Tag: Legacy

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Serving a life sentence.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Apostle John does an amazing job, transitioning from a journalist for Jesus to a hard hitting, truth telling, author. He even becomes a powerful prophetic voice, miraculously beating death, then recording the apocalyptic book of Revelation! As a highly respected Apostle, mentor and elder statesman of the Church, his letters are both gentle, but fiercely poignant! I would say this, when looking at all the teachings, miracles and behaviors of Jesus, John becomes the best first step of not just interpreting Jesus’ ways, but of understanding the motives of God. John’s letters are also the best way to answer the question, “how then shall we live?”

Here in these verses John breaks down the audience of the very young in faith, the “teknion,” little child. The elders of faith, “patér,” a father, or senior. And, the youth of faith, “neaniskos,” a young man or youth. These groupings possibly identifying the simple stages or maturity levels of those who walk with Jesus.

To the young, understanding the beauty and power that God’s forgiveness of sin has on us as we look at our past. Even though we still sin, the freedom to see ourselves as new creatures, is vital for us to move forward in our faith.

To the elder, the mature, to “ginóskó,” to come to know, recognize from first hand experience who God is, has always been and always will be. This is a steady, unwavering faith, that rides the swells of tumultuous moments and of time, where doubt can cripple our faith later in life.

To the youth, who’s faith MUST “nikaó,” to conquer, prevail and subdue the “ponéros,” evil, wicked, pain-ridden, malicious, slothful seasons of attacks, traps and pitfalls of life. This conquering is a quest of a cool Greek root word, “niké,” victory!

These phases or seasons of life are such a powerful story of how one should determine to live their whole life as a solid follower of Christ. From babes to mature, from milk to meat, as the Apostle Paul puts it. Each season has its own battles, its own victories. These letters John writes are for encouraging and admonishing us to move from childish to full stature adults in being formed into the image of Christ Jesus. Each season can bring a person’s faith down. Each one has its own challenges and opportunities. Yet, with Christ we can, every one of us, be more than conquerors! There seems to be so many who have “fallen away,” “deconstructed,” or just chosen to walk away from the grace of God. I know it’s not easy to live a whole life of unwavering faith, but I am determined, despite my sin, distractions or doubts. I will serve and follow God all the way to the very end of this life! I am serving a life sentence of FAITH!

Prayer

Dad,
I am so thankful for the men who gave their lives for the continuation of the gospel. What a supernatural, providential gift this has been for all of us, eons later. I absolutely love Your Word! I fell in love with you first but immediately discovered that to know You, I had to know Your Word. It is truly eternal and life changing. I am yours to the very end!

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I remember.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.“ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s been quite a while ago, but I still remember that for a third of my life, I was a nobody. Forty-seven years ago, God changed everything about my life! I am not trying to be cruel or humble when I say I was a nobody, but for the first twenty years, I felt very invisible. I didn’t mind it at all. As long as I was invisible, I would not be held responsible.

The Apostle Paul’s admonition to the churches in Corinth, is that they too came from humble, almost insignificant beginnings. Twice he wrote, they weren’t powerful or wealthy – neither (dunatos) powerful nor (eugenes) of noble birth. Then again, they were from (agenés) unborn, of no family and even (exoutheneó) despised. In worldly standards, this is about as low as one can get. No real influence, no family name to help by dropping into a conversation and looked down on by the rest of society. That is from where God picks His “dream team?” Well, that described the church who could not possibly boast that they rose to significance on their own! Yet, God chooses these kinds of folks to shame the self-proclaimed “wise.”

I am in that community! I came from no power, no nobility, no family heritage and despised or just pitied. And, I cannot say that I rose from the ashes, from rags to riches to become some powerful leader or a social media influencer. I do remember, however, that I came from pretty much nothing and God built a really great life for me! Since my twenties, I have had the honor and privilege of being a Pastor, even in a current culture where Pastors are no longer honored! My story, my testimony is exactly what Paul says that God does in the lives of those He chooses! He chooses people like me to prove that He changes everything – if they’ll let Him. Paul is right, this stuff works!!! God does rescue, redeem and restore still today. Don’t let your past define your future! Don’t allow your family origin story to define your family’s future legacy!

Prayer

Dad,
I don’t think about often anymore, but each time Your Word reminds me of the past, I can’t help but be grateful for everything You’ve done in and through my life. It’s been a little foggy and bumpy at times, but what a ride! I can honestly tell anyone, “If God can do this in my life, He can do it in yours too!” It is true, my boasting, my pride is completely in You. Thank you.

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Wisdom as a living legacy.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There have been many men and women who have become famous for their writings, ideologies and philosophies AFTER they were dead. Solomon’s fame rose quickly and spread rapidly across the known world. It is estimated that Solomon died at 60 years old, and he reigned as King for some 40 years. So for the author to write this is astounding! “He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.”

