Funny how having a baby can totally change your life.  I was looking at the last day I updated my blog and I was shocked at how quickly time has passed.  It seems just like yesterday that I wrote my last update...but I think that is because I have not really slept since Eli's birth.  So technically it was "yesterday."  The funny thing is, several people told Melissa and I that if we could handle two kids, then having three would be a piece of cake.  Right now I'm trying to remember who told me that (so I can hunt them down and tell them they gave false information) and I'm trying to remember if they actually had kids or not (typical that someone would give advice even though they had not experienced it...lol). 

With all funniness aside, having children is one of the greatest life teachers God gives people.  With the addition of our third, Melissa and I are experiencing a whole new set of emotions, and the growing responsibility of raising children in this world.  But what does that have to do with a devotional blog and the lack of keeping up with it for 2 months?  Very simply this, in life we all have to determine what is most important to us.  I have found over the last several weeks that I've had to readjust my priorities to keep life in balance as a pastor, friend, husband and father.  To do so requires that some things take a backseat to the more imporant things in life.  Yes, I still keep office hours, prepare sermons, counsel, and am still available to see you if you want to take me to lunch...ha ha...or if you want to just drop by.  But what I've learned is that life will bring you certain reminders that some experiences are more important than others.  Dropping some details of life in order to maintain ultimate priorities is wise...and often times down right necessary.

You're probably thinking...ok you just gave a lame excuse for not keeping up with details...way to go.  Ha ha, but not really if you think about what is about to happen in the lives of millions of people over the next few days.  As a New Year approaches and with it all the countless possibilities, people from all walks of life will make resolutions with great intentions.  Yet most will struggle to keep them.  Some people will even avoid making resolutions because they know they will break them sooner than they are made.  Here is the secret...drop something!  If there are important priorities in your life, but other things are consuming your time and resources, then create some margin to put your focus back on the most important items.  For me it meant cutting out some areas for a season to be able to be a good father as my wife and I adjusted to 3 young lives around us.  Then as I readjusted I'm able to learn to balance more and keep up with more.  It is the same for you.

As I prepare for this Sunday and our New Year at Calvary, I want to get you to begin to think on what is most important in your life.  This Sunday I'm going to give you one of the most important challenges you could receive as a Christ follower.  It is one of the most overlooked opportunities in our busy lives.  But if we had to drop something to keep up with this one thing, I would guarantee you that this one thing is worth dropping all else for.  Lining up our priorities with God's ultimate priorities creates the opportunity to be most effective and successful in life.  Look forward to sharing one with you on Sunday.

~Michael~

After watching one of the greatest miracles this last week, the birth of my third child, I am so motivated by the awesomeness of God and His incredible love for us.  There is no more prevalent everyday miracle than the birth of a child.  From the miracle of their growth inside the womb, to the moment they struggle out into this world for their first breath, it reminds all of us who witness it of the fragile nature of life and our true lack of control over it.

As I have sat in awe holding my newborn son over the last week, I have pondered many things about the Lord and His purpose for our lives.  It seems right that in His creating life for us He would design it to be a statement of His glory and useful for His kingdom.  I watch Eli as he sleeps, wakes, squirms, and wrestles to discover this new world he is in, and I realize that He is totally dependent on his mother and I for his existence.  No pressure right?  And so it is in our relationship to our Heavenly Father...we are totally dependent on Him for our very existence.

You see, something has to motivate us each day.  As a parent, I am motivated to give my children the best I can, and to prepare them for the life ahead.  As a church leader, I am motivated to move the congregations I serve to become everyday Christ followers that make a difference in this world.  But as a child of God, a son of His through Jesus Christ, I am motivated by a Father that daily cares for me, shows me His love, and guides my path...my existence in this world.

Today as I prepare to preach, I am motivated by Jesus Christ.  He is the author of all good gifts.  He is the only one worthy to open the doors of heaven to us.  He is the only one who takes our sins away and makes them no more.  He is the only one empowering His followers to be His light in this dark world.  He is the only one worthy of worship.

My mission is to nurture, develop, and use everything He has given me to serve Him and advance His kingdom.  Sometimes it takes the birth of a child to remind us of our mission, and to motivate us afresh.  My prayer for you is that He allows circumstances in your life to motivate you toward Him so that you may be on mission for Him.

~Michael~

Ever meet someone who makes engages you from the very first moment?  It's as if they have known you their entire life and consider you one of their closest friends.  Sometimes we encounter those people who never seem to meet a stranger.  But then there are others of us who are more reserved, quiet, shy, and who are not comfortable with people beyond their immediate circle of influence.  In the kingdom of God both are vital.

In considering Jesus, we find that @ times he was outgoing to crowds and strangers, and then @ others he was more reserved and withdrawn with a select few.  But in all cases, He used His life to connect people to His Father!  As we discussed yesterday in the sermon, Jesus connected with people from all walks of life, and He used whatever opportunity He had to meet their greatest need, the need for a living relationship with His Father!

In case you missed it, I encourage you to go back and look at how Jesus dealt with people.  There is deep meaning for us today as modern day Christ Followers @ Calvary!   Look again below at the lives we discussed yesterday, and you can see how Jesus turned them around!  Why?  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life! (John 3:16)

1. Wedding @ Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11) – Celebration of being with Christ


2. Samaritan Woman (John 4:7-42) – The Kingdom of God has No Boundaries

3. Healing the Royal Officials Son (John 4:46-53) – Faith In Christ Leads To Life

4. Healing of the Lame Man (John 5:5-9) – Christ Has the Power over Life

5. Feeding the Multitudes (John 6:5-14) – Jesus is the Bread of Life

6. Forgiving the Adulteress (John 8:1-11) – Jesus is the Truth that Sets People Free

7. Sight Given to the Blind Man (John 9:1-7) – Jesus is the Light of the World

8. Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-45) – Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

9. The Greatest Fishing Trip (John 21:1-11) – Jesus Makes us Fishers of Men

As you can see, we are all in the business of being Christ followers.  We are all people people, even if we may not think of ourselves as a people person.  The point is, we must use whatever moments and influence we have to draw those around us to the only one who can change their lives.  WE VALUE PEOPLE BECAUSE JESUS VALUES PEOPLE!
 
~Michael~