Kid: "I want more presents."
Mom (to herself): "What can I do to buy more gifts for my son?"
This doesn't sound wrong, does it? I mean, in this Christmas season, how many of us have been searching for that "perfect" Christmas gift that says, "I nailed it! They will never forget what I got them for Christmas this year." But, out of curiosity, do you remember what everyone got you last year? How about the year before that? Has our obsession with gift-giving truly blinded us from the real purpose of celebration this year?
I am continually saddened by the fact that most of our Christmas season is spent not considering Christ. We go to parties, have family events, exchange gifts, and even take special time off from work, but throughout the whole season, Jesus hardly receives any mention.
Hopefully, this isn't a doomsday post about how the world is ending, blah, blah, blah. My point is not to berate us further, but rather to encourage that we carve out special time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and recognize that He was and is the Emmanuel, Christ with us! We have been blessed beyond measure through a free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. Thank God for Jesus, our Messiah! May His name be praised for ever and ever more. He is the gift that will never be forgotten!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
The Holiness of Marriage
I recently had a friend comment, "Bryan, I now have to use both hands to count the number of my friends that are getting or have been divorced in the last year and a half. We have lost the holiness that should be found in marriage."
I cannot disagree with that comment, nor with the fact that American marriages are struggling to survive. Each of use can probably name at least two or three couples that cohabitate before marriage and some of those couples have no plan to ever actually tie the knot. The prevailing thought is that marriage matters less than it used to and that there is no need to enter into marriage, because most of the time it will not last.
As a newlywed, that saddens me.
When I was engaged to Bonnie - and even shortly after marriage - there were a few people that, when "congratulating" me on our engagement, gave me the look. The look said two things: "I wish I had your happiness," and "I wonder how long it will take him to realize that it won't last." Surprisingly, I do not think that the look was given consciously, but rather as an outpouring of their underlying hurts and pains. Marriages and people have been beaten up for far too long, and it seems like things will stay that way, until there is a renewed adoption of God's plan for marriage: holiness.
Well before getting married, I heard marriage explained thus: The husband and wife come together to become a reflection of God. If the man is blue and the woman is pink, they join together in holy matrimony to reflect purple, the color of God's unquestionable royalty.
Think about that. Marriage is designed to be a royal reflection of the image of God. When did happiness become a requirement or even a goal of marriage? People often say that they look for happiness in a marriage. I do too! However, that is not my primary concern. In my marriage, I constantly check our relationship based on whether or not we are reflecting God in that moment, or day, or week.
Feel free to remark, "Bryan, you're still young in your marriage, so you just haven't gone through the trials that a life of marriage has yet to throw at you," and I will certainly not fault you for your comment. In fact, people far more experienced than me can share better advice on the subject. However, I have to ask this question in return.
What do you really desire from your marriage?
If you seek to be fulfilled in that moment with self-gratification, limited happiness, or a blissful day/week/month without an argument, I think you miss the point completely. To live for gratification (physical, emotional, spiritual, mental) robs God of His throne and title of Provider. To seek happiness, leaves you empty of the joy that comes from a life fulfilled with Christ's over and abundant salvation (and yes this even applies to your marriage). And, to think that every year will be another honeymoon is just foolish; it does not happen at your job or in your personal hobbies and it certainly will not last in your marriage.
Instead of trying to recreate the honeymoon, why not appreciate the growth that has come from years of learning the intricacies of your spouse and how your love for them has grown through hard work and dedication?
Instead of looking for happiness, which is most certainly momentary, why not allow Christ's joy and salvation to fill your marriage with a renewed spirit of heartfelt abundance?
Instead of seeking to be pleased, why not seek to please?
There are so many things going wrong with marriages. Do something right this week! Strive for holiness in your marriage and look for ways to support and uphold your spouse in Christ's love. May you be blessed as you renew these vows to each other.
I cannot disagree with that comment, nor with the fact that American marriages are struggling to survive. Each of use can probably name at least two or three couples that cohabitate before marriage and some of those couples have no plan to ever actually tie the knot. The prevailing thought is that marriage matters less than it used to and that there is no need to enter into marriage, because most of the time it will not last.
