Our Children Have an Enemy

A nation is waking up this morning only to be reminded of the senseless and tragic events that unfolded yesterday at an elementary school in Connecticut. Twenty-eight lives were lost, and twenty were children.

Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy stood before the cameras and reporters yesterday and announced that “evil visited this community today.” He’s right. It’s not difficult to see evil’s handprint when a majority of the victims are innocent children.  

It’s a heartbreaking reminder that our children have an enemy. The Scriptures give this evil a face and name—satan. The Bible also provides clear reasoning for why satan fiercely opposes children.

First, God’s heart beats for children. “Let the children come to me”, said (and says) Jesus, “and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) I’ve learned over the past several years as a pastor to children that they are the apple of His eye. God’s love for children is higher, deeper, longer, and wider than anything we can possibly comprehend.

As if that's not enough reason for evil to oppose children, below are a few more. Children display the glory of God.  They are “wonderfully and fearfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) In fact, as I look out my office window I can see the sunrise paint the mountains a beautiful shade of orange. Pikes Peak is looming large and embracing the gorgeous rays of sunlight. As beautiful as it is, the glory of Pikes Peak pales in comparison to the glory God has placed upon and in children. Look into their eyes and you’ll see the life and wonder of Christ. Listen carefully and you’ll hear His laughter coming through their lips. The same lips that have been ordained to bring God praise. (Psalm 8:2)

The second half of Psalm 8:2 is equally as compelling. It’s through the praise of children and infants that “the enemy is silenced.” God advances His Kingdom and purposes through children. The Scriptures expand upon this idea by correlating children to “arrows” in Psalm 127. Of course, that’s right after children are labeled a “heritage from the LORD.”

Children are a gift from God, so the thief steals. Children silence the enemy, so he tries to silence them first. Children display the glory and wonder of their Creator, so satan destroys.

Our response must be rooted in prayer. Let us pray for the safety and protection of our children. Let us pray for their God-given destinies to be fulfilled. Let us pray for the glory of God to shine even brighter through their lives. Let us pray that their child-like faith, trust, joy, and innocence will remain.

…And let us pray for the heartbroken families that suffered enormous loss yesterday.

"Holy Cow"

I looked like a deer in headlights.

Ashley had already told me multiple times what she wanted for Christmas, but when she asked me a few days ago if I remembered, my mind drew a big fat blank. 

It was one of those awkward moments where we sat there staring at each other. I was trying for the life of me to recall her wish list. I knew what she wanted, but my brain felt numb.

“You don’t remember what I want!” she said in a half-joking-half-serious tone. The silence was thundering. The awkwardness grew by the moment.  “Yes, I remember,” I said while trying my best to stall, “You want a…….”

She leaned in as if to say, “Come on….This shouldn’t be so difficult.” But, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t think of what she had asked for. 

I eventually remembered, but the damage had already been done. Thankfully she was a good sport and forgave my cognitive lapse.  I made a mental note that I better go above and beyond this Christmas season to show her that I really did know what she wanted. 

The truth is that I really do enjoy talking to Ashley. There’s nobody I enjoy being with more than my bride. At the same time, it’s sometimes easy to allow my mind to wander and focus on distractions when we’re together—work, school, responsibilities of being a dad, financial responsibilities, and the long list of other items that require my attention. They are good things, but I must keep them in their proper time and place. If I don’t, I will forfeit the rich blessing of knowing my wife on a deeper level.

I’ve sensed God saying lately, Gabe, lean in to your wife. You’ll discover so much about me by simply paying attention to her heart. You may even be surprised by what you find.

Speaking of being surprised, Ashley and I went to Avery’s preschool play this morning. It was a blast to watch my little blue-eyed beauty stand on stage and sing along with the other kids. I glanced down at the program and saw something that was quite funny. The teachers had asked each three and four year old what their MOMMY wanted for Christmas this year. Avery’s response is highlighted below:

Apparently, Ashley wants a cow. 

