As a hunter and fishermen I have become very adept at telling a story. As with all good outdoorsmen, my stories are full of exact detail with everything from how fast my heart was racing to the very smell of the outdoors. Many of you are probably wondering if there is a bit of exaggeration in my stories and my only response would have to be YES!! It's not a good hunting or fishing story if some of the details are not blown up just a bit. The truth in the matter is that there is something powerful in a story. There is something magical that takes place when someone shares something significant that happens to them. There is something extraordinary that takes place when a personal story is shared with all it's vigor.
The last several weeks in our Senior High classes we've been discussing certain aspects of religion or theology that would prove the reality of God. Whether that be the good science that lies behind God as the creator of the world or the apologetics associated with the fact that God, the Bible, and Jesus are all real. Students need something tangible to believe. We all desire something that we can physically hold onto that will allow our brains to believe in God. I've come to a conclusion, it doesn't matter how logical my arguments are for a God who exists. It doesn't matter how much proof I have for the Bible being real, accurate, and authoritative. The truth is, if God's presence is not witnessed in my life and in my personal story those arguments hold little water. What an unbelieving world is aching to see is not necessarily the science behind God existing but whether he exists personally to you and me. You want to talk about something tangible, maybe our first avenue to prove God is real is to share a personal story of how God became real to you and me!
There is power in the testimony and story of how God works in your life. Your Student and their friends would rather see the proof in YOUR story then in the science books. Now I know that there are some really practical kids out there that need the science to prove God. I get that and it makes sense. Let me make an assumption, if you can prove God is real scientifically but can't show God in your personal story will your Student actually believe? If God is washed out of your personal testimony than it negates any real proof of his reality. Parents, take a moment and share your personal testimony of how God has been present in your life with your Student. The story could be about a tough time or tragedy in which you saw God restore you. Your story could be in a miracle you witnessed in your own life. Your story MUST include how you came to faith and why you believe what you believe. Our children need to hear your story. They long for it. Your story gives substance to the proof of God. Your story may seem a bit different than mine and it's fine. All our Stories have to revolve in the presence of God. Go, turn off the TV, and tell your kids a story. Tell them YOUR STORY!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Are You Tough Enough?
"Tough Skin" Jeans. Anybody remember those? I may be dating myself slightly here but when I was just a boy every price conscious Mother who had a son that was 100% boy was an investor in "Tough Skins" Jeans. They were sold at the Sears outlet by my house and in an overwhelming investment my Mother bought me 5 pairs. THEY WERE THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE JEANS EVER! They felt like wearing cardboard and my legs felt like they were constantly itching. In an effort to destroy these investors of discomfort I did everything I could to wear them out. I would slide across the classroom floor and even the baseball diamond to wear some holes in the knees. I would purposefully spill my Kool-Aid on them to induce a stain that not even my Mother could erase. There was no stopping those jeans!! They lived up to the name and the only way I got out of them was to outgrow them. I am convinced that my Mother would have made me wear "Tough Skins" all through High School if Sears wouldn't have discontinued them. I often wonder if my faith and outlook on life in anyway resembles those jeans; not necessarily pretty but very effective and never wearing out.
In class this past Wednesday we took a look at Romans 5 where Paul tells us that because of the grace that is given through faith we rejoice. That sounds easy, it's like a kid at Christmas, presents abound and no one deserves them but you'd be hard pressed not to smile. The problem is, what if that hope finds itself facing tragedy. The loss of a loved one as our office staff is learning this week as Nicky McDonald buries her husband. The child facing the tragedy of a Parent's divorce. The Mother and Father facing financial turmoil. The girl in the cafeteria who realizes she doesn't look like everyone else and wonders what's wrong with her. When the hard times come and when life gets hard does your faith look like "Tough Skins" Jeans?
Maybe I need to re-evaluate what "tough" really is. In my macho world "tough" is the MMA fighter or the guy who can work outside all day and never get tired. "Tough" is playing a sport with an injury. "Tough" is not letting anyone walk all over you. "Tough" is not crying. "Tough" is hunting, fishing, and all things manly that are done outside. I can't deny that some, if not all, of those aspects still play a role in my personal definition of "tough" but God is showing me that it is so much more!
"Tough" is looking adversity straight in the face and taking it head on. "Tough" is knowing that no matter what the world throws at you, you still have a God who sent his Son for you and your salvation is secure. "Tough" is still finding the strenghth and emotion to praise God in the midst of the storm. "Tough" is taking the hard things in life and knowing that God will not allow anything to break you but through the grace of God you can and will overcome. We need to be raising a generation of "Tough" Christians. People who will praise regardless of the situation. The Church and our Youth need to grow some backbone. Not the kind that would make you want to fight MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) but the kind that lessens your sensitivity to what other people say or do but rather how your God looks at you. "We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5: 3-5 Maybe "Tough" and "hope" go hand in hand. Be TOUGH, have HOPE!
In class this past Wednesday we took a look at Romans 5 where Paul tells us that because of the grace that is given through faith we rejoice. That sounds easy, it's like a kid at Christmas, presents abound and no one deserves them but you'd be hard pressed not to smile. The problem is, what if that hope finds itself facing tragedy. The loss of a loved one as our office staff is learning this week as Nicky McDonald buries her husband. The child facing the tragedy of a Parent's divorce. The Mother and Father facing financial turmoil. The girl in the cafeteria who realizes she doesn't look like everyone else and wonders what's wrong with her. When the hard times come and when life gets hard does your faith look like "Tough Skins" Jeans?
Maybe I need to re-evaluate what "tough" really is. In my macho world "tough" is the MMA fighter or the guy who can work outside all day and never get tired. "Tough" is playing a sport with an injury. "Tough" is not letting anyone walk all over you. "Tough" is not crying. "Tough" is hunting, fishing, and all things manly that are done outside. I can't deny that some, if not all, of those aspects still play a role in my personal definition of "tough" but God is showing me that it is so much more!
"Tough" is looking adversity straight in the face and taking it head on. "Tough" is knowing that no matter what the world throws at you, you still have a God who sent his Son for you and your salvation is secure. "Tough" is still finding the strenghth and emotion to praise God in the midst of the storm. "Tough" is taking the hard things in life and knowing that God will not allow anything to break you but through the grace of God you can and will overcome. We need to be raising a generation of "Tough" Christians. People who will praise regardless of the situation. The Church and our Youth need to grow some backbone. Not the kind that would make you want to fight MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) but the kind that lessens your sensitivity to what other people say or do but rather how your God looks at you. "We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5: 3-5 Maybe "Tough" and "hope" go hand in hand. Be TOUGH, have HOPE!
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