December 29, 2013 Teaching Notes at The Chapel at Somerset

Here are the notes I had in preparing to preach this morning. I enjoyed studying this portion of Scripture with the Lord, hopefully the message was helpful for those who were there today...

New Year is quickly approaching
- reflection
- dreaming
- resolutions

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 AMP (read through once first)

1 KEEP YOUR foot [give your mind to what you are doing] when you go [as Jacob to sacred Bethel] to the house of God. For to draw near to hear and obey is better than to give the sacrifice of fools [carelessly, irreverently] too ignorant to know that they are doing evil. [Gen. 35:1-4; Exod. 3:5.]

Ecclesiastes 5:1 NLT
...It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.

2 Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 NASB
Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God...

3 For a dream comes with much business and painful effort, and a fool's voice with many words.


Go back through the Scripture now slower to teach...


Hear and obey...
Position of humility. Proper position before the Lord of all. Right way to approach the Lord.
We've gotten too casual in our approach to Him, even on how we think about Who He is.

Careless, irreverant, mindless offerings...
Hasty in word, impulsive in thought...

Mindlessly going to God.
That is the picture in my mind of how we communicate with God often. Talking at Him, but missing Him. He is there, but we are not engaged. Like someone walking in on an existing conversation and blabbing whatever without care to what's already happening. Do you know what is happening?? He is forever worshipped.

Like talking at our spouse but never listening. Its not conversing and it will sap your intimacy. You don't really know who you are talking at! You don't take time to listen!

To just come and babble without much awareness of your words reveals your immaturity and possibly your problem. In other words, by how you are approaching Him you think God is someone that He isnt. You think He is here for you. When He isn't. You are Here for Him. And if you thought more accurately of the Lord and who He really is, you may not even have the very problem you are coming to Him with! Like a whiny 2 year old who things he deserves something that he doesn't. He thinks He's being wronged or not cared for when He is actually revealing His selfishness and His lack of uderstanding the bigger picture!


For God is in heaven, and you are on earth...

But wait, He calls me friend! Yes, He calls you. You don't call Him. Ask John about that in revelation. Ask the 24 elders around the throne. He is still God and you are not.

John 15:14 NASB
You are My friends if you do what I command you.

Notice there is a requirement of Him calling us friends. He commands, we obey.

Colossians 1:15-20 NLT
In case you have forgotten......

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.

Yes, HE calls YOU friend.

Let your words be few...

There is such benefit in our walk with the Lord to being still, coming reverantly and quietly, and listening to obey. We remind ourselves of who He is and who we are not. Let Him speak if He wants, and let our words be few. And I believe we will find what we need through less mindless talking and deeper, more mature communion.

End in NLT version...

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 NLT
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don't make rash promises, and don't be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.

My Total Money Makeover

DaveRamsey.com

Recently, I finished my July book, "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey.

Wow.

What do you say? Other than I have been for much of my life VERY "financially illiterate."

Liz and I in recent years had begun to live on a budget, meaning, tracking every penny and planning our expenses, really out of necessity. For so long we had "more month than money" as Dave talks about. We had to get our spending under control. We had taken great strides to getting out of debt and becoming more financially secure through what we had read in the Scriptures, Crown Financial Ministries, and listening to Dave on the radio. But we still had (and have) many things to learn.

"The Total Money Makeover" revealed where we were still compromising in our monthly budgeting, and showed our lack of specific vision for the future. The book confirmed much of what we have learned, but it gave us greater clarity for now and the future and strengthened our resolve to become better money managers, and ultimately better stewards of what God has given us.

I have lived in la-la land regarding money for much of my life, not  really knowing how money really works and not seeing the deceptive traps I was in. In reading the Scriptures I have learned such things as "the borrower is slave to the lender," and "owe no one anything except to love," and that it's diligence and hard work that brings wealth as opposed to get rich quick schemes.

I also learned in 1 Timothy 5:8 that he who doesn't take care of their own household "has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

That one hurt. Bad.

I overspiritualized money by not really giving it my concern or attention, and yet all the while wanted more of it and not enjoying the situation we were in.

The spiritual thing, in fact, is to get out of debt, take care of your household and your future, and position yourself for giving!

So through tears, joy, despair, inspiration... I finished The Total Money Makeover.

