Pastor Tom's Cabin

Fatherhood and Me

2010-07-19T09:10:00.001-07:00

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:4 (NASB)

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” -Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NASB)

I heard someone say once that if you don’t train your children someone else will. They could be trained by your television, the radio, the Internet and even other well meaning parents. But in the end the nurturing and training of our children cannot be abdicated to anyone else. We have the God given role and responsibility to be the parents of our children. When I stand before God He will not ask you or anyone else about my children. That will be a question directed at me.

Having the role and responsibility of being a father is one of the greatest blessings God has bestowed upon my life. It is by far one of the most important earthly relationships I will ever have. Thinking about the role and responsibilities of a father can be overwhelming at times. I think of it often. However, if I had to describe the emotion or feeling I have when I think of my own personal fatherhood in one word that word would be joy. I rejoice that I am sharing my life with four other people who God in His infinite wisdom has ordained as my children. Fatherhood is an institution created by God going back to The Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. The concept of fatherhood and my being the father of the Foreman Family was God’s idea from eternity past. In essence God was already working this out, so to speak, before I was even born. Wow! Think of that. Why worry right?

Ok truth time: Joy is not the only emotion I have in my role and responsibility as a father. I won’t insult you by entertaining the notion that I have this all figured out or that I lead the perfect family. Often times I have a sense of failure, I am fearful, frustrated, exasperated, exhausted, overwhelmed and yes even angry at times. Sometimes I am more easily irritated and frustrated with my own children than I am with other people’s children. However I try to not despair. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I do not despair. The Gospel is what makes successful fatherhood possible. We have a Heavenly Father who has given us the gift of His only begotten and unique Son Jesus Christ. He makes living being an earthly father possible. When I experience the emotions I stated earlier I look to heaven and converse with my Heavenly Father in good times and in tough times. If not for the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ none of this would be possible and what better example of a Father than God Himself.

So remember next time you feel frustrated or are overflowing with joy. Remember to look up to your Heavenly Father and say THANKS! What a privilege it is to be a Dad! God is good all the time! All the time God is good!

What Do You Desire?

2010-06-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” -1 Peter 2:1-3

Recently a news report released information that a 16 year old girl was stranded in heavy seas off of Australia’s west coast in her sail boat named “Wild Eyes” and she was alone. 16 year old Abbey Sunderland set out from Los Angeles County’s Marina Del Ray on January 23, 2010. She was attempting to be the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo.

To be honest my first thought was what parent in their right mind would send their 16 year old daughter to sail around the world alone? That just sounds crazy to me! After I was questioning the sanity of her parents and this earthly endeavor I began to wonder about the passion Abbey Sunderland must have had. She must have had an insatiable desire to attempt to sail around the world alone. I would imagine she would spend every waking moment pouring through ocean charts and maps. She would be studying weather patterns, sea routes and sand tables. She would be investing all of her time in making this one dream come true. I would imagine not a minute would go by where she wasn’t thinking of her trip around the world. She had an unquenchable desire to make this trip happen.

I would think sailing around the world alone requires your whole heart. You have to be all in! You have to have DESIRE! Another thought occurred to me. She must really, really love sailing. Right? She must have an undying love for the sea because someone who is just sort of willy-nilly doesn’t attempt sailing around the world by themselves.

In the section of Peter’s letter quoted above, the desiring of God’s Word is his main thought. The question before us today is what do we desire? What is it that we long for? What do we passionately pursue? What do we Love? Is our desire for God’s Word like that of Abbey Sunderland’s desire for sailing and for the sea? Does it match her desire to be the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo? I believe Peter says that our desire for God’s Word should be just that. A passionate pursuit of what God says.

The Branding of Politicians

2010-06-09T06:59:00.000-07:00

I was involved in a Facebook discussion thread regarding the branding of politicians. It was in the context of the comment Sara Palin made that she was in good company with God because she wrote notes on her hand too, as God does. Then she referenced the book written by the prophet Isaiah in the Bible. Yahoo News reported that the notes she wrote on her hand were actually her core beliefs or her core values.

As a Pastor and student of the Bible I was curious why she chose this passage of Scripture. Here is the passage she referred to from the New Living Translation,

Isaiah 49:16
“See, I (God) have written your name on my hand. Ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins.”

