tracekuhn.comRandom thoughts of a Christ follower

Label me… go ahead. Yep. I’m a SIV.

A Single Issue Voter.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to be. I’d much rather walk into the voting booth to cast my ballot for a person that I like, or have a passion to see running this country.

I’d really like to see a candidate that I wanted to follow. A candidate that I wanted to rally behind, to make calls for, to stand on corners with. But not this time. Not this election.

I’m okay with John McCain. I really liked him in 2000. But not as much in 2008. His message has changed. He’s changed. Rather than waiting for the nation to get behind him and his passion for change, he tried to jump in front of the nation and he changed. He’s negative, he’s shaky, he’s boring. He cannot connect with the immediate and future leaders of our nation. He’s nearly out of touch with America.

But…

John McCain is pro-life. John McCain voted against Roe v. Wade and has stated “To me it is an issue of human rights and human dignity.” John McCain voted for the ban on partial-birth abortions.

His opponent co-sponsored a bill titled, “Freedom of Choice Act” (S.1173) which would make partial-birth abortion legal again, require taxpayer funding of abortion, and invalidate virtually all state and federal limitations on abortion, such as parental notification laws.

Robert George reports that McCain’s opponent may be the most pro-abortion candidate to ever run for presidency. Read it here.

For the record, I voted the same way in 2004, 2000 and 1996. While George Bush has not been my favorite president. Okay, he’s not been very good at all. But he did appoint John Roberts as Chief Justice and Samuel Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court. These were monumental appointments and this feat cannot be overlooked when considering W’s legacy.

So here I stand. A single issue voter. Not happy, but comfortable knowing that I used my constitutional right to vote for Life.

I opened up the the CNN Money page online today and saw the following headlines:

Does anyone really know what is going on in the financial markets or when everything will settle down? How are you holding up in the midst of this turmoil?

I read these verses recently and was reminded me that the Lord knows what’s happening in the world today. In the midst of this turmoil, He is in control.

Psalm 16:5-8
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

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Christians say this all the time. We tell each other we’ll pray for them. Usually it is said at the conclusion of a conversation or as a way to end a conversation. Kind of like good-bye or see ya later.

It is kind of like saying “How are you” as you pass someone in the hall at church. You don’t really want to know how the person is doing because you are not stopping to have a conversation.

“How are you”…”I’ll pray for you”. Opening and closing of a conversation without any substance or words in between.

At times I have wondered if people actually follow through with their prayer offer. The Lord is the only one who knows for sure.

Today my wife had out-patient surgery. We told our bible study class about it and many said they would pray for us. We even added it to the prayer list. We enlisted some family to pray as well. They told their small groups/churches too.

I can tell you that people prayed! When we walked into the hospital this morning, we felt the peace of God. A peace that surpasses my understanding. A peace that cannot be measured. It was an surreal experience. Our God is real and He cares about His children!

The surgery was flawless from beginning to end. The recovery has been quick and my bride is now sleeping comfortably in our bed. Praise God!

Thank you Lord for listening to the heart of your people who, in the midst of their own lives, are willing to carry their friends to the Cross in prayer. Amen.

I never thought this day would come. Really. I say this with all sincerity. I never thought the Tampa Bay Rays would ever make it to the World Series.

My wife and I had season tickets for the inaugural season of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. We proudly sat in the “partially obstructed view” seats. They were at the TOP of the Trop. Last row. A support beam for the roof was in our way and we couldn’t see the fence in right field. In fact, we often couldn’t see the right fielder. We also couldn’t quite see the whole jumbotron and many players names were cut off from our view. You know, like Fred McGri, Wade Bog, Quinten McCrack. Oh those were the days! The Rays went 67-95 that year and didn’t get much better any time soon.

In 2007 the Rays had the exact same record at 67-95. Fast forward one year and we are going to the World Series. Wow!

I’ve not yet jumped on the Rayhawk bandwagon, but am a proud supporter of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Here’s hoping that our Rays are able to beat the Phillies and win the World Series! Go Rays!

Yesterday was a great day at church. Our pastor started a new series on Rethinking Marriage. During his sermon he hit us with something he’s said before, but this time it stuck. It was good stuff, so I thought I’d share:

Three words and they all start with D. I’m not a big alliteration guy, but I liked these three.

1. Dialogue Daily: Talk to your spouse everyday. Not about surface stuff, but drill down a little bit and find out what’s going in his/her heart.

2. Date Weekly – Take your spouse out on a date at least once a week. This could include a private dinner at home after the kids are in bed. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive, but do it weekly.

3. Depart Quarterly – Once a quarter, take your spouse away for a night or two. This is an excellent time to decompress and unwind. It is also a chance to chase your dreams together, or laugh together or to just enjoy each other’s company uninterrupted.

Let’s keep each other accountable. Are you taking care of the TRIPLE D with your spouse? Let me know.

Sorry for the time off between posts. I took a couple of days with the family for a homeschool adventure. Here’s a picture from our trip.

