Yesterday, I took middle school students on a “surprise day.” We met at the church at 10:00am and returned at 3:00pm. During this time, we bowled, ate pizza, and enjoyed some swim time. I didn’t teach a Bible lesson. We didn’t sing any songs of worship. We spent five hours together…playing. Here’s a thought for all of us to consider today; we need to intentionally plan times of play in our busy lives.

I have to intentionally plan out times of play in my life. It begins with my family and makes its way to my ministry. Brooke and Eden need to have times of fun planned by me. I can’t afford to live the rest of my life in a serious focus. As a youth minister, I’ve learned over the years that a healthy ministry maintains balance. Would it be wrong for me to have a few times a year in which we do nothing but have fun as a group? If you were to ask me that question years ago…I’d say with immature and funless (it’s fun to make up words) passion, “we only need to study the Bible every day.” I remember a time in my life in which I was so saturated with Scripture… my fun meter was on the same level as Bud Selig at a baseball game (the current MLB commissioner). Christ-like living involves approaching everyday with the joy of God’s redeeming life in us. He has given us a new heart. He has given us a new home. He has brought us into His family. By the blood of Christ and the power of the empty tomb, we can enjoy the presence of the Spirit like a toddler running to the door when dad comes home.

We need to intentionally plan times of play in our busy lives. Today, I bowled with middle school students. One of my 8th grade girls beat me in the first game. I beat her in the second. We put up the bumpers for one of our lanes…and saw a doubling of the score. That team went home happy. We ate pizza until we almost threw up. We created waves and currents in the pool. We got into shuttles and returned back to the church…wet and happy. I didn’t preach a 45 minute sermon. A band didn’t play Chris Tomlin songs. We played.

His grace has given you this moment as you read. In His presence with His redeeming joy…play. Take your wife or husband out on a surprise date. Sit on the floor and play with your children. Stay up late as a family and watch a movie. Laugh in the halls of your church gathering. Hold His Word in your heart and read with victorious joy. Remind yourself that this is not your home.

If you are upset that I didn’t include a Bible verse (which is VERY RARE from my writings)…maybe you should read this again. Today may be your day to play.

CrossPoint will begin her journey through Psalms today. I’ve always been captivated by Psalms 1:1. The Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” There is much truth we can learn from that powerful statement. As His redeemed children, we must be “intentionally walking” along His path of righteousness. Please permit me to explain.

Each day, we are faced with situations that require responses. We live in a fallen culture that demands humanity to respond. What kind of responses do we make on a day to day basis? Let’s look at two examples that many of us can face.

Example #1 – You are upset with someone in the church.

We’ve all been there. We get our feelings hurt and then we have the responsibility to respond. A lack of Christ-centered holiness will take this example and produce gossip. We go to a few “trusted friends” with comments against the person in our radar. The comments begin with “please don’t tell anyone.” Do you know what happens with comments that begin with that? They go to anyone! Eventually, we either move from gossip to bitterness…or we discover that the simple conflict turns into unnecessary war against the church. Jesus has commanded us to go to each other when sin has produced conflict. If we were to practice the commands of Jesus from Matthew 18:15-18, with the presence of the Spirit, we are promised great results when we practice the commands of the Bible! Practice intentionally walking right now. Trust in the grace of God and the power of His Word to bring great results. For almost a year, I had great bitterness toward another person. My sin let me harvest my frustration to the point that gossip and hatred came out. His grace convicted me recently. After repentance, I wrote this person a note. The response wasn’t what I was hoping for, but I know that God was honored. I hope to practice that to Eden more and more as she grows older.

Example #2 – You allow profanity and inappropriate jokes to come in your home.

Most good church folks won’t admit to this common rebellion. It’s time we practical intentionally walking by what we say and allow our families to say. It’s vital for us to remember that 4 walls surrounding us doesn’t hide us from the view of God. God wants His children to be holy with their lips. I’m convinced this common sin comes from what we watch on TV or follow on the internet. Facebook, Twitter, and MTV will eventually guide the way we talk. Practice intentionally walking by meditating and living on the words of Paul, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29, ESV). Brooke and I have decided to allow only 1 night a week for TV watching. We have both selected a show or 2 that we know we would watch in front of Eden. If it ever gets to the point that we are embarrassed by what Eden will hear…we will eliminate it from our family time. We may be weird for doing this, but that’s OK. If holiness makes us look weird, then weird is a joyful label to accept.

How will you walk today? Let’s quit walking in the counsel of the wicked…and walk a path that glorifies our Redeemer.

In my quiet time on Tuesday, I read Job 37-39.  I love how Job comes to an end.  He is afflicted, He is given poor counsel from worldly friends, and he is provided at the end by the Sovereign God we worship.  Job 38 really captured my attention during my quiet time.  It was a much needed reminder that even in moments of my life in which I feel drawn to question God…I’m reminded of His sovereignty over my life.  I’m convinced it is only His grace that allows our lips to question.  It’s only His grace that we receive a response.