One commentator explains the passage this way;
“This is certainly an allusion to some practice, common among the Jews at that time, of making marks on their hands or arms by punctures on the skin, with some sort of sign or representation of the city or temple, to show their affection and zeal for it. They had a method of making such punctures indelible by fire, or by staining…It is well known, that the pilgrims at the holy sepulcher get themselves marked in this manner with what are called the ensigns of Jerusalem.”
(From Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft)

So this “branding” is a sort of tattoo. And the Jews at that time did it because they were zealous and passionate about the city of Jerusalem or the Temple that was located there (as God is about His people). They made it very clear to others where they stood. During our Facebook discussion thread it was suggested that maybe politicians should be “branded” so we all know where they stand on certain political issues. I submit to you that they are branded at least in part by their voting records.

I have lost count of the voters who have approached me from the last National Election and said something like, “I didn’t realize he or she was…!” Fill in the blank. My reply usually is, “Really? How could you not know?” For me it was as simple as checking the voting records of those running for election to see what they believed about the issues. Issues that were important to me and my family and our core beliefs and values. I believe the biggest enemy that United States has today is ignorance. People are simply uninformed or ill-informed. Either way it’s a huge threat.

With the election cycle quickly approaching how prepared are you to step in that voting booth and cast your ballot? Do you know your candidate and what he or she stands for? How long have they held that office? Before you cast your vote check their “branding”. It will reveal a lot about the person you are voting for. Don’t be ignorant! Be informed.

Standing Firm in a Chaotic World

2010-05-13T15:27:00.001-07:00

On December 18th 1944 members of the 101st Airborne Division’s 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment marched toward the town of Foy in the Ardennes Forest. They were marching toward “The Battle of The Bulge” in the town of Bastogne Belgium. The Army’s Elite 101st Airborne division met up with the 10th Armored Division and the 463rd Field Artillery Battalion at Bastogne and was a total force of maybe 11,000 men. They stood firm while the German Army tried to advance a huge offensive battle plan against the Allied Army.

The German Army had deployed as many as eight divisions. Two to four of these divisions were armored and were supported by heavy artillery. That would total approximately 120,000 German troops against only approximately 11,000 of American troops. The German Army was hoping to turn the tide of the war. This was their last chance. They desperately needed Bastogne to cut off the American Army from the British Army.

One American Airborne soldier was reported as saying to another American Airborne soldier at Bastogne, “Hey, have you heard the German Army has us surrounded”? The American Airborne soldiers reply was, “Poor bastards!” meaning the German Army. Airborne troops were used to being surrounded. That’s what they did; they parachuted into the middle of enemy territory so they were always surrounded. The German Army even had the audacity to ask the American forces to surrender.

What the German Army hadn’t counted on in their battle plan was a highly trained “unit” of men who were the epitome of stability. They were standing firm! Because of their training and because they depended on each other they proved to be a formidable opponent to the advancing enemy force. They had learned to develop principles that made them stable. They were a family. They ate together, they slept together, they laughed together and they even died together. As Stephen Ambrose said they were a “Band of Brothers”. They made sure they resolved conflict among themselves. They worked hard at being joyful. Some men were actually singing from their foxholes between battles in the freezing cold in truly unbearable conditions. They would laugh and try to make the best of it. Many of them found rest in the Lord through this horrible time. And I know for sure they were praying. Have you ever heard the term, “There are no atheists in foxholes?” You can bet they were praying!

Well what in the world does all that have to do with you and me? I believe it really illustrates what it means to stand firm. The main verb in the New Testament book of Philippians 4:1-9 means to stand firm. One commentator says this, “Steko (stand firm) is the main verb of verses1-9. It is an imperative, a command with almost a military ring to it. Like soldiers in the front line, believers (Christians) are commanded to hold their position while under attack (cf. Eph. 6:11, 13, 14) They are not to collapse under persecution and compromise, to fail under testing and complain, or to yield to temptation and sin”. (MacArthur Commentary Philippians pg. 267-268.) Eph. 6:11, 13, and 14 say this, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,” (NASU)

The one standing order that General Middleton gave General McAuliffe before leaving Bastogne on the morning of 19 December 1944 was: "Hold Bastogne." Holding Bastogne was vital for winning the war. And because they held Bastogne some would argue they won the war in Europe. Consequently the war in Europe had ended only months later.

So just as those elite American Military units at the Battle of Bastogne had developed stability and stood firm against their enemy’s advances how much more should we as the Church develop principles for spiritual stability to combat our enemy’s’ advances. I can guarantee that if we stand firm and hold to the precepts and principles as outlined in the Bible we will stand firm and be as solid as a rock in a chaotic world. The Bible says that if God is with us who could stand against us?

