As a dad, one of my most favorite Bible scriptures is found in Deuteronomy 6:5-7;

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons (and daughters) and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

This week that passage has come to life (once again) for me.  We (Team G - the Gowins family) are in beautiful Broken Arrow, Oklahoma this week (well I'm not certain how beautiful it is because we really have not had the opportunity to sight see and/or check it out).  You see we are on a family mission trip this week in Broken Arrow, OK (no, it is not an Indian Reservation [we thought that it might be at first but nope].  We have been working at a Children's Home all week long - painting one of their office buildings and doing some landscaping work around their campus.  We are only one of many families here this week as part of F.O.M. - Families on Mission (a North American Mission Board sponsored experience).  The entire emphasis of F.O.M. is to allow families to participate on the mission field together - that is, for moms and dads to work along side their children in order to train them up in the ways of righteousness through the ministry of serving others.  It has been a fun but challenging week.

As I sit here in our hotel room attempting to choose what thought I would like to share with you I am struck by the number of memories (from just the past three-four days) that flood my thoughts.  This has truly been an excellent week.  I wish I could tell you about all the awesome "missions" ministry that we had the chance to do, but we didn't.  In fact, while there was a lot of things that we did there was not a whole lot we had the chance to do together as a family.  The truth of the matter is that we ended up working on the same site (location) but we were split into different groups and did not get to work together as a family.  Dakota and I painted.  Debbie and Duncan did landscaping and other "stuff."  But, what I can tell you about is the fun we had together as a family serving God and growing together - early morning quiet times, hurried breakfasts in the hotel's upper hospitality room, morning worship/celebration at the host church, evening dinners, and nightly family huddles.  I love spending time with my family.  But you must understand that nothing this week happened half-hazardously; in fact, this week has been very intentional from start to finish. 

Debbie and I (and the kids) determined eight months ago to do this mission trip.  We wanted to all go together on the mission field and serve God together.  Our entire summer has been planned around this week and we have all looked forward to these seven days in the middle of July.  Each of us has had his/her own reason for anticipating this week.  For me, it centered around Deuteronomy 6:5-7.  Dads (and moms) that passage from God's Word informs/instructs us to be intentional in training up our children in the the "pathways of the Lord."  We are to take every opportunity to teach them how to be a sold-out dedicated believer for the Lord Jesus Christ.  That is what this week was/is about for me - an intentionally planned opportunity to teach my children how to serve God on the mission field.  Not to just tell them how to do missions, but to illustrate for them by doing it along side them.  That is what this week has meant for me.  It is watching my wife and son place tree protectors around the base of small saplings at the children's home.  It is helping my daughter trim out a door frame at the executive offices (she painted the outside of the door, while I messed up the inside of the frame - Dakota is awesome with a paint brush). 

Dads do you have an intentional plan for how to encourage your son and/or daughter (or even your wife) to be everything that God desires for them to be?  Remember dad, one day you will have to stand before the King of kings and give an answer for how you equipped your family (your wife, your sons, your daughters) for the gospel ministry.  Are you doing everything in your power to help your family excel in the things of the Lord?  Are you their biggest cheerleader?

                                              
Dakota painting at the Children's Home            Duncan doing landscaping at Owasso Children's Home


            
Andy painting the trim - detail work                Debbie @ a block party

OK.  I know how "non-macho" the title of this blog sounds.  But, it's my blog and I can name it anything I want!  I was recently reminded once again how important it is for us dads to be involved in the lives of our daughters.  As I sit in my office typing this I am struck with the reality that this year will probably mark the last year I get to be my little girls "prince charming" for Valentine's Day.  For the past 15 years I've been the only "man/boy" in my little girls life (well with the exception of her brother, granddads, and uncles...but you know what I mean).  She is not allowed to date until she is sixteen (to which she has been very obedient), but that day is quickly approaching.

For the past fifteen years it has always been my habit to buy her a box of candy; maybe a stuffed animal (whatever her animal of choice for that year has been); I've sent flowers to her school; I've even bought her jewelry (inexpensive less my wife gets upset); always cards and an assortment of Valentine's Day candies (hearts, kisses, etc.).  I've even been known to take her out on a special "daddy-daughter-date" from time-to-time over the years.  So when this year rolled around I was struck with the self-induced reality that my teenage daughter probably didn't want a lame gift from her ancient dad.  The stuffed animals, flowers, and candy would just be an embarrassing reminder that she wasn't allowed to have an official "dude" for another few months.  With this in mind I kept my purchases low-key.  No card or flowers this year just a little stuffed bear (that when you squeezed it made a kissy, smoochy noise and blurted out the words "I love you" in a squeaky electronic voice) and a little box of chocolates. 