Can you imagine that kind of impact within your lifetime? What a mind! And, of course, that great wisdom is balanced by Solomon’s own struggles in moral or Godly decisions. You can’t have a 1,000 wives (political marriages or not) and not have issues in relationships. Just think about all those ladies influences (idols and beliefs) in the capital and the nation. Plus, the Bible doesn’t say exactly, but I just bet the dude was handsome as well 🥴. Reading about Solomon does make me reflect on my life. Who I am. Where and what I have come from. And, most importantly, what I have done with what God has given me. I enjoy wanting to be useful in the Kingdom of God. To whom much is given, much is required.

Prayer

Dad,
You have been so good to me. And, I have seen your blessings and favor all throughout my life. I did not deserve any of it and it has been quite unexpected how everything has turned out thus far. I am oh so grateful. From the moment I began to understand the massive changes you were making in me, I wanted to make something good out of my life. I wanted to be more than just useful, but effective at leveraging my life and story for others to see how great you are. I want others to be encouraged and inspired to believe and know what is in store for those who love you. I may not have the wisdom of Solomon, but I am still thrilled to make myself available to be busy in your Kingdom.

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Family frustrations and fate.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭7‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All of us, at some point in life, have family issues that tear at us. Family disagreements, conflicts and explosive physical violence rock our peace and safety to the core. I mean, where do you go when your home is not safe? How do you sleep, eat and live? A disruptive home rattles everyone and everything.

This Psalm was written while David’s son, Absalom, was not only laying claim to the throne, he also put out the order to kill David! This caused David to run for his own life – again. In this gritty prayer David shows us by example of what and how to pray. Read the whole Psalm. This is recorded for all of Israel and all of us today to know that things can go awry even in a king’s household.

David’s family was no where near perfect, unless you’re describing a perfectly dysfunctional family. David let’s it all out. He’s desperate. He’s depressed. He’s trapped with nowhere to go. He tells God, “you’re all I’ve got!” Ever feel like that? We read the pleas for daily connection with God, “let me hear of your unfailing love each morning.” And he is asking God where to go, what to do next. “Show me. Teach me. Lead me.” Ah, in the abandonment of all hope is the beautiful cry seeking the right way out. What does rock bottom, the floor, eating humble-pie look like? It looks like there is no where left but up and out with God.

Soon after this prayer, Samuel tells us that things very quickly turned around. “When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim. They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, “You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭27‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sadly, but necessary Absalom was killed by Joab, David’s general. ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬. And when David finally received word that his son was dead, he wept and wished he had been killed instead. “The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

Prayer

Dad,
Reading these stories about David, from the humble beginnings to his eventual rise to power and the throne, fascinated me. From the giant-killer moment, to victory in battle, and running from Saul. Then sitting on the throne as king and peace in the land. Either boredom, pride or greed then drives David to becoming a rapist and murderer. I read all about the family dynamics inside the beloved house of David. I did not want to be like him! Sure, I wanted to be a giant killer, but never a king. All that came with being hunted down several times, having multiple wives and the entire mess of his own sons, I didn’t want that at all. David’s whole life was such a paradox! He went down in history as being the most beloved king of Israel but also had the most dysfunctional family ever. And still, through his lineage, through his legacy came the messiah! What a wonderful, messy heritage. Thank you for the recorded insights of what went on in David’s life through the Psalms. It is a gift to anyone who comes from nothing, has a horrible, chaotic path, and still experiences your mercy, your forgiveness. And still becomes a big part in your grand story of saving humanity. Great job God!

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Holy Reintroductions.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This name of God is incredibly mysterious and intimate. Names have always been significant to me. It bothers me when parents choose their children’s names flippantly, as if their own children were the brunt of a joke or an attempt to make an outlandish statement to everyone that hears it. I feel sorry for today’s teachers having to learn complicated names and strange spellings of names because parents want to be uniquely cute. Hey moms and dads… it’s NOT about you so stop selfishly screwing up your child from day one!

Names have and hold honor or conversely horrible reputations. Moses (to draw out) repeatedly said, “God you know my name,” which alone is a powerful concept. Of course God knows his name! But when one knows that God knows your name and calls out your name is an experience beyond words.

