Pastor Steve's Blog

BLOG - Men's Events

2010-09-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

Golf Outing
Saturday September 23rd
Cost: $25 Time: 10 AM

Inkster Valley Golf Course

2150 Middlebelt

Inkster, MI 48141

(734) 722-8020

Bible Study
'Tailgate Bible Study'
September 20th thru October 4th
7 PM in the Main Parking Lot

Bring your Bible and favorite tailgating food.

"Father & Kids Fishing"

2010-08-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

Father & Kids Fishing
Saturday: August 21st
Time: 9AM at the Church

You bring the rod we will supply the bait!

Men's Ministry Activity

2010-06-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Archery Range
June 26th Saturday
Children 11 and under Free
Adults $10.00

Leaving the Church: 8 AM
Returning: 2 PM

Men's Bible Study

2010-05-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Men's Bible Study
The Life of Moses

"Everybody Loves A Leader"

Tuesday Nights in May @ 7 PM:
May 4th 'The Biggest Thing A Leader Needs'
May 11th 'Working With Others'
May 18th 'Leading Your Family'
May 25th 'What's Left In The End'

Join us in May as we use the show 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and The Life of Moses.

Coming Events

2010-01-23T18:20:00.000-08:00

Help For The Homeless

Socks.
For the month of February bring in tube sock for men, women and children. Just place them in the container in the lobby next to the Welcome Desk.

Bread.
February 24th at 9:30 PM. Join us as we go downtown to Detroit and give bread and soap to those living on the streets.

Bible Study.

Month of March join us as we study for 3 weeks, 'Jonah, The Man Who Ran'

Mens Ministry Events

2009-12-19T14:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Event

Feeding the Homeless
December 23rd @ 9:30pm

New Year Event

L.I.F.T.
Lifting In Fellowship Together
Men's work out Ministry
January thru March
6am 3 days a week

He Wanted To Be Like His Dad!

That's the reason giving for a 4 year old who was found drunk, in a dress and stealing his neighbors Christmas presents. His dad is in prison and he wanted to be bad so he could be with his dad. Wow! What a train wreck of a family and what a great lessons for every dad.

First, every boy wants to be like his dad. Dad, what role model are you giving your boy to be like?

Second, how would this family be if the leader of this family wasn't in prison? Maybe if he was there....whatever your response to that statement is the answer is yes. If dad had been there this wouldn't have happened.

Third, mom is 21 with a four year old boy. How old where mom and dad when they got started making a family? A 17 year old girl and probably 17 year boy shouldn't be starting a family. They should be graduating High School and going to Prom. God has a plan and this wasn't it for them. God's Plan is the best for us.

Fourth, maybe if there wasn't any beer in a cooler the boy wouldn't have gotten drunk in the first place. Dad, be careful what you allow in your home. It will effect your family.

What ever lessons we learn, we know this...God isn't pleased. Your family may not end up on the 6 o'clock news but are you as the Leader of your home setting them up for failure or God's Will?

Christmas Event

2009-12-12T20:58:00.000-08:00

Feeding the Homeless
December 23rd @ 9:30pm

December 9am & 11am Message Series
Live Like Jesus Lived

Men's Bible Study and Gun Range Event

2009-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Men's Small Group Bible Study
Kyle Petty: The Driving Force
Starting the Week of October 4th

Choose from 1 of our 3 groups:
Sunday Group - 6 PM
Monday Group - 7 PM
Wednesday Group 7 PM

Gun Range
October 17th, Saturday
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Meet at the church.

Bring Back the Fun

2009-07-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Spiderman 3 Bible Study

"Become The Man You Should Be"
Spider Man 3

July 14th @ 7 PM
July 21st @ 7 PM
July 28th @ 7 PM

In Petty Hall

Just Joy
Greatest wedding entrance EVER!

When did life stop being so much fun? It's time to take back the fun from all the little kids. They don't fully appreciate it anyway. Remember when a box was more fun then the item that came with it?

Life moves fast and responsibilities add up quick. So, where is the fun?

