Evidence

...In every season, from where I’m standing 

    I see the evidence of Your goodness

    All over my l life, all over my life

    I see  Your promises in fulfillment...

-Evidence Josh Baldwin

    The other day, the temperature dipped and I found myself wanting to go for a walk, this is rare because in the Memphis heat rarely do I want to go for a walk. But nevertheless, I was halfway around the block, when suddenly this song came on. The lyrics reminded me of God’s goodness throughout my WHOLE life. Although the current season had left many shaken, myself included, I knew that God was and will continue to be present, all I had to do was look. 

    In any good detective case, the evidence is all around. You just have to look for it. This is important because the truth of God’s love may not be as easily uncovered.  God’s hand print has graciously touched every facet of our life. I remember considering moving to Memphis, to be closer to family during this past season and how God’s provision had provided every door to be opened and the perfect work schedule to be obtained. I consider the evidence that a routine examination would uncover a cancerous cyst growing inward, which was rare in itself. I consider the evidence that when I feel alone,the word, his promises, remind me that I am never alone. The evidence is all around us.

    So if you find yourself shaken, not understanding the chaos that might surround you. I encourage you to take a moment. Examine the details and look for the evidence that God has been there all along. This may be done through reflection, meditation, or journaling. But I guarantee you, that if you take a second to reflect, you will find evidence of God’s love all around you. 

5 More Ways to ask your Children "How was your Day"

It is vital that as parents we continue to pastor our children in ways that are sharp with technique and purpose. Did you know that the job title of a youth pastor has only been around since the 1950’s? Before that the original youth and children’s pastors were parents. So parents, we’ve got to perk up and get involved in our children’s lives. One of the best ways to do so is through conversation. Here are 5 MORE ways you can ask your child “How was your day?”

1. Can you teach me something I don’t know? Growing up, I had an uncle who was just always happy. Every time I saw him, he had the glow. He had the ability to light up a room and ask us the best questions. Reflecting on our interactions now I can honestly pinpoint why our interactions were so special. It was because he spoke to us as “little thinkers.” He didn’t be little our opinion but truly waited and listened to our response. This is essential for us as parents. We’ve got to empower our children as problem solvers, that way as they grow up they’ll be able to translate that confidence in every area. Taking this opportunity to learn from your kiddos can absolutely accomplish that!

2. How were you brave today? Yes, the emotion and act of “bravery” is important. It’s that moment where fear strikes the body and we need a little push beyond that to overcome our hurdle. Asking your child how they were brave, will instill the start of looking for this emotion each day. They will start to look for opportunities and become more aware of such emotions. Also the feeling can be fleeting, therefore, if your child doesn’t notice the feeling yet sure enough over time they will surely start. 

3. Rate your day on a scale of 1-10? Asking your child to quantitatively rate their day will allow them a few opportunities. The first being reflection. They will be able to stop and think about this day and how it compares to others. Ofcourse, the rating is subjective but that’s not really the point. It’s about getting your child to think outside the box of each day and will encourage him to think larger than the day at hand. If this doesn’t happen immediately, the reflection will start to encourage some major inventory gathering each day. Also, if one day rates worse than the other, it can open the doors for additional follow up questions such as: What makes today a 7 and yesterday a 5? Or I know today you had a 6 but I wonder what a 9 would look like? Your child communicating their thoughts is the goal here and it’s a joy to hear their little minds dissect their thoughts. 

4. What is something that challenged you? The thought of a challenge is key to progress and growth. I think admitting that something is hard is key to growing up. Too often we internalize these challenges and as a result find ourselves either not celebrating the achievement or not understanding the struggle. Your child can start to acknowledge those difficult moments; therefore letting others know or they can learn to celebrate accordingly. Either way what a win for you and your little one to process through. 

5. If you could switch seats with anyone in class, who would it be? And why? Empathy is absolutely important. With the virtual world all around us, one can forget that there is a breathing life at the other end of internet conversations. Consider how one wouldn’t yell certain comments at people in real life, but somehow on the internet such remarks are only tolerated they are glorified. Teaching your child, empathy and what it would be like to be in another’s seat accomplishes this feat. Asking to pause and consider their life from another’s vantage point will breed understanding about how they might consider other’s emotions and choices. When we can do this as children and have it trickle into adulthood, we will all be better well rounded adults. 

Being a parent is difficult. There are no manuals that come with our children. And for many of us, it’s figuring it all out as we go. We’ll make mistakes that’s certain, but if we can start to initiate some of these questions we can better help each child learn the necessary tools they need to communicate and cope with life as a child and into adulthood.

Custom Made

What a time to be alive! We live in a world where anything can be custom made. Ever wanted a mug with your face on it? Done. How about a bobblehead with your best friend’s head? Done. Custom shoes, custom car, custom house? Done. Most of these things are just one click away. Notice also the prestige of having a  custom made item. If it’s “1 of 1” then you are classy and have wealth. Here is where we can create some real traction. God has designed us all with exact purpose and personal touch. We are all custom made in the image of God and that means we too are “1 of 1.” There is no one exactly like you. The truth here is that since God designed us, it’s important to know how special you are and how you are uniquely designed. 

Nehemiah from the Old Testament is one of those uniquely designed persons God created. Nehemiah had great personal skill. He was a great leader, delegator and knew how to plan. This is probably how he rose to a high rank in the King of Persia’s kingdom. It was here that God called him for His specific purpose: to rebuild the wall around the city of David. He used prayer and fasting but also some personal skill to get the job down. It took just 52 days with God’s help to accomplish this impossible task. 

