Romance…

Listening to this strikes a romantic chord.  I think I need to go out and buy one.

Keep your love alive!

Parenting…

Sorry again for my lack of posting.  I’ve had a hard time getting started, I think because I’m behind and have a list of things I need to write.  It will happen.  Anyway, here is my life as a parent with two sons who are 200% boy and always full tilt.  READ THIS post by my wife at HER BLOG.

www.amyhobbs.wordpress.com

Hope Shines…

“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”        Romans 8:24

Though you may not see, the Son is always behind the clouds.  Just wait.

I got up this early morning from a sleepless night.  I had to be at the Endodontist first thing.  I have a tooth that was crowned a few years ago and it seemed to be giving me trouble.  My dentist said I might need a root canal.  For a week I’ve been thinking something was not right with the crown, but what do I know, I’m not the dentist.  I hate going to the dentist. 

When I walked out of the house it was a gloomy overcast day.  The sun was nowhere to be found.  But, I know it’s still there.  It’s amazing how the look of the weather can affect your outlook of the day.  Depressing looking days have a tendency to depress.  We can forget the sun is always there behind the clouds.

As I sit here writing this the sun is breaking through the clouds.  It was there all the time.  We cannot always see it when we want, but with patience it always comes.

Don’t worry so much when you see the clouds in your life.  Even if it tarries, wait in hope.  Though all we may see is clouds, the Son is always there.  Our hope is in someone greater than what our eyes can see.  Jesus is always there.  Wait on Him, His timing is perfect.

When I was at the Endodontist, he said he believed I needed an adjustment on my crown and a little antibiotic would take care of it instead of a root canal.  It seens to feel much better.  And, it cost me $95 instead of $1000.  What a blessing.

ReThink Church: Pt 1 – What is the Church?

Do you remember this from Sunday School? I thought I’d start with how our thinking had been shaped from a very young age.  So, what is the Church?

I just started a teaching series called ReThink Church.  As I was working on the second segment of this series I realized I had made a statement in a previous post that I said I would follow up one.  The post entitled “Honor“, was about my Granny Hobbs’ 90th Birthday Party.  I had concluded with saying I had experienced the presence of God and and a greater sense of church than I had on many Sunday’s even in my own church.  There were a few of you who commented and were interested in me sharing about that.  So here it goes.

Let me begin by making four observations about what the church is: 

Firstly, the church is organic.  Romans 12:4-5 tells us the church is Christ’s body.  Though this is just one illustration, a careful search of scripture reveals that all the descriptions of the church are living ones.  To list a few, the church is a body, a bride, a family, one new man, a living temple made of living stones, a vineyard, citizens,and a flock.  Therefore, the church is to be relational not institutional.

Secondly, the church is God’s church.  The Greek word for church is Ekklesia, meaning an assembly of people called out.  For the every day person of Jesus’ time, the ekklesia was any group of people who came to gather together.  For the Romans it was the body of people called out into public service.  However, Jesus reveal a new meaning in Matthew 16:18.  He says, “upon this rock I will build My church.”  The emphasis is on “My” not “church”.  He indicates that the church is unique, not because it is called the church, but because it is the assembly of believers who belong to Jesus.

Thirdly, the church is the dwelling place of God’s presence.  Ephesians 2:22-23 tells us that in Jesus we are God’s dwelling place by His Spirit.  Additionally, in Exodus 33:15-16 Moses tells God that if God did not go with Israel into the promised land then he didn’t want to go, because it was only His presence that distinguished them from the rest of the world.  The church is where God’s presence is.

Lastly, the church is the image and reflection of Jesus.  Ephesians 1:22-23 reveals the church is the fullness of Christ, in whom God was pleased to make dwell the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  The church is to be the full reflection of God’s image in the earth.

Taking all these things into account, when we gather with other believers on any occasion, not just Sunday, there is an opportunity for amazing things to happen.  Because the church is God’s people, possesses His presence, reflects who He is and has life; then anytime we get together we should experience the life giving presence of God.  This is the fellowship of the Saints.  This is not a building, a program, an institution or a service.  It’s His people sharing His life.

Quit just going to church and be the church.

