Welcome our new son!!

Wow it has been a long time since I last updated the blog, but I have some great news to post today.  Many of you may already know this, but last Wednesday, the 21st of August, Nicholas Matthew Grindstaff officially became a part of our family.

 Nicholas has been with us in foster care for nearly a year and from very early on we knew that we were moving towards adoption.  Before having Nicholas in our home we were able to give foster care to two other young boys, but when Nicholas came we knew that it was going to be longer term.  He was a quick placement, but with a lot of work.  Nicholas has Cystic Fibrosis and when he was placed with us he was spending 10 days in the hospital getting a round of antibiotic treatments.  Before he could come to our home Erin had to spend 24 hours with him doing his care so that the hospital staff and the foster care agency and county were satisfied that we could provide the care he needed.

When he came to our house he was a pretty sick little man and we were on a very quick curve of learning what Cystic Fibrosis was and how it affected him.

One of the first times meeting Nicholas at the hospital

 We found out pretty quickly that he had a hard time gaining weight because in the first month he was with us he vomited at least once a day, and sometimes 2 to 3 times.  Honestly, it was demoralizing.  When I took him to his clinic visit after a month I nearly broke down.  Life was crazy for us.  We had just launched a new church plant and were now fostering a child with a life-threatening disease.  It turned out he had gained weight and they said we could relax on some of the things we were doing (we were pretty tense around him because we felt his life in our hands in many ways).  After taking him home...over the next month he only vomited a few times.  We still aren't sure what to attribute it too, but I'm pretty sure it was three things.  We relaxed, he relaxed, and God poured out a whole lot of grace on our family.  Over the next 10-11 months Nicholas grew and got healthier (by God's grace still) and he truly became a part of our family.  One person from church commented fairly early on - "It just seems like Nicholas belongs in your family.  He seems to be a part of it and I can't imagine the Grindstaff's without him."  How true, and we are so glad that he is forever a Grindstaff!

We know that the road before us won't be easy, and that we very well may have some severe medical issues with Nicholas, but we know we are blessed to have him and are so happy to be able to provide a home for him with a big brother and two big sisters who love him so much.  He also has extended family that loves him dearly and he loves seeing them.  We are getting more involved with the CF community and are praying towards a cure.  We know that without it, his chances of living beyond the age of 40 are very slim.  Cystic Fibrosis affects the lungs, digestive system and other systems.  However, with strong treatment he can live a pretty normal life and we are encouraged to have him involved in sports and everything our others kids participate in.  He has had a great summer going to the pool, sliding on the slip-n-slide on our back hill, learning to ride a two wheeler (with training wheels - and unfortunately a pink princess one that was Anna's - but hey, he is a fourth kid :-)), and much more.

Getting home from the finalization of the adoption.  A friend from church decorated the outside of our house with balloons and more.

The whole process of adoption has been interesting for me.  Actually choosing a child to be your own in this manner is so different than how our first three came to be.  Clearly there was a choosing there, but God had to work a miracle of life.  Here, little Nicholas was placed with us and we choose to bring him into our family to be a part of it forever. I love that picture of adoption.  I love thinking about how God choose me, and my wife, and my kids (prayerfully) to be in his covenant family forever.  May we all be able to cry out "Abba! Father!" as Nicholas has learned to call me "Dad" and will ask me for whatever he needs.  He has never had a dad before I came into his life...he never had a father figure at all.  It is a sobering reality and one I do not take lightly - nor do I take it lightly with Reed, Meredith, or Anna.  I love my kids and I want them always to cry out "Dad!"  

⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)

Some things that I find striking me lately

I figured I ought to at least update the blog once a month.  For the two of you who read this - sorry it isn't more often.  There is much going on in life...but that is true for everyone.  Simply, this has just fallen by the wayside over the past weeks.

The week after Easter I finished a sermon series through the seven last sayings of Christ from the cross. I greatly enjoyed my study, the preaching, and the enrichment it gave me as I tried to focus a bit more on what Christ has done for helpless sinners.  It even helped to have this done as I was once again able to participate in one of my favorite services - Good Friday at North Cincinnati Community Church.  I wish they would record the service, but it consists of seven different men, each with a 3-5 minute time allotment, preaching through the seven sayings.  I was greatly blessed to hear the other six men preach with power and unction in such a short time.  That service was a blessed refreshment for me.

