The Seat at the Top of the Stairs

"I'm not sleepy.", he said with a sigh
"Just be still.", I said in reply.
My patience is waning so very fast
Over an hour has already past

My back is hurting and My head is nodding
Carefully my escape I am now plotting
Is he still enough now to make the trip down?
I dare not make the slightest sound.

"Daddy" he calls out, "where are you going?"
I thought I made it without him knowing
"No where son, right here I am staying."
I really dislike this game we are playing

Every night this scene will play out
I have no idea what it's about
"Why", I ask others "does this occur each night?"
Could it be a childhood fright?

It really doesn't matter, it's for his sake
This nightly sacrifice that I make
It's what we do for the little ones we love
Like our heavenly Father does up above

Patiently waiting I have plenty of time to think
These days will be gone in a blink
One day I'll look back and wish I were here
Able to easily dispel all his fears

I look one more time to see if he's asleep
Thankfully I don't hear a peep
He's finally sleeping now free from his cares
Because I stayed at the top of the stairs

CT. 2/09

God is on my side. The side of the narrow minded

This thought occurred to me today. The train started in my mind with the verse found in Matthew 7:13-14, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it

Lately I have become more and convinced that the narrow way is much more narrow than even we as believers realize. There are so many who claim to know Christ as their Savior and yet they never show fruit in their life and I have a hard time believing that they are truly converted because they say things that are contradictory to the word of God while claiming to be a follower of Christ. They throw out portions of scripture that they don't like because it confronts their sin or the fact that believing the scripture as wholly true, inspired by God and not open for "Private Interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20) means they cannot live the way they desire, forcing them to be under the authority of God not their own mind and personal desires.

Well this makes me very unpopular and what many people call narrow minded. Christ himself said that the way is narrow. Why is it narrow? Because it requires submitting your will to a higher authority. Sinful man doesn't want that. Being a subject or slave to something means you have a master and your will is not your own. EXACTLY!

I am not my own! I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20, 7:23), the precious blood of Jesus Christ who gave himself in my place to satisfy the wrath of a Holy God who was at war with me until Christ stepped in, laying down his sinless life for me. NOW I am Gods child. I have the same rights as His only Begotten Son (Jn 3:16) How can I NOT be a servant, a slave to the one who has set me free and given me eternal life with Him? I'm compelled to do as He commands. I want to serve and obey out of gratitude, not duty or obligation.

People have such a hard time with that. There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5). That does not sit well with people. They want to do it their way. "I am the way", Christ says (Jn 14:6) "No man comes to the Father but through me." No other way.

My belief labels me as an elitist, and narrow minded. Praise GOD! Why? Because I have the truth. Truth is not relative like so many want us to believe. Truth comes from God. You don't have to believe that. I'm not forcing anyone to believe that. You have the choice to reject truth. One day someone will be right and someone will be wrong. I'm very comfortable with what I believe and willing to take the "chance". Are you? If you are wrong, when truth is revealed are you willing to accept the consequences? I am!

So if Christ is my Saviour making God my Father, then He is watching out for me and has my best interest at heart (Jer 29:11). He is on my side. I sort of feel like the kid who says, "my Dad is better than your Dad". So many people are lost and without Christ because they do not accept the truth.

All around me there are people losing jobs, struggling financially and physically. As I think about that I return to the thought that I belong to God. He is on my side. If God is for me who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? How cool is that? He is no longer against me like he was before Christ entered my life. I'm on the side of the winning team!

Yes we may be a small team, but we are already the winners. God is on MY side. Won't you join? Step on the side of God. Be a part of the winning side. The side of truth. It will cost you. You will have to give up things you may want to hold on to. You will be called narrow minded. But you will have God on your side. There is nothing worth being His opponent.

I don't say any of this with a haughty spirit. Yes I am proud to be called God's child, but not in a prideful way that excludes others out of a spirit of hatred or piety. I wish everyone would come to the side of Truth and forgiveness (2 Peter 3:9). My heart hurts for the majority that snub their nose at God and say, "I'll do it my way". "I can't accept that a God of love would send someone to a place of torment forever."