And she had the nerve to be upset that I didn’t know…

One Grand Author...One Peculiar Story

The two greatest gifts in my life have each come through unusual circumstances. I’ll start with the runner up on my list.

Exactly six years ago tonight, Ashley and I were circling the mostly frozen lake behind the Broadmoor. It was beyond cold, and due to my intense stalling, we went around time and time again. I finally located the courage needed to get on bended knee and propose (read a more detailed account here). The sound of her “Y-E-S!” was music to my ears.

I proposed a short five and a half months after initially meeting her. Although our dating experience was brief, it was filled with unpredictable moments—like the day I collapsed while running and ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. 

Not only was I surprised to find out that 75% of my kidneys had shut down, but I was also caught off guard when they wheeled me into a tiny little room that carried an anything but tiny smell.  My hospital roommate was a man in his 80’s who happened to be experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues. The only thing separating the two of us was a small retractable curtain—which did little to keep the foul smells and sounds on his side of the room.

Despite the barely bearable smell, Ashley remained at my bedside the entire time. She even slept in a hard chair at the end of my bed, bending over to lay her head by the source of another unpleasant fragrance—my feet.  I knew in that moment she was no ordinary woman.

My recovery was nothing short of miraculous, which is how I also describe the fact that Ashley agreed to marry me after that experience. Come to think of it, miraculous is a fitting term to describe how our paths initially crossed.  

Whenever someone asks how Ashley and I met, I usually respond by saying, “Through mutual friends”. There’s more to the story, but we’re both a little embarrassed to share the details. I think it’s time to come clean.

A few months prior to meeting Ashley, I was walking into the church when a seemingly random person carrying a computer approached me and said, “Gabe, let me show you something. There is a new website called myspace where you can create your own webpage. You gotta sign up for this!”

“I don’t think it’s really my thing,” I told him as I walked away smiling. It sounded kind of nerdish to me. While I actually made fun of the idea at first, I had my own page within a month.  And I thank God I took the plunge.

Shortly after I signed up for what is now the red-headed step child of social media, I was pleasantly surprised by an email that appeared in my myspace inbox. Actually, I rubbed my eyes in disbelief as I stared at a picture of a blonde haired, blue eyed beauty who had just emailed me out of the blue.  She had written to introduce herself after realizing we had mutual friends.

 I glanced back at her picture again…and again…and again…and eventually broke out into a loud and exuberant rendition of “Handel’s Messiah”. I think all of heaven joined in. The hallelujah chorus playing in my heart only intensified as I saw her for the first time, and it grew even louder as I witnessed her character and love for the Lord in the days that followed.

For those of you who know Ashley well, I’m sure you’ll agree that sending an email on myspace to a guy she had never met was extremely unusual for her. She often laughs when she says, “I can’t believe I did that. Something came over me.”

The more I walk with God and experience the story He’s telling, the more I’m aware of His unconventional methods. He is authoring a grand story. It’s a story filled to the brim with the element of surprise. He is surely the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), but it’s amazing how unpredictable He can be.

I think He simply likes to keep us on our toes. He wants us to lean in and pay attention to what He’s doing.  The events of our life may not make sense at the time, but we have to view them through the lens of story. Aren’t some of the greatest stories the ones with unpredictable twists and turns? Isn’t this what keeps us engaged in the story? The brilliance of an author is often seen in the way one can take peculiar and highly unusual circumstances and bring all the details together to make perfect sense.

Which brings me to number one on my list of gifts.  

A small baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, surrounded by animals, and placed in a manger.   What an odd experience for any baby, not to mention the King of Kings.  The very One who carved the ocean’s deep, formed the mountain tops, stretched out the vast sky, and breathed life into us came as a baby and found Himself lying in a feeding trough.

Bizarre.

Strange.

Peculiar.

That’s the only reasonable response….Unless we understand what He meant by saying, “I am the bread of life.”