God used Nehemiah’s unique skills to do His work, and God wants the same for us. What are your unique skills that God can receive glory for? He gave them to you anyways, why not use it to glorify Him? You are custom made for His purpose. You are unique and of great value to Him. Let us move forward ever pursuing His purpose for our lives. 

“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work. “

Nehemiah 2:17-18 

You are mist

There are only two guarantees in life: 1) we're all going to die one day 2) nothing will stay the same. I know, both are a little morbid but stick with me. Death is scary especially since for many there is uncertainty beyond life here on earth. And we like to pretend that everyone will stay the same, but reality is that the moment that you are experiencing and living in will never recreate itself. Life is always moving, with or without you discretion.

So how do you keep up? Do you live anxiously  , anticipating every future moment, hoping NOT to die? Or do you live lethargically, knowing that life is passing by, reminiscing on the days gone by? 

The answer is neither.

Each day is precious and a gift. The moments you can stop, breath, and appreciate them are moments that carry their weight in gold. It's so important to understand that "Yes!" death is coming, so live today with purpose. Enjoy that friend, talk to your son, pause for that moment. Along with that, know where you are going after you die. If you are not sure ask a believer, what's the hesitation? Knowing what happens after death is one of greatest source of peace one can get. With that, with change always occurring put down your device enjoy the moments around you. Listen, you can take more in when you are not recording, posting, or tagging. Being present is the best way to ensure those moments don't pass. Practically? Do this every once in a while, pause lift your head up and look around. Find a face, smile at that face and ask "How can I show love to that person God has placed in my path?"

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?

YOU ARE A MIST [emphasis added]

that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

James 4:14

What's the story?

I'll be honest, i've never been much of a reader. I've loathed over having to read books. As a matter a fact, I remember dropping 10th English honors because I did not want to read the summer reading list. A decision I regret to this day. Despite not being much of a reader, I do enjoy and value a good story.

A prominent leader once said that it takes an average person about 10 years worth of experience to write a book. So the way he figured, if he read 1 book a year, he'd be gaining the experience of 10 years with each book. I recently finished a book, that had a lifetime's worth of experience and wisdom. The Imam's Daughter tells the story of a Pakistani Muslim growing up in late 80's to mid 90's England. It tells the story of her terrible struggle through cultural norms as well as personal hardships, that included sexual abuse and torment. Hannah a pseudonym  for the author and teller of the story eventually found faith as she detailed her slow road to recovery. The key to opening that door was Love.

Here's what I walked away with. Never discredit the impact of the simple act of love. At times we might have to love someone implicitely. A simple smile or door holding might do. However, other times, we might have to show love with big motions and waves of acceptance and an outpouring of love. In those times, we must not be afraid to love lavishly. The way God loves us lavishly. May we take the time to understand and hear each other's stories and may we be ready to LOVE greatly, when the opportunity comes.

Divide

It seems like every where we look, divide is prevalent. Where one stands on "this issue" or "that topic" is the main focus.

I've never really understood the need of denominational divide. Don't get me wrong i understand the need for spiritual structure, organization, accountability and community. However, I have never understood the point of divide. Working with real people, People who do not have a sense of Jesus and his amazing grace; never once asked the denominational background and have believed more because of where my allegiance lay. However, I have found the opposite affect. Many torn and jaded because of denominational banter. Here's what I suggest, we celebrate our theology, but do not allow it to define where where practice our theology. Above all, we are called to believe that Jesus is savior and to make disciples. Last time I checked, divide did not help accomplish either of those realities.

Perpendicular Faith

Podcasts, I love them. I just finished an episode that made me pause and think. The story was about two individuals who crossed paths and neither were ever the same again. When there paths crossed it left one almost dead and the other traumatized for life, then for many years they never saw one another again. Like two lines perpendicular, they have a meeting point then just as quickly as the two lines meet they travel in the opposite direction.

I was thinking, isn't this the same way we treat Jesus sometimes, for many of we go throughout life on our merry way, then if were lucky collide with Jesus. From there though, many of us acknowledge that our lives are different, but reality is we travel 100 MPH in the opposite direction farther and father away from Christ.

My hope is this. I hope that instead of a perpendicular faith, we can have a faith that meets at a point and joins in a journey with the other...

From Generation to Generation

One of my first jobs a therapist was doing in-home mental health therapy. Upon a few visits with patients in the office, because of transportation or access to care, we'd make a transition to home visits. Every time this move happened I always found it astounding how many questions this answered. A person's environment, home life, and normalcy explains a lot about a person.

In the same way, I've found it important to take inventory on my own experiences and how they affect me. What I often see how generations communicate, it tells a lot. Most times we do not take enough time, to study communication and relational patterns and that in turn gets passed on from generation to generation. However, if we are redeemed and set free the reality of our faith should be freeing also. We should now look to God our perfect father and Jesus his Savior Son to dictate our communication pattern and hopefully shape our families for generations to come. Because generations after us depend on it.

Have you allowed how you were brought up to dictate your household now? Are you shaping your child's normalcy to change their child's normalcy? 

Diversity

Did you know that FIBC is made up of many types of nationality. The name "First International Baptist Church" was birthed out of the reality that our church is comprised of people from all corners of the world.

FIBC is all about culture.  We have a heart for the city and it's minority/immigrant/refugee population. Many of the members are first, second and third generation immigrants/refugees. Our ethnic backgrounds include Nepali, Laotian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, Filipino and much more!

How did FIBC start?

Ever wondered how First International Baptist Church came about?