Abi's Amazing Art!

It is amazing to see your children's skills develop. You notice each one is differently gifted by God in various ways. My oldest daughter Abigail seems to have a great eye for art. I was thinking I will post a few for you, every now and then... These have been done on the computer, using an art program. I think this is pretty clever!

Abigail is turning 9 in a few weeks. My wife and I are so humbled by her acts of service and her desire to serve and love the Lord. We are often "wowed" by her love for God's Word and her understanding of Scripture at such a young age! Truly she is a gift from the Lord! What a privilege to have this young lady in our home. We find so much joy training her up with an eternal perspective!

Holding Grudges? It Stinks!

Do you work with someone or live with someone who irritates you?

Last night Caleb and I discussed this in our time together. We talked about holding a grudge. We defined "grudge" in this way. A grudge is the inward reluctance to give or it's the unwillingness to benefit the people you resent. In other words when you are holding a grudge against someone you cut them out of your life, even when they are in the same room with you. You won't smile and only talk if absolutely required. If you are a good grudge holder, you won't even look at the other person either. This person (holding the grudge) refuses to acknowledge their presence but can be pleasant to everyone else.

Sometimes husbands hold grudges against their wives. The wife didn't do something he thought she should, or maybe she did something that she shouldn't have. It might be big or little. Another name for a grudge: the cold shoulder. He doesn't talk with her, doesn't smile at her. Oh he will still eat the food she makes, but acts as if he is alone.

Grudges require work though. Emotionally, you must keep the sour feelings. Mentally, you must remain alert not to smile or look kind. To be truthful, a day of grudge holding is physically exhausting. Sadly, with training, some are able to keep and maintain an intense grudge for years.

This is not the way God desires to benefit the world through us. He designed us to be a vessel in which His Spirit grows and bears fruit. He wants to display mercy, forgiveness and goodwill everywhere we go. You and I are like a pipe He wants to use to pour goodness into the world. The problem? We have the ability to clog the pipes.

Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it is said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

The natural tendency to avoid others we don't like, is contrary to Gods desire to bless the unjust. If we want God to use us, we must let Him love the unlovely through us. This means, those who hate and mistreat us are people God wants to bless through our generous forgiving attitudes, open hearts, and bright smiles. Instead of being a clogged pipe, God wants us to be clear vessels, cheerfully blessing the evil and the good.

When we hold a grudge we think we are punishing others by withholding our wonderful self. We may think, If I don't smile at them; they'll feel the pain; that'll serve them right. But in actual fact, the opposite is true! Your the one punishing yourself because you lose the privilege of delivering God's water of life. You and I are the ones who become stagnate and stink. We are the ones emotionally drained. We miss God's joy and fellowship.

It is the nature of God to love sinners. They fight and curse against Him. In return He showers the best on them. If a man desires to live a Christian life, he must learn to cooperate with God, to be His vessel to a fallen race of people!

I had to apologize to my family last night for the poor example that I have set for them. I have been a grudge holder! It is draining and my pipes have been clogged. My wife and son were quick to forgive me and my pipe is clear. I desire to reflect the nature of God. To love sinners! To shower the best on others.

What a privilege to serve the King with an eternal perspective in mind...

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment - James 2:13

I love Gods Word! I love it because it reveals truth. You see "wisdom lies in knowing God and knowing oneself", Calvin teaches us. So wisdom starts with God. Not the reverse. So what we learn from this is that, knowledge moves us to consider our place in honoring God. Truly this is a gift from Him, in order that we might come to know Him and honor Him with our life.

I have been really enjoying reading the book of James. Admittedly James is a little difficult to read through, because of its many starts and stops, twists and turns. However along with seeing the threads that hold things together, let me highlight a matter that should help us to read this letter with a better understanding.