As a newlywed, that saddens me.
When I was engaged to Bonnie - and even shortly after marriage - there were a few people that, when "congratulating" me on our engagement, gave me the look. The look said two things: "I wish I had your happiness," and "I wonder how long it will take him to realize that it won't last." Surprisingly, I do not think that the look was given consciously, but rather as an outpouring of their underlying hurts and pains. Marriages and people have been beaten up for far too long, and it seems like things will stay that way, until there is a renewed adoption of God's plan for marriage: holiness.
Well before getting married, I heard marriage explained thus: The husband and wife come together to become a reflection of God. If the man is blue and the woman is pink, they join together in holy matrimony to reflect purple, the color of God's unquestionable royalty.
Think about that. Marriage is designed to be a royal reflection of the image of God. When did happiness become a requirement or even a goal of marriage? People often say that they look for happiness in a marriage. I do too! However, that is not my primary concern. In my marriage, I constantly check our relationship based on whether or not we are reflecting God in that moment, or day, or week.
Feel free to remark, "Bryan, you're still young in your marriage, so you just haven't gone through the trials that a life of marriage has yet to throw at you," and I will certainly not fault you for your comment. In fact, people far more experienced than me can share better advice on the subject. However, I have to ask this question in return.
What do you really desire from your marriage?
If you seek to be fulfilled in that moment with self-gratification, limited happiness, or a blissful day/week/month without an argument, I think you miss the point completely. To live for gratification (physical, emotional, spiritual, mental) robs God of His throne and title of Provider. To seek happiness, leaves you empty of the joy that comes from a life fulfilled with Christ's over and abundant salvation (and yes this even applies to your marriage). And, to think that every year will be another honeymoon is just foolish; it does not happen at your job or in your personal hobbies and it certainly will not last in your marriage.
Instead of trying to recreate the honeymoon, why not appreciate the growth that has come from years of learning the intricacies of your spouse and how your love for them has grown through hard work and dedication?
Instead of looking for happiness, which is most certainly momentary, why not allow Christ's joy and salvation to fill your marriage with a renewed spirit of heartfelt abundance?
Instead of seeking to be pleased, why not seek to please?
There are so many things going wrong with marriages. Do something right this week! Strive for holiness in your marriage and look for ways to support and uphold your spouse in Christ's love. May you be blessed as you renew these vows to each other.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Playing Second Fiddle
I went to band camp…for one year. My brother and I had received scholarships for a free year of band camp, but it was our first and last experience. I remember how disorganized I felt, because I didn’t have any “solo” pieces memorized, I couldn’t play the scales that they required, and I didn’t fit in with anyone around me. In fact, I sat next to a girl, during one of the rehearsals, who said that she had a music stand that was specifically designed for a cellist. They MAKE those?! I think she was lying, but I didn’t know the difference anyway.
The most humiliating part of the entire experience, however, was sitting last chair in the cello section of the orchestra. For those of you that don’t know what that means, it means that I was the last kid picked for the team. I was the one that they had to squeeze in somewhere, because there was nowhere else to put me.
Although we had an amazing brass section behind me (I know this, because they made me deaf during the concert), I was glad to get the experience over with. I look back upon that summer and realize that it taught me something very important: I’m not the best.
During this period for Lent, I’ve really been trying to focus my attention on the cross, remembering that every one of my actions is a symbol of Christ living in and through me. So, when it comes to those instances in which I want to be the best, I have to stop myself and think about the cross. Jesus put it very aptly, “…Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
So, it’s no longer about how good or bad or whatever I am. It’s about what can be accomplished for the cause of Christ. As I remember back to that last-place chair in the orchestra, I am also reminded that playing second-fiddle in life isn’t a bad gig – it’s required! I hope that you will take some time as you prepare for Easter to examine your life and what Christ can do through your heart. You have an amazing opportunity to make an impact for the kingdom of God, so please don’t waste it!
