4 Years Old

Our little man turned 4 today! It's amazing and humbling to watch my children grow up. I am learning so much about life, love, God, and of course patience. Isaac Jay is my pride and joy! Fatherhood is truly a privilege and sacred honor because in one sense I represent Abba Father to him. I believe my primary role is to lead my son closer to the heart of God in thought, emotion, and experience. Lord, please give me more wisdom and grace! Isaac, I pray you will continue to draw near to your Heavenly Father and grow in intimacy and love with Him!

Isaac with his birthday rice krispy.
(He doesn't like haircuts so that's why his ears are virtually invisible.)

"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers." Malachi 4:6

Love for Haiti

A massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12th. The death toll continues to rise and countless others are in dire need. Haiti is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere -- a place where, even before the catastrophic earthquake, nearly 80 percent of the population lived on less than $2 per day.

America's neighbor to the south-east

Haiti has long been known as a place of suffering because of its geography, social problems, and extreme poverty. The Associated Press came out with an interesting article about why this country is always in the news for negative reasons. Click here to read more. Some Christians believe Haiti's problems are the divine consequences from evil and sin. I would be very hesitant to adopt such a view unless there was clear communication from God to the Church that this was the case. I do know that our response should be one of compassion and love through action for all the people affected by this devastating tragedy. Many groups are gathering monetary donations as well as emergency supplies, volunteers, and aid for long-term rebuilding. May we pray for Haiti and ask our Heavenly Father how we can best help in this time of crisis. To donate money through World Vision please click here.

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14

Honor

I am learning that honor is one of the most important values of life. It is usually associated with words such as integrity, courage, faithfulness, respect, honesty, sacrifice, valor, and glory. The United States Military emphasizes honor among all its armed forces. In fact the "Medal of Honor" is the highest decoration bestowed by the government.

Awarded for "...gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one's life..."

Honor is not an ideal created by people, it is a reflection of the character of God. God is the one most worthy of honor. That is why we worship Him. I hope to write more about this subject in the coming weeks because I believe this is an invaluable key to successful living.

"It's the praising life that honors me." Psalm 50:23 (The Message)

The Heart of Jehovah Rapha

It is surprising to hear some of the beliefs people have about God and sickness. In an effort to reconcile personal experience, Scripture, and the sovereignty of God, I have heard many say that God gives sickness as a means of making us better people. Somehow they think that allowing one to suffer through an illness is a loving way to build character. I don't know any mothers and fathers who would espouse this philosophy in parenting. If my baby girl was sick, I would do whatever I could to make her better.

I am happiest when my daughter is happy and healthy!

Jesus made it clear what God's stance on healing was- everyone who came to Jesus with an illness was healed! Not only that, he commanded his followers to do the same. It is God's heart and nature to bring restoration and wholeness. Let us change the way we think about the Lord who heals us. He is not the author of sickness, only healing!

"Many followed Jesus, and he healed all their sick" Matthew 12:15

A Prophetic Voice on the News

Much of the world has been inundated with headlines, interviews, stories, and gossip about golfer Tiger Woods. Since his car accident last November, it has been revealed that this billion-dollar athlete was involved in multiple affairs and was not the model of integrity many thought or made him out to be. As believers we pray for his healing and restoration, especially with his family. What will ultimately become of his future, golf aside, is really up to him. Many have given advice, predictions, and even condemnation. But there is one news analyst who offered a sincere and bold declaration to this broken man. Check out this video of Brit Hume. May God grant us wisdom, compassion, and courage to speak the truth in love!

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32

Campus Awakening

There is an international ministry called 24-7 Prayer which has a vision to promote prayer among young people. Its Campus America initiative has the ambitious goal of planting prayer rooms on all 2,614 college and universities in the nation in hopes of seeing a year of unbroken prayer on America's campuses in 2010.

Good things happen when God's children pray

This is very exciting because every revival in history always seems to be preceded by a great movement of prayer. Click here to read more about this amazing endeavor. May we all join together to promote continual worship and intercession to our Heavenly Father because the prayer of the saints are powerful and effective!

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

Daddy and Son

It's amazing to think that out of all the possible names Jesus could use to describe God, the most common title he chose was "Father". He even referred to God as Abba or Daddy (cf. Mark 14:36). I don't know too many older children (teenagers and up) who use the word daddy, unless it's "Who's your daddy?!" It is primarily a term that little kids use to address their favorite male in the whole world. Isaac almost always calls me "Daddy" and it is something I love to hear. In fact, it would sound somewhat strange to hear him call me "Father". Too formal.

Daddy and his favorite son

We have a God in heaven who desires us to call him Daddy, just like Jesus did. May we become like little children and run to our Heavenly Father with love, joy, excitement, and innocence. He loves us more than we know!

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6

2010!

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe a decade has passed since the new millenium. I hope you had a wonderful and joyful holiday season. We just returned from visiting friends and family down in Southern California. I also spoke at a youth retreat in Big Bear which I will write about in the coming days. It was an exciting and testimony-filled trip. We are declaring that 2010 will be the best year of our lives. May it be the same for you!

Our little reindeer enjoying Christmas!

One of the themes of this year is wisdom. I believe the Lord is releasing supernatural wisdom to those who are hungry. I pray our desire for holy wisdom will increase and fresh revelation will pour out from heaven to draw us closer to heaven!

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place." Psalm 51:6