BAD FEAR, GOOD FEAR

To say that May 1, 2018 was a "pretty exciting day" at Casa Canote would be a gross understatement.  At approximately 5:20 PM, while sitting in her recliner, my wife looked down to see a 6 foot black snack curled up in our living room.  For clarification, we do not own a 6 foot black snake, nor do we have ANY other pets.

I was on my way home, arriving only moments after "the incident."  As I pulled into the driveway, three of my daughters and my beautiful bride came running out of the house screaming.  They were followed by my 5 year old son, Nicky Blue Eyes, who found the entire scene to be very entertaining.  As I got out of the car, they were getting into the car.  Somehow, in the chaos, I was able to determine there was a snake AND I would need to capture it or otherwise get it out of the house.  One daughter was still inside standing on the couch...also screaming.

After chasing the snake around the living room with a broom, flipping over a several pieces of furniture in the process, I was finally able to coax the snake outside.  It was during this time that my wife, engine running, used several long blasts of the car horn to communicate with me from the driveway.  I very clearly understood 3 distinct statements from her:

1. This is not ok!!
2. We cannot live here anymore!!
3. Burn it down!!

Now, we do live out in the country which I consider to be a privilege and blessing.  It does come with some issues which must be dealt with including the occasional snake, mouse, raccoon, or opossum. However, in the 21 years since we built our house, this was the first snake to violate the clearly established protocol for humans and snakes to co-exist.

Can I just tell ya something?  Fear serves one good purpose:  It keeps you alive.  Good fear is an instinctive natural human response to survive.  When you see a 6 foot snake curled up 1 foot away from you, there is a natural "fear response" which fires off a couple of quick commands:

1.  Do not pet the snake.
2.  Get away from the snake.

However, there is also a bad fear.  Bad fear manifests itself in the form of unnecessary anxiety or worry.  Bad fear is a liar.  God did not create us to live our lives in fear.  In fact, according the Bible, we were created to live with power, love, and a sound judgment or courage.

So what are you worrying about?  Where is fear, anxiety, and worry being allowed to manifest and grow in your life?  Christian, oh hallelujah, God gave you a spirit to overcome that!

Prayer -

Father, I know the difference between instinctive life-preservation fear and the unnecessary fear which leads to sinful anxiety and worry.  Help me Lord, to lean hard into You in all things, trusting in Your promises, and relying on the strength of Your Holy Spirit within me.  Amen.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 

-- 2 Timothy 1:7 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

TOMATO SAUCE MUSTACHE

Yesterday, I discovered that one of our kiddos, who shall remain nameless - I'll just call her #7 - left an open tin can, half full of tomato sauce overnight in the refrigerator.  I happened upon this senseless crime against humanity when I opened the refrigerator and said can tumbled out slopping tomato sauce all over me, the freezer drawer below, the kitchen floor, and across to the china cabinet.  This happened at around 8 AM putting me at only two cups of coffee... just enough to prevent a killing spree at Casa Canote.

Of course, my mind goes to how we have failed as a parents.  It was a punch in the gut to my parenting confidence.  How could #7 have reached the age of 14 in our house and not yet know this is NOT ok?!?  When have we ever left an open half can of anything overnight in the refrigerator?!?  

I could just picture the fuzzy tomato sauce mustache of mold and food poisoning which was surely already beginning to grow across the top!  

It was the same sort of feeling we parents get when our child acts out in a publicly humiliating way...like the grocery store, the library, or worse AT CHURCH!  

Can I just tell ya something?  From the 10K foot view:  We are not perfect parents and I bet you are not either!  To be fair, the older I get, the more clearly this reality becomes settled in my mind.  None of us have it all figured out and that's ok.

We know the One who is perfect, and He has all of the advice we could ever need right in His Word.  As Christ-followers, we also have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us as we do our best to parent our children.

Of course, we want to raise Godly kids who will follow hard after Jesus, and not grow mustaches and botulism in their refrigerators!  

The only way to do that is God’s way.  We cannot expect ourselves to be perfect parents.  We also cannot expect our children to be perfect kids.  We are all a work in progress.  That means one thing we can do is have confidence in God's promise to keep working in and through us until we are complete.  And just a reminder:  If our children know Jesus, then oh hallelujah, that promise is for them as well!

Prayer - 
Father, thank You for your promises!  You have promised to meet all of my needs, that all things work together for good for those who love You, and that nothing I do can make You love me any more or less than You already do.  Help me to lean hard into You as a parent and to trust in Your perfect plans and timing for me and for my children.  Amen.