I am now in the midst of a sermon series through Colossians.  In choosing this book as our next series I thought it would be good follow-up to the seven sayings series due to Paul's focus throughout the letter on the supremacy and preeminence of Christ.  I have preached the book before, and so I was a bit hesitant to do it again.  However, I believe it is the right book for the right time in the life of our church.

Now, onto what I find striking me lately - particularly in the last day or so.  This morning a portion of my Bible reading had me in Hebrews 5.  As I came to the end of the chapter the very last verse caught and held my attention.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish between good and evil. (5:14)

In many ways this verse relates to part of Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:9-11:

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

I have been praying the Philippians text for my children lately.  My desire is to see them grow in love and discernment so that not only will they know what is excellent, but approve it and celebrate it in order to live pure and blameless lives for the glory of Christ.  

The reason why these texts struck a chord with me is the announcement yesterday of an NBA player about his "coming out" publicly.  I didn't really mind the announcement, but the salivation of the press and the political correctness that followed has been nothing short of a deluge.  There is a page on ESPN's site filled with a litany of positive reactions from people praising this "coming out," and not surprisingly, only one who spoke against it.  In response to the announcement one commentator for ESPN was asked his opinion, and it eventually came to religion - particularly Christianity.  Chris Broussard expressed that he believes what the Bible teaches - that homosexuality is a sin (just like any sex outside of marriage in any context), and did so in an extremely gracious manner (you can read accounts here and here).  ESPN has apologized for his comments and stated how they are committed to diversity - except perhaps the diversity they find offensive.  So Chris Broussard expresses an opinion - in answer to a question posed to him - that is contrary to the politically correct and INtolerant media/society, and he may now be in danger of losing his job.    

This is an example of approving that which is not excellent.  I don't want my children approving this.  I don't want them approving of lying, cheating, stealing - anything that is against God's Word.  I want my kids to be mature, to be pure and blameless, to be children who grow to be young men and women who stand firmly on the truth of God's Word.  They will be called intolerant.  They will likely be categorized as "haters."  They will feel the pressure to cave in - but I pray that they will be grounded in Scripture and that they will see the example of standing firm lived out in their mother and father.  God bless Chris Broussard for standing up faithfully and not approving what is not excellent.  

Thoughts from preaching

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do...Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise...Woman, behold, your son!...Behold, your mother!  These first three sayings of Christ from the cross have been a delight for me to study, meditate upon, and finally preach from.  I greatly look forward to the remaining four.  To be able to chew on much shorter passages of Scripture has been wonderful, especially passages that highlight the person and work of Christ.  Here are a few insights from my study.

• Christ's beauty of character to pray for those who were beating, mocking, and killing him.  What a God we worship who instead of automatically destroying his enemies actually died for them!
• Christ's role as priest.  He prayed as he was on the Cross, but now he is at the right hand of the Father continually making intercession.  (Hebrews 7:25)
• God is a God of great love.  It is only because he loved us and died for us that we can be forgiven of our constant rebellion.  (Romans 5:8)
• In many ways, though we obviously are guilty as sinners, we are also tremendously blessed, because it is for sinners that Christ died.
• Christ died not simply to provide the means of salvation, but ultimately to bring us to God.  (1 Peter 3:18)
• The church is a beautiful place full of family.  (Luke 8:19-21)  It is a place where we love and care for one another in the love of Christ.

There is much more that I learned and prayerfully will take to heart.  I pray that as I now am preaching weekly that the Lord will sink his Word deeper and deeper into my own heart, to change me, to mold me, to conform me more and more into the image of his Son.  What a privilege to have a calling that's main purpose is two-fold - prayer and the ministry of the Word! (Acts 6:4)  Oh that I would see the worth of that privilege daily and that the grace of God would fill my soul so completely that there is no room for anything less worthy.

If you would like to hear any of the sermons you can do so here.

Some thoughts on the Giglio Controversy

I don't often take the time in this blog (actually I'm not sure I ever have) to write on current issues.  However, the whole Louie Giglio controversy is bothering me.  I have read a few of the statements on it and I realize that the likelihood is that Pastor Giglio was "disinvited" by the committee when it was discovered that he had differing views (aka - biblical views) on homosexuality.  Much of the blogosphere is addressing this issue and some of it is even quite humorous.  For example, one of my favorite Tweets about it was from @TonyReinke:  

Imagine the presidential inauguration committee's panic if they discovered what's in those inauguration Bibles!