Since Valentine's Day fell on Sunday this year I thought I would just wait and give her these gifts after church later in the afternoon when we were all home.  Praise God my wife corrected my dull and thick-headed blunder.  My wife insisted that I give my little girl her gifts before church, so she could "show-them-off" to her friends.  What?  Certainly she wouldn't want to share that her "daddy" had gotten her these gifts; especially in light of the fact that most of her friends all had boyfriends and had certainly received much better Valentine's Day gifts.  Not understanding or agreeing with my wife I reluctantly called Dakota (my daughter) out to the living room and presented her with the smoochy bear and box of chocolates.  My wife is a very smart woman.

To make a long story as short as I can, Dakota hid the chocolates (didn't want to share those with her friends) and attached the bear to her purse and left to go to church with me that morning.  If she showed one person she showed everybody that silly 'ole smoochy bear and proudly told them that her "daddy" had gotten it for her.  After church that morning I received permission from my wife to take Dakota to lunch (just me and her) and spent a couple hours that afternoon with just my little princess. 

Dads remember, your daughter is looking for love.  If she can't find it from you she will find it somewhere.  I have a great little girl who is growing into an awesome young woman.  While I have taught her many life-lessons over the years, she taught me a valuable lesson this past Valentine's Day.  All our "kids" desire is our undivided attention and unconditional love.  They just want to know that they are loved; that they have value; that someone cares.  I am praying that I get at least one more year to be her Valentine, but I'm certain that some young knuckle dragging caveboy will have that honor next year.  What I do know is that the young knuckle dragging caveboy will have some pretty big shoes to fill, because I've done my best to set her expectations very high.  And in case she ever reads this very non-macho titled blog I want her to know that "I love her very much and I'll always be around to be her Valentine's."  I love you Dakota....

Dad!



Dad & Dakota at Fall Creek Falls (October 2009)                            Dakota at the base of the big falls (October 2009)

Okay.  The last few blogs have been somewhat serious; this one is going to be just fun.  Let me (Andy) share with you what Duncan and I did over Christmas vacation this year (2009).  We went duck hunting.  Now you have to understand this is the first time in some 20+ years that I have been duck hunting.  I used to go all the time.  This was one of the few things that my dad and I did together:  deer hunting and duck hunting.  I had not been duck hunting with my dad since I had left home to go to college - 22 years.  And, while Duncan and I have done a lot of deer hunting together, this would be his first duck hunt. 

I purchased a five day out of state license, a federal duck stamp, and four boxes of steel shot shell.  Of course, I had to head back to the Bass Pro shop and pick-up a new pair of camo coveralls (my old ones were just a little too big; remember I've lost about 200 pounds over the past 10 months).  With all of our goodies and boots thrown in the back of my truck we headed north for Kentucky Lake to meet up with my dad and nephew.

I won't bore you with all of the minute details of the week; but I will share with you Duncan's first kill.  It was the second day of hunting (the first day we [dad, nephew, and me] killed three ducks, winged a dozen more, and saw a few hundred simply laugh at us as the flew by and away) and we had a lone duck slowly swimming into the decoys.  If you've ever been hunting you know how nerve wracking this can be.  Poor Duncan was climbing the walls inside the duck blind trying to stay low, keep his face down, get his gun ready, and all the time the rest of us telling him to wait, wait, wait.  Finally, the duck was inside the perimeter of the decoys and was presenting a decent shot for Duncan's first kill.  Duncan slowly raised his shotgun to his shoulder and slid it over the top of the blind.  Sighting down the barrel he gently squeezed the trigger.  BAM!  In a flurry of steel shot and feathers the duck dove underneath the icy water.

This promised to be a proud moment for father and son; for grandfather and grandson; even for cousins.  I was in the process of taking off my glove to give Duncan the mandatory man-to-man, you've just killed a critter handshake when all of a sudden my nephew hollers, "There it is!"  Some how, Duncan had managed to miss the duck all together.  It resurfaced some 60 yards out from the decoys and quickly made its getaway - no handshake, no duck.  This was the last duck that Duncan had a chance to shoot at; all of the rest of the shooting was on the fly and he just wasn't fast enough to shoot (this year).

