Dad and Brownies

I discovered a couple variations of this story, but I love the twist on this one. The next time one of your kids desire to fill their precious little heads with a little crap you might want to consider cooking them some brownies.

A father of some teenage children had the family rule that they could not attend PG-13 or R rated movies. His three teens wanted to see a particular popular movie that was playing at local theaters. It was rated PG-13.

The teens interviewed friends and even some members of their family's church to find out what was offensive in the movie. The teens made a list of pros and cons about the movie to use to convince their dad that they should be allowed to see it. The con's were that it contained ONLY 3 swear words, the ONLY violence was a building exploding (and you see that on TV all the time they said), and you actually did not "see" the couple in the movie having sex - it was just implied sex, off camera. The pros were that it was a popular movie - a block buster. Everyone was seeing it. If the teens saw the movie then they would not feel left out when their friends discussed it. The movie contained a good story and plot. It had some great adventure and suspense in it. There were some fantastic special effects in this movie. The movie's stars were some of the most talented actors in Hollywood. It probably would be nominated for several awards.

Many of the members of their Christian church had even seen the movie and said it wasn't "very bad". Therefore, since there were more pros than cons the teens said they were asking their father to reconsider his position on just this ONE movie and let them have permission to go see it.

The father looked at the list and thought for a few minutes. He said he could tell his children had spent some time and thought on this request. He asked if he could have a day to think about it before making his decision. The teens were thrilled thinking; "Now we've got him! Our argument is too good! Dad can't turn us down!" So, they happily agreed to let him have a day to think about their request.

The next evening the father called in his three teenagers, who were smiling smugly, into the living room. There on the coffee table he had a plate of brownies. The teens were puzzled. The father told his children he had thought about their request and had decided that if they would eat a brownie then he would let them go to the movie. But just like the movie, the brownies had pros and cons.

The pros were that they were made with the finest chocolate and other good ingredients. They had the added special effect of yummy walnuts in them. The brownies were moist and fresh with wonderful chocolate frosting on top. He had made these fantastic brownies using an award-winning recipe. And best of all, the brownies had been made lovingly by the hand of their own father.

The brownies only had one con. The father had included a little bit of a special ingredient. The brownies also contained just a little bit of dog poop. But he had mixed the dough well - they probably would not even be able to taste the dog poop and he had baked it at 350 degrees so any bacteria or germs from the dog poop had probably been destroyed.
Therefore, if any of his children could stand to eat the brownies which included just a "little bit of crap" and not be effected by it, then he knew they would also be able to see the movie with "just a little bit of smut" and not be effected.

Of course, none of the teens would eat the brownies and the smug smiles had left their faces. Only Dad was smiling smugly as they left the room.

Now when his teenagers ask permission to do something he is opposed to the father just asks, "Would you like me to whip up a batch of my special brownies?"

Author Unknown

Russian Singer Edward Khil - Trololo (Communist roll'd)

Don't Waste Your Cancer

I had a friend direct me to what John Piper wrote concerning cancer. It reminded me of a conversation I had with my friend Dane who is battling cancer as well. Dane mentioned how he has been able to view his prognosis as a gift. He talked about the aspects of God's character that is being revealed through his journey and how he wouldn't trade all he is gaining with anyone.

I walked away humbled and reminded how the Lord uses pain and brokenness to create in us a deeper dependence upon Him as he refines and shapes us through the journey. I trust you will find Piper's words worth passing on.

Here's the link: http://www.crosswalk.com/1383847/

Hinds' Feet on High Places

Laura and I have been taking our kids through the classic book, Hinds' Feet On High Places. We speculated that the kids might not like it, but were hoping they would at least tolerate it. To say the least, we have been pleasantly surprised by the level of anticipation each night prior to our reading time. Part of it is the book and the other is the fact we are doing it together as a family.

We begin each night reviewing the previous chapter and then do the same when we have completed the next. This has kept the story fresh and allows us to know they are grasping the basic concepts of Much Afraid's journey to the high places and gaining her hinds feet.

Last night we spent a great deal of time discussing Sorrow and Suffering as guides the Shepherd would provide to Much Afraid. The girls wrestled a bit on why a good shepherd would use Sorrow and Suffering. We were able to use the discussion as a launching pad to a deeper conversation on how the Lord allows such things to come into our lives so that He can develop character, perseverance, and hope. More than anything, for Much Afraid, He would use them to help her gain her hinds feet that she so desperately longed for.

Don't Kill What's In Your Hands

All of us who have or had little monkeys running around, know of at least one time when you handed something that was living and active into there little hands and told them not to squeeze it.

The reason we say things like that is so they won't kill it, or drop it. The last thing we want as parents it to have our kids grow up with some repressed memory of that day at the zoo when they held the little chick too tight and the bird died in their hands! We certainly don't want to walk through life with the regret of not telling our kids to be careful, knowing we played a roll in the death of a little chick!

I have yet to experience one of those death defying moments. I don't remember a time outside of smashing a bug that a life was brought to an end while lying in my hands. My kids have never killed any living creature in such a way, but we still tell them to be careful. After all, they really don't know their own strength, and they do have a tendency to squeeze.