Fun is only a byproduct of Joy and Joy only comes from God. In Psalms 51, David lost his joy because of his sin with Bathsheba. We lose our Joy the same way, when something comes between us and God. What came between David and God was sin. What comes between us can be sin but also a job, our worries, a relationship or anything. I could give you some typical response for Joy - "date night with your wife", "take up a hobby", "start working out" or "stop and smell the roses". But those are temporary. If you want the fun back and a Joy unspeakable, it's simply a God thing.

Let's have some fun!

Spiderman 3 Bible Study

2009-07-11T14:55:00.001-07:00

"Become The Man You Should Be"
Spider Man 3

July 14th @ 7 PM
July 21st @ 7 PM
July 28th @ 7 PM

In Petty Hall

Touching The Future

Romans 1:11
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Many people have little connection with their grandparents today. Time, distance and money are often the reasons given. But what a great loss to not have the experience and life stories past on to future generations. How far will your impact go in your family? Is the Christian home you are developing a one generation oddity? Will the lessons you teach your son be the lessons your grandchildren learn also?

Four times in the Bible the phrase, "iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation." appears. It tells me that my sin as a leader can effect the future for 3 to 4 generations after me. The warning is serious and obvious. Many of us know fathers with a serious problem and a son who has the same difficulty. Even if it is not the exact sin, the impact of wrong choices runs deep. Since I can cause harm to future generations, the same most go for blessings also. The correct decisions I make can bring joy and peace to my future generation.

What incredible impact a dad can make. Leaving a footprint of blessings or cursing for future generations to know. Even if I never meet the next generation or the generation after that, there will still be an impact left on them by Grandpa Sheridan. We leave more than DNA and a will behind gentleman. We are more than just a donor and a paycheck. We are dad and we make a huge impact.

July - Men's Bible Study

2009-06-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

"Become The Man You Should Be"
Spider Man 3

July 14th @ 7 PM
July 21st @ 7 PM
July 28th @ 7 PM

In Petty Hall

"I Hate Everything"

As a man one of the easiest things to become is jaded. Mean sometimes seems to be an exceptionable way to live our lives. Uncaring and emotionless are the default mode for the average man. In the end we go from detached to bitter than to hatred.

Why? Many of us never had the role models to teach us how to deal with stress and loss. And for most of us it is that awful word 'emotions' that make us run from any real connection. If I express how I feel I may open myself up and what if I'm rejected? What if my wife, my family or my friends don't like what they see? Instead, I'll play my cards close to the vest, so no one can ever really know me - therefore never really reject me.

The result? The result is the bitter old man who hates everything in the video above. Insecurity will push you away from people but security will open you up to them. Be secure that you are the man God wants. He made you! Be secure that you are the man God sent His Son to die for. Be secure that you can change through the power of the Holy Spirit. You don't have to be the bitter old man who hates everything. Replace the hatred with kindness and forgiveness.

If not, maybe George Strait will sing a song about you someday.

Ephesians 4:30-32

³⁰And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

³¹Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

³²And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

That Lovin' Feeling

2009-02-06T06:36:00.000-08:00

Don't loose "That Lovin' Feeling". Just a reminder that Valentines Day is just a week and a day away. Also, remember we are half way threw our 'Love Challange'. But don't just leave it for these two weeks, make it a life style. The kind acts and notes will drastically change your marriage. And when your marriage changes doesn't your life change also?

Here are some ideals for a date night:
See the town. Go for a drive pointing out areas to avoid and fun places to hang out.
Dine out. Eat at a restaurant that doesn’t serve toys in a bag. Make it a fancy evening.
Drink mocha. Visit your local coffeehouse or bookstore.
Get fit. Go bike riding, inline skating or scootering.
Share a hobby. Collect stamps, paint or build something together.
Play games. Go bowling, golfing or hit the arcades.
Shop. It's a beating but if it's just window shopping it can be a cheap date.
Take a risk. Ask her what she wants to do.

Good luck and don't stop.

Coming Events

2009-01-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

BLOG Studies:
Hero's - Becoming Somebody's Hero
March 9th thru 30th
Mondays at 7:00 Pm

Spiderman 3
May 9th - Bring your son.
May 16th
May 30th
Saturdays at 12:00 Noon

Events:
Plymouth Whalers Game
March 6th 6:30 PM
Cost: $9.00 a ticket
Kids invited.

