Breakfast of Champions

There is hope for us because Jesus is all we need. These words capture our lives with the Lord.

Each morning that greets me is full of hope

Not because I am successful at what I am doing.

Or because the people near me appreciate me,

Or because the circumstances are easy.

But because God is, and He is my Father.

To look at the morning any other way

is to believe a lie.

To live in hope is to live in the truth;

To live in the truth is to bring Him glory;

To bring God glory in my daily living

is the highest form of worship.

(p. 221, How People Change, Paul Tripp & Time Lane)

March Madness

Remember: 3 Years Ago Today

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years,

to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart,

whether or not you would keep his commands" (Deuteronomy 8:2).

It’s been three years since the first of four surgeries occurred to replace both of my ankles in March 2008. Many of you chartered the journey with me as the surgeries were scheduled 12 weeks apart. Crutches were part of my recovery and walking routine for over a year. During that time, I only wore one shoe as one of the two ankles were “under construction.” I still remember how odd it felt to finally put both shoes on my feet a little over a year after the surgeries began.

I am so grateful for all God has accomplished in my life through these surgeries. He’s used it to chip off pride, depend on Him, live for His kingdom, not mine, and in some small way He’s given me the opportunity to understand more of the sufferings of my Savior, Jesus Christ. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Along the way there have been numerous times to show and share the love of Christ through the gospel with doctors, nurses, medical staff, those who are physically suffering, and others He sovereignly brings across my path. I would not have had these opportunities if my ankles were not replaced.

The Lord’s blessed me with meeting new people like Christian musician, Virginia Hill, and a professor, Dr. Greg Harris, at The Master’s Seminary who’s also suffered physical affliction. I have yet to meet Dr. Harris in person. We have corresponded by e-mail and I have been spiritually encouraged and challenged by reading his books including The Cup and the Glory.

Many of you who read this post have, are, or will suffer physically. For the believer in Christ -- we can expect to suffer in this life -- maybe not physically, but emotionally through a broken relationship, a wayward child, an unexpected loss, and the list goes on. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29). It’s my prayer that we see Jesus’ suffering and the fellowship we have with Him in the midst our own sufferings. We too can see how Jesus responded in suffering and His desire to please His Heavenly Father. We are to do the same. "Although he was a son (Jesus), he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

A full recovery from the surgeries in 2008 has been made. I can now walk without crutches, usually free of pain, and enjoy swimming, biking including spin class, and am grateful, very grateful to God for His goodness in my life! Each day we have is a gift from the Lord to glorify Him.

“Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Blizzard

Snow – we got it! Over 20+ inches fell during the last 24 hours. I had the day off, as most Chicago land residents did, to dig out from the third largest snow fall on record. I haven’t seen mounds of snow this high since 2000 when we had a 20+ inches snow storm.

The monthly association dues for the condo community are paying off today, big time! Check out the pics. Snow removal men are here to dig out my sidewalks and driveway. Very, very nice!



This snow reminds me of the awesome handiwork of God. Each snowflake created by the Creator is unique. No two snowflakes are the same. Beyond that He uniquely creates each of us for one purpose – His glory. The psalmist writes, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

As I look at all of this snow, I am reminded of Christ’s precious blood, shed on the cross so you and I can have forgiveness of sins. “And without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22b). Not only is there the forgiveness of sins, but the cleansing of all unrighteousness through the confession of sins.

Ever tried to get one of your favorite shirts or pants clean after something has spilled on it? After scrubbing over and over again with every cleaning agent known to man, including bleach, that still will not come completely clean. Not so, with the blood of Christ.

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

Whiter than snow.

Upset...Almost!

I love college sports, especially college football and basketball. When the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes came to town to take on the unranked Northwestern mens basketball team on Saturday, I was hoping for a competitive game. Maybe, an upset, but probably not.

The Northwestern Wildcats did not disappoint. Although they were outsized by Ohio State in both height and weight, Northwestern controlled the first half by running a half court offense, methodically working the shot clock down to its final ticks, and shooting the long ball for a bunch of three pointers. At the half Northwestern was only down two points, 25-27.

Ohio State came out of the locker room and started the first half hitting a number of shots. They stretched the lead to 12 points, but Northwestern came back and tied the game even. This was without one of their leading scores, John Shurna, who was on the bench for the game with a concussion.

With 3.5 seconds to go in the game, Northwestern fouled Ohio States leading scorer, freshman, Jared Sullinger. The place is rock'n as Sullinger steps to the line to shoot the first of two free throws. He clanks the first one of the rim! The crowd kicks up the noise a couple decibels. Sullinger hits the second free throw shot, 57-58. Ohio State wins, but not without being almost upset!

Look Backing, Looking Ahead

As 2010 draws to a close it's another time to reflect and see God's goodness to me. His provision for a church body, friends that encourage me in my walk with Jesus, and a family that is pursuing Him too. I'm grateful for the job he has provided for me to do during the last 14 years.

I see the Lord at work in me and others through the biblical counseling ministry at church. None of us, as believers, are to stagnate in our growth. Paul writes to the church in Colosse, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 1:6-7)

I'm expectant of God's work in and through me the new year to come. Grateful for the promise "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6b).

As the sun sets today, my heart is full knowing that God's on the throne and His goodness is real.

Expectant to know Him more and make Him known in 2011.

Light.

"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (1 Corinthians 4:8).

Lights are everywhere during the Christmas season. They decorate people's houses, candlelight luminaries light sidewalks, Christmas trees are garnished with lights, and Chicago skyscrapers are lit with lights for the season. I am grateful for Jesus Christ - the Light of the world - who took on flesh as a little baby in order to live and die for my sins. Isaiah prophesied of his birth, "The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

In the New Testament, John writes of Jesus as the light of men. "Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" (John 1:3-5).

Grateful for the Light, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save men from their sins.