Today I’d like to discuss a very moving story in the Bible. The story of Jairus in the Gospels rips me apart every time I read it.

Jairus is a leader of the local synagogue, likely at Capernaum. His only daughter is dying. He was waiting for Jesus to return in time to possibly help and his hope is realized as Jesus passes through again.

In Mark 5:22-23 Jairus falls at the feet of Jesus. The greek word used is Pipto which translates “falling down, throw oneself to the ground” as a sign of devotion. Jesus was his last resort.

This very prominent synagogue leader has humbled himself before the very simply attired Jesus.

No one is above Christ. No one has enough money or power to go beyond the need for Jesus.

In Mark 5:23 Jairus says, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”

The story goes on from there and eventually the daughter of Jairus dies. But Jesus says she is simply asleep and in verse 42 Jesus commands the girl to “…arise” and she does.

But I’d like to go back and look at a directive from Jesus:

…”Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” Mark 5:36

Jairus was freaking out. He had been waiting for Jesus to pass through and upon seeing him with the multitude he makes a b-line for Jesus. He needs Jesus to act fast, but Jesus does not. Jesus gets distracted (from Jairus’ point of view) with a women who has touched his garment and been healed.

Have you ever been Jairus? Desperate? Worried sick? Exhausted all of your options?

How we handle these situations says a lot about our faith. It says a lot about the development of our faith. Would you be able to stand on the Rock today?

Here are a few verses to consider:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19

I’ve been where Jairus stood. It was painful and I’m sure I did not handle it the way I would have liked. I did ask “why” and I did have fear. But God stretched me in ways I could never have done. My faith grew and saw the hand of God at work.

Thank you Lord for not leaving us on our own. But through trials You move us towards You. I’m ripped apart Lord and cling to You for life. May I “…just believe.”

In John 5:1-9, a story unfolds before us that is powerful, yet leaves us wondering how and why. Let me explain.

After the feast of the Jews, Jesus goes to Jerusalem. While there he comes to a pool. This apparently was not a regular pool, but a special pool where people could get healed. In v.4 it says that an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons and “stirred” the water. So after the water is stirred, there is apparently a race to the water. First one in gets healed.

Stop and think about this scene. The magnitude of the moment and the incredible drama taking place. There are hundreds (a multitude) of people gathered around the body of water watching and waiting. The waters are stirred and there’s a crazy rush towards the pool. In and you win. Too slow and you lose. Wow.

So along comes Jesus. He walks up to this scene and is heading towards the edge of the pool. But with a multitude of the lame and sick, Jesus likely had to make an awkward step by step path to get there.

This is the part that I’ve missed every other time I’ve read these verses. Jesus walked past lots of people. Lots that deserved to be healed. People that needed to be healed. People who were sick, blind, lame and withered. But there is no record of Jesus healing those people.

Jesus, in v.5-9, identifies a single man who had been by the pool for 38 years, heals him and sets him free. In v.8 Jesus says, “Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.”

Why did Jesus choose that one man and not the others?

What was the selection criteria Jesus used for healing?

Think about this in terms of today.

Sometimes you hear about someone with cancer or some challenging circumstance. They are about to have major surgery. But right before the operation they take one more x-ray or whatever and all of the sudden the person is cancer free or disease free. The family is praising God for a miracle.

That miracle is the guy that has been sitting there for 38 years. That’s the guy that Jesus sets free. But that is not the norm.

On the other hand, most of the time the people we know are the multitudes of the sick, blind, lame and withered that do not get healed. They are the ones who do not realize the miracle of instant healing. I’m not saying that God is not involved. He is sovereign and in control. For unexplainable reasons, the miracle of instant healing does not take place.

This is an incredible story about the randomness to life. We can’t explain everything that happens around us. We can’t fill in the blanks and know how God works. It would be a scary world if we could, because in essence it would make us God, right?

I’m thankful today that I do not need to fully understand God’s love to trust it. I’m thankful that God is sovereign and His love never fails.

What do you think about God’s “random” acts of kindness in the book of John?

This is an incredible song from Fireproof The Movie. It is by John Waller. You can buy it here.

Enjoy!

Click on the image above to download Phil’s newest album for free… YES FREE.

Everything we hear today demands that we put ourself first.

“If you don’t, who will?”
“You deserve it.”
“It’s time for some ME time.”

But God’s word has something different for those who follow Christ.

Paul wrote the book of Philippians because he was concerned that people thought they were better than others. Paul saw this as a serious problem.

Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

I’m challenged to take myself out of the equation daily. Sometimes I can’t…most times I can’t. My flesh wants to be front and center to make sure things go my way. Can you say, “control freak?”

Part of my morning prayer each day is to ask God to remove my agenda and replace it with His plan for the day. I so desperately do not want to run around under my own power. Doing so will lead me astray and end up as a wasted effort. But under His control and His road map, I can find my way and accomplish His will.

Lord may you pour your grace and mercy upon me today and take my selfishness away. Selflessness is my cry, Oh God.