The doctrine of God’s sovereignty has been a topic of debate for centuries.  Some of the most brilliant minds of the faith have laid down their views on the altar of attempted understanding over the complexities of God.  I have to confess, my motives for today’s blog were grounded in impressing you with quotes from theologians.  Before my fingers hit the keyboard, I was convicted.  My aim is not to impress you with the books I have read over the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.  My aim is to point you to what God has spoken to us in Job 38.  I’ll conclude this post with some of the verses out of that rich chapter.

When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be in a traveling “Christian band.”  My desire was to take my ability to play the piano and use it for the glory of God (ok, it had a lot to do with wanting to be popular as well…) God’s grace allowed me to attend a college in Kentucky with a goal of obtaining a degree in music.  His grace let me receive that piece of paper that most don’t see on my wall.  As I was approaching my final year of college, God’s mercy gave me a beating heart for His church.  His patience over my sinfulness has led me to gladly let go of a dream (it’s only a dream to expect anyone to WANT to hear me play or sing), and hold onto a joyful privilege of serving Him in His church.  He’s allowed me to serve for a decade now in student ministry.  I’m so glad He is sovereign…and I’m not.  I have no regrets.  His sovereignty has increased my joy as each new morning arrives like a gift under the Christmas tree.  I love what I’m allowed to do at CrossPoint.

Do you believe He is sovereign? Do you believe He is in control of all things?  Do you live out that belief?  Do yourself a favor today and read Job 38.  It is a much needed reminder of His control over us.  I pray Job 38 leads you to a personal worship service that needs no leader…other than His glorious Spirit.

Have a blessed day!

Job 38:4-18, ESV

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?
 It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
 From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.

 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
declare, if you know all this.

Two days ago, I asked a few simple Bible questions to my students during the opening Large Group Bible Study. The questions were based out of the text for that morning; 1 Samuel 20. In a room full of students, I had 1 or 2 that would answer out loud. The majority of the students looked up at me like a monkey looking at a math problem. I didn’t ask difficult questions. All that was needed was a Bible open and a heart WILLING to learn. (I know it was a Sunday morning and I’m dealing with teenagers…but the fact remains that many of us aren’t setting aside time for the joy of God’s Word).

If we want to call ourselves the bride of Christ, we must set aside time for the Word. We don’t have to be legalistic about this. It’s not a formula that requires a certain amount of time. It needs to be a life that is driven for the time to embrace God’s truth. We set aside time for other things that we believe to be priorities. For example, if I were to ask a question about a particular college football team…I’d get many answers with more passion. If I were to ask about TV shows, bands, movies, video games, etc.. I’d have more excitement and details in the responses from the crowd. When the Bible is opened and studied…some seem to check out. Perhaps this tragic scene is written from hearts that aren’t setting aside time for the truths of their Savior?

If we want to call ourselves the bride of Christ, we must set aside time for the Word. I would encourage you to begin with 10-15 minutes of reading. You can begin with Genesis or Matthew. You can google “1 year Bible reading plans” and check out one that seems right with you. I’m so thankful for my CrossPoint family and the way God has blessed us this year with reading through His Word. We are almost to Psalms. It’s been a sweet ride so far. I learn more each year as I get to read His Word from cover to cover. My family and my ministry live under the foundation of His Word.

Will you set aside time today to enjoy His Word? He gives you 24 hours each day. How will you spend them?

Begin today by enjoying these words from Psalm 119:97-104

Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

The true Gospel produces true joy in the hearts of the redeemed. When we take the time to examine such powerful passages like Ephesians 2:1-10 or 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, we begin to see the joy of our rescue found in Jesus. God’s grace and mercy takes sinners and welcomes them into His family. Based on what many of us KNOW, it’s time for that true joy from the Gospel to SHOW.

Back in the month of April, my family took the challenge from Ryan and invited several of our neighbors to CrossPoint for Resurrection Day. On a beautiful Saturday morning, Brooke baked cookies, Eden had her Saturday best on, and I became the ring leader of a Gospel-proclaiming family. Walking door to door, our mission was to invite our neighbors to CrossPoint, share the Gospel with them, and give them cookies for their time. The entire plan sounded great…until we went to the first house…

The first house we targeted was the home of a grumpy old man that I’d like to call Sam (not his real name). Sam opened the door and we began our conversation. Halfway through our talking, Sam interrupted us with his anger toward our dog. A few weeks before this took place, Sam started yelling at us over the fence because of our dog. Between the hours of 3-4pm, our dog would bark…occasionally. Sam hates dogs and wanted us to silence the dog in any way we prefer. His house was purposely chosen as the first house for this mission day. Needless to say, Sam wasn’t happy we were at his doorstep with the Gospel.