God’s voice, was and is distinctly recognizable, Adam and Eve heard it in the garden (Gen 3:5). And Moses wrote that the couple heard the “voice of the LORD God.” Here, in Hebrew, Moses uses a doubling effect of God’s name, “אֱלֹהִ֑ים יְהוָֹה” elohim Yhvh – Jehovah God. Yhvh means I Am, I be (hayah). Earlier in Exodus 3, God had told Moses who was sending him to Pharoah to demand the release of His people. God said, “tell them “Yhvh” has sent me to you.” Here, many years later, in a much more personal, relational context, Moses pleads with God to STAY. God tells Moses, I will pass before you and speak my name – Yahweh. The Jewish people mistakenly treated God’s name so holy for fear that they would break law #3. They did not want to accidentally take God’s name in vain or be careless so decided they would never speak His name. They strictly forbid anyone from saying or even writing God’s name and forever used a shortcut to refer to Him – the vowels in God’s name were removed and we were left with Yhvh. Scholars best guess, putting the most likely vowels back in use, “Yahweh” or pronounced “Jehovah.”

The point of this dialog with Moses is that God WANTS to be known. God wants us to call out His name! One of most poignant moments in the New Testament is when the religious leaders started forcing Jesus to reveal who he was, only to trap him in what they considered to be blasphemy and they asked him in John 8:56-59, “Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I am,” our translations use the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word “eimi: I exist, I am.” Jesus spoke the forbidden use of God’s name and insisted it is not blasphemy if he is in fact THE person of that highly secretive word! God knows our name. God wants us, like the couple in the garden, like Abram, like Moses, even like Lazarus, to hear and recognize his voice and talk with Him.

Prayer

Dad,
Abba, Father, God – I want to know you more. I know you know my name and I want to not only know your name, but everything about you. I want to bear and reflect your name in and through my own life, giving You glory and honor and praise in how I live, how I love. Thank you for your amazing grace to transform my life into something beautiful.

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Lineage and legacy.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How far back do we look into our past, our story? Genealogy took a whole new interest with the introduction of DNA tracing. Now with a little spit test and some money, you can find out who your great+ grandparents are. Just a few connections back you can discover first through fifth cousins as well.

Matthew, the former tax collector, not only had an interest in but an obsession with family lineage, every self respecting Jewish did! It was all about who you were connected to. Interestingly enough, Matthew had to list ALL of them, the good, bad and ugly relatives and relationships.

Look who shows up – Boaz’s mom was Rahab! After the Jericho moment, the girl gets her life back and marries into the legacy of Jesus! And just a few relationships later, Bathsheba shows up. The woman who was king-raped by David then commanded an assassin, Joab, to put Uriah (Bathsheba’s hubby) on the front line, then pull back the men, allowing the enemy archers to do the deed. These dirty family secrets are usually buried and hidden from the kids and grandkids! NIV translates it like this; “whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,” and doesn’t even mention Bathsheba’s name because in the Greek, Matthew doesn’t record her name!

Yet, God does not allow us to hide from our sin and He weaves it right into His grand story. Take a look at the 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus and you’ll find the highs and lows of humanity in there. The next time you might think your family is all that – good and clean – dig around a few generations back, you’ll find the shame we all bear. And, if you think your lineage is filled with corruption and dysfunction, murder and mayhem – welcome to God’s grace and use it for His glory. FYI, after doing the genealogy test, I found out that I trace back to the Hatfields and McCoys from the hills of Kentucky. Thanks great+ grandma for marrying into one of the United States most bloody family feuds.

Prayer

Dad,
Whew – Family! What can I say? I survived several generations of selfish, wild living, hard drinking, multiple marriages and dark stories my Aunt would never tell me about! It’s quite a miracle that Robin and I would celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this week. And, that we have six (three because of marriage) amazing adult children and three young grandgirls as well. Your grace filled humor is evident in my life as well as Robin’s. Good job keeping us in your mercy and kindness. Thank you!

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HOPEBROKER

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke‬ ‭14:26-27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​All or nothing.

Yes, this is the part of the gospel story that we don’t often talk about. A relationship with God is not only primary, it’s all consuming. It is an all or nothing situation! Jesus saying, “by comparison,” our love for God, our consuming desire to follow, obey and dedicate our entire life to him makes it look like we don’t give a rip about all the other family responsibilities, including: dad, mom, wife kids and siblings. I would guess even grandparents, but they are not mentioned 😬. There are other Bible references that discuss this. Like, “eat of my flesh, drink of my blood” verses. Or, “be hot or cold, but never lukewarm.”

This idea that we are in and committed or were not and it’s all just a religious show. That ought to get our attention, right?

And, Jesus goes on to tell this crowd that is following him, “Count the cost first.” Jesus tells two examples, “who builds a building, or goes to war,” without figuring out what it costs, what it takes to win? I remember arguing this point with friends, especially in giving high pressure “altar” calls or guilt drives to make decisions for Christ.

Should someone believe in Christ, YES. Should they make a decision to follow Christ, YES. Shouldn’t they also count the cost, YES as well.

When I said yes to Jesus I didn’t know enough to look forward and see what it would cost me to follow him, especially thinking it would cost my entire life! But, you need to understand, I came to Christ knowing my life to that point felt WORTHLESS. And, I had no ability to see anything in my future but a giant black wall. No dreams of a career, marriage, kids, or white picket fence. From my perspective, there was no future! I was a broke beggar, so there was only nothing or with God – everything.