Tigers Game and Home Plate 2009
May 2nd 10:00 AM
Cost: $26.00 a ticket
Family invited.

Life Is Short

2009-01-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

So what are the chances that a moon size asteroid will hit the Earth. Um...not to high. In fact NASA says that there is nothing within any of our life times that will hit our Planet. I guess Bruce Willis will be out of a job for awhile. It's a reference to the movie Armageddon. Here's the link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon_(1998_film). Even if there was one coming many experts think that the atmosphere of the Earth would cause anything to be burned up that entered that fast. So I guess we are off the hook - YES!

Maybe we aren't destined to be splattered like a bug by a big rock but life isn't as long as you think. I know yesterday I was 16 and just got my license. I was so excited to drive (legally, don't tell my mom). Now - I hate driving. If I could walk everywhere I would but I live in Michigan. Where has the time gone? My girls are getting older and my boy is just about to enter adolescence. Life is short.

If there was a giant rock coming at me I think I'd do a few things different. It may not be a rock but time is marching towards me. One day I'll turn around and wonder how my kids grew up and now I'm retired.

Watch the video again and ask your self - "What if this was really happening, what would I do?".

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Christmas show clips.

Merry Christmas!

The Preacher Who Lied About Cancer For 2 Years!

2008-12-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

Check out the video before you read, it last about 9:38 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wqRAJrl0eA

WOW! The man lied for over 2 years to his family, friends and church that he had cancer. He collected donations and even wrote a hit Christian song produced by Hillsong. But there had to be a good reason right? Terrorist captured his wife and threatened her life, right? No. It was a visual illustration for some dramatic truth he was about to teach? Not even close.

The reason: To hide his 16 year addiction to porn. Apparently his addiction was causing him to have dramatic changes in his body like hair falling out and breathing problems - this is called conviction. So instead of dealing with his problem he chose to go deeper into the dark by lying to his family and the world.

Couple of thoughts:
1. He is only 29 but the addiction is 16 years old. That means it started at age 13. This is a great reminder to protect our sons from the garbage of the world. Whether it be soft porn like WWE and SI swimsuits or setting the example and keeping it out of your life and home.

2. What if he had just dealt with his sin. Ok it's an addiction but it's an addiction to SIN. How many little things do I just overlook in my life thinking "It's no big deal. I can control it." But you can't. Judge your sin in private before God judges it in public.

3. How does his family feel being lied to and deceived? What a wonderful Christmas this must be for them. They have gone from loosing him to being publicly shamed. Dad you're suppose to be the protector of your family not the source of it's shame.

My Lesson:
Deal with my personal life or it will destroy those near to me.

It's easy to shake or heads at this man but he and I have one thing in common - we are both sinners who need Jesus.

A Life No One Notices

2008-12-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

I used this clip Sunday morning in my message, so act like you never saw it before. If you weren't there where were you? But how many people live "Dancing Bear Lives"? Lives that are around alot of excitement and people doing things but not really involving them. Why doesn't the bear grab one of the balls and run? Why doesn't he eat one of them - He's a bear that's what they do.

Life really is short and every year and day is one less of our time on this planet. Why not do something that makes a big splash for God and for your family. Ideals: Instead of traveling take a Missions Trip and spend time with one of our Missionaries. This winter pull your kids out of school early and spend a day sledding. Show up at your wife's work with flowers. Write down your thoughts for a future generation (they sell these memory books). Take your mom out to eat and talk about her life as a young girl. Renew your wedding vows with your whole family this time. Volunteer time at the rescue mission or a nursing home. Come Christmas Caroling with us. Anonymously pay some strangers check at a restaurant. Make it a goal to tell one person a week that God loves them, then make it a goal to tell them how you got saved and introduce them to Jesus. Teach a Sunday School lesson or speak in AWANA or preach at the Nursing Home Ministry.

Whatever you feel drawn to DO. The easiest thing is to do nothing - wrong! The easiest thing is to keep doing the same thing you've always done. Christmas is in 24 days, pick a goal that God would have you do and do it. It's time to stop being the dancing bear and get in the game of life and make a big splash.

The first time I saw the video I missed the bear completely. I don't want anyone to miss what I'm doing for God and my family.

The Choice Is Over!!

