Day of Praise

Tu, 12/31/13, 7th Day of Christmas, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 119:164 - "Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules."

Our church is offering a prayer time together from seven p.m. to eight p.m. both tonight, New Year's Eve, and tomorrow night, New Year's Day. I could and should actually say that the prayer time is being offered from seven p.m. to eight p.m. both tonight, the 7th Day of Christmas, and tomorrow night, the 8th Day of Christmas.

Seven is the biblical number of wholeness, completeness, fulfillment, accomplishment, and perfection. God first exemplified the meaning of seven when God spent six days making creation and then spent the seventh day making creation whole by enjoying what God had made.

To have a prayer time at our church on New Year's Eve, the 7th Day of Christmas, at seven p.m. is a call for everyone, wherever you are, to enter a prayer time that is filled with seven. In other words, have a prayer time doing what God did, stopping to enjoy what God made, thanking God for God's creative blessings in your life in the past year.

One of the best Christmas gifts to our family this year is a set of generosity jars with little pads of paper. The sole purpose of the jars and paper pads is to invite us to stop at the end of everyday and write down how we're thankful that God blessed us that day. Y'all, grab a jar and paper, and let's all thank God daily together in 2014.

And whether you can physically come to our church tonight or not, I look forward to stopping and praying with all of you tonight at seven p.m. as we thank God for making our lives whole and complete with all the blessings God's given in 2013.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise times 2

Mo, 12/30/13, (5th &) 6th Day of Christmas, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 1:20-21 - "But as [Joseph] considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'"

For yesterday's 5th Day of Christmas -

So y'all don't laugh! At least not too hard. :-) I was putting my socks on the other day. Ya know, one foot on the floor, and one foot lifted up. Like a flamingo. That lost its balance. And fell over. It hurt. But not too much because, on the way down, I was laughing because I knew I'd tell y'all.

But no puttin'-on-your-socks fall could ever hurt as much as Joseph and Mary knowing from Day One that they were giving birth to a child who had a lot of pain coming his way so he could "save his people from their sins." And it all would culminate with five wounds on the cross, which we remember on the fifth Day of Christmas.

The only way a parent could endure such sorrow is by ultimately remembering that every child 1) comes from God, 2) belongs to God, 3) is meant to personally know God, and 4) finds peace in every sorrow through a relationship with God.

Hey, Gang, the sooner we help children know God personally through Jesus, (and they can know him well before Kindergarten), then the easier it is on everybody.

For today's 6th Day of Christmas -

In Proverbs 6:16, we hear that "there are six things that the Lord hates." You can look them up in the verses after sixteen. I'm pretty sure we've all done at least one of the six. And in light of that reality, let's use the 6th Day of Christmas as another day to thank God for sending Jesus to "save his people from their sins." And, if we remember what we just said with the 5th Day of Christmas about every child belonging to God, then we all can be thankful that we're "his people" whom he saves.

So, ok y'all, have a great day! And be careful puttin' your socks on. :-)

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 12/28/13, 4th Day of Christmas, "Day of Praise"

Luke 2:10-11 - "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"

"For all the people," that's what the angel said. People to the North. To the South. To the East. To the West. People in all four directions. Amongst many other encouragements on this 4th Day of Christmas, one certain encouragement is that Jesus was born as Savior for all people.

So that includes you, Friend.

Believe it. It's true.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise: Pastor Chris

Fr, 12/27/13, 3rd Day of Christmas, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 2:11 - "And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."

Questions. Do you ever wonder? Wonder about your life? Why are you here? Does anyone even know? Does anyone really care? Where's your life going?

In today's verse, we hear of three gifts that are brought to the Christ child from only God knows how many Magi. We assume three Magi because there are three gifts, but the Bible doesn't actually say. What we do understand though is that three gifts tell us about the baby:

1) Gold means he's royalty, King of kings;
2) Frankincense means he's divine, that we should pray to him; and

3) Myrrh means he'll need embalming since he's going to die for us and our sin.

So too, being made in the image of God, we hear answers to our questions from God's Word in the Bible through the three gifts:

1) Gold means we're royalty; everyone has a prominent, important role in the world, which we learn more about as we seek the Word and counsel of our Father God in heaven;

2) Frankincense means we're attractive; people will be drawn to us, and specifically to the Christ in us, when Christ dwells in us through faith; we're then given to do our royal role, which is to point those drawn to us beyond ourselves; we're to point them to Jesus Christ;

3) Myrrh means we have a true nature; our self-securing sin nature is what we sell out for because we don't trust God; our true nature, which is restored through faith in Jesus, is to pour out ourselves so that others instead may live, fulfilling Jesus's words, "in losing your life, you find it."

Through three gifts, God has answers to our questions. Think about it.

Praise God!

(For an archive of "Day of Praise," please see the link to "Day of Praise" at my daughter Calley's blog, www.voguemind.blogspot.com)
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 12/26/13, 2nd Day of Christmas, "Day of Praise"

"The ox knows its owner, and the donkey the manger of its lord, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." - Isaiah 1:3

We all need to eat. However, in today's verse, God says that in our weakness, frailty and sin, we don't know where the food is. But this 2nd Day of Christmas celebrates that God is determined to feed us.

A manger is a feeding trough, and the donkey knows that the manger is where his master puts his food. When Jesus is born and laid in a manger, God our Master is telling us that Jesus is our food. What kind of food? Bread. "Bethlehem" (where Jesus is born) literally means "house of bread." And Jesus tells us plainly that he is the "Bread of Life."

So eat up people; feast on Jesus by receiving him daily into your being. Apart from Jesus, we might eat lots for our belly. But Jesus alone feeds our soul!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 12/25/13, Christmas Day, "Day of Praise"

Luke 2:10-12 - "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'"

Merry Christmas, Y'all! Merry Christmas!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 12/24/13, Christmas Eve, "Day of Praise"

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." - Luke 2:6-7

Yes, it's the same verses as yesterday because I've been thinking about these verses, including verse one through seven.

Have you ever noticed in the "birth of Jesus" verses (Luke 2:1-7) that there's a lot more about the census of the world and laying Jesus in the manger than there is about the birth specifically? The reason for this, that God put on my heart, is that the birth of Jesus is a fact, so it's just said as a matter of fact.

However, the census and laying Jesus in the manger have more said about them because we need to think more about the scope of Jesus's birth (census) and how we handle him (laying him in the manger). In sum, the scope of Jesus's birth touches the whole world, so God wants us all to share Jesus and the love of Jesus with the whole world. Additionally, it's impossible to share Jesus and his love with the whole world unless we ourselves handle him rightly, so God wants us to 1) receive Jesus personally into our lives, which is to truly believe in him, 2) talk to him intimately, which is to have constant fellowship and prayer with him, and 3) adore him with all our being, which is to worship him. By "handling" him rightly, we can then share him with the world.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 12/23/13, "Day of Praise"

Luke 2:6-7 - "And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

We had our first daddy-daughter forum this past Saturday night. It was a small group of dads and daughters, along with someone's mom and my son. We talked mostly about God-given spiritual authority, authority's proper use as service, grace and forgiveness, talking softly and clearly, and the ineffectiveness of yelling. It was an amazing event for those who could come. We're having the other one we had planned this Saturday, December 28, from 6-10 p.m. You're all invited.

The daddy-daughter event was a lot like Jesus's birth: small group, God giving spiritual authority, God showing authority's proper use as service, the outpouring of grace and forgiveness, God talking very softly and clearly, and the implication of the ineffectiveness of yelling.

It's almost Christmas. We tend to think that dwindling noise and people means Christmas is over. God's word seems to say the opposite; dwindling noise and people may mean that Christmas and Christ are as near as they'll ever be.

