A Soccerdad’s Love

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 The Great Conversation leads to a Great Impact

A guy named Curtis Tanner served as the best man in my wedding. Curtis and I both attended Samford University. He was a few years older.

Curtis was the primary founder of the ministry known as Campus Outreach. Campus Outreach is a student-led ministry which is committed to helping folks grow in their spiritual life and then teaching them to help others. Some would call this the ministry of Second Timothy 2:2 where Paul tells Timothy, ‘And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many, these entrust to Faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (II Timothy 2:2).

The Great Conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus that night in the house took place before a small gathering of folks. These men were followers of Christ. They were the type of “faithful” men Paul talks about in II Timothy 2:2 who heard Jesus discuss a life with God in the presence of many.

Those present must have wondered what impact the words of Jesus would have on this leader from the Pharisees named Nicodemus.. It was during this conversation that the term, ‘you must be born again,’ was shared. Christ would eventually share the meaning of ‘born again’ through the declarations that God loved the world so much that He sent His Son Jesus from heaven and that whosoever would fully embrace God would have the opportunity of spending eternity with Him.

We would later learn that after Jesus was crucified that Joseph of Arithmathea from the Jewish group known as the Sandedrin and Nicodemus himself would ask the man in Charge (Pilate) for the body of Christ. John 19:38-42 shares that Nicodemus brought 75 lbs of various incense and with Joseph, wrapped the body of Christ. One can easily see that years after the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus that the Great Conversation had a great impact of Nicodemus.

We also must teach ‘faithful’ men about God in the presence of others — and have faith that in due time, a Great Impact will occur.

Saturday, February 2, 2008 Nicodemus Embraces The Condition for Peace with God

The response of this respected leader to the condition Jesus outlined to peace with God has lessons for us. Max Lucado’s book, 3:16 …The Numbers of Hope is very much worth reading. Each person will draw different things from the book.

The book causes me to go to John 3 and read the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus for myself.. and allow God to speak to my heart the way He clearly has spoken to the heart of Mr. Lucado. Great devotionals are far more than reviewing an intellectual assessment of the scriptures. Great devotionals provide a wonderful opportunity to see how the heart of another man is moved by the words of the Bible as he thinks and ponders on its meaning for his personal life. We have the privilege of reading the thoughts and expressions that are placed on his heart.

Jesus had just said, “I assure you” to underscore the next thought he would share. Jesus then communicates, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kindom of God.” (John 3:3).

Nicodemus responds, “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” (John 3:4)… then Nicodemus asks another question.. yes, two (2) questions back to back, “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born”. (John 3:4).

Nicodemus may or may not have understood the spiritual dimensions of the response of Christ. Yet, the one thing is clear, Nicodemus embraced, fully embraced the condition that Jesus outlined to have peace with God. It is noteworthy he did not give the line of thought of the Pharisees to having peace with God… nor did he share the thoughts of so many that he tried his best to be a good man, and to live a life as consistent as he could by the scriptures. The role of Nicodemus as a public figure was to teach folks the way to peace to God and how one can be right with God.. in short, how one becomes a Christian.

Yet, Nicodemus put all those reasons that he personally believed or that he taught as a ruler to the side. Instead, he embraced, totally embraced, the condition that Christ outlined to peace with God. He did not offer another plan or way to be at peace with God. And later in this conversation Christ would address this condition from a different angle when he shared, “For God so Loved the World, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Tuesday, January 29, 2007 : Jesus Sheds Light on the Comments of Nicodemus: One Condition

Max Lucado’s book, 3:16 . . The Numbers of Hope, puts the popular verse, John 3:16, into proper focus. The verse of course arises out of the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus has just indicated why he risked his personal reputation and status by coming to Christ at nite. He had just verbally expressed a position that was out of sync with that of his fellow Pharisees. Simply put, he had acknowledged that Jesus was a “teacher from God” and that God was “with him” (Jesus) (John 3:2).

It is not clear whether Nicodemus sought a similar affirmation from Jesus, … or sought to establish himself as different from his fellow Pharisees and wanted Jesus to know that he recognized and respected Jesus as a man of God.

Jesus does articulate what was required to see the kingdom of God. I like the phrase used by Billy Graham in the title of one of his books, “Peace with God”. The Response of Jesus was to clearly and simply communicate what was required to be at peace at God, “Unless one is born again, one cannot see the kingdom of God”. (John 3:3) There are conditions and requirements before one can be at peace with God.

The articulation of the condition to be at peace with God is an issue we all must address. Each person present must have also wondered what was required to be at peace of God.

Certainly, Nicodemus, as a public teacher of spiritual matters, had developed ideas on what was required to be at peace with God. Jesus does not mention that there are many possible ways or many vehicles for one to achieve peace with God and see the kingdom of heaven. He also does not mention any particular effort or code of conduct… good or bad each man must pursue. Instead, he mentions the spiritual act of “being born again.”

One can ponder long and hard on the words of Christ. This is the context of the Great Conversation where Jesus says the words of John 3:16, ” “For God so Loved the World, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Thursday, January 24, 2007

The words that Nicodemus initially shared that nite were rather striking. In a moment that was filled with obvious tension and interest, Niocodemus shares comments that tell every person present that his view of Christ was quite different than those held by his fellow Pharisees, the group that would one day recommend and support the crucifixion of Christ.

