A Legend Retires

Today a Legend in the NFL retired. He is a legend to me because he continues to rise above his circumstances. I wrote about him exactly a year ago.

He was great on and off the field. He is a great role model and when he was asked today what he plans to do next, he responded that he would be in ministry. He mentioned that he carries his Bible everywhere he goes. He is definitely not bashful of his faith.

You will understand more of who I am talking about if you go back into my older posts and look up the one I wrote on January 28th, 2009.

He is a stand up guy and I know the Lord will use him to bring others to His Namesake.

Also, how can the Lord use you, even though you and I might not have the type of platform he has? The Lord just wants you to be obedient.

Blessings!

For The Love of God

I've been reading one of John Piper's books, "God is the Gospel". I must confess to you that his books are hard for me to read. First of all, I'm not that smart and usually am not that deep of a thinker. I have to read his stuff in small increments and read it several times for it to really sink in.

That being said, I would like for you to read the following excerpt from the introduction that I have been chewing on for a few days. Read it and re-read it please and let it sink in.

"The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals what splendor is. Paul calls it the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 cor. 4:4). Two verses later he calls it the glory of God in the face Jesus Christ.

When I say that God is the Gospel I mean that the highest, best, final, decisive good of the gospel, without which no other gifts would be good, is the glory of God in the face of Christ revealed for our everlasting enjoyment. The saving love of God is God's commitment to do everything necessary to enthrall us with what is deeply and durably satisfying, namely himself. Since we are sinners and have no right and desire to be enthralled in God, therefore God's love enacted a plan of redemption to provide that right and that desire. The supreme demonstration of God's love was the sending of his Son to die for our sins and to rise again so that sinners might have the right to approach God and have the pleasure of his presence forever.

In order for the Christian gospel to be good news it must provide an all-satisfying and eternal gift that undeserving sinners can receive and enjoy. For that to be true, the gift must be three things. First, the gift must be purchased by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Our sins must be covered, and the wrath of God against us must be removed, and Christ's righteousness must be imputed to us. Second, the gift must be free and not earned. There would be no good news if we had to merit the gift of the gospel. Third, the gift must be God himself, above all other gifts.

The gospel is the good news of our final and full enjoyment of the glory of God in the face of Christ. That this enjoyment had to be purchased for sinners at the cost of Christ's life makes his glory shine all the more brightly. And this enjoyment is a free and unmerited gift makes it shine more brightly still. But the price Jesus paid for the gift and the unmerited freedom of the gift are not the gift. The gift is Christ himself as the glorious image of God- seen and savored with everlasting joy."

Every time I read that passage, I just go "WOW!" For me it is like every time I read Colossians 1:15-20, the supremacy of Christ. I understand it, yet I don't.

I hope you are encouraged by this and also humbled by the love of God.

Blessings!

A Suitable Helper

Seven years ago today, January 4, 2003, I had the privilege to be united in matrimony to Stephanie. We had met two years earlier at a church retreat. It was one of those meetings that went, "Hi my name is Ed. Nice to meet you." And that was the end of that. Six months later I saw her again at a church Singles Leadership retreat. Again, we exchanged pleasantries and went our own ways. This time it was only a couple of months later when she went with a group of us to eat after church one Sunday night.

A group of our church single adults went out every Sunday night to eat after church. The group could range from six to thirty. It seemed Stephanie was getting more involved and I was getting to know her more and more. I never saw her as more than a friend and the feeling for her was the same.

As time progressed, we found ourselves kind of hanging out. One evening three of us, Stephanie, her friend, Tiffany, and myself went to play putt-putt. Afterwards, we all piled into my car to go grab a bite. When we got back, Tiffany started to pepper me with questions. I had nothing to hide and gave them my story.

A couple of months later, Stephanie invited me to spend the day after Thanksgiving with her and her family. I already knew her Mom & Dad from church and really liked them. Her older brother, wife and two kids were there also. They were very funny and have a great sense of humor. I had a blast hanging out with them.

The next day, Saturday, her brother and family were heading back to Oklahoma. Stephanie and I hung out the rest of the day by ourselves. We decided to go to a movie that evening. we had a little more than an hour to kill before the movie started. I decided it was DTR time. (Determine The Relationship) I told Stephanie we needed to talk. I asked her, "Are we dating?" In which she replied, "I don't know, are we?" Great! she threw it back on me.

"Stephanie, you know I don't date around. The only reason I would date anyone is strictly to get married." I continued, "If we are going to date, there are some non-negotiables." I went on to rattle off about six items. I do not remember those six items, but I know it was the Holy Spirit speaking thru me, because they were very good. In the back of my mind, I recall saying to myself, "Someone should be writing this down, because this is good stuff." I concluded with saying, "Stephanie, you have to agree 100% with all of what I have said or we have to go our separate ways and just be friends." Stephanie just nodded yes. I then said, "Great! Now let's go see the movie."

We courted for the next thirteen months. Looking back, we really could have gotten married that night. That's how sure I was God had put us together. Stephanie has been much much more than I could have ever thought I needed. God knew exactly what type of woman I needed as a "suitable helper."

I have had so much fun in the last seven years with Stephanie and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us in the future. God has blessed me with an incredible godly, beautiful, smart wife that makes me laugh a lot.

Happy Seventh Anniversary to The Princess! I love you! Besos!