Think about it.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 12/21/13, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 16:9 - "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Yesterday, I heard people talking about after-Christmas-sales. I tend to remember advertising jingles from my childhood, and the after-Christmas-sales talk reminded me of this 1970's jingle: "Everything you wanted but didn't get for Christmas is on sale now at Sears."

I wonder how God feels about this spirit of "zip past Christmas to get all we want."
Actually, we all know how God feels. Or do we?

In today's verse, God is telling us that He's not mad at us but that He's determined to give us far more than our hearts are set on. Like yesterday, in addition to the after-Christmas-sale talk, I also heard someone speak of their confidence in God to provide. They said they have no family to speak of but that every year they stumble into things they need that others are throwing out. For example, one year for Christmas they got new slippers that a neighbor kid didn't want. Another year, they got a ridiculous deal on a car because someone didn't like the color. In sum, their heart was not set on stuff; it was set on the Lord. And the Lord knew how to provide for them.

Just as God knows how to provide for you.

Look for Christ at Christmas. And you'll see Him as the greatest Gift and Giver.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 12/20/13, "Day of Praise"

Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

I always chuckle when people ask me where my younger daughter goes to college. I'm glad to tell them; it's just that when I say, "Mississippi University for Women in Columbus," then people often say, "Now, what state is that in?"

If we don't listen, look, and seek, then we usually don't find the answer to our questions.

A friend of mine was telling me that he used to wonder how all his friends kept having all these great conversations about eternity come their way from random people. He said he asked them, and they said, "We look for them."

Friends, it's just that simple. God is with us. But God ordained that the way to see him is to look for him. The way to find him is to seek him. Seek him, not halfheartedly, but with all your heart. And this Christmas, if you'll look for him, you'll see that Christ truly is in Christmas!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 12/19/13, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 20:16 - "So the last will be first, and the first last."

Painful sight. Our whole city was running behind yesterday, and it was only by a number of back-road maneuvers that my son and I got him to his first-ever, high-school exams on time.

But as I drove from the school in the opposite direction, I saw one street and then two and then three and then four that were filled with cars driven by high-school students, who clearly knew, not only that they were late, but also that in seven minutes they would not be permitted to enter their class and take their exam.

The countless looks of agony, fear, and distress on the faces of those students both moved me to tears and hearkened back to Jesus's words in Matthew 20:16 - "So the last will be first, and the first last."

So I prayed that all those students knew Jesus and that they'd taste the peace of his promise (that the last will be first) in the midst of their distress. And I prayed for the students, who, not knowing Jesus, could not have peace, and that those unbelievers would cry out for a God and that the Only God would speak peace into their hearts.

Friends, you're going to be stuck in a line today. And when you are, look around. You will see people, because that's what lines are made of, namely, people who are stressed at their position that they're stuck in a line. But that line is a chance to remember for yourself and to speak calmly to another that the God of great reversals is near with a word of present hope and everlasting significance: "So the last will be first, and the first last."

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 12/18/13, "Day of Praise"

Romans 8:19 - "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."

What are you waiting for?

I was at a stop light yesterday when I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw that the driver in the car behind me was crying uncontrollably. I wondered what had happened. I wondered if I should do something. I wondered where the person was going.

God tells us, in today's verse from Romans and throughout the Bible, that many problems that really upset us could be avoided if we'd wait for the right things. In our weakness, we tend to wait for the next present, the next Christmas, the next weekend, the next vacation, the next pay check, the next meal, the next ball game, or whatever the next thing is that we think is going to comfort us and give us rest. Such waiting sets us up for disappointment and often uncontrollable tears like the person behind me at the stop light.

On the other hand, as in today's verse, when we eagerly wait for Christ and for the sons of God (who are men and women who show us Christ), there is a radically greater strength in our lives both because the object of our hope is The Strong One and also because the things that previously disappointed us or came and went too fast are now laid at the feet of Jesus for him to worry about, deal with, and bless.

Even as I'm about to end this devotion, I can picture many puzzled looks from readers because we all like cute, simple, and short stories. But I'm here to tell you that God's word says that so many tears could be avoided if we'd just stop and ask God to help us truly see what our hearts are set on and waiting for and then ask God to help us to truly long for Christ.

Christmas is rapidly approaching. What are you waiting for?

Think about it. God through Christ will help us all to do so.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 12/17/13, "Day of Praise"

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'" - John 20:16

My 14-year old son, Caden, has a gift. He only needs to calmly say my name, "Dad," and I know exactly what he means.

Like when we're driving to school in the morning, and the first of many people use the side of the road that's not the road to pass all of us who are waiting in line on the road. I'll let out my annoyed driver siiiiiiiiigh. And Caden will calmly say, "Dad."

What Caden means is, "Dad, don't start getting all excited. You know that doesn't help anything. People drive like this everyday. And your getting upset with them hasn't, to this day, miraculously turned them into good drivers. So calm down." Caden says all that with a calm, "Dad."

That's what Jesus did in today's verse when he said, "Mary." Mary was all excited about nothing as she was frantically weeping about Jesus's body being taken. And Jesus calmly says, "Mary. Calm down. I'm right here with you. Your getting all excited doesn't make anything better. It actually makes things worse because you don't even see me standing right here. And I've got everything under control." Jesus says all that with, "Mary."

So today, when something happens and you start to get upset, stop, for just a moment. And listen. Jesus is calmly calling your name, maybe through someone like my son does for me. And with one word, he's saying, "Take a breath. Calm down. I've got it all under control. Just trust me."

Blessed are those who do.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 12/16/13, "Day of Praise"

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." - Genesis 1:3

After Sunday evening worship, it's usually my job to check all the lights, doors, and thermostats. Usually, I knock on the bathroom doors, barely open them, and call out "Hey, anybody in there?"

Last night, everybody seemed gone, so I just opened the bathroom doors and turned off the lights. However, from one restroom came a "Hey, I'm in here!" So immediately, I turned the light back on.

Friends, somebody's going to turn your light off today and leave you in the dark. But God is a God of light, and Jesus is the light of the world. So, I know from lots of experience besides yesterday, and I hope you do too, that if you'll just call out to God, God will either shine light onto your path or give you a peace beyond understanding in your dark.

Call on the Lord! He will not fail you!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 12/14/13, "Day of Praise"

Live as if you already have the greatest Christmas gift that could ever be given. That's what I heard written in the following blog by my oldest daughter, Calley. Encouraging all of us, Calley wrote:

Some people have said I have a "Save the World" mentality because I'm still young and things can be black and white. Actually I have a "The World is Saved" mentality, because that's what it is. The things I do aren't done to redeem anything; they're done because everything has been done, because redemption is here, because we can be sons!

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 
Galatians 4:4-6

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 12/13/13, "Day of Praise"

Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder..."

Hey, Believers in Jesus , don't worry, y'all.

Maybe you've heard the latest on the efforts of various groups who are trying once again to get laws to totally take Christ out of Christmas by making it illegal to publicly display manger scenes and anything that looks like Jesus and God.

Well, here's all I have to say about that: Pontius Pilate already tried that, and it didn't work.

Don't you remember? Jesus stood before the government ruler, Pilate, and told Pilate that he had no power except what God gave him. In essence, Jesus said, "Hey, Big Guy, the government is upon my shoulder. I'm holding it up. And while you're at it, Pilate, you might note that it says 'shoulder,' as in one shoulder. You're not so big that I can't stick something else on my other shoulder. So don't even think that you'll be done with me with your spineless schemes."

But Pilate still had no backbone of faith, so he gave into the crowd and crucified Jesus. In essence, Pilate took Jesus out of the public's sight and buried him.

And a lotta good that did, Pilate!