Friday, August 31, 2012
The Eye of the Storm
You've probably heard this phrase before - "the eye of the storm" - but, I'm not sure that we actually take it to heart as much as we should. We talk about the calm before the storm or the peace after the storm, but what about the actual storm itself?? What do we do when we're in the thick of everything and are just waiting it out? You come to the eye...
For a hurricane or tornado, there can be a middle to the storm that seems to be much calmer than the rest of the swirling disaster all around. Right in the middle, with destruction on the outside, the center of the storm seems to cease, almost as a brief respite for breathing. The rest of the storm will surge on, and you will eventually feel the second half; but, while you're in the eye, you have relief.
Occasionally, that relief can be mixed with fear. "I've already come through so much, and I don't think I can handle the rest," is a common sentiment when you're going through the storm. Just when you think that everything is over and you can get back to whatever form of normal you enjoy, your realize that you are only halfway through the battle of the storm.
As I sat and contemplated the storms of life, I was reminded of the beautiful text of Be Thou My Vision. The phrase, "High King of Heavy my victory won," seems to settle everything into place for me. No matter where I am in the storm, my High King has already won the victory for me. I don't deserve it, nor can I fully comprehend the idea that He would care about me, but He does. He has freely given His life so that I might have hope through the storm. Whether beginning, the eye, or the end, I have hope through my High King.
So, we sit in the storm; we are tossed about by the storm; we have wind and rain and cold biting at us through the storm; but, we are anchored in the storm. The eye provides a brief respite, but we hunker down to sit it out. And we wait. And He comforts.
For a hurricane or tornado, there can be a middle to the storm that seems to be much calmer than the rest of the swirling disaster all around. Right in the middle, with destruction on the outside, the center of the storm seems to cease, almost as a brief respite for breathing. The rest of the storm will surge on, and you will eventually feel the second half; but, while you're in the eye, you have relief.
Occasionally, that relief can be mixed with fear. "I've already come through so much, and I don't think I can handle the rest," is a common sentiment when you're going through the storm. Just when you think that everything is over and you can get back to whatever form of normal you enjoy, your realize that you are only halfway through the battle of the storm.
As I sat and contemplated the storms of life, I was reminded of the beautiful text of Be Thou My Vision. The phrase, "High King of Heavy my victory won," seems to settle everything into place for me. No matter where I am in the storm, my High King has already won the victory for me. I don't deserve it, nor can I fully comprehend the idea that He would care about me, but He does. He has freely given His life so that I might have hope through the storm. Whether beginning, the eye, or the end, I have hope through my High King.
So, we sit in the storm; we are tossed about by the storm; we have wind and rain and cold biting at us through the storm; but, we are anchored in the storm. The eye provides a brief respite, but we hunker down to sit it out. And we wait. And He comforts.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
When God Laughs - 6/6/12
I have yet to see a reference to God laughing in the Scriptures. Except for when He's laughing at the enemy. But, I've had this idea - for a long time now - that God just sits there and laughs at me. I mean, if I laugh at me, shouldn't He get to laugh as well? Yes, He is a jealous God. Yes, He is our Provider. Yes, He is the One crowned in glory. But, doesn't He also laugh?? Doesn't He enjoy His creation? Don't we bring Him joy, as a father receives joy from his children?
I made a short list of things that I do that make God laugh. Well, I assume that they make Him laugh. Maybe He also gets mad. I'd like to think, however, that He enjoys my silly blunders like I enjoy them. If not, I'm in big trouble.
1. I think He laughs at my neurotic list of idiosyncrasies. "Bryan, you can't step on the sidewalk cracks? Are you kidding Me right now?" I know! I KNOW! It's just that...well...I have to step carefully, otherwise my feet will feel uneven. "Bryan, if I could use My own name in vain, I'd probably do it with you."
I should probably be in therapy, but it would cost me too much money. If I went, I would have to have at least three appointments a week like Adrian Monk. I just don't see that ending well, so I hope that God enjoys the show while it lasts.