Brilliant.

See You There?

I’ve never met him, but I can’t help but like Lionel Rodia. He is a middle-aged man from Philadelphia who is a die-hard Phillies, 76ers, and Eagles fan. He also possesses an uncanny ability to maneuver his way into prestigious sporting events—like the way he got into Super Bowl XXI without a ticket--and once in, he slowly but surely lays claim to some of the best unused seats in the house.

His crowning achievement occurred during game 5 of the 2008 World Series. He initially found himself sitting near the leftfield foul pole, but it wasn’t long before he made his way to the Diamond Club section and enjoyed the rest of the game two rows up from home plate.

As good as “his” new seats were he wasn’t satisfied with remaining in the stands. When it became evident the Phillies were going to win the game, thus clinching their World Series title, Lionel began plotting a way to join the players in celebration. He stood up and followed a tall and important looking man all the way into a special room where he found himself in the company of Bud Selig, several other men in suits, and the World Series trophy. Lionel then fell in line and followed them onto the field where people continued to assume he was somebody affiliated with the team. They gave him a championship shirt and even placed a lei around his neck while he high-fived players.

As the Phillies transitioned their celebration from the pitcher’s mound to the champagne-stocked locker room, Lionel decided to go with them.  He spent the next several minutes in “fan-heaven” spraying champagne into the air and celebrating with his beloved heroes. He flew under the radar the entire time, except for when his buddy saw him on television in the locker room and asked, “Is that Lionel?!?!”

While I understand some of his actions may be considered questionable, I actually admire his boldness and courage. Lionel wasn’t content simply watching the celebration; he wanted to taste it for himself. He endured the risk of being drug off the field by his underwear strap, just so he could participate rather than watch from a distance.

Isn’t it easy to feel like we’re a spectator in life—like we’re on the outside looking in? We sit in the stands day after day and watch our heroes do great things. As for us, we think, I’d love to do that… I just don’t see it happening.

I’m convinced that is not the way God sees the situation. He is authoring a story where you play a significant role. You are His masterpiece for a reason. He has loaded you up with priceless gifts and talents, and He invites you to put down the peanuts, squeeze your way past all the other spectators in your row, and follow Him to the field where the action is.

Think about the dreams and desires in your heart. Where did they come from? Are you being a good steward of what He planted in your heart? Do you really even need Him while you're sitting on those hard, undersized seats? You may think you’re waiting for God’s timing, but is there a chance He’s the one waiting for you to display courage?

Sure, there is risk. But, I’ve heard there is quite a celebration brewing.

Hope to see you there.

Why I Fired My Amazing Wife

“Ashley”, I said in my best Donald Trump voice, “You’re fired!”

Speaking of Trump, he could be the only one with worse hair right now. 

First, let me say my wife is one of the most gifted people I know. She is an incredible mom, and an even better wife.  She’s smart and witty. Her cooking is top notch. And if you give her a can of spray paint, she can make any old, worthless item look like it just came off the shelf at IKEA.  

But, if you give her a pair of scissors….Now that’s a different story.

She has been working on me for years to give her the chance to cut my hair.  I finally gave in a few months ago and decided I would give her a shot. “We’ll save 20 bucks, and I’ll go have a professional fix it if I end up looking like a matted coyote”, I thought to myself as I sat down in our makeshift barber’s chair.

While I appreciated her effort and hard work, my hair was a little choppy afterwards. I decided I could live with it—she’s the only one I really need to attract—and smiled as I thought about how she’ll only get better with time.

The second hair cut was better, but still a little uneven. The third cut was a regression. I was trying to be polite and not say anything, but she eventually admitted (six days after the cut and right after I had stood in front of over 100 people to speak), “I think I did a poor job on your hair!”

Lesson learned. Cough up the 20 bucks and go to a professional. 

They say experience is one of the best ways to learn, and repeated experience is one of the worst. In this case, it took repeated experience to discover I should have been loyal to my initial gut feeling.