Yet still, I knew what I was doing; what I was giving up as well as receiving. I was giving up my life in exchange for God becoming my Dad, the father I never had. At that point, I had only experienced two loser Dads, the third being “psychopath Ben,” would come later.

If anyone is going to pressure folks into making a decision, I want it to be God himself, pushing and wooing – pitching His love and abundant grace. Not the fire escape plan or promises of prosperity and the “good life.” A relationship with God isn’t a way to escape hell, it’s walking with Him for eternity. Jesus promised an abundant life but it’s only after completely giving and surrendering our own life.

Yes, I’m all in and wouldn’t have it any other way. For me it’s not hating the family relationships in comparison, it’s more like hating the American Dream that everyone else seems driven to still pursue. In comparison to loving Jesus, I decided to hate the high paying cushy job, the open-space, multiple bathroomed house, two pets, multiple marriages, 2.5 kids and some grandchildren! I only wanted God and whatever He had for me. It is ironic, no, pure-comedy, that God gave me a job Pastoring people, one-wife-for life, kids, grandkids and a couple of dogs in a house with three bathrooms and a pool in the backyard! Figured that one out.

Prayer

Dad,
Really. How did I end up with so much when I started with so little? I had nothing. I was nothing. I was invisible and liked it that way. Now….well, I am not invisible that’s for sure. And I annoy people by being too chatty, too friendly, too weird and tell way to many stories that no one wants to listen to! Oh, the humor of heaven has been poured out on me. I got old and have stuff. I never imagined that possibility. I had no dreams and no hope. You… you gave me all of that and more. I am a hope broker because I was broke and you gave me the greatest gift of all – hope.

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How is your family name and legacy doing?

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.” Proverbs‬ ‭10:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are a number of these son to parent proverbs. Modern translations substitute “child” for son, but that undermines the purpose of these writings. If Tim Keller is right, and I believe he is, he says that the proverbs were written as curriculum training for young men. This isn’t a put down on young girls or women in general. It was poignantly written to train boys to become great men – nothing wrong with that, right? We do want our boys to become great men, correct?

Think of this curricula idea being drilled into every Hebrew boy – your decisions effect MORE than just yourself. A constant theme of respect and family responsibility towards their own parents. I was given no such training, no such purpose, no such direction. Yet, even with zero input from my own fathers on how to be man, a husband or a father, I personally learned from God, from Proverbs one of the foundational necessities of life – get wisdom!

By the time Robin and I had children I was able to give regular and constant reminders to all three of our children about this proverb right here – “be wise” and it will bring us ALL joy. Be wise and you will have what is necessary to live a good life, influence every single person you meet and leave a legacy for our family. I didn’t quote the verse to them, I lived it with them. I was adopted, so my birth name is Spear, but when my last name changed at four years old, I grew up understanding that my own adopted father had trashed his family name.

When Christ rescued and redeemed my life, I spent time absorbing the wisdom of God through Proverbs, I instinctively knew my responsibility- clean up the family name and pass it on to my children in good standing. I have worked so very hard to rebuild the Garvin name in every way possible. I wanted it to be morally sound, fiscally sound, socially sound and every bit spiritually sound. I wanted my children to be proud of their father’s name and even more proud of the work God had done to restore that name. Garvin would come to mean, faithful, funny, hopeful, caring, responsible and respectful. I told each one of my children to remember they are a Garvin and to be proud of it!

I know of families who bear the grief of a tarnished name, especially when both parents tried to live godly lives, and raised their children the best way they knew how. There is no shame or judgment towards my friends, I have known them our entire adult lives. But I do know the shadow that their own children have cast on their family reputation.

I also know something else. God’s stories are very long and prayer still works. A momma’s prayer, a daddy’s prayer can move mountains and shake the heavens to bring about change in the hearts of our children. So like the prodigal father who waits, everyday looking for his son to come home, so I know that there can be a “come to their senses” and a desire to return home. Angry words towards and bitter images of our prodigals will not bring them home. However, a godly prayer and prophetically seeing a redeemed image of possibility will yield a huge hug and welcome home party someday. How important is it to raise a child in the wisdom of God? The difference between great joy or great grief in all of our futures!

Prayer:

Dad,
My job, our job is not done even though our children are grown. We still influence them and their decisions. They still need us to speak godly wisdom into their lives. Plus, we now get to focus on our grandchildren and not only reinforce what the parents may say, but put our own special touch of grand wisdom and love into their lives as well. Many a child have rejected a parents advice but still hold to the love of their grandparents. Help us continue to give our family your grace and wisdom to leave a godly legacy!