Set Apart

In our family devotionals and the readings in between we have been through (and skipped over) the exodus of the Israelites. When God told them it was time to go he gave them specific instructions on how to mark their doors to set them apart from the Egyptians (Exodus 12). The blood on the door frames signified to all who passed that this house belonged to God and his followers. This distinction saved the lives of all the first born of Israel.

I started to think about how we set our families apart from those outside of Christ. Do we put up pictures and paintings with sayings like “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord,” or “God Bless this House.” I am grateful for those reminders in my family’s home but I want to make sure that my faith is deep enough that my neighbors know before walking in to my home (and seeing our Christian paraphernalia) that I am a follower of Christ. 

Questions to Consider:

• We worry so much about teens leaving faith behind without ever asking the question, Do our lives show the markings of Christ? 
• Is there any reason for them to continue to try to be distinct if we have never truly set ourselves or our families apart?
• What distinctive marks are you placing in your life and the life of your family to set them apart? 
• How can these distinction end up saving the lives of our children?

Thanksgiving Day #17: Friends: Paavo Tucker

Today I am thankful for lasting friendships. In my life I have been blessed by God in Him bringing so many people into my life whose influence through friendship has molded me into who I am (and still becoming). Paavo Tucker is one of those friends. Paavo has been in my life since the original Nintendo. We became friends over a healthy rivalry in the game TECMO SUPER BOWL. We spent every day together in the summer and winter breaks, traveled back and forth from Finland, were roommates at FHU, even worked together for a summer in ministry at Woodward Park. All along the way he has been one of the first calls I make when any life change happens.

Today Ashley, Eden and I met up with Paavo and Laurie for lunch in Knoxville and as we walked toward each other it was surreal to be back on the same side of the US. The entire lunch I couldnt help but think back to the days spent kicking a soccer ball, hitting balls at the driving range, watching ridiculous tv shows, sharing birthdays, and trying to freestyle rap. I am thankful for his friendship, influence, encouragement, wisdom, and guidance in my life. WIthout him I would never have fallen in love with soccer or hockey. He has depend my relationship and dependency on God and challenged me with hard questions in almost every conversation. Today I am thankful for PT.

Thanksgiving Day #16: Family Nights

When we decided to make the move back to Tennessee we decided to be intentional about finding time to be with our family and exposing Eden to the wisdom and love of her incredible grandparents and great grandparents. We have almost been in Maryville a month and have enjoyed more family time in the last month than we have been blessed with in the last couple of years. Whether it is a quick trip to Sevierville for a show with the Parkers or a drive to Acton for a Whitehurst/Frizzell Thanksgiving every moment is precious. I am thankful for the family nights we have enjoyed!

Thanksgiving Day #15: Hope Central

On Tuesday I drove up to Knoxville to learn more about a ministry that is going on in one of the toughest neighborhoods in our area. I was met by Veta, the director of the ministry, for a tour of the house and neighborhood. I am so thankful for the time we spent together. During our hour together she introduced me to many of the families in the immediate neighborhood and explained the different family situations and backgrounds. I was introduced to pimps, prostitutes, drug addicts and pushers, broken homes, convicts, felons, and mentally unstable individuals and I couldn't stop smiling. This was the crowd my Savior spent his time with. This is where our teens need to be. This is a ministry that is real and necessary. God has opened a door to us at Maryville to be involved in an area of Knoxville and build bridges to families that has not been possible until the last few years.

The following Thursday we hosted a Holiday Dinner in our fellowship hall for the families in the neighborhood. We enjoyed a great meal, beautiful craft making, made family portraits, played in the gym and as I looked around the room I grew emotional watching young and old, rich and poor, addict and recovering, black and white enjoying time together with a common bond all made possible by the love of Christ. I am thankful for Hope Central.

Check them out: http://hopecentralknoxville.com

Thanksgiving Day #14: Worship Wednesday/ Sabbath Sunday

One of my favorite things just walking in the door in Maryville is the way that they have their Wednesday night fellowship set up. The mid week meeting is on a four week rotation: Worship Wednesday, Service (Hope Central), White Hair Wednesday (intergenerational small groups), Life Application Scripture Study. I love Worship Wednesday! We had a similar set up in Fresno with our Sabbath Sunday. We spend the entire class period in focused readings, prayer, and song and spend the last ten minutes discussing what we have done and its significance. I am thankful for our song leaders, prayer warriors, and scripture guides as we engage in our Worship Wednesdays!

"I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

Thanksgiving Day #13: Jason Brazier

Freed Hardeman creates these weird relationship boundaries between people. I have made more friends from FHU since graduation that I never spent time with in my four years in Henderson because of social club, dorm, major, or social circle differences. I am always embarrassed to find so much in common with these new friends and always wonder why we didn't connect in college. The best example of this is Jason Brazier.

Today I am thankful for Jason's friendship. I grew up with Jason's wife (and Ashley's best friend) Amanda. You would think that would have locked us into friendship but in college we only talked in passing or through different leadership opportunities that we were both thrown into. Over the years we have exchanged several new music recommendations, youth ministry tools, and pancakes lunches but never took our relationship to the next level. Jason has become a great blessing to me over the last 6 months as we have contemplated a move back to Tennessee and the ramifications of re-entering the crazy world of youth ministry in this fine state. We were able to host Jason and Amanda in our home in Fresno in August and the time we spent had together solidified our common interest and similarities and was the beginning of a new friendship. I am thankful for his random phone calls, ministry advice, creativity, and music recommendations. I am thankful to God for our friendship.

Thanksgiving Day #12: Mothers and Daughters

Today I am thankful for the growing relationship I get to watch everyday between my wife and daughter. Earlier I wrote about my time and developing relationship with Eden and I have been more intentional because of how beautiful her relationship is with Ashley. I love watching Eden's face when "mom" enters the room,  the way she cuddles into Ashley like no one else, even the way she tests her boundaries by looking to mom and raising her eyebrows before doing whatever mischievous activity she has planned. It is just incredible to see the bond they have and how much it seems to grow with every passing day. The best part of my day is the dance party that always breaks out around any new event: putting up the Christmas tree = dance party, getting Eden ready for a bath = dance party, driving home from church = dance party. These are always Ashley/Eden initiated and I am more than excited to join the fun.
Ashley was born to be a mom! I love watching the care and concern she has for Eden and also the joy she takes from every little sigh, head shake, hand clap, and babble. I love coming home to hear all about the adventures in the lives of mothers and daughters. I am blessed