Two in One . . .

I put together a random playlist of music to listen to this morning, as I often do at the office. I included a variety of Christian artists, and mixed in a sprinkling of Christmas songs to begin getting in the mood. Just now a song came on that takes me back thirty-three years.

It was recorded in the mid-seventies by The Pat Terry Group. The name of the song is "That's the Way," and it was a part of our wedding ceremony in December 1977. As Jan and I were walking out of the worship center, Jan's cousin, Dennis, shared that song.

It is amazing how music influences our thoughts and memories. Unfortunately, there are only a few details that I remember about our wedding. I remember seeing Jan walk down the aisle . . . the most beautiful bride in the world. I remember the overwhelming feeling that came over me as I realized the awesome thing that was about to take place. And I remember walking back down that same aisle, arm in arm, listening to the first few lines of that song. Those words capture the essence of our marriage.

With this ring I thee wed and I give to you my life
Mine is yours and yours is mine
And we can live that way forever

With this kiss we will seal that we now are man and wife
Two in one, one in two
That's the way it's got to be

With this love we can live, but we can't keep it to ourselves
He is mine, he is yours
And we can spend our lives in telling

I give my heart, I give my soul, I give you all my worldly goods
Two in one, one in two
That's the way it's got to be

I will cling to you, you will cling to me
And in the shadow of the cross we'll live on bended knee

With this prayer I commit that we both become as one
He in us and we in him
Saying vows to one another
Hold them fast in your heart till the day we see the Son
Two in one, one in two
That's the way it's got to be

Two in one, one in two
That's the way it's got to be

Psalm 139

My expression of Psalm 139.

Lord, you have examined every part of me and know me fully. You know everything I do, everywhere I go. You comprehend my thoughts. There is nothing within me that is hidden from you. Before I speak a word, you know it. You are all around me. There is no place that I can go and escape your presence. For this I am thankful. You take me by the hand, leading, guiding and protecting.

You shaped me even while I was in my mother's womb. You formed me into the person that I am. I am your personal masterpiece. I am your creation. You know the content of every day that I have lived and every day that I will live.

Your thoughts are precious to me. They are more than I can comprehend. Though it is not needed, I give you permission to search out my heart, mind and life. Show me the sins that I have not confessed. Reveal to me the parts of me that are not completely yielded to you. Direct my steps for I am yours.

Voting: A Privilege and Responsibility

Voting is an American privilege and responsibility. I still remember the excitement that I felt the very first time that I entered a voting booth to cast a ballot. Even then, so many years ago, I knew that it was an incredible privilege that few people in the world enjoy. I was given the opportunity to participate in forming the government of the greatest nation on the planet. My vote could make a difference. I still feel that way.

As I write this blog, this year's election is one day away. However, I will not be going to a voting site tomorrow. I took advantage of early voting last week and recorded my ballot. I followed a series of principles that have guided my voting choices for a number of years. I would like to share a few of them with you.

1. I vote pro-life. I do not knowingly vote for individuals who support abortion.
2. I vote for those who will stand for moral purity and traditional family values.
3. I vote for those who believe in limited government.
4. I vote for those who take the constitution seriously.
5. I vote for those who are fiscally conservative.
6. I vote for those who believe in a strong defense.
7. I vote for those who defend individual freedom.

I want to encourage you to vote . . . responsibly.

Leadership

Leadership is important at every level of society. It is important in the family. God has called men to lead their families. It is important in our schools. Without good leadership, learning will be slow at best, and non-existent at worst. It is important in our churches. Pastors are called to lead local churches under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is important in our government.

Every two years this nation holds local, state, and national elections. We elect men and women to serve as mayors, councilmen and law officers. We elect people to serve in the Congress, in the Senate and in the White House. These individuals take a sacred oath to uphold the constitution of the United States and to serve the people of this great nation. How well they serve is often determined by the kind of leadership philosophy they embrace.

There are dozens of leadership styles. However, effective leaders have several things in common. Effective leaders understand the importance of submission. Effective leaders understand their limitations. Effective leaders know when to ask for help.

This morning I was listening to an interview with former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. She was talking about a national security meeting which was held soon after the 911 attacks. There were two things that she said which caught my ear. First, she indicated that President Bush called upon her to lead the national security leadership team in prayer. In my opinion, that is leadership! It demonstrated a willingness to recognize their own limitations and to ask for help. Later that evening Attorney General John Ashcroft sat down at a piano and began to play. The song that he chose? His Eye is on the Sparrow.

May the Lord give us leaders who recognize that they do not have all the answers and who are willing to seek His face, His wisdom and His grace.

Parenthood

Parenthood is one of the most rewarding roles a person can enjoy. It can also be one of the most challenging, frustrating and difficult roles. Parenthood is God's idea. He created marriage. He created the family. He is the one who produces life and blesses a man and a woman with a precious child. It stands to reason that He has some pretty good ideas on how this parenthood things should work.

On October 31, we will start a four-week sermon series exploring principles from the Bible that will help parents through each of the major phases of parenthood. Join us each Sunday morning . . . and invite others. You can read more at http://www.hdbc.org/.

It’s the little things that often make a big difference. My office has one window and that window faces East. It does not happen every week, but I usually get the office before the sun comes up on Sunday mornings. I love the ability to gaze out the window and watch the dawning of a new day, especially on the Lord’s day. There is something special about meeting the Master during the quiet, still moments before the business of the day starts. It reminds me of the wonderful truth that “His mercies are new every morning.”

On weekdays I am usually up walking when the sun peeks over the horizon. Even those days, I am reminded that God is a God of freshness and new beginnings. Imagine what life would be like without new starts and the ability to begin again. It would get old and boring. I am so glad that God refuses to let that happen. Because of Him, life is not simply a single extended era, but a variety of moments, hours, days and years which are as unique as a person's fingerprint.

Thank you God, for new things.

The Gift

God has given many gifts to his people. We have the Bible, which is a guidebook for living. In it we not only learn who He is but how much He loves us. This is such a precious gift. We have the Holy Spirit living within us. God has given us His spirit, to guide, comfort, encourage and direct. What a wonderful gift. We have family. The family is God's idea. He set it up. It was His idea. What a marvelous gift.

We have the church. This may be the most neglected gift that God has given to us. Most believers have never stopped to think of the importance of this gift. In the church we have companionship, encouragement, mentoring, fellowship, accountability, ministry, and so much more. Because of the church, no believer has to walk alone. The church is God's answer to our need for relationships with other believers.

I cannot imagine my life without the church. I cannot imagine my childhood without Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. I cannot imagine my teenage years without youth choir, retreats, mission trips, camps, and fellowships. I cannot imagine my young adult years without a group of other young adults walking alongside Jan and I as we adjusted to our lives as adults. I cannot imagine my current life without the sweet fellowship of Highland Drive Baptist Church.

To outsiders looking in, it may seem like only a building. Oh, but it is so much more. It is forgiveness, acceptance and comfort. It is service, ministry and fellowship. We laugh with one another. We cry with one another. We care for one another. We love one another because He first loved us.

The church . . . what a great gift! Thank you, Lord.