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  -- Philippians 1:6 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

TAKE THE WHEEL

We drove through extreme weather during the drive both to and from Acuña, Mexico for our most recent week of hosting Team Ministry through our mission agency, Evident Ministries.  It was severe a thunderstorm on the way down and ice on the way home.  We travel in two large passenger vans, both full of people and pulling trailers.  The thunderstorm felt like driving through a hurricane and required intense focus but was manageable.  The ice on the way home, however, was terrifying and overwhelming.

We discovered the sleet had turned to ice when our van, trailer in tow, slid sideways across a bridge as we drove through a hilly and curvy area north of Abilene, Texas.  

I frantically tried calling my son-in-law, in the second van, to warn him but we had a weak cell signal.  The only words he made out between several calls was:  SLOW DOWN!  He made it across fine.  

A few miles later, we were on a long downhill slope with a curve at the bottom and the highway was a solid sheet of ice.  I pulled over to the shoulder, but even though we were only driving 15-20 mph it took a half mile or so to get completely stopped as we slid on the ice.  Everyone was praying under their breath as both drivers got out and talked through how to proceed.  If we waited, how long would we be waiting?  We had small children and an infant in the vans.  What is around that curve at the bottom of the hill?  About that time, two vehicles came down the hill from behind us.  Both were sliding sideways on the ice.  We agreed it would be safer to inch forward than to sit still and get slammed into by other drivers.

I can say with certainty that pulling back out onto that ice covered highway, not knowing what lie ahead, required me to summon up a greater amount of courage combined with a deeper draw on my faith and trust in God, than anything I have EVER done in my life.  

It was a leap of faith which required that we literally allow Jesus to "take the wheel."  We made it down that hill and around the curve with no major problems.  Praise the Lord!

Peter had an opportunity to take a leap of faith, but his fear got in the way.  But Peter's faith journey began long before the day he stepped out of the boat.  God had provided Peter with circumstances throughout his life to strengthen his faith and to trust Jesus.  Each situation led up to that one significant moment where he would decide whether or not he was going to fully trust Jesus for protection as he stepped out onto the choppy waters. Can I just tell ya something?  Our focus is on Peter's lack of faith when he took his eyes off Jesus.  But Peter had greater faith than any other disciple on that boat, as he knew in those first steps he could trust Jesus.

Jesus called out to Peter to follow Him and be a fisher of men and He also called out to Peter to step out of the boat. Both times, Peter obeyed and responded.

Each day, we are given opportunities to respond to Jesus. He is always calling us to Him and wants our full surrender, obedience, and trust. You and I can cultivate a heart like Peter’s where we grow in trust and confidence by focusing not on ourselves or our circumstances but on God and the things of God.  Let Jesus take the wheel in your life today. 

Prayer - 
Father, You have promised that because of Jesus and the cross and my surrender to you, I am Your adopted child, co-heir with Jesus.  You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me.  What could I worry about?  Give me the courage today to allow Jesus to take the wheel, not as a co-pilot but as THE pilot.  Amen.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.”  And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me! ” -- Matthew 14:28-30 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

KNOW YOUR ENEMIES

In some respects, it feels like my beautiful bride and I have been married 100 years.  We have lived a variable hodgepodge of seasons including our share of hills and valleys.  

We have faced and endured together many of the usual suspects in the obstacles and trials of life.  

At the same time, it feels like not that long ago, we spent our senior year in high school working and saving our money, preparing for a wedding.  We were married a week before our high school graduation.  That meant we had the same last name and sat next to each other at our graduation ceremony.

I still remember our first argument as a married couple.  I will never forget how she came crawling to me on her hands and knees.  She looked me right in the eyes and said, "Get out from under that bed you big chicken!"  Some of my memories are a little fuzzy.  It went something like that.

Married life can be the most wonderful and rewarding of life's experiences.  It can also be a hot mess.  

Marriage comes with the highest highs and the lowest lows.  When two flawed individuals commit to a lifetime together, it is reasonable to expect something less than perfection.  In fact, there is no such thing as a perfect marriage.  Too often in marriage when there is conflict, we identify our spouse as the enemy. Can I just tell you something?  Our spouse is never the enemy. When we recognize the real enemies, we can more effectively fight the battles in our marriages. Our real enemies are the powers of darkness and our own naturally selfish human condition. These enemies often go unnoticed in the heat of battle.

Marriage is difficult and also amazing.  Real success in marriage comes when God is kept at the center and must include humility and a willingness to forgive.

When we are selfishly focused on me, me me and on pleasing our own natural desires and preferences:

1. We cannot please God.
2. We cannot love our spouse according to God's Biblical standard or to the commitment we made in our marriage vows.
3. We are not likely to offer forgiveness for our spouse's failures and weaknesses.