Sam threatened us, yelled at us, and rejected our cookies! I looked at him and boldly began with the Gospel. Sam stopped me and informed me that he was a faithful member of a nearby church. Upon telling me this, he told us to leave and slammed the door. We were dumbfounded. Why would any Christ follower reject a conversation about the Gospel, refuse a gift, AND slam the door on another Christ-follower? Sam probably KNOWS the Gospel…but doesn’t SHOW the Gospel.

The Gospel must produce genuine joy in the hearts of the redeemed. I walked away with sadness in my heart for my neighbor. I pray his joy will be filled in the love of His Savior. I pray I’m not an 80 year old man one day that yells at his neighbors, refuses gifts, and refuses conversations about Jesus. I pray His grace will continue to give me joy in the Gospel that drives my steps.

Do you KNOW the Gospel? Do you SHOW the Gospel? Do your neighbors see the joy in your life? Please pray for people in your life, like Sam, that need the joy of their Father’s love.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:3-14

Take just a few moments and count how many times “In Him” appears in the text above.  I’ll wait as you read and count.

How many did you find?  I counted 6 times that phrase was used in the text.  (I hope my counting was correct!) In who or what do we center our focus?  It appears to me that it can be very easy to take out the supreme position of Christ in our lives with substitutes.  Here is a list of things that rob me of what my focus should be.

1. In my control of things
2. In music
3. In worrying
4. In disc golf
5. In coffee (yup, had to confess that one)

What would be on your list?  Be honest with yourself today.  Christ redeemed us from the curse of our own depravity by absorbing the wrath aimed at us.  Christ placed us in a position to have perfect righteousness in eternity.  Christ has offered us unceasing joy in His intercession on our behalf.  In Him we should walk.  In Him, we should talk.  In Him, we should worship.

Look at your list again.  Read Ephesians 1:3-14 again.  What will be your focus today?  May it be…In Him.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people”

1 Timothy 2:1, ESV

Have you ever promised someone that you would pray for him or her?  Have you failed in that promise?  It seems the honest thing we should do as followers of Jesus is to either fulfill our commitment in intercession prayer or not make the promise to begin with.

For example, what if when someone asked for prayer, we replied with, “I really hurt for you, but I since I won’t remember your request, I can’t promise you I will pray.” What a horrible thing to say in church!  Well, at least it’s honest.  You see, we tend to treat prayer like a passing gesture instead of a divine privilege.  May this blog post today encourage you to pray…and really pray.

Paul wrote this verse with great passion to his young friend in regards to biblical worship.  1 Timothy 2 is immersed with a Spirit-led guideline for worship.  It should come to us at no surprise that prayer begins the section.

Without pure and honest prayer, how can we truly worship?  How can we believe and trust in the greatness of God if we refuse to speak to Him?  Friend, we have a divine privilege each day to enter into His presence through Christ, our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

I believe it’s time we quit treating prayer like a nice comment or gesture and handle it with graceful privilege.  As the bride of Christ, let us pray for one another with sweet intercession.  May our prayers for our leaders not be for our selfish conclusions but rather God’s sovereign plans.  May our promises to pray for others not be forgotten.

Why did I write on this today?  Well, last night after the Wednesday night movie time with my students, I walked into the student center to grab a bottle of water.  As I was walking into the room, some students were circled together near the stage.  My intern was on the stage with a mic in his hand praying.  I grabbed the bottle of water quietly and proceeded to the door.  Right before my hand touched the door, I heard my name lifted up in prayer.  I stood near the door for almost a minute as my dear friend prayed for me.  The sweet intercession brought sweet peace to my soul as I drove home after a long day at the church.  I was prayed for that night.

Pray.  Pray for someone today.  Make a promise to pray for someone else…and really do it.

My father-in-law loves this hymn.

My wife loves this hymn.

I love this hymn.

There is something that stirs within my soul when I sing of the cross. When I think about the price paid for the redemption of my soul, I’m moved to many emotions.

I believe we don’t sing enough of the cross in our day today lives. We don’t sing enough of the blood shed by our Redeemer. We don’t sing enough of the perfect atonement made for our sins. We, guilty sinners, have been made whole through the cross… what else would we want to sing about?

I find sometimes we sing and get consumed with things of this world that cannot bring us to God. We sing of love; but do we know of His love? We sing of joy; but do we have His joy? We sing of our needs; but are we satisfied in Him? I want to cling to the cross for I know through it, I was made righteous in the sight of the Holy Father through the death of His Holy Son.

Paul writes, “But may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!” Can we write that with the same genuine passion that Paul carried with him throughout his life?