2008-11-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Finally this election is over. Whether your guy won on Tuesday we can all agree on two things: 1. We should pray for our new president 2. I never want to see any of these people ever again! Yet, one of the great things about America is that we get our say in the choice. Left or right we all get an opportunity to cast or vote every 4 years.

There is a close spiritual connection in our elections. The connection is found not in the candidates but in the fact that we are free to make choices. Not every 4 years but every day. Every day I'm challenged to pick up my Cross and follow Jesus. Every day I have a choice to love my family and cherish my wife or let them down. Every day I'm tempted to walk away from God's standards and morals and choose my own path. A path that is wide and leads to destruction. For those that make the wrong choices it's not that they are weak and we are just stronger Believers. It is that instead of making it an every day choice to serve God and to Become a Leader 4 Our God they just choose to do nothing. And nothing is still a choice. The hard part is that Satan doesn't announce four years in advance when the temptation will come or when your family will need you the most. If that was the case we'd all be ready for just that one day. Today could be my day or it could be tomorrow - that's why I need Jesus every day. Don't wait for once a week or once a month to pick up your Cross and follow - do it every day.

Oh yeah, not to depress you but I hear a guy on the radio talking about the 2012 Presidential race TODAY! Not again.

Life Is Full Of the Unexpected

2008-09-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

It was a normal day on the set of England’s American Idol, “Britain’s got Talent.” The entire country watched as the mundane normal everyday guy, Paul the Mobile Phone Salesman, approached the stage. Everyone notices the bored look on the face of the Judges who are preparing themselves for a disappointing waste of three minutes. Simon is loading his trademark insult guns. Paul was asked what he had come to perform on the show and he notes that his dream is to sing opera. The Judges look at each other with a look that says, “This guy must have come to fail.” It’s obvious that Paul is scared out of his mind and has little self confidence. The music Begins to play… Check out this clip to see what happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

The look on the faces of the Judges is priceless. One judge is brought to tears and Simon actually finds himself wowed, cheering someone on. Paul blew everyone away, that day. He definitely brought a surprise to the table. Simon said it right when he noted, “I wasn’t expecting that Paul.”

It’s amazing to me how many moments in the Christian life are a lot like what happened that day on the show. Time after time, God deals us something completely unexpected.

For example, time and time again we find that God does amazing things with people that seem to be mundane everyday normal guys. Years ago a coward finds himself working on his grains hidden off where the enemies of Israel were less likely to find him and the fruits of his labor. At this time the Midianites were greatly persecuting the Jews. Judges 6 tells of the unexpected visit the Lord pays to this every day normal man.

Judges 6:

12 …The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:

Gideon follows the Lord with much doubt in himself, yet, God uses him and he becomes the mighty warrior that verse 12 declares him as. Gideon unexpectedly goes from hiding from his enemies to leading his people to victory over the Midianites.

The Bible is ridden with unexpected moments. God uses Moses, a man with speech problems and no self confidence to lead millions. He sends His Son to die for an undeserving mankind. He turns a persecutor of the Christian movement into its greatest leader. The list goes on and on.

In my life I find it amazing how many unexpected surprises God provides in my relationship with him. Most surprising is He uses me in His work despite the fact that I am just an everyday normal guy. He blesses me with a family, a wife that I don’t deserve, I married up gentlemen. Right when I feel everything is on a smooth path of normal consistency, God throws something in my life to remind me how real He is. When I sit back and examine what God has allowed to happen in my life, I can’t help but be wowed like the Judges on Britain’s got talent. Do not write off the amazing unexpected things God does in our lives as just another simple event in a simple world.

It is time we quit smashing our great God into a tiny box and begin to realize we have a supernatural God that will time and time again bring us the unexpected.

Check out this video for another unexpected moment on Britain’s Got Talent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE&feature=related

-Brian

MENS BIBLE STUDY DATES & TIMES

2008-09-06T15:58:00.001-07:00

Join us for the following times:

Sunday 10 AM in Petty Hall:
September 7th
September 14th
September 21st

Monday Night Bible Study at 7:30 PM
First house will be at Matt M. (map at church on Sept. 21st)

September 22nd
October 6th
October 20th
November 3rd
November 17th
December 1st

The Downward Spiral

2008-09-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

The picture above is called 'The Downward Spiral'. It depicts the life of a young lady, who is a Meth addict, through her mug shots in New york City. It's amazing how not only does the physical appearance change, like her clothes and hair style. But the greatest change is in the eyes. The first girl is smiling and even a little bit rebellious to the authority that has dragged her to jail. The last picture shows a destroyed woman. Her addiction has taking her from a mild amuzement to the pit of dispair.