A Crazy Biblical Lifestyle

2010-05-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Some people think I’m crazy. Some have even told me so, to my face. That’s OK: It’s all good. C.S. Lewis said that we all have a choice. We could believe that Jesus Christ is either a liar, a lunatic or Lord. Jesus did not leave open to us the option that He’s just some great teacher. And I am sure that there are people out there who think that Jesus is a lunatic. So I’m in great company! I however freely confess Jesus is Lord to all who will listen. And even to those who do not care to listen. (I’ve seen you “napping” during some of my sermons.)

I have heard people articulate they are living the Liberal Lifestyle, the Conservative Lifestyle, the Gay Lifestyle or even the Christian Lifestyle. But I have not often heard someone say to me that they are living a Biblical Lifestyle? Even in the church it is not something that I hear people say very often. This is somewhat alarming and a little disconcerting considering the cost of our eternal salvation. God’s gift of eternal life is free to you and me. For only by God’s Grace are we saved. On the other hand it cost Jesus Christ His earthly life. Not to mention that the Bible is God’s revealed word to man. And God keeps His word.

You may be wondering what it means to live a Biblical Lifestyle. The answer is fairly simple: living by the precepts and principles that God has spoken in the sixty-six books of the Bible. The application however is not easy. Living a Biblical Lifestyle will be the most difficult and challenging adventure that you will ever embark upon in your life. But it is by far the most rewarding adventure. Not only can it result in temporal joy and satisfaction in our earthly life, but far better is the eternal reward we have for living by what God says are His ways.

You should know that I don’t have this all figured out. I am just like every other Christian, a redeemed sinner. I have failed significantly at times in my life both in and out of the church. However, the Bible says I am a “new creation” saved by God’s Grace and Mercy. It is only because of the Gospel, or the Good News of Jesus Christ that I can even attempt to live a Biblical Lifestyle. My life is empowered by the ministry of God The Holy Spirit. He helps me to understand what God says in the Bible, and provides the power to apply those truths to my life in a practical way.

I enjoy being a student and a teacher concerning what the Bible says about living a biblical lifestyle. I do however steer clear of teaching people to live in a coded Christianity: a life filled with man-made rules and regulations that are extra biblical. I believe in Christian liberty in the confines of the Scripture. For example you will not learn from me which media choices are Christian or not Christian. That’s between you and God. Yet God speaks through the Bible authoritatively to every issue of life either by precept, principle or person. Do you believe that? I do.

So, at the very least we should all be students of what the Scriptures teach regarding the lifestyle God expects us to live. We Christians are blood bought sons and daughters of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Doesn’t He deserve at least that much? Does that sound crazy to you?

What My Life Was Like Before Becoming a Christian

2010-04-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

My Salvation Testimony

Growing up I was the youngest of four children. I was born in Hammond Indiana and raised in Lansing Illinois. Lansing is a small suburb with a population of about 30,000. It is located just south and east of the city of Chicago. When I grew up the village of Lansing was an all white suburban neighborhood. Nothing special happened there. You could say it was boring.

I grew up in a home where there was no spiritual training at all. My father was raised Catholic and my mother was raised Baptist. In fact my mother converted to Catholicism so she could marry my father. My parents were very indifferent about religion. My parent’s motto regarding religion was, “whatever we were comfortable with.”

Unfortunately for me any religion made me uncomfortable. Therefore I did not have to attend church except at the Christmas and Easter holidays and then only as long as it did not interfere with our holiday plans.

I began my spiritual search when I began to play the guitar at the age of twelve.
Sometime later I would take part in forming a band with some neighborhood kids. At that time it seemed as though the Beatles and Led Zeppelin had all the spiritual answers I needed. There music reflected spiritual teaching. I began to become aware of what they believed. Very frequently the music of Led Zeppelin alluded to the epic novels written by JR Tolkien: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. That was spiritual enough for me. Unfortunately as a result of their “teaching” I began to develop habits that were unhealthy.

Early in my teenage years I began to consume large quantities of alcohol and experiment with drugs. In fact it got so bad at one point that even drug dealers refused to sell to me claiming I was using too much. I began to develop a worldview that did not include God at all. I was obviously in violation of God’s idea of right and wrong. I was lost, confused and needing help. I had intense feelings of loneliness. It seemed as no one understood me. The music and the lifestyle that I cherished so much had become my idol. It was the idol of my heart that I would put before God but in reality it was a curse.