Three days later, Jesus was raised from the dead and as good as said, "Uuuuh, Piiiiiilaaaate. I seeeeee youuuu. Smile!"

And so it is to this day.

Jesus, yes, Jesus is LORD! And that's LORD with all caps. It's not lord with no caps or even Lord with one cap. "LORD" means "Almighty God." Sovereign God. KING of kings God. LORD of lords God. I'm in charge around here and everywhere else God. And you can try to bury me, reject me, unseat me, and take my name out of your sight and your little holidays. But, like I told Moses long ago when he asked my name, I AM what I AM, and I AM GOD. So, y'all best be bowin' down to me, worshippin' me, and exaltin', which means liftin' up, me! Because when, it's all said and done, anybody who tries to lift himself up by puttin' me down, well, y'all just remember, a ruler named Pilate already tried that.

Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder..."

So, Believers in Jesus , y'all don't be worryin' now, okay?

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 12/12/13, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 16:25 - Jesus said, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

I talked to Santa yesterday. Really, I did. He was telling me that he recently was with some Camp Smile-A-Mile children. Camp Smile-A-Mile is a camp for children with cancer.

Santa has a huge heart, but he isn't the weepy type. But he said that he lost it when this one little girl was on his lap and only asked for a couple little things. And right before this almost-bald sweety hopped down, she said, "Oh, and Santa, would you please bring my sight back?"

It's a good thing that my Santa loves Jesus and gave her a hope-filled response.

And it's a good thing when we all remember that giving real hope and love is the reason Christ came. And giving real hope and love to others in Christ is the best way for us to celebrate Christmas in our homes, towards our neighbors, and beyond. That's what Christmas is all about.

Matthew 16:25 - Jesus said, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 12/11/13, "Day of Praise"

Genesis 12:2 - "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."

God told Abram that God would bless him to be a blessing. And God promises the same to you and me. We are blessed to be a blessing.

Blessed - Would you believe me if I told you that my daughter, Calley, took her very real transportation need to the Lord on Saturday night and that she got a text the next day, asking if she was interested in a little car that might as well have dropped straight from heaven?

Okay, so I honor that you don't think that God works that way, but let me ask you, "Who do you thank when an unexpected blessing comes your way?"

To be a Blessing - So I walk into the awards and engraving store to pick up
one of our memorial board additions. There was this customer who clearly had every reason to lose patience. But he didn't.

When somebody mentioned his smiling attitude, his response was "it's not me! It's Jesus in me!"

Ah yes, we are blessed to be a blessing!

Have a great day. And don't forget to pray, believing in God's eagerness to bless, and to bless, joyfully recognizing the need of others to be blessed.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 12/10/13, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

God's word is true. And His word about His word is true. God's word "is living and active,...discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

I was asked to serve a funeral where the family of the deceased is divided. Oh, they clearly love each other, but they explicitly made it clear that there's no unity amongst themselves religiously. A couple of women, with a few other funeral attendees, have a living faith in Jesus. The others amongst the family and attendees were self-professed atheists, agnostics, and Jews.

I tried to but couldn't figure out what to do.

So I gave up, praying, "Lord, if your word is true, then it really needs to be true now. I'll prepare, but you're going to have to speak through me so that no one at this funeral is offended but that everyone is ministered to, and maybe even brought to faith, by your word of comfort, hope, and life through Jesus."

Y'all, I was reluctant to tell all this to you because it may come across to some as bragging. But that's a risk I'm willing to take to tell you that God did an amazing thing at that funeral as testified to by the nods of the head and the smiles through the tears during the funeral, the fearful grandson who found courage to play a song after the scriptures were read, and the personal testimonies spoken by a number of the previously, self-professed non-Christians after the funeral.

Friends, we all have self-professed atheists, agnostics, and non-Christian people in our lives. But their word is not, because no human word is, as sharp and strong and transforming as God's word.

Dear God, there are so many different people and hearts in front of us each day. Please help us to listen for, hear, trust, and speak your words and plans above our own. And then please grant us to see your transforming work in each life, including granting us to see, in our own life, a deeper confidence in your word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 12/09/13, "Day of Praise"

John 1:14 - "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

The weather's gotten colder, so I saw and read this article about energy saving tips. The author said that we should turn our water heaters down to 120 degrees but no lower because, at 119, harmful bacteria will start to grow in the water heater. I just laughed. It's as if the author was saying that we should save energy by putting in as little as possible and just barely staying away from danger.

It's a good thing that God's not like that.

God is a God of super-abundance, like we hear in today's Bible verse. God did not send Jesus with just enough grace to get by, leaving us just on the edge of danger. Instead, God sent Jesus "full of grace," which is more than enough for all of us to be covered in God's love and to have enough to pass a lot on.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 12/07/13, "Day of Praise"

John 1:17 - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

One way for us to apply the contrast in today's Bible verse is by asking ourselves if we deal with people in a heavy-handed, condemning way or a gracious, give-them-the-benefit-of-the-doubt way.

When my son, Caden, was in second grade, he played in a city, recreational, basketball league. Yes, everybody's trying to win, but it's ultimately a rec league. Nobody's career or salary is at stake. But maybe somebody's reputation is at stake. Are they heavy-handed, taking this stuff way too seriously? Or are they gracious, giving the benefit of the doubt?

This one game was nearing halftime. A boy threw Caden the ball at half-court. Caden turned and shot it, just as the halftime horn sounded. It went in! Everybody cheered like crazy! A second grader made a half-court shot in a game!

But wait!

The referee said it didn't count because his x-ray vision ascertained that the ball was still on Caden's fingertips as the halftime horn sounded.

Seriously? Second-graders? Rec league? C'mon ref, do you really need to be right and have your pickiness be more important than a thrill of a lifetime for a second grader? How about a little grace?

Can y'all imagine a world full of stuff like that?

God couldn't either.

That's why God sent Jesus!

John 1:17 - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 12/06/13, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 48:14 - "This is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever."

When God says that He will guide us, He means it. So I'm listening to the radio yesterday after driving 200 miles for a funeral, a funeral planning, and a baptism counseling. I'm almost home to pick up my hungry son for dinner. People on the radio are saying, "I need this and that for Christmas." God zapped me with, "I need an oil change." I argued. God won. So I turned around and pulled into the oil change place. In those 20 minutes, a very young guy at the oil change place bares his soul, rededicates his life to Christ, and commits to a missionary training ministry. In addition, we both watch traffic back up and wonder if I would've been in the accident that just happened if I hadn't heeded God's guidance.

Someday we'll know.

For now, let's just believe and praise God that when God says that He will guide us, He means it.

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 12/05/13, "Day of Praise"

John 15:13 - Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Looking for the perfect gift to give this holiday? Jesus plainly says that the greatest gift you can give is yourself.

What does that look like? What does it look like to give yourself to someone for Christmas? Here are two simple but profound statements that came my way that have really made me stop and think.

1) People need to let their salvation make it to their face!!!

2) Choose conversation and community over busyness and accumulation.

Think about it! Jesus gave himself with a glow of love on his face as he made time for people. As he came to dwell in us by the Holy Spirit, he will be our strength to do the same.

The perfect gift.

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 12/05/13, "Day of Praise"

Luke 18:16 - But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me."

"It brings out the child in you." My son and I agreed that Disney World does that for you. It has that power.

You have much more.

Caden and I were grabbing a bite at "Subway" before an evening meeting. A mom came in with twins who were small enough to be kids but just a little too big for the high chair. They were giggling and touching each other when the girl picked up her twin brother and sat him in the high chair. Their mom grimaced as if to say, "Stop it! You're embarrassing me!" And right as she looked at them, the kids looked at me. I winked and smiled. Then they looked back at their mom with a smile as if to say, "Hey, that man doesn't seem annoyed, so is it okay if we keep being happy?" Then she looked at me, and I smiled, and the kid came out of everyone, including the dad, who had just walked in the door.