Honor…

“Outdo one another in showing honor.”               Romans 12:10 ESV

In I Corinthians 12:22-27 it tells us that God places the members of the body where He desires and bestows greater honor on those who lack it so that there is no division in the body and that we can have the same care for one another.  If one member is honored we all get to rejoice together as well as if one suffers, we all suffer.  The church, Jesus body is meant to have a shared connection and sense of responsibility, a mutual care one for another.  What happens in the lives of others should provoke a shared loving response instead of jealousy, envy, covetousness, or reveling in loss.  If in the Spirit, it will produce the same care.

I had such a joy this week.  My Grandmother, affectionately known to all as Granny Hobbs turned 90 on February 3rd and we threw her a surprise Birthday party on Sunday to honor her.  We invited all of her family and friends to come and celebrate with us.  This may not seem significant to those who take Birthday parties for granted.  However, this party was more significant than any of us knew.

You see, my Granny Hobbs is the most generous person I’ve ever known, though as a child growing up, I didn’t realize how generous.  I like many children today only know it as love from the one who always gives us stuff.  Everyone who knows her has experienced her generosity.  She shows up every Sunday with candy for all the kids, not just mine, I mean all.  She always honors a new birth with some outfit.  Whenever I go by her house she always loads me up with stuff she thinks I or my family needs.  She gives to everyone.  Growing up she took in every stray dog or cat.  I pray for the owners of her previous home because she and I have buried probably more than 30 animals in her yard over the years.  I know TMI.  I could go on and on with stories of how she has given value and honor to others.

You may wonder where that generosity comes from?  Maybe she was blessed by people always giving to her over the years.  I’m reminded in Mark 12:42 “..but she out of her poverty put in everything shed had.”   My Granny Hobbs was born in 1919, one of nine children, very poor.  She got married to John Whitfield Hobbs who became a captain in the Army and shipped overseas in WWII.  Shortly thereafter she found that she was pregnant with my father.  My Grandfather never came back home.  My father never met his father.  She shared with me one day about standing at the train station waiting for the arrival of the pine box that contained my Grandfather.  My Granny Hobbs raised my father as a single mother til she met another serviceman and became engaged.  He too was sent overseas in the Korean War.  He was killed before they were married.  She never remarried.  My grandmother worked a number of jobs over the years determined to make it.  She went to work for Corning  and worked there till retirement.  I remember when I was young, she would come get me and take me with her on the weekends to shop the yard sales.  She would then take what she bought and resell it at a local flee market and a consignment booth she rented out.  I also, remember the first TV my wife and I had when we got married, it was a Black and White that Granny Hobbs bought for $25 at a yard sale.  Since then she has owned her own business, Granny’s Country Crafts, and even the last two summers worked at a suvournier shop on the boardwalk at the beach.  I think so she can still have extra money to buy stuff for everyone else.

All this really hit me when I went out to walk her into our church where we had told her we were going to have a small gathering with my brother and sister’s family.  She does not like to be the center of attention.  When I walked her in everyone sang Happy Birthday.  I pointed out my father and mother, her brother, sisters, cousins, friends and old coworkers.  They all stood and honored her.  It was hard to hold it together as I saw her tears.  My daughter says I’m a cry baby.  Granny Hobbs would have never asked for anything, though as she leaned over she said I’ve never had a birthday party given for me in my entire life. 

We honored my Granny Hobbs, but I feel I was honored more.  It was more of an honor for us to honor her.  It truly is more blessed to give than receive.  But after all I learned this from my Granny Hobbs who always gave all she had even when it was from her poverty.  This she gave her son, my father who has always modeled it for me and I pray will also be my legacy.  She always sees the needs of other and thinks not only of her own needs but everyone else’s.  The lessons I have learned are endless.

And by the way, I experienced the presence of God and a more profound sense of church than most of the church meetings I’ve been in, including my own.  There are some deep questions we need to ask ourselves after that statement.  But it will have to wait til the next post.

Honor one another!

Celebrate Life…

Today is my wife Amy’s birthday.   She hasn’t aged a day since this picture 20 years ago.  My life has been enriched by her every day.  No other woman would put up with me the way she does. 

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”  Proverbs 18:22

Check out that mullet.  Aren’t you jealous?

We are only afforded so many such events to celebrate in life.  We should anticipate them with joy and celebrate them.  Make the most of your days.

What are you celebrating today?

