Blogs are supposed to be short and to the point, so here goes! For this to be of benefit, however, you will have to at least read Genesis 29, as we consider the age-old question of love, and the kind that endures. The kind you want.

Genesis 29 question to ponder: What kind of love is it, that 7 years would seem like a few days? Before you read further, take some time to answer this!

What is going on IN that relationship for those 7 years? In this culture, the woman was of lower rank than the man, and yet Jacob was captivated by Rachel. Why? Certainly not just her beauty, for he could have had others. Was it her skill as a shepherd? Is that what a man wants?

What kind of communication do you think they had? Was there any kindness, caring, sacrifice of self, or romance?
How did they keep the love alive? Do you really think it was just hormones? Of course not! Other pretty faces were there, and other handsome men! Perhaps even some seducers!

What has to happen to keep a relationship so fresh and exciting that 7 years seems like a few days? And, after 7 years, what kind of love is it that goes another 7 years??? Was it HIS love for her, or HER love for him, or did they BOTH somehow keep this love alive? Could the “commitment” made at the beginning sustained them?

Is “commitment” enough? Or is commitment just the evidence of their character, because of PROMISE? Can “promise” yield love, or did love come first and then promise? Strong love, then, yields a commitment to promise!

If we can’t explain WHY love happens, but CAN know when it does, what should we do? Do people really FALL into love?

If this CAN happen, shouldn’t we wait until it happens before we marry? Young people, listen to me!!!

This week is Holy Week, celebrated as such by Christians all over the world. We are divided in many ways, but we are always united in, by, and through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior.

Just to put things into perspective, and hopefully lift your spirits just a bit as we get through another week on planet earth, review the following Christian Calendar we follow:

• Nov/Dec: Advent- the 4 weeks before Christmas- a time of great expectation.
• Dec: Christmas- the celebration of the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The great battle heats up!
• Jan 6: The Day of Epiphany- the visit of the wise men to baby Jesus; their “discovery”. Their “a ha” moment!
• March 5: Ash Wednesday- the beginning of Lent, in preparation for Holy Week, with fasting and prayer. Not just a Catholic observance, but also by Protestants as well, albeit much less celebrated.
• April 13: Palm Sunday- the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem- things are about to change forever!
• April 14: This year, Holy Week begins on this Monday, which also happens to be Passover- ok, this one is celebrated by the Jews, but we would do well to remember it as well. Jesus IS our Passover Lamb.
• April 17: Maundy Thursday- the Last Supper is held; Jesus washed the feet of the Disciples, and established “communion” “…to remember me.”
• April 18: Good Friday- the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth- good for us!
• April 20: Easter Sunday- I prefer to call it Resurrection Day. Talk about triumph!
• May 29: Ascension Day- the last earthly appearance of Christ.
• June 8: Pentecost- the Holy Spirit is sent to Christ’s disciples, and the birth of the Christian Church.
• Oct/Nov: Hallows Eve and All Saints Day are not universally recognized as Holy Days, although many do.

Added to these dates are many Feasts and Festivals our Jewish friends celebrate. I suppose a Jew who has accepted Christ gets to use both calendars, and keeps busier than we Protestants. This may be a very good thing for them, as they don’t just have a party, they reflect on what God has done for them through the ages!

I do pray that this week you will be drawn closer to God through Jesus Christ. That you will be able to remember what He has done for you, even in the midst of any pain or trouble you face. It is only temporary, but Christ is eternal! I pray that this week you will experience an “a ha” moment of some kind, and that the fire of faith will burn deep within you, as Resurrection Day approaches.

Tuesday of Holy Week
According to 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” KJV

As we ponder the stones we will leave at the cross on Sunday, the promises of God are that He heals, saves, and delivers. Faith believes this, no matter what one sees with temporary eyes.

Perhaps, instead, you can lay a stone at the cross BECAUSE of a promise of God, fulfilled in your life, as a Thanksgiving! Hallelujah!

Thursday of Holy Week
The Promises of God, the Power of God, and today, The Humility of God. Humility? Yes. For it was Thursday, Maundy Thursday, that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, and led them in Communion. Even the feet of Judas! Humility defeats many enemies, such that the sword is never drawn!

As you think about laying a stone at the Cross, remember the Humility of God, and be honest with your prayers.

Good Friday
Good Friday, when the Promise of God was surely tested, and the Power of God was uniquely displayed, and the Humility of God was broadcast to all, through the Sacrifice of God.

On this day many questions remained to be answered, and many doubts had to be faced, as faith was sorely tested.

Laying a stone at the Cross may require a step of faith. Take the step.

Saturday
Saturday we think about the Patience of God, because today we wait to see what will happen. The reality of death is before us, and the hope of resurrection remains, tugging at our faith.

As you consider laying a stone at the Cross, let your faith arise. We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, AND by the word of our testimony! Let that stone signal a testimony!

You are invited to bring a stone to lay at the Cross on Sunday morning during our celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The stone can signify anything in your life you wish to shed, as you lay it down, in Jesus’ Name. Or, it may be a ‘stone of remembrance’ of some deliverance you’ve already experienced, and thereby becomes a testimony. Hopefully it can be both, for surely both are needed in our lives.