However, there are also pleas throughout the blogs that the President ought to put a stop to the LGBTQ community in their vitriol and hatred of those who have a different opinion.  He should use his bully pulpit to bring civility back to discussion where differing views are held.  There are some who have called it Moral McCarthyism.  Others have called what's happened evidence of a new 'State church.'  These are very well-written responses to what has happened, but I wonder if they miss the point.  

It is wrong that Giglio was "disinvited" and it is sad that the historic, biblical Christian faith is ridiculed as less than loving.  However, as I have been preparing for Sunday morning and studying 1 Peter 3:13-17 I wonder if how we are approaching this situation is a bit off.  

Here is the text:  

¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 

It seems to me that we are more concerned with how others are responding to Christian beliefs than we are with how we are responding as Christians.  Yes, there may come a time when it is considered "illegal" to speak out against homosexuality.  There may come a time when Christian pastors are thrown in jail in America for standing up for biblical truth.  But truly - who is there to harm us (cf. Romans 8:31)?  God is against evil (1 Peter 3:12).  He is more against it than we are and that was proven in the Cross of Christ.  Our call is to suffer if that is what God wills and in that we will be blessed.  We should have no fear of them, nor be troubled.  What we should do is pray for our President and leaders and plead with our Lord to change hearts miraculously not rest in the President making it all better.  We can too easily get distracted from our call - to continue to fear the Lord, to honor him as holy in all we do and to be “zealous for good.”  

As believers we have hope – let us show that.  Let us live such good lives among the nations that they will see our good deeds and will glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:21).  And not only that, let us live such good lives – responding with gentleness and respect, with a good conscience so that those who slander believers will be put to shame.  Let us give them to Gospel and let us present before them a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense not by being jerks and demanding things, but by being loving and giving them Christ. 

This is not to say that I am not concerned with where this country is headed.  I am.  I pray for the President and the moral relativism that is rampant, but it is not out of God's hands (that's exactly why I pray) and as a believer my call is clear.  Love, and be a blessing by proclaiming Christ all the more.  

Thoughts for 2013

It doesn't seem like it was all the way back in November the last time I wrote anything for the blog.  I guess the Christmas season was busier than I thought.  Not only that, but as a church planter it had its ups and downs.  As with any young church when families travel you tend to feel their absence, but when multiple families are gone for the holidays visiting family and friends you can really feel it.  I was actually quite glad to get back to a more "normal" week this past Sunday.

As we begin 2013 I am hopeful for what the Lord has in store for our family and for Living Hope.  As you know we have had a foster child in our home since September and he really has become a treasured part of our family.  There are some significant steps that will happen in the next few months that will determine whether or not he will be able to stay with our family...we would appreciate your prayers.

Reflecting on this past year and looking forward, I truly want 2013 to be a year of significant growth.  First, I want our family to grow together.  I want Erin and I to grow in our relationship.  That even through the stress and craziness of life as we church plant that we would fall more in love each day.  I am so blessed to have her in my life and I want to take full advantage of all opportunities to grow together and to show my love for her.  In particular I want to do a better job of communicating and sharing my feelings (besides hungry and tired) with her.  I also want our kids to grow.  Both Reed and Meredith are expressing more and more desire to take communion and so we are going through a family devotional about what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  The past few days have been really enjoyable and it's great when your 8 and 6 year old are reading the Scripture passages themselves.  Pray for them in this.  Pray for Anna to continue to grow - I can't believe she just turned 4!  Pray as well for our foster son and that we would be able to take away the qualifier of "foster" this year.  I am so blessed by my family and I want this to be a great year of growth for us.  I want us always to leave no doubt that we are 100% for each other!

Second, I want the church to grow.  Much of my role as a pastor is to equip those in the church for the work of the ministry.  I am to teach and model and lead the people into the enjoyment of God for the glory of God.  I am to teach them all the things that Christ has taught.  To adequately do this - I need to be growing in my relationship with God and experiencing greater and greater joy.  I have once again taken on Robert Murray M'Cheyne's reading plan to get through the Bible in a year.  This will be probably the fifth or sixth time following this plan and also using D.A. Carson's excellent devotional companions:  For the Love of God - volumes 1 & 2.  Please pray that this would not be something that I am doing just because it's good, or so I can check something else off my list, but that it would be wonderful fuel for my soul.