Y'all this is a season to get ready for Christmas. It's supposed to bring out the child in you. Don't be embarrassed to have some good clean fun like a child. After all, you are a child of God. Your Father in heaven gives you permission to enjoy the season and to wink and smile at others to do the same.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 12/03/13, "Day of Praise"

Isaiah 25:9 - It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

One of the things that God actually saves us from is ourselves. Praise God for that because each year December seems filled with more potential frustrations than other months. But in the face of such potential frustrations, like a couple days ago, where, in the span of one hour, a cashier made a time-consuming mistake with me, a driver dangerously pulled on the road in front of me with no car lights on, and another cashier didn't give me all that I paid for, God says, "Lighten up! 'Be glad and rejoice!'" And that's a good thing because in the next hour, as it turned out, I pulled on the road with no car lights on and didn't get honked at, and a different cashier gave me a $5 gift card just because they liked my smile. Funny how things work out, isn't it?

So, let's hear it for joy and gladness instead of harumphing like Scrooge and frustration. And thank you, God, for always working things out so that we may!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 12/2/13, "Day of Praise"

Isaiah 41:6, 8a, 10b - "Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, 'Be strong!'...But you, Israel, my servant...I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

And there we have it.

God tells us plainly that it's fine for us to encourage one another, saying, "You can do it! Be strong!" But if we really want to encourage someone, then it's a much greater blessing for us to claim God's promise, saying, "You can do it! God will be your strength!"

Indeed, God will be our strength as we encourage others with the same!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/30/13, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 18:15-16 - "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great."

Well, I think it's safe to say that almost every single one of us has made room for something extra this Thanksgiving weekend.

I myself had a great time making room for my daughters to be home from college. I made room for overnight guests from Korea. I made room for an Open House for our church family and anyone else who wondered what all the people were about. I made room for lots of turkey. I made room for a couple movies. I made room to make six and a half hours of phone calls to people in our church and community who are both in town and out of town. I'm making room to help my son build a harmless (translation bladeless) guillotine for extra credit in his freshmen history class. I made room to help park thousands of cars for hours and for the Alabama high school state semifinal thriller football game that all those people were coming to see. And, in addition to lots of other things, I made room for some of the best pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and carrot cake that I've eaten since the last time I ate pumpkin pie because I'm sure that it was made by the same person!

Yet with all these truly wonderful things for which we've all made room, I pray that we'll acknowledge the season of Advent that starts tomorrow, Sunday, December 1. "Advent," which means "coming," is a season to prepare. Yes, it's a season to prepare for Christmas. But as "Christmas" means "Christ sent for fellowship with us," Advent is a season to make room not so much for Christmas as a worldly material cultural event but instead to make room for Jesus Christ himself.

As Pastor Scott and I start a sermon series on "The Art of Neighboring," we're being challenged to call people to recognize that making room for Jesus Christ usually means making room for more than what you planned. Christ shines through us when we plan for one person, but two show up, and we make room for two. Christ shines when we plan for people to stay for four hours, but they stay for more, and we make room in our day for people to stay longer, especially if the only thing competing with their hunger for fellowship is, well, watching a football game or running to grab some more of that awesome pumpkin pie.

Think about it!

May God grant us a great Advent as God makes room in our heart for more than we had planned!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/29/13, "Day of Praise"

Last Sunday, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the woman, who does a great job with our children's sermon in worship, asked the children, "What big holiday is coming up?" One sweet little girl raised her hand excitedly and said, "Christmas!"

Thanksgiving has come to be the forgotten holiday.

Too bad.

We have so much to be thankful for.

Here's a few everlasting suggestions for thankfulness in today's Bible verse, including, on a lighter note if you'll notice, St. Paul's penchant for one of the longest run-on sentences ever written, which would probably cause him to flunk your favorite English teacher's class. :-)

P.S. - I thank the Lord for all of you and the countless Thanksgiving greetings that you all sent yesterday.

Ephesians 1:15-23 - For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 11/28/13, "Day of Praise"

"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures
forever." - Psalm 106:1

Happy Thanksgiving!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 11/27/13, "Day of Praise"

2 Chronicles 34:33 - "Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors."

Y'all, I know that today's a little preachy, but I also know that there are some people who get this Day of Praise devotion who need to hear what I'm about to say. So, if you think you're in unhindered, and joyful fellowship with the Lord, then you can stop reading. But if you're dissatisfied with your relationship with the Lord because you sense that there's got to be more to Jesus than you're experiencing with Him, then you probably should read on. Here we go.

Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites so that all who were present in Israel could serve the Lord their God. Wow! That was nice of him.

What needs to be removed from your life?

There's a television commercial for some product (which I think is a truck) that shows some kids playing ball on a very nice baseball field. Then the advertisers kick the video in reverse and show everything that went into making the ball field, including "removing all the detestable boulders." I hope those kids thanked the person and the machine that did all the heavy lifting so they could have a ball field, even if it was just a commercial.

That's what Josiah did for Israel. He did all the heavy lifting. He removed stuff that got in the way, not of people having a good time playing ball, but he removed the stuff that got in the way of having a good time serving the Lord.

Let me ask you a personal question?

Do you enjoy serving the Lord?

If you answered "no, I do not enjoy serving the Lord," then today's Bible verse is just one of many where God tells us that there's something in your life that needs to be removed (maybe something detestable) because it's claiming your eagerness and anticipation more than the Lord. Quite frankly, God's Word basically says that God is constantly amazed at how nonchalant we are about our relationship with the Lord. We'll swap time with God through His Word for time with the world and its pleasures in a heartbeat. All we have to do for proof that God is right about this is look at our calendar and checkbook.

The major problem with leaving these boulders in our lives, instead of removing them, is that Jesus says that we are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing apart from the Lord.

So let's get to the point. You know where the Lord is on your priority list. If God isn't first on the list and the center of everything else on the list, then you (like all of us) have some detestable boulders that need to be removed so you can have a good time serving the Lord. Now the question is, "So who's going to remove these things from our lives, especially if ironically they're so big we can't see them?"

Yep, you got it! God through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit! After all, he overcame the sin of the whole world, death, and the grave. And he removed some big ol' honker of a boulder from his grave. So I'm sure he can remove some boulders from our little ol' lives.

Keep it simple. Just ask Him! And he will!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/26/13, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 73:1-2 - "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped."

Have you ever had a bad time in your life? A hard time? Have you ever "almost stumbled" and "nearly slipped"?

The last two summers have been so blessed for me. One summer, I went with my oldest daughter to camp. And the other summer, I went with my youngest daughter to camp. As the week of camp ended, there's a special time for parent-child sharing that lasts for hours and covers very important matters. As a remembrance of that parent-child time, the camp gives each parent and each child a simple, string bracelet with beads that spell "G-O-D". I've never taken mine off.

However, the other day the black string broke as I was getting ready for bed. The beads bounced around, including one that bounced into the bathtub and was headed straight for the drain. I quickly prayed, "Please, Lord." And right at the lip of the drain, it stopped.

Did my prayer make a difference? I believe so. Even moreso, did God stop the bead that carries a special meaning for me? I believe so even more.

In the same way, in your bad time in your life, in your hard time, when you "almost stumbled" and "nearly slipped" right down the drain, who kept you from going right down the tubes like a tiny bead on its way to its end? And if necessary, who would've kept going with you, even if you'd come to your end?