Even if the picture is proven to be just some artist work or just a good joke. There is no denying the truth the picture displays. I have meet many men who are in the first picture of sin. It's just for fun and they can control it. It maybe something like Meth or it could very easily be something less obvious. Whatever it is the end results are still the same: destructuion.

Proverbs 14:12 says...
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Gentleman whatever sin your playing with in the "fun" stage, eventually will take you to the last stage - destruction. The key isn't to get help (you may need to) in the middle of the stages. The key is to never start in the first place. Gaurd your mind and your heart. Don't let anything or person take the place of your God, your wife or your family. Becasue it may seem like fun now - but the end will always look like this...

That's Scary!

2008-08-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

What's the scariest thing that can happen to you?
Terrorist Attack?
Lay Off?
Bankruptcy?
Divorce?
Cancer?

I asked Sandra - "What's the scariest thing you can think of?" I thought it would be something about loosing ME or ME getting hurt or ME having a bad day or something in the ME category. But what she said was "Anything hurting my kids - my kids lost or missing." Ok, I feel really bad and selfish now. She has away of doing that to me.

What I learned from my question:
1st - I'm really self centered. I guess I already knew that. Being the youngest of a big family you tend to fight for every amount of attention you can get.
2nd - My wife is a great mom. The first thing on her mind and in her heart is her kids.
3rd - I have a lot to lose.

Sure there's any easy way to avoid having the heartache of lost. Lock yourself of from the world and not care about anyone but is that really living? I don't think so. I could never lose anything but that just means I don't have anything worth losing. So what do I do? I keep loving my kids and wife no matter what happens. My family is not mine, it's God's. But what if they are Gods?

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

If my family belongs to God then I can never really lose them. I may go through difficult times and even feel like I have no control but I am never alone. Life maybe scary but I know it won't be forever.

Facing The Impossible

2008-08-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

I love the movie 'Facing the Giants'. It incorporates the 2 things I love: (outside of my family) Jesus and High School Football. But the clip that gets me every time is the 'Don't quit' scene. Anyone whose ever played a sport knows that feeling during practice when you endure a drill you hate but have a feeling of accomplishment.

CLIP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ

The clip speaks to me on so many different levels. The emotional level of a group coming together to grow and accomplish a task. The coach pushing the player forward and begging him just to not quit. Then there is the connection to the player giving all he has to just make it one more step.

No matter who you relate to the lesson is still the same: "Just take it one step at a time". your task may seem overwhelming right now but if you take it one step with God's help you can make it. Don't Quit!

Famous Failures

2008-07-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Famous great people all have one thing in common -- they failed. Failed at something and it was repeated and many times big. But it's not the failures we remember them for but their success. By all human logic Abraham Lincoln had completely giving up years before he ever made it to the White House. Just think if he had, who would be on the penny today? What would the capitol of Nebraska be? And then there would be a whole monument in Washington to no one. You get the ideal.

The lesson for leaders is so obvious it writes itself. Don't quit! You come home early with flowers and your wife doesn't even acknowledge your effort. You take your son fishing and the only then you catch is a cold. Patience and hard work are the building blocks of any success and failure is what holds them all together.

Today, try one more time to beat that habit. Take one more attempt at healing that relationship.And give your wife another chance. After all I'm sure she gave you a few. Don't let failure stop you. Let it become the drive that keeps you moving forward. And maybe some day someone will make a video about you.

Don't give up dad -- your family needs you!

Best Game Ever

2008-07-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Best Game Ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nbkbss7i5s&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/04/08/video-best-game-ever/

Just a normal Little League game that turns into the Best Game most of these kids will ever play. Hey, when the Good Year Blimp shows up to your game, that's pretty cool. The kids faces say it all.

