The Truth Can Set You Free?

I am not one to disagree with God’s Word. I am one to seek to understand the Bible. This verse caught me short, however.

In John 8:32 Jesus declares, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Truth will set you free. That’s what it says. Then why doesn’t it? 

Shouldn't it be the truth can set you free? That’s where I’m coming up short. See what you think about the next paragraph. 

People tend to have three different reactions to truth depending on the person and the situation that person is in. The following thoughts are my paraphrase and remembrance of concepts from Chapter Seven of Henry Cloud’s Necessary Endings.

• The wise person will recognize the truth and adjust themselves to it. The wise person changes because new truth has been introduced.
• The foolish person will try to change, dismiss, discount or adjust the truth itself. Rather than changing themselves, they seek to change “the truth.”
• The evil person doesn’t care about the truth and has no intention of changing for anything. Their own ideas, motives, and mantras are truth to them and everything else is relative.

So as much as Jesus says, “the truth will set you free,” I’d like us to consider these statements

• The truth will set you free if you are wise enough to recognize it.
• The truth will set you free if you are humble enough to respond to it. 
• The truth will set you free if you love enough to be moved by it. 

Truth will ultimately overcome all the lies we speak and believe in this fallen world. Yet truth, in order to set you free, must be recognized and received as truth. Don’t overlook the first phrase of John 8:32, “You will know truth.” Ginosko in Greek translates that know; it is knowledge by experience. 

When you know God, when you know His Word not only can truth set you free, it will set you free. The question: Will you know Him to be set free?

Free from sin. Free from guilt. Free from shame. Free from worry. Free from fear. Free by truth.

As John 8:36 states, “Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”

As always, share a comment or share this post.

Times Eight

My eldest and I played Monopoly last night. We played the speedy version and it took about an hour and a half. In that time period my battleship, as pictured above, landed on the Income Tax space eight times. Yes, eight!

In the speedy version of the game—it's in the official rules—you don't get to the option of 10% income tax. It's an automatic $200. You know what that means? The $200 you just got for passing "Go"... kiss that goodbye. No profit for making another lap around the board. Can't seem to get ahead. Agh!

It's a bit annoying once. It becomes frustrating after three or four times. But eight times? What are the odds?

Isn't life like that sometimes?

You take two steps forward. Then you get knocked eight steps back.

The good news: Monopoly is only a game. We ended in a draw. It's best that way with your son.

The better news: God is always with you in real life. Even if it seems like you've taken a beating times eight. He is faithful.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.—Deuteronomy 31:8

One more thought before we close: If I'd have made that $1600 profit, I'd have handily defeated my son. He may have become discouraged. Wonder if God had me land on Income Tax times eight? Do you think God cares about Monopoly? Do you think He cares about the spirit of a 12 year old boy?

God will never leave you. God always cares for you. Even in setbacks times eight.

Please share this post with friends or share a comment below.

Kindergarten Last

We crossed a line today.

One of those “our kids are growing up too fast” lines. 

Our youngest, the Lovable Linebacker, went to Kindergarten.

Yes, I know it is inevitable. They grow up. They go to school. It happens. And please don’t give me that “he’ll be graduating high school before you know it” line. I know it it. But don’t rush things!

Let him be a kindergartner.

Let me be a Daddy mourning the loss of pre-school children.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want my kids to stay young forever. I marvel at their growth in knowledge, in experience, in character, in worldview. Their minds, wit, spirit, and heart challenge me, humble me and entertain me. I am so blessed to be a steward of three precious souls. Even more blessed to share this stewardship with an amazing WonderWoman wife. But. I don’t want them to grow up too soon.

I want to take every day as a gift. Love them where they are at. Adapt to each unique personality. Adjust to the challenges along the way. Learning to parent at each stage of development from babyhood to childhood and into adolescence. 

I’m a Daddy. With three incredible children. And I treasure them.

Oh, and one more thing: My eldest started Middle School today too. Eesh.

Kindergarten last. Middle School first. Love always.

Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him. 1 John 3:18-19, ESV

No Limits

What is it about love?

You think you can't love a person any more.

And then you do.

They do something.

They say something.

A good something.

Even a heartbreaking something.

And then you love them more.

Or maybe.

You think something.

You feel something.

Something only within you.

And then you love them more.

What is it about love?

I have a guess.

Love knows no limits.

Love from Camp

You know those calls you wish never came?  The ones you can't prepare for.  The doctor with test results.  The family member with a tragedy.  The friend with an unknown illness.  The neighbor with a catastrophe.  You know the call.

Monday night during supper - I must confess - I did not take a call because I didn’t know the number & we were in the middle of the meal.  Voicemail would catch it.  Not even a minute later the same number called our home phone.  Then we knew it must be serious.  Melanie answered.

An emergency call from our children’s camp director.  A dear brother - an adult sponsor for our church kids - was just taken via ambulance to ER.  My heart sank in concern as my mind swam with possibilities.  I knew what I should do.  Who else would be available?  In the next few hours with completion of testing and doctor's consultation, confirmation arrived that I should go.  He and his wife - our other adult sponsor - needed to return home for further tests.

Wanting our girls to have a replacement sponsor as well, I called a sister from church.  Did she have any plans?  For the next four days?  Would she be willing to be the girl’s sponsor? She said yes.

Short on sleep, but ready to serve, we made the three hour drive and arrived for our kid camper’s breakfast Tuesday morning.  We shared hugs, prayers, and tears, then settled into the week.

It’s Tuesday afternoon as I write.  I am sitting here at camp.  In my cabin with no A/C.  Sweltering.  Yet I sit in joy.  The cacophony of children playing in the pool floating through my screened window.  The laughter of boys below tumbling up the steep staircase.  The assurance our kids have been reassured.  The knowledge our brother will get the best medical care from doctors who know him.

I do not write in order to make myself the hero.  Please do not read that.  I am just the pinch hitter.  I write because this could be you.  

Maybe you have been the one in crisis.  Maybe you have been the one to respond.  Maybe that crisis is now.

You know what the answer is?  The answer to make it through the crisis?  Love.  

Love is a verb.

Love serves.  Love gives.  Love sweats.  Love laughs.  Love cries.  Love hurts.  Love listens.  Love prays.

Love is parents willing to entrust their precious ones to others for a week that those children might learn more of the things of God.

Love is children leaving home with a little fear to find a lifetime full of faith.

Love is volunteers with more concerns than you know giving their week to a bunch of sweaty kids.

Love is a sister who had other plans this week out in the pool playing with kids right now.

Love is a child taking the hand of another who is homesick and walking the dirt path together.

Love is a brother laughing out loud as he throws ice water on children in the middle of a silly camp game on a hot afternoon.

This is love from children’s camp.  But love is so much more than this.

What is love in your life?  How have you given it?  When have you received it?

Call it out.  Write it down.  Pray it deep.  Live it out.

And - just in case - you are not loving or feeling loved, please join in.  Your life will never be the same when you do.

Love’s not easy.

But it’s worth it.