In Jesus the Christ, we have One who is God with us, holding us close, keeping us together, like a special bracelet on God's own wrist. But Jesus, the very Son of God, has also shown us plainly, on his cross and in his death, that when our lives are headed for the drain, he's pleading for us, advocating for us, to keep us from going straight down the tubes.

In essence, he keeps us from stumbling and holds us upright. He certainly held me up, by his Spirit and through his people, in the worst season of my life and in every other season too. And even if I'd fallen, he would've gone with me, all the way, because in the depths he meets us and from the depths he raises us up.

Give thanks, dear friends, for Mighty God who is with us. And pray for your friends who are struggling, not only that God would keep them from falling and heading straight down the tubes, but also that your friend would know who is with them, even in the depths of despair.

For He who is with us when we stumble is the One who also raises us up!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/25/13, "Day of Praise"

"His arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob." - Genesis 49:23-24

When Jacob blessed Joseph in today's Bible verse, he spoke of agility coming Joseph's way.

Maybe we should ask for some agility for each other.

For myself, I need a little physical agility to go dumpster diving later this morning. In my typical helpfully unhelpful fashion, I thought I'd help after our church's annual Thanksgiving Feast last night by taking four big garbage bags out to the dumpster. Turns out that one of the garbage bags had $400 worth of linens that were borrowed from a member of the church.

Dumpster, here I come.

Pray for me. I need some agility.

Pertaining to us all, it's a short week because of Thanksgiving and probably a lot of good eating ahead. But before we get to the turkey, I'd guess many of us are in the same position, namely, the same amount of work needs to get done but now in a shorter period of time. A little mental agility would probably be helpful to us all.

So let's pray for one another for the Almighty One of Jacob to dwell in us and give us some mental agility to get it all done before Thursday. And while we're at it, it probably isn't a bad idea either to pray for one another for a little physical agility so we can all get in a little physical exercise before the big eats day gets here.

Happy Agility Monday!

May God grant it to all of us today as it was granted to Joseph in days of old!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/23/13, "Day of Praise"

"And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." - Acts 2:45

Please sit down.

After all, it's Saturday.

But actually, the reason I want you to sit down is because my sincere desire is to help you get stronger.

God's way.

As an illustration before the request, did you know that, when you give blood, the blood that your body makes to replace what you gave is actually stronger blood than what you gave?

God's way of making us stronger is that God made us to pass along what God gave and entrusted to us so that we'd get stronger in return. So when we pass on blood that God gave and entrusted to us then we get stronger blood in return. And when we pass on our stuff, our possessions, our material goods that God gave and entrusted to us then we get stronger stuff, possessions, everlasting goods in return.

This is what God's talking about in Malachi 3:10 and Jesus is talking about in Mark 4:18-21. This is what the people in today's Bible verse were counting on. This is what our church is counting on with our canned good and clothing giveaway today.

In freely giving, we actually are receiving even more that God freely gives in return.

With this in mind, please stay seated and consider the following challenging (but rewarding) video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YwScBFTb_M. And if you'll believe and respond to what you see while you're seated, God's promise is that you'll rise up even stronger than before.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/22/13, "Day of Praise"

Jeremiah 11:18a - "The Lord made it known to me and I knew..."

Amos 8:1a - "This is what the Lord God showed me:..."

What would you like to know?

Don't let Friday get in the way.

It's easy for us to get so wrapped up in the things that we enjoy and the things that we anticipate that we wind up missing out on the things that God wants to show us now. Usually it means that we're so wrapped up in the temporary that we wind up missing out on the eternal and everlasting.

I have a friend who was telling me that, like many others that are telling me the same, he has recently discovered the joy of inviting people to both Jesus and also to worship. Such joy is a joy whether or not people accept because, having made us in His image, God made us to love it when we invite others to Him. It's an additional immeasurable bonus when they accept.

Well, my friend said that, a few days ago, he was with his usual group of almost twenty golfers, who get divided into foursomes by drawing names from a hat. These guys have met and divided into groups and played golf for years, so they know each other quite well. My friend said that, as the first three names were drawn, he recognized that two of them were strong non-believers. And upon recognizing that the non-believers had been picked, my friend said that he just knew that, even though there were almost twenty names still in the hat, he himself was going to be picked next.

And he was.

So he could start to talk to them about Jesus and worship.

But the question is, "How did he know he was going to be picked out of a hat?" Was it coincidence? Well, friends, you can choose to believe whatever you want. Or you can believe what God says in His word as in today's Bible verses. God wants us to know things and show us things that have to do with everlasting things. And God wants us to just know these things and show us these everlasting things even when we're doing some earthly temporary thing we enjoy, like golf, or when we're eagerly anticipating some earthly temporary thing we're going to enjoy, like the weekend.

So today's Friday. It's fine to enjoy it as Friday and to enjoy anticipating the weekend. But in the midst of your earthly enjoyment, remember why we're ultimately here: to know the Lord and make Him known, inviting others to Jesus and to worship. And as you remember our ultimate purpose, God will show you things so that you'll know things that bring unmatched excitement to your day, an eternal blessing to those before you, and glory to God and his name.

Jeremiah 11:18a - "The Lord made it known to me and I knew..."

Amos 8:1a - "This is what the Lord God showed me:..."

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 11/21/13, "Day of Praise"

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

It's a long story, so let's just sum it up. Yesterday morning, I wound up in the lobby and at the front desk of my son's huge, 2,600 students, high school, signing him in as tardy, with 100 or so students milling around, a good number of whom said, "Hello, Mr. DeGreen" or "Hi, Coach Chris" or "Hey, Pastor Chris." After all, my family has been blessed to be in this community for over two decades.

The thing was that this wear-pastor-clothes-90%-of-the-time-with-the-little-white-thing-at-your-neck-coach-Mr.-pastor was in the huge school lobby...in my pajamas.

Of course, that also meant doofy looking hair and, only the good Lord knows, whatever else was uncovered or out of place.

I was embarrassed for a moment.

And then God said, "Chris, this is nothing. But if it is anything, it's a chance to show these kids what matters." So instead of apologizing about my pj's to every kid and adult, I just had an even greater time greeting the kids, hugging a couple necks, and telling my son to have a great day and that I would pray for him with his test.

And let's be clear; I was embarrassed, but God had greater plans.

So, come what may today, with whatever may be out of place, may God speak to our hearts, help us to laugh at ourselves, shine through us with gladness, and bring God the glory.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 11/20/13, "Day of Praise"

2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

So what do a haircut and Christmas shopping have in common? Well, depending on who cuts your hair and when you're shopping, they both can require a huge amount of patience.

My daughters will often go to one of our local cosmetology schools to get their hair cut. Such willingness to be a practice dummy for the hair-cutting students means that their haircut can literally take hours. But my daughters, and all others who get their hair cut at the school, know that the students are learning. So my daughters are patient.

In the same way, as we start to do our Christmas shopping this time of year, it would be good for all of us to remember that the mass of humanity that could frustrate us, for various reasons, is a bunch of people who are learning.

Ultimately, we're all students. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 13, God says that none of us will fully know until Jesus comes again. That's why, in Matthew 28, Jesus sends disciples to make disciples. In other words, Jesus is sending students of God's good life to make students of God's good life because, until Jesus comes again, we're all learning. And when we remember that we're all learning, like a bunch of hair-cutting students, then it's much easier to be patient with one another.

Best of all, God tells us, in today's Bible verse, that God is very patient with all of us, mostly because God wants none of us to perish, as God always remembers that, until Jesus comes again, we're learning.

So, as Black Friday and Christmas shopping are upon us, let's all add to the kindness and peace out there by meeting the unkindness and conflict with patience. In so doing, God's own patience for all of us will be seen, and all of us will know more of God's blessings.

Dear God, please help and teach us all.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/19/13, "Day of Praise"

Luke 6:48 - "...he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built."