As we wrapped up five days of hunting I asked Duncan if he had a good time.  His response was a big grin from ear-to-ear, "Yes!"  His response reminded me of what I had enjoyed so much about hunting with my dad.  It wasn't the killing that I had enjoyed as a boy; it was the simple fact that my dad enjoyed doing something with me; that my dad treated me like a man when we were hunting; that my dad found value in my company.  It was awesome to have three generations of Gowins' crammed into a duck blind, in the freezing December weather, on Lake Barkley.  It was awesome to spend time, again, duck hunting with my dad.  It was even more awesome getting to spend some time sharing a legacy with my son - Duncan.  Oh well, maybe next year he'll be able to earn the coveted title - Duncan the duck hunter!


                            Duncan in the duck blind.                                                                          I'm way too cold


Getting ready to leave...another successful day

"When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness" (Proverbs 2:10-13).  I (Andy) love the Proverbs.  There is a wealth of truth and wisdom in them.  I especially love Proverbs like the one above; Proverbs that talk about the pursuit of wisdom.

Dads (and moms) it is our job/task to chase after wisdom, to embrace it, and through it to seek knowledge - not the knowledge of the mundane but rather the knowledge of God and of the things of God.  Interestingly, such wisdom and such knowledge can keep us (and our children) from evil things; perverse things; things of darkness.  This is a biblical proverb that I hold tightly to; one which I claim regularly in my prayers.  My daily prayer, "God please give me wisdom.  Give me wisdom to be a better husband.  Give me wisdom to be a better father.  Give me wisdom to be a better son, a better friend, a better minister - a better Christian.  Help me to teach my children to be wise in their daily discretion.  Please God give me wisdom."

As you know, I (Andy) love this time of year.  I get to do all the things that I love doing - football, tailgating, and hunting.  Due to some health issues (namely a very bad back) I was unable to do any hunting last year, and with a years absence from my deer hunting resume I was really ready to get out in the woods this year - so was Duncan.  Well that is exactly what we did last weekend.

We left out early Friday morning (Duncan skipped school), and when I say early I mean early, and didn't put up our rifles until late Saturday night.  Needless to say, the deer population of Middle Tennessee is still safe (at least from the Gowins men).  While I did want Duncan to get the chance to shoot at something (and hopefully kill something), I must admit my joy in hunting doesn't come from shooting and/or killing anything.  It simply comes from being out in the woods, away from everything else, and just enjoying some downtime with my son.  We've been doing this now for six years and I look forward to it each year. 

There's nothing more exciting than following the tracks of an unknown deer through the woods hoping that around the next corner or tree you'll come face to face with a buck of "fish-tale-sized" proportions.  I now know how my dad must have felt while he was teaching me to do all the things that I now have the pleasure of teaching my son.  It is awesome!  Of course, it does take a lot of patience, especially when you are hunting with an 11 year old who sees a deer behind every tree and each of them are at least an eight point buck. 

The most important lesson of the weekend, however, came Saturday night on our way home.  You see we still had another day that we could have hunted - Sunday (we had been drawn for a three day state quota deer hunt).  On the way home that night Duncan asked me if we could just skip church the next day and hunt one more day; he begged me; he just knew that we could get a deer if we hunted one more day.  Well, I must admit that this very same thought had passed through my mind more than once that afternoon, and I did have the time to take off (remember I'm a pastor and I work on Sundays).  Oh what to do?  Here was yet another teachable moment.  "Duncan," I said, "you know as much as I would love to be out in the woods hunting tomorrow, I have a much better place to be - in the very presence of God worshiping the One who created all of this for you and me."  We spend several minutes talking about what a great an awesome God we serve and how we can go hunting anytime but how we only get one chance a week to worship our great God with our church family.  By the time we got back home, Duncan was excited about the prospects of worshiping God the next morning; more excited to do that than spend another cold day out in the woods chasing after a fleeting white-tailed dream. 

