a blog by Christ follower Wesley Fryer @pocketshare @wfryer
These words from the Apostle Paul reveal to us our need for God. The law, given to the Jews and now to us as Christians through the Old Testament and the words of the prophets, shows us how we always fall short of God’s expectations when we rely on ourselves.
Romans 3:20 NIV
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
These verses summarize life without God, when people choose to become slaves to sin:
Romans 1:29-31 NIVd
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
This weekend I’m attending the Men’s Council planning retreat for the May 2015 Men’s Conference at Mo Ranch, which is a Presbyterian retreat center near Hunt, Texas. Amidst the busyness of our fall schedules, this is an awesome opportunity to briefly visit the beautiful hill country of Texas with my wife and have some fellowship and planning time with other Christian men.
I’ve been coming to Mo Ranch (@PresbyMoRanch) for the men’s conference for about seven years, and it’s become a VERY important part of my life. My dad has been coming down with me for the last 3 or 4 years, and it’s a non-football weekend for us to fellowship together that’s become an awesome tradition.
This morning at our Men’s Council planning meeting, our Men’s Council President Michael Brundeen shared a little about our 2015 conference keynote speaker and worship leader. Donovan Drake, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. His description of Donovan’s sermons that he’s heard in the past was incredible! Michael heard him preach on the story of Noah’s Ark, when he extended the metaphor to “who are you bringing on your ark?” The focus was on thinking about the legacy you build and shape today which will have LOTS of impact down the road. I’m not only energized to hear Donovan at Mo Ranch next year, but also subscribe to his sermon series which is available as a podcast both on iTunes and via an RSS feed. (I use the latter with the Pocket Casts smartphone app.) I’m not doing justice to Michael’s description of Donovan’s sermon messages here… but suffice it to say I’m SUPER energized to hear him. Jesse Truvillion has been our Bible study leader at Mo Ranch for many years. It will be exciting to hear from Donovan Drake and have him bring fresh messages to our attendees.
Michael also told us about Rev. Dr. David G. McKechnie, who will be our 2015 Men’s Conference keynote speaker. David has a very interesting background, prior to attending seminary and becoming a pastor, as a television news anchor. Michael said David is a FANTASTIC storyteller, and has compelling ability to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with his stories. I can’t find a podcast RSS feed or videos on YouTube for any messages by David, so if you have or find one please share it as a comment to this post. I’m VERY enthused to hear his keynote message for us at our 2015 conference.
Wherever you are in your faith journey, if you are a man I encourage you join us Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4, 2015 at Mo Ranch for the Men’s Conference. It will be a renewing and refreshing experience of fellowship and growing in faith following God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
This is one of the scripture passages we are considering this morning in church:
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.†When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (John 12:35-36 NIV)
Wherever we are, we are called to share the light and love of Christ. We pray for the inner life to control the outer life. (To walk the talk.)
These are verses Brian Wagner shared tonight at the 1001 Community Worship Service at our church:
That night the lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!†Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. “Now, O lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?†The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.†(1 Kings 3:5-14 NLT)
The only source of true wisdom is God. We need to seek Him & His plans so we can live in tune with Him.
How do we access God’s wisdom? Ask God for it! Seek wisdom from God through prayer.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5 NLT)
Prayers for wisdom should always be followed by a prayer for courage & strength to do what is right.
These are my notes from Dan Liberto’s workshop, “Bringing Up Daughters of the King,” on May 3, 2014 at the Mo-Ranch Men’s Conference.
thefreedomgirls.com
– family discipleship ministry
– objective is partnering with parents and helping them discipling their children
Do this through workshops, conferences, and Biblical Ruth Doll / Book
Ministry name: Generation with a Name
– Psalm 145:4 “One generation commends your works to another;Â they tell of your mighty acts.You as the dad and leader of your house, or as a grandparent, or as a mentor…”
– you have the opportunity to stand in the gap between that child and a culture that is roaming around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour
Highly recommended book: “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know” by Meg Meeker
Research shows your physical affection for your daughter is the best predictor of of your daughter’s self esteem
No gimmicks, no tricks: Just Deuteronomy 6
– simple to understand, difficult to apply (because of our sin nature)
we have to fight the battle for our kids, but we also have to fight our own battles
1st pillar: Love the Lord with ALL your heart, soul and strength
2nd pillar: Impress his love on your children
3rd pillar: Tie them as symbols in your doorposts
If you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk
– it’s impossible for you to walk the walk without the strength of the Lord
these are all relational
2012 article in Homeschool Dads: “A Great Time to be a Husband, Parent and a Dad”
The marital bond is the foundation of the family
– it must be communion
– when you put Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, then you have the foundation
Parent in unified relationship with children
– need to be in unity
Obedience is more important than sacrifice
– parents can make it impossible for a child to be obedient if the parents are not unified in their relationships and expectations for the child
Dad in relationship with children individually
– this is the dad zone
– this is where we are specifically focusing today
– this is the “father daughter dance”
As a father you are called to give your children their needs, not necessarily their wants
Remember children aren’t saved through your faith
– you are fertilizing the soil through discipleship, so the Holy Spirit will grow the fruit
Garth Brooks: “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance.”
