5!!!!

Around 10 weeks ago I learned that I was going to be a dad for the 5th time. How amazing is that. I can't believe that over 10 years ago I walked out of the delivery room holding my very first child and now in just a few short months I will do this for the 5th (and yes probably the last) time.

We do not know yet what it will be but the easy guess at this point will be another boy. You know, being that we have already had four of them. (On a side note if I begin losing weight over the next few years it is because those boys aren’t little anymore and are successfully beating me to the dinner table on a consistent basis. I am going to have to go into training just to ward them off. It is my kitchen you know). Anyway, Mandy and I would be ecstatic if we are told a little girl is swimming around in there. Another boy would be great. We love raising boys and are truly blessed to have the four that we have. A 5th (wow!!) would be an even greater blessing. However, there is something different about the thought of having a girl.

Having a girl would be like having the a first baby all over again. That would just be sweet. Besides, girls are different. As time moves on in life a Mom and Dad handle their girls differently than they do their boys. There are some obvious reasons as to why but there are also many not so obvious reasons as well.

As the Dad of a new little girl I know I will turn into mush. My boys make me proud and as I see them become men I will sit back in a chair on my front porch, look at the sky, watch the sun go down and simply smile the proudest smile a man can muster. With a girl, as she becomes a woman I will do the same but with a tear or two rolling down my cheek (if you ask my wife she will tell you I do not cry but in this case I think I would have to). I cannot really explain it with words but there just seems to be something different about having a little girl - daddies little girl. Its not that girls are more special than boys. I wouldn't trade in one of my boys for a girl but if a girl could be added to them I'll take her with open arms, a huge smile and a heart beating faster than a humming bird flaps its wings. She'll have me rapped around her finger before they cut the cord.

Not sure how else to explain it but maybe you Dad's out there understand what I'm talking about. Dad, how did you feel? How do you feel today now that she is all grown up with her own little one calling her mommy? I hope to find out. If not, that’s ok because a 5th boy will bless me just the same. Come April we will know. :)

Having children is great. I love looking at my kids. Holding a new born again is going to be sweet. Boy or girl it is going to be fun. Mandy, have fun with this, your 5th time. I know you love this; you are so amazing. You are a great mom and wife. I don't know how you put up with me and our full quiver.

Fullness of God

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9 & 10 (NIV)

Recently my wife and I have had conversations regarding healing. At the same time our Pastor has been doing a sermon series on the supernatural (miracles, healing). Basically God has been messing up my head. I have always believed in miracles, believed they were for our day and that God can do anything he wants. However, much like many people in our society/culture I made a lot of excuses so as to protect myself from being discouraged or disappointed if healing or the supernatural did not take place in my life. Then, yesterday, I had a very good conversation with friends from work which led me to take a look at some scripture that the Lord brought to my memory.

The word/phrase that stuck out to me was "fullness" as in the "fullness of God". What is the fullness of God? Well, what is the fullness of anything? The fullness of something is simply everything that it is, carries, holds. The fullness of something is its character, personality, energy, power or simply everything that makes it what it is. So then, what makes God God? Well, that is probably not a question any person can answer as God is infinite. Our finite minds could never grasp everything that God is. However, we can make a run at it. He is all power, all grace, all love. He is the creator, the healer, the provider. He is the most powerful force in the universe. Deuteronomy 10:17 (NIV) says, "For the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes." No one can tempt God (James 1:13). No one can force God's hand (Isa. 14:27 & Isa. 43:13). God can do anything he likes. One way I like to describe God is the way Aslan is described in the Chronicles of Narnia movies; (paraphrased) He is dangerous but He is good. To me, that is God. He has all power at His fingertips which makes him the most dangerous force in all the universe. Yet He is good and uses His power for good.

So, let me now bring in another scripture. Romans 8:14-17 (NIV) says, "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba Father'. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his suffering in order that we may also share in his glory."

