When Kids speak....

About a week ago I sat down with my older kids to explain to them some of the changes that would be happening with my job and the future for our family. I really didn’t know what to expect, would they be crying or just not really care, seriously I had no clue. What happened….

Well my kids started to teach me.  You see as Heidi and I have been praying through all these decisions over the last while two things became clear. First of all we know that with all that is going on in our kids lives and with their unique stories that God has been crafting we are staying in Chilliwack for the near future. In other words we aint moving anytime soon. The other piece is that God is in control and we need to be obedient to whatever he has before us and to trust in him.  To be completely honest, for me, sometimes those are both easier to type then to do. My kids on the other hand it seems totally natural. I got the “duh Dad, of course were supposed to stay here.” Then they started to plan our future. I didn’t ask them to but really I was kind of cut out of the following discussion as they spoke around me instead of to me. Here is a glimpse of what took place.

Char: Hey Dad is doing guitar so maybe he can start doing music now!”

Man: “Yeah, I guess, but shouldn't he get some voice lessons too. He’s a little rough.”

Char: “Well Dad I can go do some more acting and help support us.”

Man: “Maybe you can get a job at the movies, then we can get in for free.”

Char: “Or 7-11 Dad then you can get us all slurpees, they all know you there anyway.”

Every one of my kids offered to go get jobs as long as we could keep doing church and ministering to people. Every one of them asked if we were still going to be able to open our home and study the Bible with people and every one of them asked if they can invite their friends and families.  

As a Dad I was so proud. As a brother in Christ I learned a lesson.  Though at times I may think that I need to shoulder this alone or that Heidi and I need to figure it out on our own. God speaks often through our kids as well. No, I’m not sending them out to get jobs…. Yet. But as Heidi and I are seeking out answers and as God is guiding us we will also be including those short people in some of the conversations and listening to what God has put on their humongous hearts. 

^{Matthew 19:13-15 (MSG)}

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.

The Journey Continues!

I once had someone describe life to me as a book with chapters, as one chapter closes another one starts. Others speak of life as seasons, again as one closes another opens. I have always seen life more as a journey. This journey has taken me through some truly hard times, absolutely amazing times and everything in between.

You see the thing about being on a journey is that even though you are perpetually moving forward your past is not closed off to you. A journey, especially one that is being guided by God, will take you all over the place including places you never thought you would go or return too. It will bring people in and out of your life and as they are on their own journeys. Watching how God intersects and twist and stretches us all becomes an adventure of its own.

Today Heidi and I and the kids are taking another turn on the path and following God into the great unknown. As of Feb 28^th 2015 I will no longer be on staff at Yarrow Alliance Church. We know bits and pieces of the future. I know what God has put on my heart, but we are taking time for discernment, to build into ourselves and our kids and to try and set an example to them of what it means to follow Jesus 100%. 

I’d be lying if I told you that I know how this all turns out. That the plan is all in place for the future and that I’m not a bit scared and nervous. But I can tell you that I feel a peace and a freedom that only comes when we step out in obedience to God.  I'm excited for the journey ahead and we do covet your prayers. The announcement was made last Sunday at our church and I don’t know if I was more nervous about the announcement or the fact that I was on the worship team for the first time in a loooong time and had to throw down a lil Rap in one of the songs. Yes, you read that right.  Let me leave you with the words from that “Rap” they are taken from Eugene Peterson’s the Message. 

Matthew 5:3-12

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.