Now it's time to have one.

Standing with Israel

I have absolutely loved this book, Standing with Israel. It has opened my eyes to Jewish history over the past 2,000 years, specifically in regards to Anti-Semetism, as well as the Christian Zionist movement.

The book reminded me of the Jewish roots to my faith. It was the Jews who gave us the prophets, the commands, God's Holy Word, it is the Jews who are the pure olive tree, to which I am grafted in, and it is from the Jewish blood line that we have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I read a Jewish Bible, serve a Jewish Master and Rabbi, and am adopted into His family.

Christianity finds its roots in Judaism, not the other way around.

All this to say, I'm crying "uncle" in regards to completing the book :)

I have loved it, yes, but I have lost momentum in it. The book is very much like a textbook, a discourse, or thesis you might say. Full of such wonderful knowledge, yet so much so it was hard for me to get through (made it about half way through the meat of it).

So, this being my 6th book of the year, I'm still on pace if I can select another and finish by the end of the month.

I'll let you know what happens...

Homemade Strawberry Jam

My wife and kids worked hard on creating this years strawberry jam today...

Sunday our whole family spent time in the afternoon picking fresh strawberries from a farm in Nancy, KY - Wilson's. What a grand time we had as the owner showed our kids how to pick a ripe strawberry, then let us loose to pick (and eat!)

So today, was jam day.

After a couple trips to the store for sugar, sure-gel, etc., we have two dozen fresh jars of jam, and we enjoyed some angel food cake with freshly crushed strawberry and whipped cream topping...

Shall I go on?? Delicious!

And far better, wonderful family memories!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my little buddy Caleb! A great encourager and a joy to all of us!

Love you buddy!

The Hobbit

Finished... now on to the next book.

First Days of Life

Now that we are starting to get settled in a little more, here are a few pics from Kaylie Jean's first days in the world...

What a beautiful blessing from the Lord!

What I'm [done] Reading

Being that it's the 1st of a month, it seems a good time to give an update on my reading progress for this year. This past month I finished two books, The Duggars, 20 and Counting, and William Booth's Amazing Visions, compiled by David Ravinhill.

Both books were excellent, and though different in topic they were similar in heart. That puts me ahead of schedule at four for the year.

This month, I'm on to a favorite movie of ours. That is, the book that inspired the recent movie - The Hobbit.

I've wanted to read this book for a while (I think I was supposed to read it as a young boy for school, but who knows how that went!) and since I received a copy for my birthday, seems like a great time to jump in.

Time for an adventure!

Happy Easter!

In case we have forgotten what Easter is all about...

Happy Resurrection Day!

[Pic from sermoncentral.com]

Flexible Baby

[ From being breech in the womb for so long :) ]

Peaceful Baby

Just a few hours old now...

Baby Kaylie

Meet our newest member of the Follman family, Kaylie Jean (pictured here just a few moments old).

Praise the Lord!

Born just about 2 hours ago, 6lbs, 7oz, 20 inches.

Both mama and baby are healthy and well! Thank you for your prayers!

Stay tuned... ;)

Happy Birthday To My Son

Happy Birthday to one of, if not, the most loving person I know - my first born son, Josiah.

What a young man you are, and are growing into!

You have shown me Jesus, and, there are so many ways I want to be like you. You are passionate, loving, generous, forgiving, taking no thought of yourself, intimate with Jesus, bright, and more... and you are a blessing to our family.

I'm glad you're my son.

Happy Birthday buddy!

Baby Flipping

This past week Liz and I went to the hospital to attempt a "baby flip." [There is a technical term but baby flip gets the point across:) ]

Right now, our baby girl is right side up, that is, head up, or breech. She of course should be head down. So two doctors attempted to flip our baby, which as I found out is a very painful process.

The flip, or spin, is attempted from the outside with doctors pushing, pulling, pressing, very hard I might add, on mama's tummy to try and get the baby to spin.

After about 15 minutes of agony (for me! ...I can't imagine how my wife felt!! She was a champ!), they decided there would be no flipping that day. All they could do was move the upper half of baby's body back and forth, while the lower half stayed engaged.

Praise God both mama and baby handled the experience well. Now, having never been down this road, we're not quite sure how to proceed.