When reading, we will find the letter to have a variety of kinds of material in it, all of it directed specifically at Christian behavior, rather than proposing Christian doctrine. Included are a number of sayings that look like Old Testament wisdom on the one hand and the teachings of Jesus on the other. That is to say that as much as the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) often present the teaching of Jesus in the form of sayings, which at times ring with echoes of Jewish wisdom, so we find in James.

I think it is helpful to tell you this because in chapter two verses one to thirteen we are going to read that to care for the poor means to show no favoritism toward the rich; to do so is sin, and to do otherwise - to lack mercy - means to come under judgment. Let's look at the words together...

James 2:1-13
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comest into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you." but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a law breaker.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

You know, as dad's we have a great opportunity to model for our wife and children how to care for the poor and needy. Actually, we are already doing this! A good question to ask ourselves is how do we act when we meet a potential client who wants to use our business/services vs. the way a beggar on the streets needs our assistance?

I have a lasting memory of my dad, a successful business man, who was greeted by a beggar in a parking lot of a shopping center. He was approached by this man who reaked of alcohol. I was watching very intently as to what my dad was going to do. If memory serves me I got into the car and rolled the window down so I could hear what was being said. But what I saw has helped me shape my way of helping the poor. Let me tell you what my dad did. My dad spent time talking to this man for awhile, and then after listening to him this is what he did. He offered the man to go back into the grocery store and buy him a sandwich and some water. He refused to give the man cash because he did not want him to use it on alcohol. I was so proud of my dad for the way he handled this. It truly has helped me to have a care for the poor but also provided me with a way to help others.

Now this is not to say I would never offer cash to someone, but I was grateful to be with my dad who modeled for me how to care for the poor, for truly he did care for the poor. He listened and then prayed and then provided.

Dad's, God has given you resources! This is a gift of grace upon your life! Use it wisely! For His glory- keeping your eyes on eternity!

How To Listen To Your Bride...

The purpose of this Blog is to get us as men to think of why we do what we do. Especially in the areas of our relationship with Christ, our wife and our children.

I desire to encourage you in the way that you love the Lord with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our minds (Matthew 22:37). The way that you love your wife, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-33). And finally in the way that you train up your children in the way in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Yesterday my bride provided two articles for you. One about our kids and one about the struggle of doing quiet times. Let me share something with you today, about listening to your bride.

I have a couple of questions that I ask Meg. Now I have to really prepare my heart to ask Meg these questions, because these questions are an open door for her to say whatever she likes. However the benefits are worth it. So let me share these questions with you. I trust they will serve you as you serve your wife.

1) What are you thinking?
2) Where is your heart?
3) Is there anything bothering you?
4) Is there something that I am doing that is upsetting you?
5) Are you observing a pattern of sin in me?
6) Is there a bad habit you notice I am adopting?

Now, my wife is very sensitive in what she shares. Last night was our "date" night. How do you do date night when you have six kids? Well we have a few creative ideas because, I am still studying at a theological institute and money is tight but we try to be creative. Nevertheless Monday nights is a time for us to be honest and download. Possibly we should pick another night for this as it can ruin the intimacy factor... However it is important that we spend time together and I listen to Meg and not be defensive.

I am so grateful for my wife's eyes. She is able to see my heart and my desires better then anyone else. I want her to tell me her concerns and to help me see sin encroaching in. But it takes alot of humility to hear what is being said.

Let me tell you, I don't always do it right, but by God's grace He enables us to hear and respond.

Here are some helpful ways to respond to hearing our wife's observations.

1) Thank you for telling me this...
2) I am very sorry for hurting you...
3) Will you continue to point these things out?
4) Is there anything else you are observing?
5) Will you pray for me?

Here are some unhelpful ways to respond to hearing our wife's observations. (Coming from experience brothers)

1) Silence!!!
2) Well... YOU...
3) All you do is nit pic at me...
4) Walking away!
5) Defending yourself and attacking her...

Again, by God's grace I am learning and growing in these areas.

I hope you can love and serve your wife with an eternal perspective - for HIM who gave Himself for us!