Dads (moms) don't loose sight of the real priorities in life.  "Raise up a child in the way he should go, and he will soon not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

"Boys will be boys."  It's a phrase I've heard most of my life and I have never really been very certain what the phrase actually meant.  I mean I'm not an idiot, I know what people are trying to communicate when they utter those four words, but the reality of such a statement is that they are simply making an excuse for what is normally bad behavior.  Dads (moms) why do we set the bar of expectation so low for the greatest commodity that has been given to us?  It breaks my heart.

I've shared many times with you the need to watch for teachable moments.  As the leader of the household it is our job to instruct our children in the way and manner in which they should walk, and by walk, I mean live.  As a parent there are certain things that I expect out of my children and those behaviors are informed by my faith and relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is that relationship that defines my morality and it is that morality by which I expect my children to live - no questions.  "Boys will be boys" that is why I must be a Godly father and instruct them in the ways of obedience.  Their "flesh" is desiring to do all sorts of crazy, stupid, and physically and spiritually dangerous "things."  It is my job and my responsibility to make certain that they do not harm themselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually.

This is the hardest part of being a dad.  Many times I must be the example even when I do not wish to be.  Our children are always watching us and they are paying close attention to our character, our integrity, as well as our discrepancies.  What do your children see when they look at the example you are setting?  I pray that my children never see me compromising the things that I hold dear.  I pray that my children see me living out my faith before them by the best of my ability and that under the power and authority of God living in and through me.  I take great comfort in Psalm 1, where if I can paraphrase and take a few poetic liberties "boys don't have to be boys; but rather, "blessed is the boy who seeks to be a blessing to the Lord His God."

Howdy!  It's been a while since we posted (some 60+ days).  It's crazy.  Life just gets in the way of all the things that you want to do, or at least intend to do, and then before you know it 2 months have passed by in the blink of an eye.  Oh well, I know that I'm not sharing anything new or deeply insightful with many of you.  I imagine life has been just as busy for you over these past several weeks.  Even now, I need to wrap things up, get out of the office, make a hospital visit, and pick my daughter up from school and get her to her golf lesson.  Yep!  You guessed it.  This is Andy "blogging," not Clay (he wasn't blessed with a beautiful little girl - well she's not too little anymore - I'm the aging father of a teenager - that doesn't even sound possible).

I would love to bring you up-to-speed with all of the amazing and fantastic "things" that have been going on at the Gowins' house (Dakota made the highschool golf team, she played in a couple of tournaments, turned 15 and is driving with her learner's permit; Duncan started middle school, played football this fall [offensive tackle & started], he is working on First Class Scout [BSA] and should be able to accomplish that by January [he's only been in Boy Scouts since June - he's on track to make Eagle in just a couple of years - awesome];  Debbie and I still have our jobs, church is unbelievably fantastic, and we are still in love and actually like being around each other [most days]; I've lost about 183 pounds since the surgery in April and feel like I'm ready to tackle the world;  we've been to every Vanderbilt home game, seen the Titans play twice, are heading out this Saturday morning to deer hunt, and Duncan and I are taking our guy's weekend in a couple of weeks to see the Falcons play the Redskins at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta - this is the best time of the year), but this is not what I want to talk about today. 

This morning during my quiet time I read an amazing verse that reminded me of why I love my wife, my children, my neighbor, and my God.  "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" (Ephesians 1:4-5).  Did you hear that?  (1) God has chosen us, even before there was an us.  (2) Not only did He choose us, but He has made us holy and blameless; for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, there is no condemnation.  We are not under the wrath and judgment of Almighty God.  (3) Because God loves us He has adopted us.  You and I are sons and daughters of the King of Creation.  (4)  And all of this was accomplished simply because God was/is/will be good and kind in His every action. 

Now brothers and sisters, friends, this should put a smile on your face and a gittie-up in your step.  This is a good day and I could not let is slip away without sitting down and proclaiming and professing my love for my God who loves me in spite of myself.  Take courage and enjoy this day for God is good.  Amen!

Dads (moms), how do you communicate what is truly important to your children?  There are so many things competing for their attention; so many things desiring to engulf our children in a worldview that is alien and deadly dangerous to their well being.  But, if we are not careful we only add fuel to the raging fire that threatens to consume them.  And yet, as a good parent you want your children to be well-rounded and involved in the many different things that threaten to consume them.  What is a good dad (or mom) to do?