Tonight, my son and I are going to a fund-raiser, here in Birmingham, Alabama, for Greg and Melissa Segrest. Greg has accepted a post with Amor ministries in San Diego, California. Greg's job each week will be to lead American church groups into Mexico, just outside the city of Tijuana. The groups will sleep on the ground for four or five nights and have extremely primitive kitchen and bath realities so they can share the privilege of building two or three, carport-sized houses in a week. Each house will provide shelter for one of the forty-seven percent of Mexican families that live below the poverty line. A house keeps a poor family together physically, just as the Bible they're given keeps them together spiritually.

Greg and Melissa, in essence, are becoming missionaries to a foreign country, though they will live in our country. Greg, like most missionaries, must raise his own support, which is $36,000 for 2014. Yesterday, with a brief appeal, our little church gathered $4,920 for Greg, with another $1,800 pledged by members for the year ahead, in addition to our church's budget commitment. It's a blessed start. However, there's a long way still to go. If you'd like to support this young couple in their life commitment to bringing Jesus and the Gospel to those in dire need, you can either send a tax-deductible gift to Amor directly (www.amor.org/give), noting that it's for Greg, or you can send a tax-deductible gift to our church (Christ the King Lutheran, 611 Riverchase Pkwy W, Birmingham, AL 35244), noting it for Greg. Every single penny will go to Greg's mission support.

Additionally, if you want to know how to build your children into young missionaries, whether they build houses in Mexico, work on computers in Huntsville, AL, serve on the police force in Kingsport, TN, aspire to be African or Nepalese or Middle-Eastern missionaries after college, or still don't know exactly what God wants them to do, then here are four simple directions for building the house, which is your child's life, with a foundation that is dug deep down onto the rock so their life can withstand any flood or storm and their life can build up others in Christ's strength, too.

1) Lay the foundation for your child(ren) with God's word, namely the writings "of the apostles and prophets, [with] Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20)

2) Then working up from the foundation, use your knees and work on your child(ren)'s knees too . As Larry Christenson once said in "God's Little Instruction Book for Dad," "Happy is the child who happens in upon his parent from time to time to see them on their knees,...or going aside regularly, to keep times with the Lord."

3) Working on up the body, build your child with your own big big heart and fill theirs too. It's been said that when God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart instead of the head.

4) Finally, the first three roll up and are revealed by a trained or untrained tongue. As Paul Lewis says, "A father's words are like a thermostat that sets the temperature in the house."

Please pray for Greg and Melissa's new life, for every child-building adult, and for all children to be built up with God's words.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/18/13, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 18:21 - Then Peter came up and said to Jesus, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Over the weekend, my two teens, along with my daughter's college roommate, asked to grab a bite at Jason's Deli before the girls went back to school. The kids were ordering at the cash register when, for just a second, I turned to look elsewhere. The next thing I know, I sense a woman stepping in front of me to order, in essence, adding to our order because I was the one paying for my kids.

I said, "Excuse me, ma'am." She turned and looked at me as if I'd just said, "Lady, your hair looks stupid and your clothes need some help and please work on your breath." But I'm sure that all I said was, "Excuse me, ma'am."

After a moment, still glaring, she started to step back saying, "Well, he [the cash register guy] told me to step up." So I looked at the cash register guy and he was thinking about Jupiter or Mars or something else altogether because he was looking straight through all of us.

So I simply stepped up to pay for my three because I wasn't eating, and even if I had been earlier, at this point, I'd lost my appetite. After I paid, my three and I stepped down the line, along with the Holy Spirit. I know the Holy Spirit was there because 1) He always is and 2) He told me to apologize. As we're getting our waters to drink, the lady makes her way down the line, and I stepped towards her and said, "Ma'am, please forgive me; I'm really sorry." Have you ever heard the saying, "If looks could kill?" And she didn't say a word or even slow down.

I was feeling really bad now because I'm wearing pastor clothes, and I'd just served a funeral and I had a baptism at a home for a very sick little child. In other words, I was very mindful that I was looking like a pastor and supposed to be drawing people to Jesus and forgiveness and salvation. I wasn't supposed to be pushing people away. So I tried two more times to engage the lady, literally bowing down and asking forgiveness. I don't know, maybe the problem was that I kept thinking, "All I said was, 'Excuse me, ma'am.'"

The point in all this is that it's Monday. My hunch is, if your Mondays and lives are anything like mine, that there will be lots of opportunities for seeking forgiveness and offering forgiveness. There will be lots of times when you'll keep thinking, "All I said was, '____________.'" But may God help us all to humble ourselves and trust that Jesus alone, as always, is right when His answer to Peter in today's verse basically is, "Unless you want a totally conflicted life, be eager always to forgive and be forgiven."

Dear God, thank you for your forgiveness. Please help us pass it on. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/16/13, "Day of Praise"

"because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79

Aaaah, sunrise. God's sunrise. Light. Guidance. Peace.

My friend, Lori Spahn, who lives with her husband and three kids in San Antonio, replied to a recent "Day of Praise" with this beautiful, attached picture of a sunrise at their house along with the following reflection, encouraging us all to be joyfully content with God's wondrous provision.

Lori wrote:

Here is my thought for the day/devotional as God gave it to me this morning.

Has anyone else noticed how beautiful the sunrises and sunsets have been since Daylight Savings Time ended? I have. I believe that God reveals himself to us through all aspects of his creation. I think He wants us on "sun time" (SON time) just the way He created it to be, not on some altered time concocted by man, "daylight savings time". God's time is perfect. We wake up and get going and He greets us with a most beautiful display across the sky. At the end of the day, He is telling us "Your day is done. Go home and be with your family. Close the doors, get to bed and rest, and get ready for the next day." And He tucks us in with the most beautiful sunset to say good night. We don't need to save up time for anything. God gives us every minute, and we cannot add to it or accrue more for a later date.

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/15/13, "Day of Praise"

"...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption..." - Romans 8:23

So how much better might the world be if we were all in tune with the basic human need and longing to be a part of a healthy family? Yes, I do mean a healthy, earthly family. But I mean an earthly family as God intended our earthly families to be an outward sign of even deeper, richer relationships in the ultimate big family that is God's family on earth and in heaven.

To this end, may I offer an invitation and a testimony, calling all of us to "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for [the sure knowledge that God wants all of us invited and welcomed into his big healthy family by way of spiritual] adoption..." (Romans 8:23)?

First, here's the invitation. The "Honest to Goodness Father-Daughter Forum" is being offered on both Saturdays, December 21 and 28 from 6 pm - 10 pm here at our home, 1601 Southcrest Trail, Hoover, AL 35244. Chili dinner will be provided for all. RSVP to pastor2553@tmo.blackberry.net with the date(s) you plan to attend and the name and age of the father and/or daughter(s) attending. Registration is open until Monday, December 16. There is no registration fee, but a free will offering may be gathered if registration greatly exceeds expectations, which would be marvelous!

Second, here's the testimony from my almost 21-year-old daughter, Calley, as she wrote in her blog last night:

When I read adoption blogs, I cry a lot.

I cry a lot because I miss my babies. I don't know when I'll get to hold them and kiss them and tell them, "You are a child of God," and whisper, "Momma and Daddy love you" into their ears. I don't know how long they will have to wait on me.  I don't know if someone is taking care of them. I don't know if they are safe. I don't know if they are full and warm and dressed. I don't even know their names or their birthdays or their favorite thing.

But I know the promises of my Heavenly Father to love them and defend them and call them by name. So I will surrender my children into His care. In fact, it's such a blessing to have this time when the Lord is so clearly calling me to surrender them to Him, because even when I have them in my home, they still are the Lord's. And the Lord knows.