Megs' Miscellaneous Monday Mentions

Patrick has allowed me a "weekly guest appearance" on his blog! He may regret that decision later... but for now, I shall plunge in and direct you to some good reading that I have found elsewhere in the Blogosphere this week! (Every effort has been made to only link you to other websites that are Biblically sound. However, as we have most likely not read everything posted on the websites we link to, we can not vouch for the content of the entire website. If you come across anything 'unsavoury', please don't hesitate to let us know!)

The following article was an excellent reminder for us all as parents (and grandparents) to be praying for our children/grandchildren. It is God who draws people to Himself, but we may never know the effect that our prayers may have in the lives of our children and the children of future generations. You can read the full article here!

Next up is some encouragement for those of us who struggle to get up early to spend time reading the Bible and praying (yes, that would include both Patrick and I!!!). With all of our very busy and tiring schedules, it can be a constant struggle for many of us to daily spend time with the Lord. Morning comes around too fast, midday is too busy, and by the time evening rolls around, other things such as the tv, a good book (not the Good Book) or sleeping holds a far greater attraction than spending time with the Lord. Believe me when I tell you that I do not say these things out of condemnation, but rather out of my own daily struggle with the very things I have mentioned above!!!

"I’m now 54 years old, so even after 35 years, I can assure you tomorrow morning when I first awaken, the first voice I hear will be a voice of protest. That voice will be distinctly the presence of indwelling sin appealing to me and seeking to persuade me to stay in bed. That voice never subsides. And that voice also negotiates, so that if I make an initial movement, that voice doesn’t subside and assume that that voice has
lost. No. That voice continues to exert effort, and then presents to me various distractions."

CJ goes onto say:

"Actually, I would say that the initial challenge is just
getting out of bed. That is why I would recommend for all who are listening to set your radio alarm across the room. Here has what’s helped me in the past: place the radio alarm across the room and set it to a country radio station. That motivates me out of bed!"

In light of this, Patrick and I took great encouragement from the words of CJ Mahaney, who has shared his own struggles of getting up out of bed every day to spend time with his Savior first. We were challenged to keep on praying for the strength we need daily to make time with the Lord a priority, even over a few more minutes of much needed sleep!

Well, that's all from me! Bless you all and have an awesome week serving the Lord!

Sabbath with Popcorn & Footy

Last night we moved our clocks back to gain an extra hour of sleep... Did it happen (the extra sleep)? Nope! However, we went to church and were greatly encouraged. What was even funnier... We were ready for church an hour earlier. I was ready to walk out the door at 7:30 AM when we usually leave between 8:30 - 8:45.

Needless to say we are laggin' a bit this afternoon. The popcorn smell and buzz of the football gathering is happening... I hope I make it through the first quarter, I am afraid I might be catching some zzzz's before church tonight...

Enjoy your family, both your biological family and your church family. They are a gift of grace on our lives, from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Saturday Soccer

Last Sunday evening a mate of mine preached on Titus 2:9-15. It was really helpful. One thing that struck me, was how he applied God's Word to our life.

One illustration he used was about sports. He was sharing how amazed he is when he watches Christians play sport. He was observing how, it seems that Christians don't apply godliness when it comes to sport, or they have this idea that God's Word does not apply to athletic pursuits. They yell, swear, shove, elbow, cheat & carry on without considering their call to godliness even in sports.

Titus 2: 11- 12 reads: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age".

As a father, my temptation is to just let Caleb go out this morning for his first soccer game and not provide any direction! I mean it is his first ever soccer game! He is only 10! But that is not being faithful to my responsibility as a father, nor is it helpful. It's my responsibility to remind him of how God's word instructs us to live. It's a privilege to remind him that winning is important, but it is not the ultimate end. Extreme? Not when you read God's Word. Not when we look to our Savior who called us to Himself, and made a way for us to have eternal life.