You have to give kids age-appropriate liberty so they will grow
Another book recc: “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp
You are God’s agent, not to manage your child’s behavior but to guide your child’s heart
– the behavior is a symptom
– the heart is the wellspring of life
– helping your child guard their heart is key
Never doubt your authority, it’s important for your children to never see you waiver with your faith
U571 movie scene: “Be a leader!”
Be courageous
– you are going to be ridiculed, made fun of
– the culture thinks it’s silly
– parents are subjected to peer pressure just like kids are
“The only way to know the inclinations of your child’s heart is to empower them to share their voice”
Be your child’s hero
– they need to know that you will move heaven and earth to help them with things they know
– let them know you will never abandon them
– best example: “The Prodigal Son”
– be grace filled
We hear it time and again in the Bible: “I will not leave or forsake you.”
– our children need to hear this constantly from us as parents
As dads, you have to get up on that wall
– you need to dress up like a warrior, to defend your castle against the many trojan horses that come in
Ephesians 6: this is a battle in the spiritual realm
God chose new leaders
when war came to the city gates,
but not a shield or spear was seen
among forty thousand in Israel.You have to be your daughter’s “Prince Charming”
– be the man you want your daughter to marry
Help them make sense of life with a Christian Worldview
Take your child on a journey of discovery!
Turn off the noise, and turn up the fellowship in your family (with your kids & spouse!)
Have a multi-generational vision for your family
– pray for your children’s spouses, children, etc.
– put away the shotgun and start praying for them, like Hannah did when she brought her child to Samuel
Which dad are you? What picture are you painting for your family?
Challenge and call to action: Let’s get to our creative side, reflect back on the kind of picture we’ve painted in the past
– ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to use those areas we need to shore up, and the Holy Spirit needs to encourage us in
– after you have reflected and received that feedback from the Holy Spirit, then pull out your canvas and decide which canvas you want to paint for the future
What do airline folks say about emergencies: Equip yourself first for the battle/struggle, then tend to your children
These are a few brief notes from the devotional shared by Jesse Truvillion at the Mo-Ranch Men’s Conference on May 3, 2014.
In these verses we have the focus of the New Testament:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3-8 NIV)
God does not call us to be someone else, he calls us to be the person we were baptized to be
We love as much as our little journey will allow us to love
Woody Francis (?) story
I was sent to ring the church bell when my dad was led pit into the woods by 3 white men with long rifles
– in the end it all turned out ok
You have to work so God can use you anywhere and at anytime
These are my notes from the opening keynote address shared by Mateen Elass at the 63rd annual Mo-Ranch Men’s Conference near Hunt, Texas, on May 2, 2014.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:7-12 NIV)
1- Timing is everything
Genesis 3:3
Gal 4:4 at the right time God sent his Son
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4 NIV)
Theme of OT: God is a covenant God
– he perseveres
– his goal is to take ruined lives and restore them
God sets the stage si the glory may clearly shine upon His Son
2- Irresistible Grace
– from TULIP
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30 NIV)
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6 NIV)
3- From beginning to the end: God’s purpose is to draw us into fullness of joy with Him
God calls us to be and to make disciples
“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:39, 40 NIV)
Reference to movie “Cliffhanger”
– God reaches down to pull us away from the abyss
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV)
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)
God does not give up on us:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38, 39 NIV)
Theme of this conference: God is the one who is going to shape your life:
– he has willed it, now you must walk it
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12, 13 NIV)
You don’t deserve God’s love or grace, neither do I
– but God’s grace is not about what we deserve
Contrasting the vision of Heaven between Muslims & Christians
– Muslims have a purely sensual view of heaven, where God remains distant
Rev 21 & 22 describe the Christian heaven
– God is at the center
– God wipes away our tears, the most intimate act
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.†(Revelation 21:2-4 NIV)
Today and last week I have been very encouraged by the story of Joseph and his brothers. This morning on my way to work I listened to the following verses:
“Please, come closer,†he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. (Genesis 45:4-8 NLT)
http://bible.com/116/gen.45.4.nlt
It is encouraging to remember that God walks with us each day, and is using the experiences we are going through to further His plans and His kingdom, when we are called according to His purpose.