Third, I want us to expand our influence as a church.  We have a great relationship with the school in which we worship, but we want to be able to serve in greater ways.  We want to reach some of the thousands who do not know the Lord.  I am planning and praying through different areas of our ministry plan and would appreciate you praying for that.  Also, pray that as a church we would be creative and faith-filled in all we undertake.  

There is definitely more that I could write, (wanting to find musicians for example) but for now this is it.  Perhaps in a few days I will put up some more detailed thoughts and plans for this year.  What are your thoughts/plans for 2013?

The first 6 weeks

This is a bit overdue of an update, but I know a decent number of folks have been wondering about how things have been going at church.  One of the areas that we put a good bit of time and effort into was sending out a mass mailing of flyers.  The flyers were put together by a friend in Alabama (to whom we owe a great deal of thanks!!) and they turned out great.  We sent nearly 12,000 to the immediate area surrounding the church (and didn't touch anywhere near as much as we wanted to due to cost restrictions).  The reply to these has been great.

 We've received good feedback and the vast majority of our visitors have come via the mailings.  Even for those who haven't come, there is now a good amount of name recognition.  Folks in our core group share stories about how they meet people, talk about church, and when they tell the name the reply is:  "Oh, I've heard of that...I saw their flyer."

However, more importantly the first 6 weeks of worship at Living Hope have been highly encouraging.  The core group of people who started this with us labor weekly to get things set up and torn down; they are some of the friendliest people - always welcoming visitors.  I have been greatly encouraged by our worship services.  I am enjoying preaching through 1 Peter and even leading the music (though I would gladly give that up if the Lord were to bring someone else who could lead).

We have had some families join with us beyond the original group.  Each one has their own story and perhaps I'll ask one to share sometime.  My big prayer now is to continue to see new people come.  In that it is to see my heart grow stronger for people to hear the gospel and experience the true and living hope that comes by grace through Jesus Christ.

One exciting perk of worshiping at a local elementary school is we get to be a part of the community.  We don't want to simply use the school on Sunday and have no impact there.  We want the community we are in to flourish.  More than that we want our deeds to point people to the gospel of grace.  As I have been preaching through 1 Peter I think about part of the text I am on for this very week:  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.  (1 Pet 2:12)  I want the school, the community, to see the good deeds of our church so that it would glorify God - mostly in that they would ask about the hope we have and why we do what we do and we can give the reason - the grace of God!  This Saturday we have 4 people helping out at a Santa Breakfast that very possibly would have been cancelled without these volunteers.  We look forward to more of these small ways we can serve, but make a difference and in that point people to God's great grace.

        ¹⁷     If the Lord had not been my help, 

           my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. 

¹⁸  When I thought, “My foot slips,” 

your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 

¹⁹  When the cares of my heart are many, 

your consolations cheer my soul.  (Ps. 94:17-19)

I am not currently in the midst of what the Psalmist was experiencing - that of evildoers at work against him - taunting and persecuting.  However, these words are so powerful and real.  "If the Lord had not been my help..." - but the amazing reality is that for the child of God, He is!!  He is our help.  He is our security.  He is our treasure.  His steadfast love holds us up.  His consolations do cheer the soul.  Think of what he has done for you child of God.  Ponder the grace that has been bestowed on you through the sacrificial love of Christ.  

As I have been preaching through 1 Peter it has been so refreshing to read how Peter encouraged his readers in the midst of severe trials.  He starts his letter in such a majestic manner.  The verses below are actually what inspired the name of our church plant.  Read through them slowly and ponder what Peter writes.  (If you want to hear my sermon on this go here and pick the one on 1 Peter 1:3-5)  

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  (1 Peter 1:3-5)

We have been born again to a living hope, to an inheritance that will never and can never be destroyed, that has not and cannot be defiled, and that will never lose its majestic beauty.  Not only that but it is kept for believers, who themselves are guarded by the God of grace.  

Let these consolations cheer your soul daily.  Let the gospel bring refreshment all your days.