How I Committed My Life to Christ

Fortunately for me at this time in my life my sister became a Christian. This made a huge impact on me because she and I had spent a lot of time together. We were best buds! I praise God to this day because she never gave up on me back then. She persisted for about a year in preaching the gospel to me. Finally one day it all made sense.

As I sat in her apartment in the spring of 1983 in Chicago Heights Illinois I finally understood. She quoted and explained Romans 3:23 to me that “all have sinned”. I realized for the first time that I had been sinning against the all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere God. And that God was just and my sin had a payment. It was my death unless I repented and received Jesus Christ as my personal savior. If I did not receive Jesus Christ as my personal savior I would pay for my sin. I would pay for all eternity in a fiery hell in constant torment. But it did not have to be that way. It was the death of Jesus Christ that paid for my sin. He who knew no sin became sin on my behalf. He died for me.

God’s love for me went unmatched. My sister showed me in the bible the words from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life”. I began to understand God’s love for me and it was powerful. In fact he loved me so much He sacrificed the life of His only unique Son that I might live in heaven forever! She explained and read to me Romans 6:23, that eternal life was a gift from God. There was no good work I could do to get to heaven. I had to accept God’s gift of grace and mercy. What does that mean I can recall wondering? What should I do?

It was at this point she said, “Believe and pray to God that you believe that Jesus died for you and that He rose from the dead. Ask God to forgive you for your sins. Ask Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for the free gift of eternal life made possible by the life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. So I did!

Evidence of God’s Work in My Life since Salvation

I am often asked the question of what has changed in my life since my “religious conversion”.

First, my whole worldview changed. God gave me a new desire to know and study His Word. Through the study of His Word I understand more and more every day how He views the world. Ultimately I will never know all that God knows. I am finite and He is infinite! Even in heaven I will not be all knowing. I do believe however that God will teach us through His word and by His Holy Spirit everything we need to know in order to live a holy life. Everything we need to know pertaining to life and godliness is in God’s Word the Bible.

Second, I have a desire to teach and preach this truth to others. I am burdened for those who do not know the truth. I know that God through His word can change a person’s life. I am living proof. It excites me to know that God can use me to share His word with people through the power of His Spirit.

Third, I really desire to change. I really want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind into the person that God wants me to be. I know I am fallible. I will fail and I will make mistakes. However I have peace in knowing that God will not give up on me. I am His forever. He has promised that He would complete the work He has started in me. It is so important to realize that I would not be in this position by my own merit. God is responsible for all that has happened in my life. Whether I view it as good or bad: God is good ~ all the time. I know that whatever happens in my life it is not outside of His understanding. After all He is an all-knowing God!

PT

To Tattoo or Not Tattoo

2010-04-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Because I work primarily in youth ministry I am often asked this question by teens and parents alike, “Is it OK for Christians to get tattoos?” But is that really the question you should ask?

I believe the real question is, "Will it bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ?" “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB) So with that being said, I hope you all don't mind if I weigh in on tattoos.

Ok Pastor Tom, I have heard you say that God through the Bible speaks authoritatively to every issue of life either by precept, principle or person (Thanks PV). So what about this? What does God say about tattooing our bodies?

Firstly, Leviticus 19:28 is one of the only places in Scripture where tattoos are mentioned specifically. It says this, "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord." (ESV) But there are those who say that since this is Old Testament law written specifically to the Levitical Priesthood it does not apply to us. However there are 37 verses in this Old Testament chapter and contain God's instructions to Israel. Jesus actually quoted verse 18 from this chapter in Mark 12:31.

Secondly, my question would be: Do we have to follow those other instructions that are contained in this chapter? Some are obvious that we do not. Jesus fulfilled the law and we are not required to sacrifice goats etc. So what about loving my neighbor, the verse Jesus quoted? Do I have to obey that? After all it is an Old Testament law and we live in the age of grace under a New Covenant. However I believe when we start picking and choosing which part of God's word we obey we enter very dangerous territory. Sometimes in our finite humanity we want to see what we can get away with rather than listening to God. By the way the Ten Commandments are Old Testament law. Should we obey those?

Thirdly, from a practical stand point, and I speak from experience, many people who get a tattoo regret it later in life. Also tattoos really hurt! What about the risk of disease? Kid Rock & Pamela Anderson both have Hepatitis C from sharing a tattoo needle. To put it simply if you are a believer in Jesus Christ your body does not belong to you. 1 Corinthians 6:19 & 20 says this, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." In other words, take care of yourself. Don’t risk disease or purposely harm your body. It is not yours. It belongs to the Lord and it cost Jesus His life. That was the price.