Schedule a c-section? Wait longer and see if she'll flip on her own? (which can still happen, even in labor)

If you think of it, please pray for wisdom and direction for us, the mid-wife and doctors, and for health and safety for mama and baby.

We take great comfort in knowing they are both in God's hands.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my little buddy Carson! My little mini-me!

You are a true reward from heaven!

Just in (His) Time

If there was ever any concern, when our newest addition comes later this month, we will now *officially* be able to bring her home from the hospital...

God provided us with a new-to-us BIGGER vehicle this weekend!

[We now have eight seats instead of the seven we had in our old vehicle - just enough for our growing family]

;)

Heart Thoughts

As my family and I sit down for an epic movie adventure (tonight its our beloved Narnia: Prince Caspian), I thought I'd share some heart thoughts.

I took a walk Saturday to talk with the Lord and enjoy the morning air. Of course, for March 2nd, I was surprised to reach the pinnacle of a nearby hill to see the above. It was a chilly walk.

As I walked, I had many thoughts swirling through my mind. Thoughts mostly consisting of the future. Questions, ideas, etc.

Yet, it's different from other times in my life. My thoughts are a [little] more tempered with Scripture, and experience. I'm more aware of what God can do.

And more importantly, more aware of who He is.

He has revealed His love and nature to me in ways that I never knew before. As a result, I feel more equipped for the moments and days ahead.

I'm not going to get into the specific thoughts running through my mind, at this point. But I will give glory to God for providing His direction, will, counsel, love and presence.

With Him, I and my wife can be a peace knowing He orchestrates our future.

Movie Night

Two of my boys are using my lap for a pillow for movie night tonight.

Love these moments...

Just for Me

Some quotes are "just for me." Somebody knows what I go through, or what is in my mind, and says a truth that impacts my heart and liberates my mind.

Here is one such...

Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world. The best way is to forget doubts and set about the task in hand. If you are doing your best, you will not have time to worry about failure. -Robert Silliman Hillyer.

Sunday Reflections

So many thoughts traveling through my mind. So many things God is doing in our lives. It truly is a great time to be alive. Or maybe better said... In Him, I truly find passion and excitement, and life itself.

I recently finished the book The Mansions of the Heart by Thomas Ashbrook. [I am about to finish my second book of the year almost 2 weeks early, which is a wonderful accomplishment for me!] The book Mansions has had a tremendous impact on my life and on my wife as well. We both have been deeply affected and challenged and encouraged by God speaking to us through the book.

Some of the most significant results from the book are a greater hunger to know God, an understanding about where we are at in our walk with Him, and a greater commitment to drawing close to Him... abiding in Him.

The book gave language and a map to some things that had been in my heart for years. It gave me vision for a closer walk with Jesus that I have longed for. It also gave me insight on how to get there. I am so thankful for what God is doing in our lives as a result of that book.

As I have been learning to abide in Christ, to commune with Him and not just talk at Him, I have seen some good changes in my life. Changes I didn't even ask for. Isn't it interesting that the closer I get to Him, the more He changes me to be like Him.

And, the more I see how far I have to go.

As I have drawn nearer to my Lord, my sin seems to have taken center stage as well. It's like my heart is naked before Him, and He is revealing it's depths to me.

The depths aren't so pretty. In fact, they are rather ugly.

And yet, I have hope that He is revealing the wicked things in me to heal me, and change me, and give me that new, soft heart He has promised.

As I have read my second book - the autobiography of Peter Daniels, Living on the Edge, I have been challenged in other ways as well. I desire to be a man of action and abiding. I have been dreaming and imagining the future, mulling goals... some of my favorite past times.

Only, this time around I know that in all my mulling and praying and planning, it is God who establishes my steps. The answer of the tongue is from the Lord. I plan my way, but He guides my steps, and I go where He leads. I trust His leading more than ever.

So, there is much to be thankful for. Much in my heart. Much unknown. But that's OK, when I'm getting to know Him.

What a Blessing

Like the new hat? I was given this surprise gift today from a student I teach, "for all the things you do."

Wow, talk about making my day!

That young man brought a smile to my face and really blessed me!

Of course, it's not so much about the gift, but the heart of the one who gave it. That's what made it so special.