The Lord knows I cry a lot because I miss my babies. The Lord knows when I'll get to hold them and kiss them and tell them, "You are a child of God," and whisper, "Momma and Daddy love you" into their ears. The Lord knows how long they will have to wait on me, [and they don't have to wait on Him]. The Lord knows if someone is taking care of them; [He is!]. The Lord knows if they are safe; [He is their Protector]. The Lord knows if they are full and warm and dressed; [He is their Provider]. The Lord even knows their names and their birthdays and their favorite thing.

When I think about this, I cry a lot. It is the Good.

"...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption..." - Romans 8:23

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 11/14/13, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 25:11 - "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

Every parent wants to give their child(ren) "more than they had." The question always is: "More of what?"

I have a friend. He's an older man in my life, who's not related to me, who says that his father gave him more life by giving him less words. For example, his dad would say, "Son, you're a young man, so you have freedom to make your own decisions, but you're not making very good ones." My friend says that's all it took for him to wake up and start making what have turned out to be some amazing, mature, life-giving decisions, which have brought him far more spiritually and financially than his father ever had. My friend's father, therefore, saw every parent's dream come true, namely, the child had more than the parent. And in this case, the parent gave his son more by giving him less because what the father gave was, what God calls in today's Bible verse, "A word fitly spoken."

"Fitly" means correctly; judiciously; suitably; properly; pertinently;
done in a competent, appropriate or suitable manner. And such a word, God says, "is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

Did you know that God has given us such a word? God has spoken a fitly word, which is correct, judicious, suitable, proper, pertinent, and done in a competent, appropriate and suitable manner. And that word is "Jesus." If we'll read John chapter one in the Bible, we'll see that God calls Jesus "The Word," so that with one word, "Jesus," God has given all his children "more" because in Jesus we have the most! In God's word, Jesus, we have the most life, the most strength, the most insight, the most courage, the most peace, the most love, the most joy, and on and on and on of everything that counts and matters and lasts in life.

Do you want your child(ren) to have more? If so, then give them less words. In fact, give them just one word. Give them Jesus!

(And, by the way, any child of God, any human being, no matter their age, could use and needs the same! So, give it, give Jesus to them!)

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 11/13/13, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus said,] "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." - John 16:7

We had our first practice for our 8th-9th grade, recreation league, basketball team last night. Though thirteen, one boy has never played the game. It was a good reminder for us coaches to make sure we touched on the basics of basketball. Very basic.

Yesterday, I met with a person who has gone to church all her life. I was asked a question that I assumed everybody knew, at least I thought you'd know it if you'd ever been in a church. It was a good reminder for us churchgoers to make sure we touch on the basics of the Christian faith. Very basic.

And so it is with Jesus in today's Bible verse. He's making sure that we touch on the basics of the purpose of his death on the cross. Very basic.

We all know that Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. That's basic stuff.

But did you also know that Jesus died on the cross so that he can actually live in you by the power of the Holy Spirit? I talked to somebody just yesterday who's gone to church their whole life and didn't know that Jesus had to die in order for the Holy Spirit to come. And they didn't know that the Holy Spirit had to come in order for Jesus to live within us. That's why Jesus said, "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)

And what that basically means is this: if you will believe that Jesus died for your sins and that he was raised from the dead so he could pour out the Holy Spirit, then Jesus will actually live in you so that, no matter what happens today, you will find that you are not alone, that Jesus is your strength in hard times, and that the Holy Spirit will be your peace and insight in the face of your difficulty. And basically a whole lot more.

The mom of the new boy on our basketball team told me that her son never knew that basketball was a team sport. As basic as that may seem to some of you, please don't laugh because apparently he'd only experienced basketball as a street game where everybody played by themselves and for themselves.

Kinda like what many people think being a Christian is. Everybody by himself and for himself.

But basically, y'all, in case you're new to the concept, Jesus died on the cross so he could send the Holy Spirit and turn the game of life into a team sport with Jesus in me and Jesus in you and Jesus joining us all together in a winning team called the Church.

So, if you haven't gone to church lately, you should go and get involved.

Your team needs you. And you need the team.

And while you're at it, invite a friend. After all, being part of a church may seem basic to you, but it's a brand new concept to many, who need your help in learning to be on the team.

And, because Jesus died and was raised, the Holy Spirit will help and coach us all!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/12/13, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 25:5 - "Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

In the last three days, three people in our church have invited someone to church and/or to Jesus for the first time. All three said the experience was an unmatched joy that they will look to repeat regularly for the rest of their lives.

A few weeks ago, to encourage us all to invite people to Jesus and church, my daughter, Calley (www.voguemind.blogspot.com), wrote the following:

"Why are they so unconcerned with Life?" 

I asked someone how they felt about the Gospel.

He told me not to worry or waste time, he believed.

Well, I said, it says in this book (the Bible) that even the demons believe and shudder, so there has to be something more to it.

Yeah, I guess, he says.

So where are you? On the scale of "I believe" to "Lord, my life is Yours because I believe"?

Maybe the middle, he replies.

What does that look like in your day to day?

He says that he helps people.

I tell him that hindus, atheists, muslims, a lot of people help others. but how does Jesus makes your life different? 

That is the issue here. Jesus doesn't make boy's life different. Because boy does not actually have Jesus. You can't have Jesus and not be different.

But boy doesn't care about any of it.

WHY? Why doesn't he care?

Because boy is dead, and so he cannot be concerned with Life.

And WHY doesn't that break every. single. believer?! What is more concerning than boy's unconcern?

Please do not tell me you are not called to missions or ministry or evangelism or... You may not be called to move to India, but you are called to missions, if you follow Jesus. Because if you follow Jesus, you obey Him. And He COMMANDED you to make disciple of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).

Why are you treating this like a detention assignment? Is there anything about this Jesus that has caused you to believe He cannot be trusted and obeyed?

That is OUR issue, isn't it? We don't trust Jesus enough to obey Him. And that causes us to have hard hearts. So that when boys don't care, our hearts don't break. And so boy still doesn't have a concern about Life.

Hmm.

Lord, God. PLEASE. I beg You to help us. Help us obey You. Soften our hearts so we can care. Raise the dead so they can have Life. LORD, help us care. 

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/11/13, Veterans Day, "Day of Praise"

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." - Exodus 14:14

So late last night, after a full day of Sunday School, worship, ministry committees, community ministry, and a school project, my son tells me he's going to do a workout. He's moving his feet very fast and doing his drills. He's working hard, moving his arms as he runs through his drills, over and over and over. While my 14-year-old is ending his day at ten p.m. with a workout, I'm eating ice cream, specifically Target brand Birthday Cake ice cream. So my son's working hard, and I'm eating dessert.

It's a lot like God's call through Moses in today's Bible verse. God will fight; we get to be still. Thank you, God!

It's a lot like the truth that's celebrated on Veterans Day. Our Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy are poised and ready to fight; we get to rest secure that they will. Our Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy do what's necessary, in every generation, to serve our country and keep it safe; we get to be still.

And eat ice cream.

Even Target brand Birthday Cake ice cream if you want.

Please, thank a Veteran today!

Pray for our Veterans today.

Go see a Veterans Day parade and cheer for the Veterans in every generation.

After all, because our Veterans were willing to enter a conflict, then we are able to have peace and many other freedoms that they secure for us, which we enjoy.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/09/13, "Day of Praise"

"My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day." - Psalm 71:8

Have a great day!

I hear there's a great forecast:
1) God will reign.
2) The Son will shine.
3) The Spirit will provide a gentle breeze from the East.
4) And, if we're really blessed, Jesus will come on the clouds of heaven.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/08/13, "Day of Praise"

"This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: 'Let them marry whom they think best, only they shall marry within the clan of the tribe of their father.'" - Numbers 36:6

You're all invited. All of you.