Those are some of the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my (Andy's) head for the last few weeks.  All I can say is that it is a good thing that most of my hair is falling out naturally, because if it was not I would be pulling it out.  By now, you are probably asking yourself, what in the world is he talking about.  Let me see if I can shed some light on my meandering thoughts. 

I am now the proud father of a full-blown teenage daughter and pre-teen son.  Dakota (my baby girl) will turn 15 this next week and Duncan is 12 going on 20.  Both are no longer in grade school.  Dakota started high school and Duncan started middle school this year - huge transitions for the entire family.  Both to my wife's and my joy both "kids" are actively involved in a host of activities this year - golf and church for Dakota; scouting, football, and church for Duncan.  The challenge comes, in trying to communicate to both of them what is truly important.  But, what is truly important? 

If importance is based upon the amount of time spent on an activity, then everything but their relationship with God has taken priority.  This is not the life-lesson we are trying to teach our children.  They spend most of their time practicing golf and football (2-3 hours each afternoon after school); doing homework (another 1-2 hours each night); chores around the house (yes, we still make our children do "things"); and of course, 8 hours of school a day.  In addition to these things listed they are expected to do their nightly reading for school AR tests and a whole bunch of other things.  In comparison they spend about 4-5 hours a week involved in church and probably less than 30 minutes a night reading their Bible, praying, memorizing Scripture, and/or developing their relationship with the Creator of the universe - God.  This breaks my heart.  What is a God-fearing parent to do?

Well, I can only tell you what we are doing.  We encourage our children to do everything to the glory of God.  When Dakota is driving from the second tee-box at the golf course during golf practice, she is swinging for the glory of God.  When Duncan is in a three-point stance firing off the line of scrimmage at football practice, he is doing it for the glory of God.  When they are studying math, doing science homework, learning about world civilizations in social studies, or studying their spelling words they are doing it all for the glory of God.  When Duncan is practicing the trumpet it is for the glory of God.  When he is at his weekly scout meeting or on a weekend scouting campout it is for the glory of God.  When Dakota is cleaning the toilets or the sinks or the bathtub or collecting trash in the house (her chores), she is doing them all for the glory of God.  When Duncan is mowing and trimming the yard, he is mowing and trimming for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Whenever they do anything it is all for the glory of God.  We have attempted to teach our children that their spiritual life is not limited to Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights.  It is not limited to their quiet time of Bible study and prayer.  Their relationship with God is not dictated by doing the "churchy" things; their relationship with the Lord their God is dictated by how they live out their faith 24-7.

This is not an easy lesson to teach because it means that you and I have to not only teach it with our words, but we must prove it out with our lives as we live everyday to the glory of God.  I have no idea how we are doing in teaching our children these life lessons.  Debbie and I will not know until they are grown up and we see what kind of a woman and man they become, but I know that we are giving it all that we have, praying a lot, and trusting God to be faithful.  From our end of things, we are raising our children to the glory of God!

Here is a Blog to get you through the period of waiting on the return of Christ.  Seriously, this is not a time waster nor an exercise in becoming Chicken Little.  I have been quite busy of late (note that I - Clay - have not blogged in a couple of weeks) and that busyness has taken a toll on my spirit.  I have been up to my eyeballs in mission projects, church work, birthdays, and as much as I hate to admit it...Jet Ski riding.

While on an adventure to a local lake in North Alabama I carried along one of the seven books I am trying to get through this summer.  Not to bore you with the details or the title or even the author of the text, the subject matter is written in Debbie Downer mode.  Not that I am a glutton for pain and suffering but I often wonder how other people cope with the trails and tragedies of life.  This book covers none of the above information but it got me thinking some fairly wonderful thoughts that I will share with you then you can use them to get you through this season of life where we as believers are indeed waiting for our Lord to return.

Have you ever noticed that some people look at nature (like when they are on a lake in the summer) and take in the "beauty" of it all and bask in the glory of the God that made Creation?  Simple enough.  Ours is a creative God and what we see backs up what we read in Genesis.  Ever visited a place as grand as the Grand Canyon and had those types of thoughts about our God?  The old question goes:  How can an atheist visit the Grand Canyon and not believe?