James 1:13-15 is a great reminder to be careful with what you hold in your hands, and to not squeeze too hard or you may kill it.

"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone: but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown give birth to death."

The word "death" stands out.

With each day I hold a great deal of potential and promise in my hands. I hold my relationships with my family and friends. I hold my virtue, character, reputation, finances, ethics, just to name a few. I get to hold tender moments with others who simply need a gentle and loving squeeze from my hands. I hold the words I can say or should not say.

Time is in my hands, and what I do with that time can result in life or death.

Think about it.

What do you have in your hands?

We are given choices every day to handle with care our thoughts, actions, words.

• The conversations you will have today - in your hands.
• Those moments when your focus goes to what you cannot have - in your hands.
• A tug at your heart to lie a little - in your hands.
• A momentary bought with lust - in your hands.
• An opportunity with someone that can truly be a divine moment - in your hands.
  

Today I will hold the hands of a few hurting people who will begin to confront the reality of the death of a loved one. What a privilege to hand out hope from my hands to theirs.

James makes it clear that each day we face temptations that can lead to death. In other words, we hold in our hands the ability to make right decisions or to squeeze to hard.

Recognize all you have in your hands. Hold it gently. Don't squeeze too hard, and think before you touch! Handle with care those moments that can lead to life not death.

Living with Eyes Wide Open

When's the last time you sat down and listened to a man come to terms with the fragility of life?

So often for me, those conversations are with a older man who has lived his life and is taking the time to reflect and celebrate with some regret tossed in. Such a time is used to share some deep insights, as well as to challenge you to not miss those divine and precious moments with your family and friends. He encourages you to not get lost in your work and miss the work of God being done in you.

I had one of those conversations the other night, but it wasn't with some senior saint. My time was spent with Troy who is battling cancer at a very young age. As we were talking his oldest son Gavin was playing with the toy lawnmower and finding a few treasures in the rocks around the pool. I was holding Gavin, his youngest son who has rolls and rolls of baby fat. He's one BIG kid who has added a lot of joy and laughs to the scene. Alicia sat across from us, listening as Troy candidly and boldly talked about the gift of cancer and what it has opened his eyes and life to.

So here I am, caught in another moment when I get to drink in the wisdom that is coming with experience. When I get to have one of those very private pastoral conversations when someone exposes their feelings and thoughts in a way that embeds itself deep into my heart and mind. In many ways those moments become powerful times of transformation for me as well.

Troy and I talked about how precious life is. He opened up scripture and spoke about the insights that have become so clear over these months to him. He told me how cancer has become this great gift that has served to open his eyes to deeper truths in God's Word as well as to the things that truly matter in life. Moments that we take for granted, but have now become treasured times that are held so dear.

We celebrated the growth of his Journey Group as he and Alicia have witnessed each couple grow in their faith as they have walked with the Floors through this journey as well. We talked about dying and the emotions we both - as men, dads and husbands wrestle with.

We spent a few moments reflecting on the greatness of our God out of Isaiah 40, and the reality that our God who is Sovereign, in charge, a strong and powerful Ruler who also holds His lambs close to His chest with tenderness and compassion. We both came to the conclusion that if God is capable of holding this world in his hands then He can certainly can take care of the details of life without us.

We spent time dwelling a bit on how precious each day is, and how we need to walk into each morning with a determination to live and embrace the day with anticipation. Life is a gift, so treat it that way. Value the packages of family and friends, tender moments that become treasures we can hold dear.

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

I have no doubt that Troy Floor has a crown awaiting him some day. He has persevered under the trial. He has cultivated deep character and holds onto the hope of living long, but also living well. Troy is fighting the good fight. He is walking into today and future days with great anticipation and a determination to capture the fullness that each day holds, planning and fighting for many days and years ahead. More than anything, he is living with his eyes wide open capturing so many more moments that I end up taking for granted.

I left our conversation a little more transformed and mindful of the fact that life is precious. I walked into my home that night with my eyes wide open and grateful for a new look and perspective on all I have been given.

Summer Study Break Begins

Life is rather ironic. I am suppose to be starting a summer study break which will allow me time to focus on reading, writing and preparing my schedule for next year. I have been anticipating this time now for several weeks and looking forward to stepping back from ministry and engaging deeper with family.

Ministry has a way of delivering one some big surprises that can at times derail the best of intentions. This week, instead of working on some future series planning I am spending my time with a hurting family walking towards a much dreaded funeral. What's strange is that I don't mind. I feel no regret. If anything there is a tinge of anticipation about the opportunity to walk alongside of a family I love and sharing the good news with a captive audience.

To make the most of every opportunity means that one must look for those moments whereby the Lord can work in and through you. When you begin to live with an "opportunity mindset" you become keenly aware how interruptions become divine appointments handed down through times of tragedy to point others to the one who truly triumphs.

This week may not entail a planned study break, but it does include rich opportunities to bring hope and an eternal perspective to many.