  

As we near the end of another year, I’ve been reflecting on other lessons I’ve learned over the past 11 months.  Some have been a lot less humorous and much more costly. The common denominator is that I don’t want to take the same classes next year, so I’m committed to reflecting, evaluating, and changing.

So, I recently asked God two simple questions: What did you teach me this year? What changes need to be made to build upon this? I didn't exactly have to twist His arm for answers. In fact, I sensed His delight that I would even ask. As much as I don't want to experience the same hard lessons over and over, I think God is even more passionate about me getting it.  

I also think this process should include a trusted friend. Invite someone to do the same thing, and then find time to meet for a cup of coffee and share what you each discovered. Lastly, give them permission to speak into your life and hold you accountable in the coming months. I'm confident God will bless your intentionality.

This is what Ashley and I did last night, and it actually led to a great conversation. After asking her if she wanted to share what she learned this year, she quipped, “Not to cut your hair again!”

I’m happy to hold her accountable on that one.

The Here and Now

I stumbled upon these pictures recently, and I was once again reminded of the powerful truth they convey. The pictures were taken when Avery was visiting my mom and dad in Kansas--although I think Libby was the one who really assumed the babysitting responsibilities. These two buddies simultaneously experienced the reality that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Can you relate? How often do we find ourselves doing the same thing? We set our sights on something we think we really want, and then once we experience it, we begin to think about how good we had it in the past. This happens with relationships, jobs, responsibility, material items, and a long list of other things.

The problem with this illusion is that it causes us to forfeit what God has placed in front of us NOW. We are ignorant of today's blessings, because we're too busy chasing what we think we want. In reality, isn't this the same trap Adam and Eve fell into? They refused to embrace the wonder of God's presence and friendship because they wanted something more. They valued what God devalued and devalued what God valued. While it's easy to label them as bone-headed, it's even easier to make the same mistake.

 I have been guilty of this more than I care to admit, but I have also discovered the truth of David's words from Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." (v. 1)

Everything we truly need to be content and joyful has already been offered to us in Jesus. As we engage Him in the present moment and pay attention to what He's doing and saying, we'll experience the abundant life He alone can deliver.

This Christmas season, the advertising bombardment will surely continue. Their message is clear--you need this. However, I believe there is a quite different message coming from the same mouth that breathed the stars into existence:

You need me.

Five Minute Experiment

When I think of “experiment”, my mind instantly goes back to my freshman year at Colby Community College. I was an 18 year old kid ready to experience all that college had to offer—and maybe learn a thing or two along the way. 

One of my first classes was a chemistry course taught by a highly esteemed professor named Dr. Max Pickerill.  Students called him “Pick”. He was a bright, witty man in his mid seventies who talked with a deep gruff in his voice and had a knack for cigarettes. 

In fact, he would teach with a cigarette in one hand and a piece of chalk in the other. When we moved from the classroom to the chemistry lab, his cigarette always went with him. Now, I was already nervous enough about the idea of experimenting with dangerous chemicals while surrounded by a bunch of rookie chemists who were probably still hung over from the night before.   I didn’t need the added pressure of the professor walking around the lab with a lit cigarette. 

On one particular occasion, while I had already mixed several chemicals together and was thoroughly confused regarding what I was actually doing, Pick walked up to me with his lit cigarette and began adjusting my chemical solution with the same hand his cigarette was in. I was convinced I was mere seconds away from losing my eyebrows.  I didn’t pray much in college, but I called out to God in that moment!

Not only did Pick help my prayer life, but he actually taught me a great deal about chemistry. He also taught me that experimenting often leads to new insight and knowledge.

I sensed God pose an experiment idea to me recently. The idea was to grab a piece of paper and pen and simply sit before Him for five minutes thinking about nothing except the reality of His amazing presence in my life. 