Surprise Date

I surprised my wife with an early Valentine's Dinner date today. As we pulled in the driveway from church our sitter was waiting for us.

Perfect :)

What a great time we had!

And yes, the chicken and mushroom alfredo was fantastic!

An American Holocaust

Please take one minute to read this, for the sake of those whose cries can't be heard...

An American Holocaust - Michelle's Blog - The Duggar Family

What I'm Reading

My book for February...

Tornado Effects?

Yesterday morning our county had a tornado touchdown close to where we live in Ferguson. It happened in the morning just before I was heading off to school to teach.

The storm rolled in, and as it did my daughter and I heard a loud thud. I didn't think too much of it, especially after checking on the sleeping kids to make sure none of our boys rolled out of bed or something.

After checking to see if school was canceled or delayed several times (refresh, refresh!), I walked into our master bathroom, only to see the above image...

There was a tree limb in my bathroom.

Uhhhh...

"Liz!?"

I called my wife to come check this out. It's not everyday a tree branch is sticking out of your bathroom ceiling.

Somehow a branch (about 3 inches in diameter, maybe less) had hit our roof with enough force to drive through the roof and the ceiling.

Practically straight down too.

After trying to borrow a ladder from my neighbor, explaining what happened and pointing to the branch sticking out of my roof, I got on the roof, pulled out the branch, tacked down some tarp while my wife got a bucket (rain was coming through the hole into our bathroom), and I was off to school just a few minutes late for first period.

It made for quite a morning.

We are so thankful as it could have been much worse. Our family was safe.

We later found out that the tree branch came from a Sycamore, and there seemed to be none around us. In our yard or our neighbors.

So where did it come from?

Not sure. A spear from heaven? Why a sycamore? How did it drive into our roof like that? God, are you trying to tell us something??

Maybe.

Either way, we're so thankful. As I said, we were all safe and it could've been a lot worse.

Safe, and puzzled.

It's Official

We have been enjoying our first official snow (ice) day from school!

Yea!!

Coffee Adventure

An epic adventure every time I enjoy my coffee…

[Yea, geek. I know]

Seemingly Right

The Scripture we used in our family devotions tonight...

Made for good conversations :)

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. http://bible.us/Prov14.12.NLT

Change

I'm sensing a need for change.

As I have grown over the last year, I am realizing a need to re-prioritize. We have seen a lot of changes in our lives (my wife, I and our kids), both inside of us, and outside. The changes, and I believe by God's grace - ongoing changes, are causing me to reevaluate and adjust my blogging habits.

I've posted about 500 times since last September (2011), being for the very most part faithful to jot daily as I originally committed to myself to do. Now, I feel the need to let that go, focusing on some other things, and post as I am inspired, as things happen in our family, and, you know, whenever I am feeling like it!

Though I may post less, I am hoping the posts will be more meaningful and from my heart. That is when I enjoy blogging the most. And, I anticipate the random and fun jots too.

So, on to the next phase of life (and blogging)!

Hiking the Big South Fork

One of my favorite things to do with my kids is go hiking. So, with a beautiful day forecasted tomorrow, I am planning our next adventure!

On a random note, I am mulling a change to the blog... will let you know soon...

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The kids were having fun visiting with baby sister inside mommy's tummy tonight. They were pushing on Liz's pregnant belly, and Baby was pushing back :)

How beautiful!

You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139

Culture Shift

No, it's not the price that I'm talking about.

Our local gas station signs reveal a change in times for our area, the legalization of alcohol sales.

Duggar-Bates Marathon

I've been feeling the urge to do a Duggar Marathon. I've watched several of their episodes over the years, but the are many I have never seen. And, if you mention the Duggars, it goes without saying that the Bates and their family mini-series is included.

I love watching their shows because of their wholesome nature. When we watch their shows it adds to our family - they encourage us to be better parents, children, siblings, Christians, and a better family.

So we'll see if it turns into a Marathon or not. Either way, we are better from watching a couple of their shows tonight. :)

One Taste

In many ways, this is my story in a nutshell. I tasted, and never want to go back...

Happy Birthday Baby

You are looking at the doggie bag from Liz's birthday dinner tonight! We went into Lexington to eat and give my wife a chance to shop a little. What a fun night it was!