Star Wars – things that make me happy…

I am at a loss for words.  This takes me to a happy place.  To my brother Scott I give a big Star Wars shout out!  I’m sorry for making fun of you as a kid and calling you Star Wars Freak.  I admit it I’m afreak too and I’m now coming out of the SW closet.  I love you man.

What makes you happy?

Thanksgiving…

I’m thankful.  All the  family was at my house for Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are you thankful for?

Disclaimer…

My wife thought I had logged off my blog when she wrote “A Day At The Polls.”  She inadvertently posted this on mine.  However, you should go read Amy’s blog.  I thought somthing was strange when I checked my comments and didn’t understand what people were talking about.

I find it interesting reading other people’s blogs to find self-disclaimers notifying readers to not hold their churches, organizations or associations responsible for their blog content.  So I thought I would make my own disclaimer.

I am not responsible for anything my wife says on her blog or in person.  She is solely responsible.  I would additionally like to say she is entirely responsible for anything I say or do, so any complaints therein should be directed to her.  Thank you.

The Fear of GOD…

My daughter will be sweet 15 on September 19th.  OMG – where does the time go.  I heard a song this week that made me think of how much I love my daughter.  I thought I’d share it with you.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Proverbs 1:7

ENJOY!

What Great Leaders Are Made Of…

Amy and I took the kids to see Prince Caspian last night.  One of the greatest lines of the movie came near the end.  After the Talmarines are defeated, Prince Caspian, Peter, Edmund and Susan kneel before Aslan.  He says “rise kings of Narnia.”  They all rise except Prince Caspian.  He says again, “I said rise kings.”  Prince Caspian responds, “I do not believe I am ready.”  Aslan says, “It’s for that reason I know you are ready.”

Humility is the key to great leadership.  I know my greatest moments have come when my King has spoken and I feel like I’m not ready.  God can do more with my weakness through humility than all the strength and pride in the world.  It is only through my humility and weakness that God can do His greatest work through me.  When I am weak, He is strong.

This reminds me of an old song, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”

When have you felt weak and not worthy and God did great things through you?

Jam on it.

Amy’s 20th reunion is coming up soon and she is helping plan the event.  My sister sent us her collection of 80’s music and we happened to be listening to some last night when our son (Nathan) came into the kitchen.   Nathan constantly cracks us up.  Here is a spontaneous dance by Nathan – a lip-sinc, robot, gangsta, hip-hop thing.  Jam on it!

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

So what goes on at your house that no one would expect?

Saturday Morning with My Boys…

“Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matthew 4:19

Been fishing lately?

Caught anything?

Who are you teaching to fish?

Count it all JOY…

It’s been a heck of a day.  I woke up to my hall bathroom being flooded.  Water must have been overflowing from the toilet half the night.  It went through the floor and caused the ceiling in our den to fall, flooded the den with 1/2 inch of water then flowed thought the wall to the garage and laundry room.  Praise Jesus! 

I spoke about joy on Sunday.  New revelation.  You cannot know true joy until you are tested.  James said to “count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:1  I think this one qualifies. 

I must be doing something right.  Amy and I went out to eat tonight at Hiro’s for Japanese.  My fortune cookie said, “Stay your present course, you are doing the right thing.”  I don’t normally take advise from Confucius but I think I’ll believe this ones from God.

You must choose Joy despite your circumstances.  When things suck choose joy.  Deep huh?

Now I’m more excited than ever about what God’s up to.

It’s JOY BABY!!!!   Join the happy wagon!

Who’s Your Daddy…

“Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ I became your father through the Gospel.”  I Corinthians 4:15

We have a lust for knowledge in our world.  We always want to know and we feel an obligation to help everyone else to know what we know.

There are many people who know about Christ but don’t know Him.

What we need is not more spiritual teachers, but rather, more spiritual fathers.  Being a spiritual teacher and being a spiritual father are two different things.  One only takes responsibility for giving information but not for the development of that person as they process and work through that information.  A Father takes responsibility for the process from birth to maturity.  Teachers will come and go but a father is always a father to his sons and daughters.  A teacher has a job.  A father has a relationship.  A teacher doesn’t have to feel anything.  A father feels everything!

This is the investment God is calling us to make; to be fathers to sons and daughters of the Kingdom.

Who’s your Daddy? 

Who are you a spiritual father to?