Nicodemus makes two initial comments, captured by scripture, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do the signs that you do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2 KJV)

Under the circumstances, the comments of Nicodemus were very profound. He openly put aside the sentiments of his fellow Pharisees. He also openly expressed his heart’s belief that “God was with this man called Jesus”. It is clear that this public figure and ruler of the Pharisees was embracing the concept of a living God, and that this God was working thru this man called Christ.

Nicodemus acknowledged that no one could do the signs that Jesus was doing unless God was with him. Nicodemus clearly wanted to know more, and understand more, about the spiritual dimension of Christ. My hope is that the boys.. Jonah, Josh & Joel… will have similar heart-to-heart conversations with God, and with those people they meet whose lives reflect a genuine commitment to Christ.

This initial sentence from Nicodemus set the tone of the meeting that nite. Every person present now knew that Nicodemus was not there on behalf of his fellow Pharisees to make threats, challenge Jesus or anything along those lines. Nicodemus was there for his own spiritual needs. As a leader in those times, of a group not popular with Christ, Nicodemus was humbly acknowledging that the current sentiment of the day that the Pharisees and religious leaders alone had a special relationship with God simply was not true.

The conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus had begun. It would end with a comment from Christ that would mmarize how a man finds God. “For God so Loved the World, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
Dad

p.s. p.s. As a reminder, remember to spend 30 min a day at one of the sites in the Marketing Pond reading emails, ads or websites. You will eventually generate $40 or $50 a month in extra spending money. It is a great way to make money online. As you share this with a friend here and a friend there, you will one day have ten (10) or fifteen (15) folks who also like the idea of earning free money as they learn about ways of earning $ online. Hits4Pay is one of the best ‘GPT’ sites in getting started.

Wednesday, January 23, 2007

I have immensely enjoyed driving Joel to school each morning. We have both come to enjoy “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” with comedian Steve Harvey… and particularly the ‘Strawberry Letter’ where folks write in about the personal relationships and both Steve and Shirley Stawberry, a co-anchor, reply to the letter. Shirley’s response is intended to be sound advice from the heart. Steve’s advice is both from the heart with an incredible comedic slant that brings joy to the heart.

That show also features the best R & B music which, as Steve often shares, are love stories with words pregnant with meaning. It has brought back so many old memories. I also find myself identifying and relating to the words shared by the artist as he (or she) pours out her heart in song. I love the “Freedom Friday” show where on Fridays Steven’s nephew, Nephew Tommy, and Shirley, try to outdo each other with memorable love songs from the past.

This morning, I had planned to skip my traditional quiet time but as the morning progressed, I realized that I missed that time of reflection. My quiet time before the Lord provides food for my heart and soul perhaps more than I realize.

One reason that I had considered skipping my quiet time is that I want to address other events of my life and the world around me. In one respect, I want to do this through a separate blog as a vehicle to earn $ from writing and blogging. From this standpoint, I wonder if I should just have a separate blog that can be ‘monetized’. From a different standpoint, I think to myself that regardless of whether I monetize the blog, the overall purpose is to provide a spiritual outlet for myself and for the boys, and Jonah, Josh and Joel to have a permanent record to read about dad and the things that he thought about and were meaningful to him.

Time and awkwardness make it difficult to talk about some issues. Sometimes, a letter or blog can do that for someone. Well, most of all, I hope the boys and Felicia realize how much I deeply love them. I wish I could have been a better dad, and provide them more financially. Yet, I accept the ups and downs that life brings.

One of my hopes for 2008 is to set aside ten (10%) of my earnings on a regular basis for spiritual or charitable purposes. I have started sending my tithe to a Paypal account called “TheStewartTithe@gmail.com. The heading on each message is the same, “A Tithe of Thanks”.

I am so thankful that directly, or through the caring hearts of others, God has met our basic needs. I once recall Max Lucado sharing in his book, 3:16 . . . The Numbers of Hope that we often overlook the manna from heaven where God provides for our basic needs in a manner just as real and just as concrete as when He provided manna for the children of Israel. Yes, there is much in life to be thankful for; I will be forever thankful and grateful for the opportunity to be a dad and the wonderful times I have shared with the boys.

Dad

p.s. As a reminder, remember to spend 30 min a day at one of the sites in the Marketing Pond reading emails, ads or webistes. You will eventually generate $40 or $50 a month in extra spending money.

As you share this with a friend here and a friend there, you will one day have ten (10) or fifteen (15) folks who also like the idea of earning free money as they learn about ways of earning $ online. When that happens, you will find yourself earning a few hundred a month, and you will begin to realize you have a small business started.

These ‘get paid to’ (GPT) sites share the advertising revenue they receive from companies which want to exposes their business to potential customers like you and me. You really do get get paid just to read and review ads and websites.

The GPT sites get paid by these companies simply for making you aware of their opportunity, regardless of whether you join. The advertising company also wins because a customer like you may decide he is interested in using the company’s services. The first site we will work together is called Hits4Pay which deposits $10 into our Paypal account just for getting started.