2. He probably thinks my list of qualifications for a wife is insane. I always thought that it was a good thing to be specific when you pray. I didn't think it was too much to pray, "Lord, please send me a beautiful wife who will love and respect me (obviously mutual), who will pour her heart into me (obviously mutual), and who will join me in ministry." After He continually responded with, "Bryan, just be patient and I'll take care of everything," I finally got upset and changed my prayer.
When I began to pray, "Lord, just send me a woman with a hand-written note from You that says, 'She's the one,' so that I don't have any confusion about my future wife," I think He might have gotten upset. I mean, He never came out and actually said anything about it, but I'm pretty sure that He was upset. I tried the whole awkward-laugh moment and I don't think He bought it. So, we're still a little touch-and-go on that one.
3. I'm fairly certain that He shakes His head at my control-freak tendencies. I didn't necessarily think that it was control-freakish, but I've been told (obviously by others) that I might lean that way. I always thought that I was calm, cool, and collected. I learned, on several occasions (high school, college, post-college, post-post-college), that I'm not as cool as I thought I was.
Sometimes God says, "Bryan, even I don't know what's going on in that noodle of yours. I created you, and you are more perplexing that anyone that I have ever seen." I was fairly indignant at the comment, so I asked my mother, "Mom, I'm a fairly simple guy, right?" The explosion of expression and fits of laughter told me that she was siding with God on that one.
4. He often questions my choice in wardrobe. I thought that wearing red socks with my black slacks and green shirt was a pretty awesome combination. When He said, "Bryan, I think the entire church can see your red socks when you sit down to play the drums," I started to get a little concerned. It obviously wasn't enough of a concern to keep me from doing it, but He began to question my judgment.
I thought, if ANYone would understand, it would be God. I mean, colorful socks just make everything better. If you're having a rough day, red socks just brighten the mood. If you're in a bad situation, seeing some purple argyle can totally change everything around. So, to this day, I'm still not sure if they're allowed...biblically speaking.
5. I think He is weirded out by my food consumption. I didn't think anything about eating half of a block of mild cheddar cheese in one sitting, until my bro-in-law started laughing at me in the middle of Albertson's. Around that time, God began to talk to me about the condition of my heart. I thought we were just having the normal "conviction speech," but I think He was more worried about my cholesterol.
I've since noticed that I'm in the minority for eating cheese. I didn't think it was weird to just offer someone some cheese when they walked into my house. I thought I was being hospitable, but apparently that's more disturbing than anything. So, God and I are still in the process of that conversation.
It's the simple things in life, right? We should take time to laugh at those small and seemingly insignificant moments, rather than being so concerned over all of the things that could potentially go wrong with the day.
I hope that your life is filled with opportunities to share the love of Christ this week. Don't forget that you have been bestowed an amazing opportunity. Use it wisely for the glory of God.
God's blessings on your life this week,
Bryan
Be sure to share the love!
If you'd like to subscribe to this weekly devotional, please forward your email and name to thebtaylor@gmail.com.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Don't Forget to Laugh - 5/30/12
This just made me giggle...
Now, I've had people fall asleep while I'm preaching, but have yet to have someone plummet to their death! It's just so crazy to think that, because Paul wouldn't shut up, this man died. And then was brought back to life. And then they went and ate. It's as if nothing had happened. No big deal, this is how it goes when people hang out with us.
Sometimes I forget to just enjoy what's going on. I get so uptight and worried about doing something wrong, hurting people, or saying something inappropriate that I forget to just enjoy the moment. I mean, in the past two weeks, I've been the cause of three or four pretty epic accidents and all the while I'm thinking, "How on earth could that have happened??" But, we have to laugh, right?
If Paul could take someone plummeting to his death because of his preaching in stride, then I think that we can laugh about things that happen in life. There really isn't much else to do, but live life and allow God to take care of the rest!
I hope that your life is filled with opportunities to share the love of Christ this week. Don't forget that you have been bestowed an amazing opportunity. Use it wisely for the glory of God.
God's blessings on your life this week,
Bryan
Be sure to share the love!