There is a popular saying among Christians: “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” We hear it a lot during this time of year. We try to comfort each other with the promise that suffering will give way to victory, and we try to apply it to our own particular situation of some kind of suffering. It’s appropriate, because we all have some things we can hope beyond, things we can try to put away from us as we look to a future of being with God. A subtle trap may lie before us, so let’s beware!

For us, I think, the real test is Saturday. What Jesus did on Friday was certainly amazing. What He endured confounds us, but still, it was what He did. It was His cross to endure. His pain. His agony. Man was a participant only to a small degree, but mainly a spectator. And, so many years later, man is struggling just to believe it all. For us, the trap was laid on Friday!

Saturday is all about what you believe. What you ‘really’ believe. What you believe enough to act upon and to live with and to hold onto in a permanent way. Saturday is about faith. Faith isn’t what you ‘think,’ it is what is at your core when all else is peeled away. It isn’t really our flesh that is tested, it is our faith! Think about it.

Saturday, then, is the Big Test of Faith! The prophets told us what was going to happen. The teachers of Scripture taught us the words. Jesus told His disciples what was coming. It was all laid out for all to know, and yet Peter proved how a weak faith responds! He let the threat of mere men cause himself to shrink in his faith! When the chips were down so was Peter. Peter! The disciple upon who’s confession the very Church would be built! Amazing!

Saturday is the day of testing, because on Saturday we are not yet “seeing” a risen Lord, but just a tomb. We assume the tomb contains Jesus, when, in fact it does not. Remember? He descended into Hell and led captive a host of captives! He led the OUT. He led them to Glory! He gave them Victory, just as He would all who call upon His name. The tomb was not just empty on Resurrection Sunday. That’s just when man rolled away the stone and made the discovery! What happened next is even more amazing, as Jesus Christ and many others previously in tombs were raised from the dead and walked again about their community! Are you serious? Yes!

Don’t be caught in the Trap of Doubt. Let faith arise! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved!

To: Men of the church
From: Pastor Skip
Re: What does it mean to be a manly man?

Hello men. I send you this letter in hopes you will actually read it.

You are
1. Moving into a crisis
2. In the midst of a crisis
3. Resolving a crisis
4. Repeating 1 thru 3.
5. Delusionally trying to avoid the whole thing, and failing! or
6. For a minuscule better-than-winning-the-lottery few, perhaps living in a period of peace.

Yeah, I know, you all picked number 6, in hopes no one would push it.

What does it even mean to “be manly”? The world is answering it with the ways of our culture, which isn’t working very well. God has given us much to learn about His design for being the kind of man He wants us to be. And, there are two kinds of manly men. The worldly manly man, and the Godly manly man. We would do well to figure this out, so we could make right(eous) decisions!

Help is available, and not just in the spiritual sense of “read your Bible and do what it says.” Practical help is available too, and it rests with each of us. I refer to shoe-leather Christianity, based on a sandal-clad Savior, Who wants men to be men, as they follow Him.

Over the years it’s been called Discipleship, Teamwork, Mentoring, Personal coaching, or Life coaching, and a host of other terms. The reality is that it is always based on relationship, man to man, beyond the level of “Hi, how are ‘ya?”

Let’s go there. Let’s be willing to let down the guards of personal protection, which aren’t working, and allow a little genuine vulnerability into our lives, together. We are soldiers, in a way, who need to know someone has our 6, and then be ready to BE that someone. We can’t do this if we won’t.

How?
1. By coming to the men’s breakfasts, and the men’s Summit next month, and asking the Holy Spirit to “connect” us.
2. By seeking one another out during the week for some fellowship.
3. By putting in the effort, which may take a little surrender of pride, and a measure of prayer! Wow.

What ARE the crises we face? Marriage? Of course. Job stuff? Probably. Physical issues? Emotional pains? Money? Kids? Go ahead, customize your list any way you wish, but let’s get some help! Let’s get some perspective from one another, as iron sharpens iron in the furnace of God almighty!

Let’s find out more of what it means to be Godly manly men!

Blessings,
Pastor Skip

“Put some gas in the car!”

“What? Don’t you understand my car won’t go. I don’t know what to do.”

“Why won’t your car go? What might be wrong?”

“I think I’m out of gas. I don’t know what to do.”

“Put some gas in the car!”

This is the kind of conversation happening all over the place today. Not just with cars, but with marriages, parenting, career issues, etc. It’s especially happening in the spiritual lives of almost everyone!

“My marriage just isn’t working. I don’t know what to do.”

“Is it on empty?”

“Yes.”

“I’d recommend a fill-up.” Put some gas in the car …

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Yes, you do. But you won’t …”

“Well, my life with God isn’t any better. In fact, it may be worse.”

“On empty?”

“Yes.”

“Needs a fill-up.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Yes, you do. But you don’t.”

