Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Through the eyes of a three-year old

 
 
 
Oftentimes, I stare with amazement at my son, Conner.
 It is so much fun watching him grow, watching his mind grow.
 He is such a thinker (I'm not sure where he got that from),
and is always analyzing things. The things he is fascinated
by humble me at times. You know, the little things I always
look past, he always takes a second look at. Sticks, toys, ants.. etc. 
He looks with amazement a things I deem worthless,
because he can make use of them. He can make a stick
become a train track, or an arm off of a
 ninja turtle become a flying saucer that will hit me
in my happy place.
Nonetheless, its his imagination I am speaking of.
What happened to my imagination? I
 know all the obvious answers to that
("growing up", "responsibilities", "maturity"),
but in a real sense I believe it would help us all if we
revamped our imaginations, or rediscovered them for that matter.
Have you ever thought about how for the most part, children by
and large are usually the most happy, joyous, and smile-full?
 I would argue that they are that way because of their
amazing imaginations. They can forget about problems,
tragedies, and monsters, just by remembering that they
can make a mighty castle with some blankets and chairs.
 I believe God gave us our imaginations so we could
use our imaginations, not so we could give Adderall to
 people who use their imaginations to the fullest.
Think big, make up crazy stuff in your head, be weird,
and then your problems might not seem so bad anymore.
You might just find a solution to your problems by using your imagination.
Sometimes, I think it would help if we saw through the eyes of a three-year old.
 
 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

My First-Born

In light of the fact that my wife is
pregnant with our son, Chase,
 I would like to express my love
for my first-born son, Conner.
 Does that statement puzzle you?
"Caleb, you are not his biological father"
True, however, I adopted Him.
Maybe, you are unaware of what all that entails.
Let me explain.
 
I am a Christian, therefore, I believe I have been adopted
into God's kingdom that was believed to be only for
God's chosen people, the Jews. I am a gentile, you see.
 I was also adopted, The One who adopted me was The God-man.
His name is Jesus. He died on a cross,
and was resurrected on the third day, and by doing so,
He satisfied justice on my behalf, Imputed His righteousness
unto me, paid my sin debt, cleared my dirty record,
and declared me righteous.
 By doing all of that, I am now His son. 
God the Father now looks at me, and sees His Son's righteousness.
His precious blood paid for all of my sins.

 I did nothing to deserve it,
 I was not born into it, but I was brought into it.
Want to know the cool thing?
I get to reap all the benefits,
everyone of them, because I was adopted by Jesus.
 
Now, when I see my adopted son, I see me.
He is not less than,
 a hand-me-down, or not good enough.
His name is Conner Ryan Cole!!
He is more than good enough!!
I am not worthy of Him!!!
I am his father, and I will always be his father.
I love him very much, more than I even know.
I will never show any favoritism, nor will I be partial
 to any of my children. 
He is my son, and he always will be.
He will reap all the benefits. All of them.
 
The only difference is that I am not God, so
I am not a gift to Conner, but He is a grace-gift to me,
and I treasure Him, very, very, very much.
 
 Now, before that time comes when Chase arrives,
and when family and friends
begin saying things like,
"congratulations on having your first-born son!"
I hope you will understand why
 I am a bit direct in saying
"Why are you congratulating me now?
My first-born has already been here for a while,
 his name is Conner....
Put that in your pipe and smoke it."

"He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,
according the kind intention of His will,
 to the praise of the glory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." -Ephesians 1:5-6