I love this verse. The word boast, kauchaomai (kow-khah’-om-ahee) has the idea to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) — (make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice. What do we do this in/with?

I see in the south much boasting in college football. Can this boasting produce the fellowship we need with the Father?

I see many students boasting in their own selfish bubbles (facebook, myspace, texting, cheerleading, band, various sports, school clubs, etc.) Can this boasting produce within them the everlasting joy that we receive in Galatians 5:22?

I hope you will join me in never boasting about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus. May we join Augustus M. Toplady when he wrote in his hymn, Rock of Ages — “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.”

Join me as I cherish the old rugged cross. Take time today and praise the Father for the grace that He displayed on the cross of His Son! May we boast in nothing more.

The Old Rugged Cross by George Bennard

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,The emblem of suffering and shame;And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown. (chorus)

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,Has a wondrous attraction for me;For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,A wondrous beauty I see,For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;Its shame and reproach gladly bear;Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,Where His glory forever I’ll share.

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:2-3, ESV.

Today was a hot day.  Living near Birmingham, Alabama has exposed me to the reality that the summers are HOT.  Today, I had the privilege of attending a summer work out with one of the area high school football teams.  While I was standing on the practice field with my friend and coworker, Steve, I got hot.  Have you ever walked outside for just a few minutes and immediately felt the need for something to drink?  That was my day today.  Water never tasted better than after standing outside in the heat.

While I was driving back to my house, 1 Peter 2:2-3 came to mind.  I’ve learned more about God’s Word as a new father.  My 5/12 month old daughter continues to show and communicate to me the beautiful riches of the Gospel.  I started to think today about her.  She longs for much-needed nourishment daily.  Milk is not an option for her. It’s a necessity.  Without a healthy supply of milk, she will get weak.  She longs for milk in a way that makes it vital.  She craves it in a way that increases its importance.  I wonder if we crave the Word like a baby craving milk…would it radiate more worth to others?

We tend to ignore the riches of Scripture until convenient seasons.  When we are lonely, we may open it.  When we want to win a debate, we may study it.  When we want answers to our questions, we may invest time in it.  However, do we long and crave for it daily?  As His children, we need to long for His Word like a baby longs for needed nourishment.

It’s interesting to see that in the Greek understanding of “long” we get the word epipothēsate.  This word can mean, “to long, desire, or crave after.”  I like the idea of craving after the Word.  I like the idea that believers crave after His Word in a way that makes it go from being a head treasure to a heart treasure.  We tend to long and crave after things that don’t satisfy.  Isaiah 55 speaks a lot on that tendency.

Friend, it’s time to crave after what can eternally satisfy.  Is His Word good to you?  Have you tasted and seen that He is good? (Psalm 34:8).  Have you developed more taste buds for His Word? (1 Corinthians 3).  I pray you will start today with longing after what truly and eternally satisfies; His good Word.

This past Saturday, Brooke and I spent the afternoon looking for our new house in Alabama.  The search lasted several hours.  I’d love to inform you that the search reached a wonderful conclusion…but I can’t.  We are still searching.  The process for us will take even longer with our house in Georgia still on the market.

These times can be some of the most frustrating times for any family that is in the middle of transition.  Each house we stepped into yesterday had its pros and cons.

One house had everything Brooke wanted in one area, yet lacking in another.  One house had incredible curb appeal with the inside looking close to a college dorm room.  One house we toured had the owner in the house…with us…during the tour.  (Please make note; if you are trying to sell your home…DON’T STAY INSIDE WHILE OTHERS ARE LOOKING INTO BUYING).  The search will continue until we both find peace in the house that we will reside in.

During this transition time, I’ve been drawn to Philippians 3:12-21.  In this rich text, Paul writes to the church at Philippi with great joy over obtaining the goal of Christ.  What is the goal of your life?  To what goal do you invest the hours of the day?  What is the joy inside that goal?

For many, goals can be found in temporary pursuits like money, popularity, politics, etc.  These temporary pursuits will culminate into nothing but pointless vanity.  Friend, don’t waste your pursuits.  Paul gives us a much needed challenge in this text.  Take just a moment and read Philippians 3:12-21.  If you don’t have a bible with you, visit www.biblos.com for help.  I’ll wait.

Philippians 3:20 really jumps out at me.  Paul writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  This verse has joined me here lately in the great Snyder house search.  This side of God’s blazing glory is only temporary.

In Christ, we have a permanent home waiting for us.  In Christ, we don’t have to search for this home.  In Christ, this home has searched for us!  In God’s amazing love and grace, He came to the world in the person of Christ to bring His children to their future home.

Friend, don’t waste your days in pointless pursuits for satisfaction that offers no eternal joy.  Where will your eternal citizenship be?  May you join me in living out the days not searching for temporary houses, but enjoying the blessing and peace of the future home in glory that awaits.