Dear Dayspring Family,

This is a good time to remember our extended family, Eddy and Sarah Trussell, in Bogota, Colombia, South America. We wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and let them know they may be out of sight, but not out of mind! I’m sure they wouldn’t turn down a little Christmas Cheer, of the green kind, if you have any left!!!! Ho Ho Ho, let the sleigh bells ring and the Spirit be all over you, as Jesus visits us this special time of year!

Blessings to you all,
Pastor Skip

This is from an Australian guy who did his own documentary, and it is terrific!!!

1. Is being overwhelmed being out of order?
2. Have you gotten over it?
3. Can you say “no”?
4. Can you be cared for?

There’s an old joke about the minister delivering his Sunday sermon, and at the height of a particularly bold point one of the congregants mutters “Now you’ve gone from preachin’ to meddlin’.”

Permit me to meddle.

Each of the above questions is meant to provoke not only your thoughts, but some specific action. Each one has come about from the Biblical office of “pastor,” one who cares for and leads the flock of God, during this time on earth before Jesus comes again. I think the answers you give will be not only revealing, but potentially helpful if you’re interested in the transformation Jesus offers.

But, you may ask, why these questions, and why at this time? After all, it’s almost Thanksgiving!

Yes, when we’re overwhelmed, we’re out of order. Meaning, we don’t function as we should. I don’t believe God wants us overwhelmed. I believe He wants us walking in His Spirit, with joy, peace, and happiness. Not realistic, is it? Or is it? If you’re overwhelmed, consider why, and then consider what it would take to get back to joy, peace, and happiness?

It seems to me that in this American life of absolute wonder and abundance, there is way too much bitterness. We who have so much seem too angry, at too many, especially within the Church! Has someone offended you? Get over it. Your bitter attitude isn’t making it better, is it? Your anger isn’t resolving the issue in a favorable way, is it? We need to do a lot more than read about forgiveness, we need to practice it.

Point 3 may be the answer to point 1. Well, can you? It’s a wonderful word, and it yields a lot of peace. Saying “no” creates time, out of nothing, and prevents so many misunderstandings, judgments, hostilities, etc. Try it.

We’re supposed to care for one another; we want to care for one another; we are gifted to care for one another. Yet there seems to be something in the way. I don’t think the Church of Jesus Christ lacks care GIVERS as much as care RECEIVERS. It requires humility to receive, which may be the greatest obstacle we face, and it also requires submission, a bad word in our “modern” vocabulary. Perhaps the biggest obstacle, however, is that we want to be cared for “our way,” rather than how Jesus offers.

James- about pride (oh oh)
1 Peter- about suffering (can this be good?)
2 Peter- expectant living (not apathetic)
Philemon- about forgiveness (oh oh)
1 Timothy- a basis for living today
Titus- about sound doctrine
2 Timothy- fan into flames your spiritual gift
Hebrews- the priesthood (identity crisis?)
1 John- fellowship (community)
2 John- family (roots)
3 John- hospitality (get to’s)
Jude- warning (if the light is on, stop the car)

Warning! This may challenge your thinking, your preconceived notions, your bias or even your wishes.

But don’t worry, because I’m not saying you’re wrong. Only that by being challenged we grow, and that growth in this area will be good for us, and perhaps others.

Are we in the “last days,” or the “end times”? Can we even know the answer? If we know the answer, or think we know, what should we do about it? What CAN we do about it? Or should we just go on living like the little kid with his hands over his eyes declaring “you can’t see me” to an adult staring him in the face?!

This is the stuff of academics in almost every part of academia, spiritual or not, because the modern physicist and astronomer, poet and philosopher, etc. all go here at times. We should too.

Only God is omniscient, so I suppose we can say that only God knows ALL the answers to these questions, but let’s not cop out that way. We DO have some “knowings” of our own, and we CAN weigh in on the subject with some supportive data, not just feelings.

We could say we are in the “last days”, because these days are after the days we’ve already lived, but that wouldn’t be fair to the point of the question, which is Biblical at its core. Therefore, we must go to the Bible to see if it tells us anything. I think it does, and I think we are in the last days because I understand the term to mean those days AFTER the resurrection and ascension of Christ. What becomes clear, to me at least, is that the term “last days” is not the same as the term “end times.”

Last days of what? End of what times?

I think we are in the last days of time BEFORE the return of Christ. All of the days up to and including the “end times” are included in the “last days.” We can know more about what these days look like by reading the Bible, as there is a lot there to inform us. What happens next is of critical importance, don’t you think?

The “end times,” I think, refer to those specific last days leading up to and INCLUDING the return of Christ, about which there is also much written. Yada yada yada

But wait! There’s more! This is the point, dear ones! God is telling us that He is up to something! Life as we know it may change, but eternity awaits us! Our future is just around the corner, and it is going to be almost indescribable, even though He is trying to describe it to us in His Word. Jesus Christ loves you and is available to you, right now, to lead, guide, and direct your path, if you will only follow! Life WITH Christ, in HIS Kingdom, was, is, and will be much better than we have experienced or can experience on our own.

The skeptic may say “oh yeah, prove it,” and the broken one may say “I don’t get it,” and the weak may say “I don’t have the fight in me any more,” but for all the answer is the same: read the Bible. Let God tell you, and I promise that He will.