You see, not only is He Love but He is Holy. He can't be near sin. We don't like holiness because it reveals our wickedness. But there is a solution. He LOVED in providing a Way. But you have to accept that way, otherwise you too will suffer eternal punishment.

I don't understand why people just can't accept that. It's so easy. It is amazing how we will sacrifice the eternal on the alter of the immediate. We want it our way for 80 years (if we get that) here on earth and give up eternal happiness. All for a blink of fleeting pleasure by doing it our way. How foolish.

On the flip side, how awesome it is to be a narrow minded child of the One True God! I am in awe that he chose me from the billions who have lived throughout history, and shown His light of truth on my heart, causing me to see my sin and accepting me when I came running to Him for forgiveness and reconciliation. He's on MY side because I'm on HIS side.

I think I will start singing now.

Welcome Home

I haven't posted in a few days because of our recent acquisition of the time hog better know as a newborn. We chose to call him Hunter. Although it is not new news to most who read this it is necessary that I post it to the blog.

We could not be more proud of our new addition, and second boy to carry on the Tuten name. Hunter Lee Tuten was born at 1:27pm on Tuesday January 20, 2009 weighing in at 8lbs 13oz. Most people say he's big but after his brother being well over 9 lbs he seems kind of light to us.

He and mommy are doing well. We had Papa and Grama here for a few days and now Nana (Raina's mom) is here for a few days to help as well. We sure enjoy having them around. Makes life a lot easier.

Sleep has been sparse lately and even more scarce for Raina as she feeds Hunter every couple of hours. While we are trying to adjust, Connor so far is doing quite well with the new intruder into his space. He calls him "my baby" most of the time and often loves on Hunter with a hug or a kiss.

I must admit, even with the lack of sleep and myriad of changes going on in the house, it still seems a little bit unreal. However, holding him and wondering what he will become and the awesome responsibility we have as parents to our two boys is by far the most sobering thought I have ever had.

Praise the Lord for another healthy baby boy!

Looking For a Hero

It seems everyone since time began has looked for a hero in someone else. Now days it is a music, hollywood or sports star. Of course the problem with looking to these people is that they are not only human and destined to fail, they are in a position to obtain things and participate in acts that are at best suspect and often times down right illegal and shameful. They have little to no character.

O.J Simpson cones to mind. It's hard to think of another celebrity that has fallen so far with actually dying. Barry Bonds in a legal battle still, trying to defend his use of a substance that gave him an edge in competition and brings into question his record of home run king. I can name more and fill page after page of examples. Everyday it seems there is some new sports star or celebrity that is arrested for a myriad of illegal activities from shootings to drunk driving to drug possession.

So why do we look up to these people? Although there are plenty of good answers I am sure, one stands out to me. Idol worship. In fact it is so obvious that one of the highest rated TV shows on right now is American IDOL. The irony is that we are the ones that make them stars. We spend the money to see them act or perform and create our gods to desire and worship.

Idol? Come on I can't be serious right? After all an idol is a statue that one worships and prays to. An image that is revered, that is...Stop! A what? Image! We have this ancient idea of an idol. Like a Budda or Greek statue that we bow down to. Well let's clarify what qualifies as an idol. According to the dictionary an idol is a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved or revered. Hmmmm. That is pretty broad.

I understand that it perfectly fine to enjoy a music performance or a good movie, etc. The problem arises when we began to desire what they have, or wish and maybe strive to look or be like that person.

According to scripture the first commandment is "To have no other gods before Me". Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. So an idol can be a superstar athlete or your dog. What is your heart set on? What can you not live without? Who would you rather be in this world?

Pain Is In Our Best Interest

This is the fourth of the sub-heads in my flurry of thoughts post. It has taken me some time to get to it but here are a few of my thoughts on this.