We barely know many of you, but my daughters and I want to open our home for at least two dates with at least one being before Christmas and another day the week after Christmas. We'll nail down the exact dates as we get some feedback from you about your thoughts on coming to our home in Birmingham, Alabama.

We want you to come to what we're going to call an "Honest to Goodness Father-Daughter Forum."

Many of you know my almost 21-year-old daughter, Calley, personally or through her blog (www.voguemind.blogspot.com) where there's a "Day of Praise" archive link. My younger daughter, Cassidy, is 18.

God has worked in a number of ways to deepen our conviction that there needs to be more honest, open conversation about God's Biblical guidance and counsel to men about their critical role in the whole life of their daughter(s). We sure don't know everything. But we sure do know that everything needs to be discussed more than it has been in our homes, churches, and nation. Men with men. Men with their daughters. Daughters with daughters.

There are multiple people, ministries, missions training-grounds, camps, and books, with the Bible leading the way, that God has used to shape our convictions. Male and female counselors, mentors, teachers, and authors have been God's instruments.

But I'll close by noting the outline from "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" by Meg Meeker, M.D. as succinct examples of topics: 1) You Are the Most Important Man in Her Life, 2) She Needs a Hero, 3) You Are Her First Love, 4) Teach Her Humility, 5) Protect Her, Defend Her (and use a shotgun if necessary), and more like Be the Man You Want Her to Marry, Teach Her Who God Is, and Teach Her to Fight.

We'll pray, study, talk, eat, and worship. We hope you'll come.

Thoughts?

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/08/13, "Day of Praise"

"This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: 'Let them marry whom they think best, only they shall marry within the clan of the tribe of their father.'" - Numbers 36:6

You're all invited. All of you.

We barely know many of you, but my daughters and I want to open our home for at least two dates with at least one being before Christmas and another day the week after Christmas. We'll nail down the exact dates as we get some feedback from you about your thoughts on coming to our home in Birmingham, Alabama.

We want you to come to what we're going to call an "Honest to Goodness Father-Daughter Forum."

Many of you know my almost 21-year-old daughter, Calley, personally or through her blog (www.voguemind.blogspot.com) where there's a "Day of Praise" archive link. My younger daughter, Cassidy, is 18.

God has worked in a number of ways to deepen our conviction that there needs to be more honest, open conversation about God's Biblical guidance and counsel to men about their critical role in the whole life of their daughter(s). We sure don't know everything. But we sure do know that everything needs to be discussed more than it has been in our homes, churches, and nation. Men with men. Men with their daughters. Daughters with daughters.

There are multiple people, ministries, missions training-grounds, camps, and books, with the Bible leading the way, that God has used to shape our convictions. Male and female counselors, mentors, teachers, and authors have been God's instruments.

But I'll close by noting the outline from "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" by Meg Meeker, M.D. as succinct examples of topics: 1) You Are the Most Important Man in Her Life, 2) She Needs a Hero, 3) You Are Her First Love, 4) Teach Her Humility, 5) Protect Her, Defend Her (and use a shotgun if necessary), and more like Be the Man You Want Her to Marry, Teach Her Who God Is, and Teach Her to Fight.

We'll pray, study, talk, eat, and worship. We hope you'll come.

Thoughts?

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 11/07/13, "Day of Praise"

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers..." - Psalm 8:3

Luke Sanders played on one of my YMCA soccer teams and is now in the 8th grade at Evangel Classical Christian School. This is Luke's speech on God's fingerprint in nature:

What if  I were to tell you that you are being held together by a million little crosses right now? Or that many things in nature correspond to a mathematical spiral? Or what if I were to say that the appearances of certain fruits and vegetables correspond to the appearances of the organs for which they provide nutrients? These ideas may seem far-fetched to some, but they are all fact. God has left us tiny clues and fingerprints that point to Him, an intelligent designer. An analysis of creation will demonstrate God's fingerprint in nature through laminin, the golden ratio, and "The Doctrine of Signatures."
           
Laminin is a small protein found in the human body. It serves as a cellular "glue" that holds our organs together and keeps them in place. The significance, however, lies in its shape. Laminin resembles a cross, similar to the one on which Christ was crucified. The tiny crosses stretch out their arms to other laminin bodies and hold us together, just like Christ. Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, said these words concerning laminin, "There are millions and millions and millions of microscopic crosses holding you together right now." Colossians 1:17 says, "He is before all things, and in Him all things are held together." This verse illustrates laminin perfectly. It tells us that Christ holds us together. Could He do this through laminin? Absolutely.
              
Leonardo Pisano Bigollo, or more commonly known as Fibonacci, discovered a set of numbers we know as the Fibonacci sequence. The sequence begins with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and continues infinitely. To find the next number one must add the two previously found numbers together to find the next number. For example, to find the sixth number in the sequence, one must add the fourth and fifth numbers together. When the sequence is graphed inside a rectangle, it renders a spiral that is evident in most of creation. Such examples include flower petals, seed heads, pinecones, the way trees branch, sea shells, hurricanes, and DNA molecules. Even the huge spiral galaxies, such as the one we live in, correspond to this fascinating mathematical sequence. The sequence of numbers also corresponds to the length of the joints in one's finger. The joints are directly proportional to any three consecutive numbers in the sequence. Paul Dirac, English theoretical physicist and University of Cambridge graduate said, "God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world." While some may claim that the appearance of this sequence in nature is merely a coincidence, I will hold to the belief that it is one of the many signs God uses to point us to Him.
       
Have you ever eaten a banana and started to feel a little happier? And when you did, did you notice that a banana looks a little like a smile? Well, bananas stay true to their appearance. They look like a smile, and contain the protein tryptophan, which, when digested, is converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps improve one's mood. The same goes for broccoli. If you ask a small child what broccoli looks like, they will tell you a tiny tree. Well, if you look closer you will notice that if turned to where the stalk is pointing up, it looks like a lung. And broccoli contains vitamins a, c, d, and k which help improve lung function. The cutaway of a carrot reveals its inner rings, which resemble the human eye. And, not surprisingly, it contains beta carotin, a vitamin that helps our eyes see better. Starting to see a theme? Celery resembles a strong healthy bone, and is twenty three percent sodium, just like the bones it strengthens. Ginger resembles a stomach, and it helps us in digestion and has anti nausea effects. Kidney beans, get their names from an organ they resemble, the kidney, and just so happen to contain molybdenum, a protein that helps our kidneys. A cutaway of a mushroom resembles the human ear, and also helps us to hear better because of the vitamin d it contains. Finally, and most fascinating to me, is the walnut. It looks like a small little brain and even has a hard outside like the skull surrounding our brains. It contains the omega three fatty acids our brains need to function. Even more fascinating, extracts from the nut are now being used to treat alzheimers. Coincidence? I think it highly improbable. David Bjrklie, senior reporter for TIME magazine said in one of his articles, "A stupendous insight from civilizations past has been confirmed by modern investigative nutritional sciences. They have shown what was once called 'The Doctrine of Signatures' is quite astoundingly correct. This doctrine relates that every whole food has a 'signature' that resembles a body organ or physiological function and it is this pattern that acts as a signal or sign as to the specific benefit that the food provides to the eater." Maybe God was trying to help struggling Adam remember the health benefits of the food he was eating.
          
We have seen the fingerprint of God from the tiny laminin proteins all the way to huge spiral galaxies in which we live. God's fingerprint is demonstrated through laminin, the golden ratio, and "The Doctrine of Signatures." I should like to close with the wise words of our first President and founding father, George Washington, "It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a supreme being.''

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson