoring and glorifying God. 2 Corinthians 5:15 reads: “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” In his book “The Way I Was Made” Chris Tomlin writes, "We were created to shine the spotlight on God."
It is the goal of my life to live in this way. I want to “shine the spotlight on God.” I want to honor and glorify God, not myself. I want to live for God’s pleasure and delight. This certainly doesn’t mean that I’m perfect and sinless, because I am not. I make sinful mistakes like everyone else, but it’s still my heart’s desire to live for God. And I want to encourage you to do the same, because you’ll never regret it.
Kevin
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