Good question but is it the right one to ask?  Some see the Grand Canyon as a beauty mark.  Not me.  The Grand Canyon is a mark of the curse that this planet is under beginning in Genesis 3.  A crack in the earth's surface a mile wide is not something for us to normally celebrate but to normally remind us that our all mighty Creator once wiped out all that was perfect on this planet with a great deluge (flood).  This is not the best of all possible worlds.  It is a wretched place where even a trip to the "beautiful" beach can leave you with anything from a jelly fish sting to a shark attack to a drowning in churning saltwater.  You can visit the "beautiful" mountains and purchase a T-shirt if you can escape the bears, the bees, and the rocky terrain without twisting your ankle.  I have even had the chance to stand on the white sands of Hawaii but do not forget that even that "paradise" is really a volcano which is nothing more than a big zit on the surface of the earth waiting to "Pop!"

Gee, Clay!  Put the book down and ride the Jet Ski more.  Again, the book did not cover any of these thoughts, it just pointed me in this direction.  Here is the point.  The best of all possible worlds is not here but it is coming and Jesus is bringing it.  Think about it:  if a mile wide "scar" can give us pause, what will a "new" earth look like?  When we see this place, as it was under the original intent of the Creator and not under the curse, then we should really be impressed.  No more animal attacks.  No more out of shape bodies.  No more hangnails.  No more sinus problems.  No more pollen.  No more salt water (from the flood and not a good thing).  No more landscape that belongs on the Sci-Fi Network (hills, valleys, ditches, fault lines that are a thing of beauty - they are "curse" marks).  No more sunburn.  No more tombstones.  No more splinters.  No more __________.  You take it from here and keep going until He returns.  See, I told you it was not a time waster.

"We are ignorant children content with making mud pies in the slum not understanding what a holiday at the beach means.  We are too easily pleased."  (C.S. Lewis)

A couple of thoughts strike me (Clay) when I read the above quote from one of my favorite authors.  First is that nobody writes (or thinks) that way these days and secondly as to how true that statement is.  Humanity as we know it is so self-seeking that we fail to realize that there is much greater bliss outside of ourselves.  What is so sad is that this sentiment describes so many Christians I know.

Our strivings and pantings and energies are spent on the stuff of earth.  It seems that too many of my contemporaries (those in my generation) are knocking themselves out to make a place and name for themselves here while at the same time claiming that their true home is in heaven.  That is not to be confused with a sermonette on materialism.  Wealth in the right hands can be a very good thing and even Godly thing.  But way too often in my journey I come across those that have received their theological training from Hanna Montana in that they really desire the best of both worlds.

As I read the gospels and dig into the lives of the apostles I see an entirely different mindset.  Yes, these were fallible men just as are we but that is to our shame and not theirs.  Those guys did all that they did with little to know formal education (though you could say that they had a pretty decent seminary professor) and without the conveniences of our lives such as Internet, PowerPoint and gas powered engines.  What of us?  As a pastor I have to speak from my frame of reference.  We want the bigger church.  We want the cover of HomeLife.  We want the state convention people to call on us to lead a church growth seminar.  We want a certificate from our association that says we baptized just as many as the church down the street and two more than did a church twice our size.

Your frame of reference may speak to other areas but it is all the same.  We are way to satisfied with the applause of men and satisfying whatever limits and goals we set for ourselves as being able to have made "it" in life - whatever it is.  There are two fundamental problems with this broken viewpoint:

(1)  God is not amused by what amuses us.  At the height of Beatle-Mania in the late 1960s, John Lennon once remarked that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus.  Really?  Sold out concert halls and an appearance on the Ed Sullivan TV show is all it takes to trump the Creator of the universe.  Again, we are content to make mud pies because we do not understand what a holiday (vacation) at the beach really means.  We ought not think too highly of ourselves.

(2)  God's love for us makes us better than we are.  That reads strange does it not?  But the truth behind that bad syntax must not be missed.  One of the worst things that a non-believer can hear from a believer is this:  God loves you just the way you are.  Really?  A smart non-believer would then counter with:  Then why should I care to change my life?  Think of it - how cruel would it be to find a child playing in the mud right outside the front gate of the Magic Kingdom and not tell them the truth of what they are missing?  Truth is we were not created for mud pies and anything that we invest our lives in that is not a God-honoring, Kingdom building task that makes the name of Jesus famous is simply that - us sitting in mud.  It is a worthless enterprise at best and a root of our missing Jesus at worst.

If you are to be dazzled, be dazzled by the fact that our benevolent Lord has made us to know Him.