Daddy

I call God “daddy”. For the longest time, when I heard people call Him that, I was a little freaked out. I mean, what kind of person has the guts to belittle God like that? He’s not your daddy, He’s GOD. But, fortunately for me, GOD taught me a little lesson about who He is. I used to think that if I didn’t treat God with respect—if I didn’t “fear the LORD”—then I wouldn’t be pleasing in God’s sight. Now I know that while God is scary to those who don’t know Him, He is delightful to those who do. I used to think that if I didn’t read my bible, and pray, and serve the poor, and be a good little boy, then God wouldn’t bless me as much. Now I know God just wants me to draw closer to Him. I used to think the reason I was on this planet was to be His servant. Now I know the reason I am on this earth is to be His son. You see, I told God: “I don’t want to call you daddy because I don’t want to bring you down to my pitiful level.” God told me: “I already came down to your level so I could bring you up to mine.” … Thanks Daddy.

A Father’s Love

When has a father ever needed anything from his child? Why do we think we HAVE TO do something for God? I am not a slave of God; I am a son. I am not serving the Lord; I am in love with the Lord. You are His beloved child by the blood of Christ! His love must flow into you before it can flow through you. "Love others as you love yourself." If you want to love others like God loves them, you need to love yourself as God loves you. God does not see you as dirty, unworthy, evil, or foolish. It’s the enemy who wants us to believe that God does not love us unconditionally. The truth is: Not believing that God loves you because you don't feel loved is like not believing the sun is hot because you don't feel the sunshine. He is our Father and He loves to love His Children. When we can finally start seeing God as our daddy and not our boss, we'll be delighted to worship Him always.

It brings God pleasure to bless us. Have you ever thought of God looking at you and your life with all your baggage, your junk, and your ups and downs, and then saying, "I want to be generous to you. I long to give to you just what would make you joyous—not because you deserve it, but because there's something about who I am that would bring me infinite joy to express that kind of generosity to you." God is good! While it's true that God's plans do not always work out in the ways we would prefer, it is amazing how often we focus on the relatively few difficult circumstances of our lives and tend to forget his repeated, loving acts of deliverance that occur so regularly. Sometimes life will squeeze you. GOOD. Let what’s inside come out. If you are filled with God's love, it will come out. If not, whatever it is needs to be removed. We get the love that Jesus gets; take some time to reflect on what that means.

A Kid’s Kingdom

There are no experts in the Kingdom of God, only children. We aren’t all students of a theological topic. We are children of adoring Father. We aren’t servants of a glory-hungry king. We are children of the throne. Sometimes I feel like there are SUPER-CHRISTIANS. Sometimes I look at others and wish I could do miracles like him or know the scriptures like her or be a godly as them. In fact, some people probably thing I am a super Christian because I post every possible thought I have about Him. But the truth is, I am not a super-Christian—they are not super-Christians—God is an Amazing God! It’s the love of the father that empowers his children. We are all on the same playing field. Some children of God may be older and wiser, but they are still your brothers and sisters nonetheless. So don’t look at others and wish you were like them. God doesn’t want you to be like Jon Weece or Francis Chan or John Piper or Holy McPreacherton. God wants you to be who He made you to be. A lie the enemy gets us to believe is this: “I won’t ever be as spiritual as them. I am just not a spiritual person. That gift of the Spirit isn’t for me. I’m just a normal Christian, I can’t heal or prophecy or love that person.” You don’t have to do ministry to feel affirmed. You are affirmed through Jesus.

A Child’s Will

As Christians we are continually asking God to do as He wishes in our life. But Christ also promises that if we ask according to His will, we will receive. So it seems we are striving to get our desires and requests to match up with God’s desires and requests. Once our will (for ourselves, for other people, for the world) and God’s will come together, it shouts the loudest praise and creates the most powerful life. An interesting image struck me the other day. Whenever I am praying “Father give me this or give me that” it is always so I can give it back to Him in the form of glory, praise, sacrifice and offering. It is as if I am asking God for twenty dollars to buy him a gift. I have nothing and I can give God nothing that He has not already given to me. It’s another image of child-like faith. The Father says: “Son, I love you. What would you like me to give you?” and we respond “Father, I love you. Give me some resources or some opportunities to bless you.” It’s a crazy thought and it really struck me. God is an amazing Father and He gives us so many gifts to enjoy. Indeed, the best gift is the gift of loving Him back.

How do I know if I am doing this right?

Many times we begin to panic, wondering if our actions are according to his will. Am I supposed to go there? Am I supposed to work here? Am I supposed to date this person? Am I supposed to be a part of this church? Am I supposed to eat this ham sandwich? Are my curtains supposed to be green or red? Too often we feel like we need confirmation for every single action we take. There is a difference between listening to God and trying to fill in the silence with His voice.

The Father’s Drawing Board

Perhaps an analogy will help. With any analogy, it will break down in parts, but I think this idea makes a good point:
            The Father gives his child a piece of paper and some drawing utensils. He wants his child to draw him something. The child responds “What should I draw? What colors should I use? Can I use this shape? Are there certain colors you like better than others? Can I ask someone else how to do it?  How much time do I have to draw?” But the thing is, the Father is not nearly as concerned as what the child draws, but instead his motivation behind drawing it. No matter what the child draws, the Father is going to slap that thing on the fridge and say it is the best picture He has ever seen. As long as the child does not start drawing on the walls or drawing on other people, or stabbing the dog with the pencil, the Father will be pleased. As long as the child draws for the Father and not to become the next big artist or impress the kid across the room, the Father will be delighted. Maybe we need to stop worrying about exactly what we are doing and start making something beautiful for our Father with the materials He has given us.



I Wanna Be Like Daddy

You've always heard that your sin put Christ on the Cross. But the cross wasn't met to expose our sin but remove it. He paid the price to get His children back. We are becoming the image of God again. The very reason you are on this earth is to look more and more like Him. Who is He? Love. I tend to have all sorts of issues because I don't have love. God doesn't have issues. He is love.

I paid the price I did for the car I'm driving because I thought it was worth it. I wanted it. I felt like I was getting a good deal. God wouldn't pay the price for you if He didn't think it was worth it. He wanted you. He likes you. You are loved. All you have to be is His beloved. All you have to do is become more like Him. If that means failure, then let it be so. God will complete His work in you.