My Kids: Let Mercy Lead

There are some artists and some songs that are timeless.  Their message is pure and it’s central to the heart of God.  One song that I was listening to last night that fits into this category is a song by Rich Mullins called Let Mercy Lead. 

As a parent we want to teach, train and equip our children for life.  We want to give them every mean necessary for success.  We want to look back and know they we gave our children our all and we didnt’ hold back.  I realized something last night, no matter how much of myself I give my children, it will never be enough.  Why?  Because I’m flawed.  I have my own issues and my own problems and if I gave them 100% I would just be passing down the good and the bad, and I don’t want this for my children.  I want to give them more than that. 

And that’s where Rich Mullin”s song comes in. 

Me and your mom
And all the love we have
We can only take you so far
As far as we can
But you’ll need something more to guide your heart
As you grow into a man

My kids need more than my love to help them grow into the adults God wants them to be.  They need Mercy.  And Jesus Christ is Mercy.  And I need to give them the one thing that can fill all their needs, give them peace that surpasses all understanding, and allow my children to use their gifts to the fullest.  That one thing is Christ!

Let mercy lead
Let love be the strength in your legs
And in every footprint that you leave
There’ll be a drop of grace

I want Christ to be the strength in their legs, and grace to ooze out of every action, every thought, and every word.  I want to let Mercy lead in my life that it may be one thing I pass to my children.

Thanks to My Friends

The last 48 hours have really been interesting.  In the midst of the change going on, it’s been nice to have some really great friends.  I cannot say thank you enough to all the friends that have reached out to Alison and I.  The simple things like texting, “I’m really sorry.  I will be praying for you and the family” have made a huge impact on Alison and I both.  We’ve received phone calls, texts, and emails all expressing the care and concern for us and asking if there is anything we need.  All of these have been a huge blessing and I wanted to make sure and offer up a public thank you.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  I’m truly grateful that I have reliable friends!  I’m grateful that I have friends that have stuck by Alison and I through think and thin.  That’s what church is about.  The church is about God creating a community (the body of Christ) and that we stick by each other in hard times.   We are loved and we love you!

The Start of Something New

If you haven’t heard the news, yesterday I was laid off for financial reasons at Crosspoint Christian Church.  I wanted to write today not to complain or to say, “Woe is me”.  I just want to share what Christ is guiding me and teaching me through this process.

1. I can say that I’m at peace with what happened yesterday.  Would I have liked things to be different or happened differently?  Yes, but the instant I received the news I received “… the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…” (Phil 4:7).  Even though I have a range of emotions, PEACE is always the one that rises to the top and comforts me.
2. Do I know where I’m going or what I’m going to do?  I don’t have a clue.  That is something that will require some serious prayer.  One thing I know is that God will guide and direct me to where He wants me.  With that being said, if you know of an opportunity, please let me know!
3. The main thing that God is teaching me is FAITH.  Faith and obedience was the main topic of my personal time with Christ before coming into the office yesterday morning.  I said to God, ”Whatever the cost, whatever the hardship… I submit to You!  My number one priority is to be in Your will, to hear Your Spirit, and to be obedient in following Christ.  Please give me the strength and courage to do just that.”  I can honestly say that yesterday morning’s prayer was probably one of the quickest answered prayers I’ve experienced.  God heard and responded.  I’ve always heard it said, “Be careful what you pray for…”  God was ready to move and ready to shake things up.  He has a plan for me and this is part of it.  This I am confident of.  This I have FAITH in.
4. Crosspoint Christian is still and always will be my family.  I pray that many of the friendships that have been created over the last couple of years will continue to grow and flourish.  Particularly the small group I’m part of, you guys ARE my FAMILY. 

Today begins the start of something new.  This I know: God is and always is in control.  God will be praised.  Even though this will be a hard time for both Crosspoint and the Hope family, my prayer is that we all seek Him and give Him the glory.