The Proudest Moments of My Life

There have been several moments in my life that have made me very proud.  I'm not talking about the kind of arrogant pride that no one really likes, but the good kind of pride that I hope you have experienced at least once in your life.

The day I graduated from Western Kentucky University was a very proud moment.  I remember walking onto the football field and the entire faculty and staff of the Computer Science department were standing on the field dressed in their full academic regalia lauding our accomplishment.  As I took my seat with the rest of my fellow graduates, I sat there listening to the college president congratulating us, the sense of accomplishment that I felt was tremendous.  A few moments later, I was walking across the stage, shaking the hand of our college president as he smiled at me.  What a moment.  My parents were in the stand, I could feel their pride and joy. Along with my parents was my soon to be wife rejoicing with me.

The next moment that strikes me as one of my proudest moments, was when my lovely wife walked down the aisle and married me.  Me!  A dorky, computer nerd!  As I took her hand and we turned to face our pastor, the pride in starting a marriage the way the Lord intended overwhelmed my soul.  I still look back to that day with amazement that such an amazing lady as Laura settled for me.

Then came the day when I graduated from Bible College.  That night brought about such pride and satisfaction in all the late nights studying; all the sweat, blood, and tears that was poured into the thesis I had to write and the many years of working a full time job, helping raising two boys with my wife, and trying to have an effective ministry.  I look at my Bible College degree with a source of amazement and pride in what the Lord had accomplished through me.

Another day that I could chalk up as one of the proudest moments of my life was the day I was ordained into the Gospel Ministry.  A group of godly men that I looked on with great respect and that I held in high esteem examined me, my calling, and my testimony and found me worthy to be ordained into the ministry.  What a moment. 

But what happened a few hours or so ago, make these moments pale in comparison.  This morning, I finished my second half marathon, if you don't know, that's 13.1 miles.  As I came around the curve in the road and approached the finished line, I saw two things:  my wife, standing in the middle of the race course with her camera (of course)  smiling and snapping pictures.  The second thing was my boys standing on the set of bleachers watching me and clapping.  Clapping for their father.  As I met the eyes of each of my boys in turn, the pride they had for their father crossing the finish line overwhelmed me.  The thought struck me, how many boys have the opportunity to be proud of their father?

It doesn't matter how many degrees I earn, or if my peers count me as one of them, or how much my wife loves me, if my children don't have opportunities to be proud of their father.  Men, take a moment and ask yourself, are your children proud of you?  I'm reminded of the verse in Hebrews 11 that says "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."  I want my heavenly Father to be proud of me and I want my children to not be ashamed to be called my children.  How's your life shaping up this morning--if you have any doubts, you may need to spend some time talking to your heavenly Father.  I'm sure He will give you something to stand up and clap about. 

Wrapping up Ruth

Below you will find links to the last two messages in the series from Ruth.  It was a blessing for me as I studied and prayed over these messages to see how the Lord has woven a fine tapestry in His Word.  The last two messages consider the topics of Purpose and Bitterness.  I truly hope that they will be a blessing to you, as they were to me.

Handfuls of Purpose

From Bitter to Blessed

A Series of Messages from Ruth

I have been preaching a series of messages from the book of Ruth.  It has been quite the blessing to me in my studies and personal life.  It is my hope that this series will be both a help and a blessing to you.  Here are the first few messages:

A Famine in the Land

The Consequences of Bad Decisions

Is this Naomi?

Whose Damsel is this?

Handfuls of Purpose

As this series continues, I will add more messages to this blog.

A Helpful Blog. . .

One of the things I struggle with as a preacher and in particular as a man called to the pastorate is finding where I stand on issues that face the church, and my denomination in particular.  Oftentimes, the difficult thing is not finding where I stand, but finding a scriptural basis to where I stand, because I have no desire to build on sinking sand.

One of these issues, that I really find should be more of a non-issue, is the issue of dress standards/

I believe the Bible teaches modesty.  Both men and women should dress modestly to honor the Lord.  I have often struggled with how we (Independent Fundamental Baptists) define "modesty" as women must wear dresses or skirts at all times.  

I'm going to attach a link to a blog that was recently shared with my wife, Laura.  She passed it on to me for my thoughts.  It was an eureka moment.  This blog echoed my thoughts, prayers, studies, and struggles exactly.  It was almost as if Pastor Reagan was eavesdropping on my conversations with the Lord.  

My intent in sharing this is not to pick a fight with anyone or to castigate anyone for their beliefs.  My intent is to make you think about why you believe what you believe as far as dress and modesty goes.  Read this entry with an open mind.  I'm not asking you to change what you believe, I'm asking you to simply consider how others' are struggling with an issue that, in my mind, should be a non-issue. 

I'm not interested in debating anyone, but if you would like to share your views in a positive, constructive way, feel free to do so.

The blog:
http://reaganreview.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/dress-standards-and-a-change-for-the-reagans/

See the Good

I’m tired.  It’s been a busy, hectic week in my life.  In fact, it’s been a busy, hectic year in my life.  But that’s okay because it has been good. 

Have you ever stopped to think about the good in your life?  Last night my lovely lady and I had a date night.  We did a little Christmas shopping and went to dinner at a nice steakhouse.  We wound up waiting for our table for a little over an hour.  Do I regret the hour we spent waiting?  Not for a minute!  We were able to sit next to each other and talk without interruption for an hour straight.  That never happens with three kids, two dogs, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, coworkers, church family…you get the idea. 

I was reminded of the good in my life.  As we waited for our table, we talked about favorite Christmas memories.  There were quite a few.  We talked about things coming up in our schedule...things we were going to do to help people.  That was another reminder of the good in my life.  We have the ability to help other people.

This morning, I woke up to the sound of my middle son, Alex, laughing.  He was watching some silly kids’ show on TV.  As I listened to him laugh, I was reminded of the simple joy of loving and being loved.  He saw me and immediately said “Love you, Daddy.”  Sweet words that reminded me of the good in my life.

This time of year gets crazy--going here, buying this, planning that, decorating.  Don’t forget the good in your life.  Don’t let life get in the way of the good things—being with those you love the most, your family and friends.  Don’t get so caught up in the preparations for the holiday season that you forget the point…do good for somebody.  This is the season for giving; it has been since the first Christmas.   

One of my favorite hymns of all time is "It is Well With My Soul."  The message of this particular song always gives me great joy and hope. Take a moment to read over the lyrics: 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

 

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul. 

 

I preached a message tonight entitled "It Shall Be Well."  The message is taken from the fourth chapter of II Kings.  Several people that are very precious to me are going through some battles right now and I believe that the Lord used the burden I am carrying in this message.  May it be a blessing to you.

 

It Shall Be Well  

Home at Last

We finally arrived home after two and a half hours.  The kids enjoyed a nice long nap as I enjoyed a nice long talk with the Lord.  

The kids are all with their parents and mine are all home.  It's been a good week, but its good to be home.