Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Controversial? Yes. Mean Spirited? No.

Beginning Easter Sunday, I will be preaching a new series entitled "Confessions Of A Former Catholic." The series will center around four specific questions that I asked my priest twenty-three years ago, soon after receiving Christ into my life. The series will deal with topics like - our access to God, baptism, assurance of salvation and the importance of spending time in God's Word. For anyone who is Catholic (or has a Catholic background) and is reading this blog, I want to let you know that this series will not be mean-spirited. I have a great appreciation for the Catholic's stand against abortion, for relief efforts, and good works done in the community. As a teenager I worked for Catholic Charities, sorting and boxing food items for needy families. My priest played Santa Claus at Christmastime and was one of the kindest men I've ever known. The Catholic church does a lot of good things, but adherence to strict Catholic doctrine means trying to have a relationship with God through sacramental works. And yet, Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are not saved by our works, but by God's grace. That was the greatest lesson that I learned twenty-three years ago and I hope to convey that message beginning Easter Sunday. So if you have a Catholic background and are full of questions like I was - please come. I would love to talk with you. In the end, we may have to agree to disagree, but if our conversation causes you to pursue God with a greater passion, then we both win. Hope to see you April 4th.

CAP

Monday, March 8, 2010

A Walk of the Wild Side

I'm almost finished reading John Eldredge's book Wild at Heart. It was published in 2001, so I'm only nine years late. In the book, Eldredge talks about man's need for adventure and how that need is evidenced in boys. He chides parents who won't let their little boys play with toy guns because they will just make guns out of sticks if they have to. Big boys need adventure just like little ones. How many wives are living with men who have gone silent. The romantic charmer they fell in love with has been replaced by a quiet, unfeeling pacifist. Ladies, let me ask you, "Do you provide opportunities for your husband to have adventures?" Now I know what you are saying. "What about me? When do I get a break from my responsibilities? When do I get a break from the kids to have some time to myself?" And I agree. You are right and you deserve that. But for this blog, I would like to concentrate on the guys. Eldredge believes that if a man does not have an outlet for adventure, he will seek adventure in other places - affairs, pornography, etc. His feelings of being trapped without adventure can also lead to irritability and anger that will impact his ability to be a good husband and father. So ladies, let your man be a man. If his idea of adventure seems a little wild - so be it. If it seems a little dangerous - all the better. Don't emasculate him! Let him be what God made him to be. He will be a better husband and father for it. And guys, it wouldn't hurt for you in turn to watch the kids and give your wife a holiday. She deserves the bubble bath. She deserves the hot tea and a good book. She deserves to be able to go shopping for herself or meet a girlfriend at the local cafe for some girl talk. Maybe she would be more open to creating an opening for your adventure if you would meet her needs as well. So guys, if your domestication is making you a little edgy - it might be time to do something wild.

CAP