Real Dudes,
Father’s Day is this Sunday. I trust each of you will have a most wonderfullest day. I was thinking about what to write in this posting, and what God laid on my heart was something a friend of mine shared with me recently. We were discussing spiritual matters and during our conversation he pointed something out to me that I’d missed before…hopefully you can benefit from it as well. In Luke 15:11-32 Luke 15:11-32 we read the story of the Prodigal Son. In this parable the Father is to be seen as God Himself, and the son is to be seen as one of God’s children. In this parable the son asked for his portion of the inheritance. The Father didn’t have to give it to him, but He did anyway and allowed the son to leave with it. Again, this parable is intended to be a picture of God and His child. Sometimes His children want to leave, and He allows it. I think there are times when we as earthly parents attempt to play the God the Father role in this parable. Sure, we can take some principles from it, but in all reality God the Father is attempting to teach His child a lesson in this scenario…to be submissive to Him. There are times when we as earthly fathers attempt to control and manipulate our children, and in doing so we cause them to miss out on what God the Father is attempting to accomplish in their lives. In a sense, we rob our earthly children of an opportunity to desire to want to turn back to God on their own, and or we rob them of an opportunity to experience perseverance through self-inflicted sufferings. As a result we attempt to play God ourselves, and or we exhaust ourselves by attempting to carry unneeded anxiety because we can’t get ourselves to trust God enough to bring His children back to Him in His perfect way and time…not bring them back to a man-made system, not back to a Law, but rather, back to Him and His ways. If you have a prodigal child in your home, then let me encourage you as a fellow-earthly father to allow God the Father to do His work in his/her heart and life, and to also allow your child to know that they have a soft, safe, and loving landing place to return to. Hopefully, this helps you take a deep breath, pray for your child, pray for God’s prodigal children, and submit to Him and His plan as well. Romans 5:3 (NIV) Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Song: Run to the Father by Cody Carnes Practicing His Presence, Nate
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Real Dudes,
We had 24 men present at Ox Strong this past Saturday. There was much to compete with in our community…the Prairie Burn Gravel Bike Ride, baseball/softball games, etc., so we’re very thankful to even have had 24 men available to meet together in-person. Men…let me encourage each of you to go back and view/listen to Kevin’s testimony. The live video begins at about the 15:45 mark…I gave the guys a few extra minutes to finish their breakfast. Here’s the link to Kevin Clevenger’s testimony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaLWxq7sFkk. Kevin explains to us the journey God’s been with him on his entire life. Please listen intently to his story…how he was a victim of abuse (at what age? and by whom?), seen others abused (who were the others?), traumatized (in what ways?), injured (emotional scars, and injuries from being in the military), addicted to drugs, worshipping idols (martial arts), reclusive, fragmented (to the point where he was ineffective at home, in his community, and spiritually), and struggled with trusting the Lord and believing that He loved him. And then listen to the specific ways in which God intervened…through sports, through his wife (who was spiritual and prayed several times to God on Kevin's behalf), through salvation, through the death of one of his children (mourning over that death, and over the death of his own personal innocence as a child), through confrontation and forgiveness, and through hearing God’s voice (“confront the ‘giant’”, “stay at the graveside long enough”, “take the medication”, “do you trust Me?”, “Grow Up!”, “plant your feet here in Grinnell”, “pray for your community”, “connect with Paul Aurand”, “go to Ox Strong and pray for the men there”. Kevin wants us to remember that… God puts treasures inside broken people.
When Kevin confronted his abuser…his abuser asked what he wanted. Kevin requested three things:
In great reverence and humility, Kevin has been following the Lord’s examples. Hebrews 5:7-8 (ESV) In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. See the underlined portion in Genesis 22:12 below “now I know that you fear God.” Fear and reverence go hand in hand. Those who genuinely fear and reverence God are the one’s who are heard, can hear and understand God's will and voice, and will obey. Kevin has been praying for the men who attend Ox Strong, even before he knew Ox Strong existed. Men, we’re not in this alone… Philippians 1:3-11 (ESV) 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[a] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Abraham was a God-fearing man who was so in-tune to the Lord's voice. Which is much the same reason as to how and why Kevin has been able to hear from the Lord. God knows that Kevin fears/reverences Him. Genesis 22:11-12 (ESV) 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” God reveals Himself to some, and conceals Himself from others. Be sensitive to, and in-tune with the Holy Spirit. Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Desire to hear His voice, long for it, and He’ll reveal Himself and His will to you…allow Him His perfect way and time. Matthew 13:10-11 (ESV) Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. John 12:28-30 (ESV) 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Mark 4:9, 23, 33-34 (ESV) 9…And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 23…If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 33-34…With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. John 10:5-6…A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. Practicing His Presence, Nate Real Dudes,
Let me encourage you to view the two links below concerning Casting Crowns newest song release Scars in Heaven. This is a tearjerker of a story and song so be sure to have some tissues close by (yes, real dudes do shed tears every now and then). Undoubtedly, this song will cause you to think of someone close to you that has recently passed away. I just hope and pray that you’ll be encouraged by the truths/promises/words/lyrics and the video. Praise God for how He’s working through these music artists/pastors to write and produce such a song. Enjoy! Nate Story Behind the song Scars in Heaven Official Music Video to Scars in Heaven Great Quotes on Adversity…
Our last blog posting dealt with forgiveness. Some of the most difficult people to forgive are those closest to you. Whether it be yourself or loved ones who have hurt you horribly.
Today, let’s consider the scenario between Judas and Jesus. Which one was able to initiate any kind of an act of forgiveness? In John MacArthur's daily devotional entitled Drawing Near, John points out on May 28th, that “God can use even a Judas to accomplish His purposes. Undoubtedly there are people in your life who wish you harm. Don’t be discouraged. They are as much a part of God’s plan for you as those who treat you kindly. You must reach out to them just as Jesus reached out to Judas. God knows what He’s doing. Trust Him, and rejoice as you see His purposes accomplished even through your enemies.” Sometimes you are your own worst enemy. And sometimes you find if nearly impossible to forgive yourself for what you’ve done. Judas found himself in this spot and the only solution he could come up with was to take his own life. He didn’t have Jesus in his life…the One who could show him how to forgive himself and to have that inner conviction that would allow him to know that he was forgiven by the one he betrayed. Forgiveness will look and feel much different once you invite the Lord into your life. Have you invited Him in? Once you do, then you’ll begin to recognize why it is He wants you to live a life characterized and identified by love and forgiveness…He even set the greatest example for all of us to follow. He laid His life down for even Judas, but Judas took his own personal life. There’s a big difference when done God’s way.
Practicing His Presence, Nate |
AuthorNate Smith is a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, a police and fire chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. #girldad including granddaughter
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