So, to my beautiful wife, Happy Birthday Baby!! I love you!

Night Out - PC vs Southwestern

I should've taken a picture just for fun, but fun we did have :)

Liz and I and the kids attended our first basketball game here in Somerset, watching local rivals PC and Southwestern play at PC's court. Being a Pulaski County teacher and coach, of course we rooted for the home team, who won the game handily.

Beyond the win, we had fun eating popcorn, nachos, suckers, and enjoying some good competetive, and even heated basketball. It was a fun night for the family to get out on the town!

Go PC! (And time to go to bed!)

Farmer Boy

A friend of mine recently shared with me how he had been reading Farmer Boy by Laura Ingels Wilder to his son. He said the book took place in New York, which caught my interest.

I asked Liz about the book knowing she had read many good books in her growing up years, and we happened to have the book.

I'm glad we did!

We too have enjoyed reading it as a family at night, and I personally enjoy the hearing about "the way things were" years ago. There are great values and great history discovered in reading the book.

Check it out!

Diligence

Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. http://bible.us/Prov12.27.ESV

One thing the Holy Spirit seems to be speaking to me about lately, is diligence...

Soul Mates

I love to connect with my wife. I love our deep, heart to heart conversations. I love being able to spill the deep things of our heart with one another.

And I love that we had one of those conversations tonight.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. -Bible

Thawing Out

After spending winter break in western New York with over a foot of snow, I sure am enjoying being back home in Kentucky winters.

70. In January? That ain't to bad for this feller from the frozen north!

Special Moments

They grow up too quick.

So even though Judah technically was not supposed to be getting out of bed, I'll let it slide for special moments like this ;)

Mansions

One specific goal I have this year is to read 12 books - one per month. Mansions of the Heart is proving to be a wonderful way to start the new year. It seems to be a book that is drawing me to a place in God that I have never been...

...and it's got me pretty excited to go there.

Date Flick

What do LOTR geeks do for their anniversary? They go watch the recently released movie The Hobbit, of course!

I forgot to share this last month, but here is my beautiful wife as we are about to enter a theater in Rochester, NY for the first time in years. In fact, the last we did this together was probably back when the last of the LOTR Trilogy came out - Return of the King!

Great partner, great movie, and a yummy bag of popcorn... doesn't get much better than that :)

A Quick Look in the Mirror

How are you doing with this one today?

Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. http://bible.us/1Thess5.16.AMP

Any questions??

Looking Back to Look Ahead

Liz and I were talking a few days ago about the year that was. We began discussing the various events that had occurred in our lives... paying off a chunk of debt in less than half the time we set out to do, getting laid off, starting a business, a new (old) job, visits from distant family, training a puppy then giving him away, broken appliances only to see God provide bountifully, and the list went on.

Though some things might be seen as negative or not good situations, we were able to look back and see God's hand in all of it. I'm thankful not necessarily for the difficult times in and of themselves, but for what God did in us through them. Or, even better, that He was with us through it all.

We looked back and ultimately were able to say with all our hearts, 2012 was a good year. We are so blessed; God showed His hand in our lives through His voice, our friends, His provision, love, and more.

As we pondered the year ahead, the typical New Year's resolutions weren't our first thought. Something seems different this year - it seems we are on a continual resolution with the Lord.

What I mean to say is that God is changing us, and speaking to us on an ongoing basis. Resolutions mean change, and this year it seemed we have been on a journey of change and growing throughout the year. We just want to keep going. Keep changing as we walk with Him. God knows I need change.

Not that He hasn't changed us or walked with us before, it's just... something is different this year. I can't quite put a finger on it, but maybe God has brought us (all by His doing) to a place of surrender that we have never been in before.

Or maybe not. Not sure.

Either way, I want to walk closer to Him this year than ever before.

And, there are a couple of resolutions that came to mind... one of them being to read more! I really would like to read more, but usually I read a book long enough and intense enough that I get the gist, pull out what I can, then lose interest. So my goal? 12 books this year. One per month, which is incredibly ambitious for me.

God is so kind and good to us. I am so thankful to be on this journey with Him. I am nothing without Him.

I know it's cliche, but, I don't know what this year will look like, I don't really know what the future holds... but I know who holds the future.

And in His hands is the only place I want to be.