This is my room – STAY OUT!

I Said, This is my room – STAY OUT!

Anyone who has had teenagers in the house or has been a teenager themselves have either used or heard those words being used.  It’s a symbol really of I want my privacy, I want my space, I want a part of my life or all of my life to be separate from _______________ fill in the blank (could be siblings or parents, etc.).

Why does this happen?  It could be that they are hiding something, it could be that they are embarrassed about something, it could be they just don’t want to share their things or space with the others in their household.  They are willing to share the kitchen, the living room, the bathroom (sometimes)J, so why not their own room?  Somehow all of us as humans have a desire for privacy that is built in, and it’s definitely not all bad.  There are some things we just keep to ourselves, whether it is feelings, or stuff; emotions or money; pictures or possessions, you name it.

How about God?  Where does He fit in with all of this?  Whether you are a young person or old person or somewhere in the middle, does God have complete access to your life?  Are there things that you refuse to share with Him, talk about with Him, and unload to Him?  He will not force His way into your room, but you will never be truly happy, completely satisfied, fully forgiven, set free from the worries, cares, and burdens of this life if you refuse to let Him in to every single detail of your life.  Remember, He knows what you’re going through already so why not let Him help you through it.

How about it, are you ready to open the door and let God into your room, 100% completely and fully?

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. NLT

Home Additions

I’m working on a building

Those words may not mean anything to you, but every time I see or hear those words a song pops into my mind.  It’s more than just a song sung by the Oak Ridge Boys, (I know those of you non-Southern Gospel fans are rolling your eyes) it is memories.  You see our firstborn son Cade was very little and was having all kinds of stomach problems and constantly crying. One day while he was screaming his head off, we put him in the swing and put on the Oak Ridge Boys and the first song on that album was…… you guessed it – “I’m working on a building”.   He fell asleep almost instantly and the rest is history.

From that moment on when he was restless, upset, hurting or just bedtime, out came the kiddies’ songs and in went the Oak Ridge Boys.  That song is a constant reminder to me that my love for him goes beyond the times I’m proud of him and the times when he and I are having lots of fun together.  My love for him is timeless and unconditional, regardless of the circumstances and situation.

As I prepared this sermon (Home Additions) I thought about all the preparation we are currently making for bringing our new boy home in less than a month, but no matter how much we prepare physically we must begin by preparing our hearts.  My love must pattern God’s love for me and God doesn’t stop loving me even when I’m being a knot-head and yes it does happen.  The fact is that He is faithful when we are faithless and He never stops loving us and waiting for us to come to our senses.

This Sunday we spoke of loving a child, training a child, and releasing a child.  The final two are completely dependent upon the first one.  Take the time this week and re-read 1 Co. 13 and replace the word love with God because after all according to Scripture God is love.  It goes like this, God is patient, God is kind, etc. have you seen God's love in your life, are you living in His love, and are you patterning it to your Home Additions (your children)?

May God bless you as you continue or start on this incredibly difficult yet rewarding task of parenthood.

The Surpassing Beauty of a Woman - Prov. 31

A Story of two women

I met the first one many years ago.  She was kind and gentle and was crying the first time I met her or at least that’s what I’ve been told.  But apparently those tears were tears of joy not sadness and if there is one thing I remember the most about this woman, she always seemed to be happy.  Some people might call her blissfully unaware J, but I prefer happy!  The fact is that when she met me, her life changed, and not all for the good because I’ve been told that I was a bit of a handful and I certainly remember causing her pain.  But 37 years ago when I was born, there was a woman who showed me that day (even though I didn’t know it obviously) what the Surpassing Beauty of a Woman is all about.  Her name is Mom.

We lived in an old dilapidated house that was the worst by far in our neighborhood but our home was the most attractive.  The kids came to our house for snacks, even though we were probably the poorest.  My friends liked to hang out at my house and we didn’t have TV, nor did we have nearly as many name brand toys as they did.  Why?  Not because I was a jewel or even my wonderful brothers; no, they came because of the atmosphere created by my Mother.  My kind, compassionate, tender, loving, and joyful Mom.

The second beautiful woman I speak of was more of a kid when I met her, but I can tell you this that I’ve never met a more determined, mature, amazing woman than her.  She was attractive on the outside and has become even more outwardly beautiful through the 16 years that I’ve known her, but it was more than that.  She magnifies the woman in Proverbs 31 in every way as my mother did (although the two have way different personalities J)

Right now she is about a month away from having our second child, and the beauty I see in her has never been more apparent.  I have never been without anything in our 12 years of marriage because of her timeless beauty and the sacrifices she has made.  She became a full time minister’s wife on her 18^th birthday; now tell me who in their right mind would do that?  Jennifer Osborn did, and she did it to support and love me and to serve the God she loves. 

Why do I tell you about these two women?  Because if you are reading this you also have been blessed by a beautiful woman, whether she is your mother, sister, friend, or wife, and today is the day for you to recognize her true beauty and tell her about it, as I am doing.  Some of the things I’ve described may bring memories to you and if they do, act upon them and tell them today (instead of waiting for Mother’s day or their b-day, or your anniversary) – how truly beautiful – from the inside out – they are.