Prayer -
Father, thank You for the gift of relationships and for designing and creating the institution of marriage.  Help me to be the best husband I can be today.  Help me to focus more on You and the needs of others and less on myself.  Amen.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 
-- Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)

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WE'VE SEEN A THING OR TWO

My wife and I have ten children together.  We married when we were 18 and had our first child one year later.  Our oldest, Samantha is 30 years old TEACHES 1st grade.  Our youngest, Nicky Blue Eyes, is IN the first grade!  They are spread out between 6 and 30.  

You might think we could quote the Farmers Insurance tag line, "we know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two."  

I suppose that is a reasonable assessment.  However, to be fair, just when we think we have seen it all, something new comes along and blindsides us when we aren't looking!  We have seen some "success", whatever that means.  We have also had our share of parenting failures.  We are not now nor will we ever be ready to get cocky and overly confident about our parenting skills.  And, of course, we still do have five at home.

One issue which is easier to discuss and plan for than it is to actually pull off is the concept of allowing our children to suffer for the benefit of learning to become an adult.  Whether from their own bad choices or those of someone else, just like any other parent, we want so badly to rescue them from the pain.  Actually, we are naturally inclined to make every effort to prevent the pain of poor choices in the first place by making all the choices ourselves.

God has a better plan than that for our children.  He has a better plan than that for us now as adults.  God's plan is to perfect us through the trials of life.  

Can I just tell ya something?  Character-building life lessons are rarely learned during the sunshine and rainbows.  

Instead, those learning experiences which make the greatest lasting impact, come during the difficult times.  Surviving a trial or difficulty in life teaches us to persevere despite the pain.  Removing the trials and consequences of poor life choices from our children deprives them of the chance to grow, to build character, and to learn to trust in God.

The bottom line is that we ALL experience the best character-building, personal growth and maturity when we go through something.  It is a mistake to inhibit your child's growth opportunities by rescuing them from or taking over difficult situations.  Is that easier said than done?  Yes.  In fact, I submit that you cannot do it alone.  This is, in part, why God designed the family unit with two parents.  It also requires us to rely on Him and the supernatural power of His Holy Spirit within us.  

Prayer - 
Father, thank You for Jesus and for Your Holy Spirit.  Help me to focus less on my circumstances or the circumstances of our children and to focus more on You and Your glory.  Help me to trust in Your promises which are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Amen.

We rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 
-- Romans 5:3-4 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING!

I took my daughter, Charlotte plus two of her friends to a Mizzou Women's Basketball game at Mizzou Arena on Sunday afternoon.  It was a Christmas gift for her.  The tickets were  purchased last fall.  As the date approached, we realized this might make me late for Easter Pageant rehearsal at church.  It did.  I arrived at 7:30 PM for a 6-8 PM rehearsal.  Oops!  

I made no attempt to hide that fact.  It is what it is.  We all have a life outside church activities and cannot be there for every minute of everything that happens...even when you are the pastor.  A funny thing happened though on my way to the church from the arena.  I got a text from a friend who is "snow-birding" in Florida for the winter.  He asked if I had been to the game because they were watching the game online - from Florida - and thought they had seen me on the screen.  Busted!  Ha ha! You can't get away with anything!

We convince ourselves we can get away with sin in our lives.  We start to think maybe God won't notice. Maybe, we can get away with one more lie, one more time of spreading juicy gossip, or just one more sneak at something inappropriate online.  

Can I just tell ya something?  That is nothing but a bunch of foolishness!

We can lie to ourselves long enough to blind our own view of sin, but sin still finds a way to reflect its glare, no matter how well we try to cover it up.  In fact, our sin is a commonly expressed excuse and reasonable reason for lost people to reject the existence of God. 

In our failure to overcome the temptation to do wrong, we are in fact treating God as if He does not exist.  

We don't want our sinful actions to be exposed. But, in our attempt to blind our sin from others and even ourselves, we are pretending there is no God. It allows justification in our minds while ignoring judgment. This is a foolish stinking-thinking which looks more like the world than like a child of God.

Prayer - 
Father, I know You know, see, and hear all.  I confess to You that I am a sinner and fall short of Your Biblical standard.  And, I know You already know that.  Forgive me Lord, for making it seem like I am trying to pretend You do not exist in my attempt to cover up sin.  Help me to rely on the supernatural strength of your Holy Spirit living within me to overcome the temptations of sin in my life.  Amen.

The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.”  They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.  There is no one who does good. -- Psalms 53:1 (CSB)


#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

The Mizzou Golden Girls performing during half-time of the annual Mizzou Women's Basketball Pink Out game