Titus 2:13-14 reads: while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

This is it! Our hope - those who have called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ - is not in winning a soccer game - not in making thousands of dollars - not in owning our own home - it is in - THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

Dads, our kids need to hear the truth! I pray you will serve your wife and children this day with an eternal perspective - for the GLORY OF GOD!

Caleb & Noah

These are my boys. Caleb & Noah! Last night we had our time together. Noah joined us for the first bit and then decided he would go to bed. Last night we talked about a man known as Great Grandpa Cornelius, who at the age of 6 started driving a team of horses. Noah is six now! He was quite impressed with this.

Basically I asked the boys these questions:

1) Do you have the ability and the drive to support a family?
2) Are you moving in this direction?
3) Do you prefer to play and let someone else provide for you?
4) Do you have the idea that when you are older you will work but for now you get to play?
5) Are you a liability or an asset?
6) What are some things that you can think of that hinder boys from developing into good providers
7) What are some jobs a young man your age could do?
8) If you don't have money, what are some things you could do to help provide food and shelter for your family?
9) What can you do today to earn income?
10) Do you know your dad loves you?

Now let me clarify something. My job is to raise my boys to become men. I am not trying to rob my boys of their childhood. However I am equipping them with some tools that will have a lasting effect, I pray!

You see, I could just hope that they get it. I can just hope that they will figure it out. Or I can take the God given responsibility to train my boys while they are young.

I read this great description the other day about tracks of human beings found on the banks of the Mississippi River. These tracks were made in soft clay, which in time became hardened, and formed into stone. Now the impressions are immovable. My children at these ages are soft clay. Every thing they are coming into contact with is making an impression. But as they grow older, their character acquires solidity, and less and less is affected by these influences, till at length it will be like hard stone, and the impressions made upon them at this season will become confirmed habits.

Dads, ask the hard questions. Get your young boys to think about providing for a family. Teach them about money, teach them about giving, teach them about honoring your wife and your daughters. Actually, you are teaching them...by the way you are living it.

I pray you will parent with an eternal perspective in mind...

A Little More On the Book of James

I started last week, encouraging you with some Scripture from the book of James. I thought it might be helpful, before continuing on, to give you some more information about the book of James.

James is the first of a group of seven general letters, addressed to groups of Christians in different parts of the Greco-Roman world. The letter is not to one particular church.

The book of James starts like a letter, but it is more like an address, providing Christians practical guidance on how we are to live our everyday life. The letter includes various topics on: rich and poor, pride and humility, wisdom, patience, prayer, controlling our tongues (ouch) - and most importantly, faith and actions.

Make no mistake friend! Real faith will show in the way a Christian lives their life. In fact, it is suppose to affect how they think of themselves and how they regard and treat others.

In this letter, James is reminding his readers of the need for genuinely Christian standards and values in every area of our life.

With that, let me give you some more of the words of James:

James 1:19-27 (ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put alway all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Being a husband and a father is a challenging task. Being a son of God is too. Especially when you read words like this. Let's pray that God would help us to be purposeful in being quick to hear slow to speak and slow to anger, as we Father with and eternal perspective...

Honoring Mom & Dad Chavez

Let me introduce you to Mr & Mrs Chavez Sr. I call them dad and mom. They have been childhood sweethearts from high school. Today, by the grace of God, they are still together. I say by the grace of God because it is rare to hear of couples staying together. Through good and bad, till death do they part!

I post today, to honor them for the way that they continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory! For now and forever, AMEN!

I think it is encouraging when you see/hear (we live in different countries) how what Christ has done for them, inspires them to continue on serving and giving of themselves.

A wonderful heirloom that my parents, and my wife's parents have given to our children is their example to follow Jesus Christ. Our children have grandparents who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. What a wonderful gift to have as parents and as grandchildren to know your parents/ grandparents are committed to praying for you!

Bless you mom and dad! Thank you for the example to follow Christ, even in the difficult times!

ONLY because of the cross...
PJC