If we are sons and daughters of God and we are co-heirs with and are given fullness in Christ then we as His children have access to all that God is. As children of the King we have access to all the riches and spoils of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is within us. It is not something we must ask or beg God for. He has already given it to us. All we have to do is learn to operate in it. Ephesians 4:11-3 (NIV) says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Italics addes) It is a process of growth and maturity to operate in it fully; but it is in us.

People of our culture love to make excuses and to talk themselves out of the truth written in scripture. It is easier to avoid the topic and risk of failure than it is to simply believe and walk in faith. We have access to the most powerful force in the universe. If we give Him our lives, live obediently and follow His ways we will be able to operate in Him in every situation and stand in the confidence of His Fatherhood over our lives in everything we do.

Its time to believe. Its time to stop making excuses and to start walking in the fullness of God. It is in us to do but it requires us to give in, to take a risk, to surrender our hearts our thoughts and our doubts and to share in His sufferings. It is not easy but if you get at the feet of God you will find the fullness of God in your hands and available to you.

Be blessed today and walk in His fullness!

What a Week!

This was an incredible week. At New Life Church we decided to do a prayer week to kick off the new year. We called it World Prayer Week in which we had two major prayer meetings each day; one in the early morning and one in the evening. Though I had desire to participate at some level I really didn't expect to attend a prayer meeting every day. In fact Sunday night, the night before World Prayer Week was set to kick off I still hadn't decided what I was going to do. I had thought about attending the first meeting at 6:30am Monday morning but, well you know, I love my sleep and had absolutely no desire to wake up early. However, God changed that. I felt His leading me to go. So I went.

The first meet was great. The meeting itself had nothing to do with it. It was good. Great praise and worship, incredible scripture reading and wonderfully led prayers. It was a typical good New Life Church prayer meeting. However, there was something to the idea of doing what God wanted you to do and then reaping the reward for it.

I knew coming into the week that I wanted to connect with God on a deep level, to gain some insight and wisdom regarding some decisions that needed to be made and to see and hear God in a very clear manner regarding His thoughts, desires and will for my life in general. From day one I felt His presence and was able to begin working through some thoughts, issues, concerns and questions.

It is now Thursday and there is one more day and three more meetings left before World Prayer Week concludes but I am now seriously thinking of continuing on my own. Though I am not a fan of waking up extra early there has been something special about getting up, driving peacefully to the World Prayer Center before the sun comes up, walking into a peaceful environment away from my normal distractions and just getting alone with my Father. This has been a great week as a result of doing just that. It wasn't so much about any answers I received or great insight that I gained regarding some of my requests. It had more to do with just being with Him. He loves spending time with His children. He loves speaking to us and edifying us. He loves connecting with us because He knows we are blessed as a result. I certainly have been all week.

Its strange really. I have always loved prayer and understood the reasons behind praying on a regular and consistent basis. I have even worked for the better part of the past 11 1/2 years in the World Prayer Center. However, this week brought a more clear understanding of the why and a longing to fulfil that why. I have refreshed my love for the Lord this week and have seen why it was God wanted me to get up early on Monday and come in. He knows I benefit from being with Him, from me sacrificing something I love in order to be with Him and from the connection I gain from putting myself in a place where He does not have to compete for my attention. I realized this week a bit more how much He loves me. He truly does. He is in love with me as He is with the rest of humanity. He is incredible. It is true, words cannot truly convey how incredible, how awesome and how utterly amazing He is. He is truly the Almighty.

Jesus, I love you! Thank you for loving me. Thank you for coming to me and working through my heart. Thank you for dragging me out of bed to share a conversation with You. Thank you for being the Almighty God, the Healer, the Provider, the Shelter, the Refuge, the courage and the Strength I need. You have built me up this week and I am looking forward to spending more time with you and growing in everything you want me to grow in. You are incredible. I love you! Amen!

I encourage anyone who ever reads this to listen to the wooing of the Lord and to get alone with Him. Read His word, pray, worship, sit in His presence meditating on His still small voice. Allow Him to connect with you. He never ceases to amaze and you will be blessed in doing so.