Simple lesson: Who doesn't want to be noticed and appreciated? Sure having professional announcers show up and call your game is great but after awhile wouldn't you get use to it? Don't processional ballplayers get use to it? But would you ever get use no one showing up and watching? I imagine there's nothing worse. But yet how many people show up in our lives every day and we never notice or appreciate them?

Gentleman, if you are going to become a Leader, you'll have to learn how to let those in your life know you appreciate them. How much different would your marriage be if you brought home flowers or just did the dishes? What kind of kids would you have if they woke up and found a note telling them how awesome they are tapped to their door?

A selfish man keeps his praise and affection to himself but a BLOG (Becoming Leader 4 Our God) is liberal in his appreciation. Today tell someone you love, you just notice and appreciate them. Best Game Ever!

Can You Sue God?

2008-07-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

That's exactly what a gay Michigan man is attempting to do.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-07-09-gay-bible_N.htm

Ok, he's actually suing the publishers of the Bible for including the term Homosexual in 1 Corinthians with other types of lifestyle sins that will not inherit the Kingdom of God. This is less about a commentary of our legal system, which is crazy for not laughing this man out of the building. Or a commentary about the slippery slope issue. Meaning, can I now sue anyone who writes anything negative about Christians? We deserve most of it but theres a lot of "Hate Speech" on his side too. It's also not a commentary about translations.

What Mr. Fowler so accurately portrays is the attitude that "God can't tell me what to do!" and neither can you. The verses in 1 Cor. 6 says this:

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, - (Homosexual)

10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

There's more than just the 2 references to the gay lifestyle. There are multiple references to lifestyles that defy God. I wonder if members of Alcoholics Anonymous can sue over the drunkards reference?

The lesson we can learn from Mr. Fowler is no matter what your issues are, God wants submission. He doesn't even want perfection because He knows that can only come from His Son when we accept His payment on the cross for our sin. Dad, maybe your sin doesn't appear on the list in 1 Cor. 6 but are you submissive to the lifestyle God wants? Areas like: leading your son as you follow God, loving your wife like Jesus loves the Church and wanting a life that glorifies Christ.

If Mr. Fowler does get his day in court, I can't wait to see the witness list. Do you think God will where a suit or come in a robe? Even though I'm not perfect I still want to be a man who let's God and His Word tell me what to do.

BLOG: Becoming Leaders 4 Our God

2008-07-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Becoming Leaders 4 Our God

Ever see the video of the dad who surprises his son when he returns from Iraq? Because I lack the ability to insert it heres the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFQ6ctvHEKs

It tears me up seeing the face of that little boy running to his dad. I think of seeing my dad come home after a long trip as a truck driver. And I see the same look in my boys face when I get home after a long day of church stuff.

The fear that strikes me is always the same: am I worthy of that admiration? My dad was a dad. 70 plus hours and still played ball with his 3 boys. The guy in the video served his country in Iraq and was shot at - how do you not respect that? My biggest hurdle is coordinating my schedule with my wife's so we can get the kids to all their activities. Not exactly the same level. So my greatest fear as a dad is my boy and girls will one day discover I'm a fraud.

Yes, I'm the Pastor of a church and husband for over 16 years and I am indeed a fraud. A fraud because I'm never as fearless as Belle thinks I am. She runs to me for protection but deep down inside I want someone to protect me. I'm a fraud because Nathan thinks I can fix anything. Truth is he's only 2 years away from passing me in knowledge about cars and working with wood. After - "Don't cut the extension cord with the saw", I'm pretty much done. But as he gets older I'm going to have to fix bigger things like broken hearts and hurt feelings and ego bruises. And I'm a fraud because Reagan thinks I know everything. I know that as she is now a teenager that will change but I don't want to loose the way she's always looked up to me. I am in fact a fraud.

So what do I do? I was actually hoping you could tell me - no just kiddin! I get with other dads. I talk with other men. I find patterns in the Word of God I can learn from and I let the Holy Spirit teach me. I'll never be half as brave as the guy in the video or even have a fourth of the strength my dad had. But I still have help from my Heavenly Father. And He's ok with me being a fraud - just as long as I'm His fraud I think I can make it.

BLOG is our ministry to help men and dad's who are not perfect but want a Perfect God to use them as men. Thursday 7 PM.