If you'd like to subscribe to this weekly devotional, please forward your email and name to thebtaylor@gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Letters to My Wife, Chapter 7
Do you remember when we were dating and I would always ask, “Are you good? Are you OK?” I think you finally just punched me to get me to shut up. Or kissed me. Either one would’ve done the trick. I used to make you so irritated when I would ask that, because, of course, you were perfectly capable of telling me whenever something wasn’t right.
It was just part of the learning process. I would do something stupid, you would look at me to say, “You’re an idiot,” and we’d both laugh and move on. But, there was something more going on than the surface tit-for-tat. We were learning what worked and what didn’t.
I realized that my entire goal was to make you happy, but it wasn’t in a way that meant giving you everything. It was in a way that would point you back to the love of God for His child. While I don’t get a lot of things right, I do know how to point people back to the Father. I think that’s what makes me different – sets me apart from many others. The waiting, the watching, and the preparation all lead me back to one thing: God has gifted me, so that I can gift back to Him through you.
I think this started when I was really young. I would watch my dad take care of my mom. She was fully capable of taking care of herself, but it was a delight to see how they meshed together to work as one. It wasn’t “her” job to feed us and care for us. In fact, my father actually liked feeding us when we were too small to take care of ourselves. I see it now as he cares for his new children.
He ended up doing dishes, rather than watching a ballgame on TV. If mom was working, dad was working just as hard to take care of the house, the yard, and to provide for the family. Again, this is not to say that she is incapable, but rather to bring to light that their relationship was a two-way street.
I desired that same relationship, one that would allow me to care for my wife and give back to her. It really brings to light the words of Jesus as He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Sure, we all want things, but those things seem to matter less as we learn that giving takes their place.
A friend made the following statement to encapsulate how I feel about serving you:
“Bryan, your desire is to love someone so deeply, so intimately, that God has placed that desire in your heart for a long time now. I don’t think you could date someone like you. It seems that you have to find someone that is so different, not because it makes you hardcore, but because you are the only person who could ever show them the love of God through what He has given you.”
And, it’s not one-sided. You have given me so much more than you could ever comprehend. My hope – my desire – is that neither of us is left feeling empty, because everything that we do points us back to the love of Christ.
Chapter 1 :: Chapter 2 :: Chapter 3 :: Chapter 4 :: Chapter 5 :: Chapter 6
It was just part of the learning process. I would do something stupid, you would look at me to say, “You’re an idiot,” and we’d both laugh and move on. But, there was something more going on than the surface tit-for-tat. We were learning what worked and what didn’t.
I realized that my entire goal was to make you happy, but it wasn’t in a way that meant giving you everything. It was in a way that would point you back to the love of God for His child. While I don’t get a lot of things right, I do know how to point people back to the Father. I think that’s what makes me different – sets me apart from many others. The waiting, the watching, and the preparation all lead me back to one thing: God has gifted me, so that I can gift back to Him through you.
I think this started when I was really young. I would watch my dad take care of my mom. She was fully capable of taking care of herself, but it was a delight to see how they meshed together to work as one. It wasn’t “her” job to feed us and care for us. In fact, my father actually liked feeding us when we were too small to take care of ourselves. I see it now as he cares for his new children.
He ended up doing dishes, rather than watching a ballgame on TV. If mom was working, dad was working just as hard to take care of the house, the yard, and to provide for the family. Again, this is not to say that she is incapable, but rather to bring to light that their relationship was a two-way street.
I desired that same relationship, one that would allow me to care for my wife and give back to her. It really brings to light the words of Jesus as He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Sure, we all want things, but those things seem to matter less as we learn that giving takes their place.
A friend made the following statement to encapsulate how I feel about serving you:
“Bryan, your desire is to love someone so deeply, so intimately, that God has placed that desire in your heart for a long time now. I don’t think you could date someone like you. It seems that you have to find someone that is so different, not because it makes you hardcore, but because you are the only person who could ever show them the love of God through what He has given you.”
And, it’s not one-sided. You have given me so much more than you could ever comprehend. My hope – my desire – is that neither of us is left feeling empty, because everything that we do points us back to the love of Christ.
Chapter 1 :: Chapter 2 :: Chapter 3 :: Chapter 4 :: Chapter 5 :: Chapter 6
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