Fourthly, “The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart”. You have to honestly weigh everything you do or say against the lens of Scripture because Scripture is God speaking to you. You know it wasn’t too long ago that tattoos were looked upon as a worldly thing that was usually associated with drunken service men. Remember what God said in Romans 12:1-2? “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV) Do not conform yourself to the world, and according to this the only way that I can even discern God’s will is by being fully immersed in His word the Bible.

So is it OK for you to get a tattoo? My answer: That’s between you and God! Thanks for letting me chime in! I believe that our Character is far more important to God than our comfort. I hope I was able to at least point you to The Word so you could discern God’s will for you!

God’s Choice

2010-04-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

The doctrine of election is probably one of the most confusing and misunderstood doctrines taught in the Church today. That does not make it any less true. Is it really so hard for us to believe that God can do as He wishes with His creation? After all He is God the Creator!

I have been challenged once again to understand this truth during my recent personal study of the book of Ephesians. Here are some phrases from the first chapter alone: (v.1) "Paul, an Apostle...by the will of God", (v.4) ...He chose us...", (v.5) "He predestined us...according to the kind intention of His will.", (v.9) "He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.", (v.11) "...having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will."

Are you getting the idea based on the Scripture that God has a will and a purpose and a choice?

But here is the interesting part. I chose God too! Somehow God in His infinite wisdom has made it possible for me to choose Him! Did not Joshua say, "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Well how do I reconcile that? Wasn’t I “dead in my trespasses and sins”? (Ephesians 2:1)

I heard the most profound answer to this paradox: God choosing man -vs- man choosing God. I attended a Pastor’s conference and sat in a question and answer session. The Pastor fielding the questions was a very reputable and popular Pastor. Someone asked the question whether we choose God or God chooses us for eternal salvation and his answer was yes. Both of these truths are taught in Scripture. Only God Almighty could pull this off.

Think of it this way. Did I choose my wife? Of course! Did my wife choose me? Well, I like to think so! In reality, what kind of relationship would we have if I said, “Honey you will be my wife whether you like it or not!” I don’t think I would experience the same kind of affection from someone who did not choose me as someone who did.

Ultimately though there is no other way to God other than Jesus Christ Himself (see John 14:6). God left room for no one else. Jesus is THE WAY. But to know that God chose me makes me want to love Him even more! How about you? Are you praising God that He has adopted you into His family?

GOOD FRIDAY

2010-03-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have often wondered why we call it “Good” Friday. I have to confess it has really puzzled me over the years. After all what was so “Good” about the betrayal and murder of an innocent man?

Historians offer this explanation, “There are two possible origins for the name "Good Friday". The first may have come from the Gallican Church in Gaul (modern-day France and Germany). The name "Gute Freitag" is Germanic in origin and literally means "good" or "holy" Friday. The second possibility is a variation on the name "God's Friday," where the word "good" was used to replace the word "God," which was often viewed as too holy for commoners to speak”.

http://www.faithclipart.com/guide/Christian-Holidays/good-friday-significance.html

While that may be true I offer this explanation. The day that Jesus Christ was crucified was the darkest day in human history. It was the day that the past, present and future sin of all humanity was placed on one man: The God-Man, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ was a man who knew no sin. He was completely innocent. He was absolutely without sin and yet he was betrayed by His own disciple. His own people tried Him illegally and brought false charges against Him. They secured His conviction in an illegal court. They turned Him over to Pontius Pilate because they couldn’t execute Him but they knew Pilate could. He was mocked. He was scourged. He was beaten beyond recognition and then He was stripped naked. They placed a crown of thorns on His head and nailed Him to a Roman Cross. That sounds horrible doesn’t it? That doesn’t sound good at all! You can read the Biblical accounts in Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47; John18:1.

The amazing fact is He endured all this of His own volition. He knew that the only way we could be made right with God was through His sacrifice. He was the only one who could save us from the bondage of sin and death. He was the only one who could satisfy God’s justice.

Even while Jesus was enduring this humiliation He looked up into heaven and prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:3) Jesus also said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13) That is what Jesus did for you and for me. Jesus Christ is what makes “Good Friday” GOOD! Praise the Lord for His sacrifice!

Are you a friend of Jesus? If so, He laid His life down for you. Remember to thank Him this Resurrection Sunday! He really did give His life so that you and I could have life and have it more abundantly. What a friend we have in Jesus!