This should have been an easy experiment. I am talking about the same Spirit that “hovered over the waters at creation”. (Gen 1:2) What was the result of that? Everything your eyes behold today. This exact Spirit not only hovers over me, but He actually resides within me! Why would it be so difficult to fix my mind on this awesome truth for five minutes? 

I made it less than a minute before my mind started replaying certain events of the day. One particular thought led to another and to another, and it wasn’t long before I realized I had not only chased the rabbit down the trail, but I followed him all the way into his burrow. 

I failed my experiment. I had completely forgotten about God’s presence in about 23 seconds. I wrote down everything that I had thought about in that five minute time frame, and then I began to evaluate why these thoughts hijacked my attention.  The common theme was worry and anxiety over things that don’t really matter. 

With my list of hijacking thoughts and concerns staring me in the face, I began to obey the Scriptures by “taking every thought captive” and “casting my cares upon Him”.  This was a powerful experience that yielded great fruit. After all, I then tried the experiment again and made it 42 seconds. Progress, my friends.

I encourage you to find time and engage this same experiment. Sit with God and set your mind on the indescribable gift of His presence for the next five minutes. Make a list of any thoughts and concerns that derail you, and cast those into God’s reliable hands. 

Why not? What do you have to lose? 

It won’t be your eyebrows.

The Familiar Grin

As much as I enjoyed playing baseball, I was probably a less than average pitcher. In fact, not only was my shoulder sore after pitching a game, but turning my head to watch one ball after the next fly over the fence made my neck sore, too. 

There was one particular game though where I experienced a break from the familiar sounds that accompanied my pitching performance—“ball 4!” and “WHACK!” The events of that day still bring a smile to my face.

I was standing on the pitcher’s mound waiting to start when it became apparent that we were missing the umpire. I could see the director of our league frantically looking for the person she had hired to call the game. A few more minutes passed before I saw someone walk onto the field wearing the typical umpire's uniform.  I took a closer look at the smile behind the mask, and I realized I recognized that grin.

 For whatever reason, the regularly scheduled umpire never showed up that day, and the director was forced to replace him with any willing volunteer. In this case, that would be Scott Jenkins—my brother. I laughed out loud when I discovered he would be calling the balls and strikes. 

The other team’s fans certainly weren’t laughing once they saw his generous strike zone. At one point, my offering went awry and missed the plate by nearly a foot. Scott paused, stood up, and while trying not to laugh, yelled, “STRIIIIKE!”  

A barrage of insults and criticism quickly followed, which only served to expand his already favorable strike zone. It’s amazing how my confidence grew by the pitch. My fast ball miraculously sped up, and my non-existent curve ball starting smelling like stinky cheese.

I was favored, and I enjoyed every moment. 

Favor is a beautiful thing. Simply put, it’s undeserved kindness. If you knew how I had tattled on and nagged my older brother growing up, you would agree his kindness was undeserved. Experiencing his favor turned my heart towards him. He made a statement on that afternoon that he was for me, and the result was a strengthened friendship. This is why it's so important to understand God's favor towards us. 

The Christmas story is a story of favor. You can’t grasp the reality of what happened with the baby in the manger without recognizing the unimaginable and undeserved kindness of God towards His people.  Look closely at what the angels proclaimed after His birth:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:14

God’s favor rested on a rebellious and nearly faithless people.  Their darkness didn’t dictate His response, but rather His nature penetrated their darkness. The same is true today. God doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, but His kindness leads to repentance and into a greater revelation of who He is. 

We were created to experience His favor on a daily basis. I am convinced that He is reminding us of this as we go about our hurried lives.  Do we recognize His whisper and His kindness in the clutter of the world?

This Christmas Season, let’s possess eyes to see and ears to hear. Let the wonder of the season return. Open your heart and receive the favor of your Creator.

²⁴ ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
²⁵ May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’  Numbers 6:24-26

And may you laugh out loud when you see Him show up in the most unusual places, sporting that familiar grin.