A friend from church just lost his father 3 months ago. He died way too soon. As I spoke with my friend last week he has an incredible hunger for the things of God. He has recently served time in Iraq in the war. Both the loss of his father and being in a war had spurned his desire to know God more.

Having lost loved ones, jobs, and struggled through a failed business and many other hardships in life, I can say that without them I would not have grown closer to God in the way that I have. I did not desire them and have at times not had the best attitude during those times of pain but I have grown through them.

C.S. Lewis, (my favorite author) in his book The Problem of Pain covers this in a much better, eloquent and comprehensive way than I can. He uses analogy of a an older dog who has undergone the pains of training from his master. The dog enjoys shelter, food, water and affection from the master. He knows what the puppy does not know. The pain of being made to conform to something that he is naturally against has it benefits. Left to himself he would be in the rain, the cold and most likely hungry trying to provide for himself.

While Lewis even admits it is not the perfect analogy, it truly is a great example of our life in relation to suffering. God allow and sometimes sends suffering to cause us to run to him. To call out to Him for direction and comfort. He is making us into a usable vessel. No we do not like it and it is sometimes more painful than we think we can handle but it IS in our best interest.

I sure wish there was an easier way. Having experienced and watched friends and family struggle through pain this past year I say as John does in Revelation 22:20, "Come Lord Jesus".

Are You Certain

As we prepare for our new arrival I have mixed emotions. Looking forward to the joy of another boy but not sure about all the sheetrock repair I am going to inevitably have to do having two boys around the house. Is it wrong to turn them loose in a fenced in area and leave food and water out for them? I'll let them in if it's cold! I'm not mean!

Actually I am looking forward to having brothers in the house and watching that dynamic. I'm looking forward to going camping with them, riding bikes and throwing the football. I am also looking forward to all the great quotes we will have to share through the years. Connor has a few of those already. Like last night when I asked him a question to which he said no, we asked in return, "Are you Certain?" he replied without hesitation,"No I Connor".

Final 08 Post-A look back

Well there are several posts that I wanted to accomplish before now. One being a full write-up on the India trip, my submission on music and the other two categories from the last series. I have had some time to do them but wasn't in the frame of mind to write.

This year has been a year of wonderful blessings and great tragedy. The last part of the year from september to december, has been at best a blur. Monica, my best friend's wife lost her battle with cancer, so did my Moms best friend. A constant in our church, Larry, went to heaven months after falling from a roof. I attended several viewings and visitations for other friends who lost loved ones. It got to be a bit much.

At the beginning of the year we put our rental house up for sale that we had moved into for a year. After getting a contract on it we moved to a new house only to have the contract fall through just 3 days before the closing. So we have had two houses to tend to for close to ten months now. The market is not helping and for some reason neither is God. He must have other plans.

On the positive end of the stick we truly have been blessed. Our health has been good this year. Food has been on the table. We have grown spiritually and have watched Connor grow quite a bit physically. We (Raina really) also have completed 8 of 9 months of our third pregnancy. We are excited to end this year expecting a new baby boy as apposed to ending last year with the loss off a baby after a short term.

I have also been blessed with work and have enjoyed working so closely with ESPN for a second year. While they are not the only client they are the main one. They have treated us well and as I write this I am enjoying the Chick-fil-a Bowl on my 42 inch plasma provided by them.

Above all we have strived this past year to be obedient and faithful to the Lord and He has been more than that in return. He has provided for us in so many ways allowing Raina to stay home with Connor.

This year will start with the birth of our second but who knows what else is in store for us. We live in troubled times and we have no idea what 2009 may hold. Many will make resolutions that will never be kept past the first month, the economy will most likely continue to decline, the new president will begin his reality check, and many other things will unfold that only God knows. Praise Him for that! We will fall, fail, and forget but He is always forgiving, faithful and never changing.

We are looking forward to what God has for us this year. May we look back in 12 months and be able to testify of changed lives, battles won, lessons learned and continue to worship our God.