Myron Speaks

This past Sunday, I had the privilege to attend a Greek Orthodox Church with my son. The joy was in the time that God allowed us to discuss scripture, the Biblical church, Christianity, orthodoxy, genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. I learned so much and grew to admire my beloved son even more during that precious time together. He is a young man pursuing genuine and authentic relationship with Jesus and his faith journey is marvelous to watch and be apart of.

It was almost overwhelming as I witnessed the beauty of this Orthodox Church and its commitment to the truth of scripture. The honoring of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Saints, and the church’s history. I am so amazed at their protection of the early church and the instructions of Jesus. I am in awe that this church existed 1400-plus years prior to the Protestant Reformation. The Nicene Creed that was adopted after several hundred years of consideration remains, leads and guides this church today. Simply marvelous.

I was struck by the commitment to salvation and a recognition that genuine change requires time, guidance, consideration, examination and then, only then life altering change in behavior and life approach.

I admired the understanding of the respect due our Savior in how we praise and worship. How we approach the altar of Grace and Mercy and zealously protect the honor due the God of all things. The Creator of all things. The Majestic Father who is and was and always will be.

Anomaly is a word that should define the Church. Anomaly is a word that should define the Church’s members, ‘Christians.’ I witnessed a 1400+ year old Church that stands strong in the understanding that those of us who profess the name of Christ and Christianity should be an anomaly that blatantly stands out in a World pursuing Hell. What joy to experience a group so strongly committed to protecting the edicts of Christianity, delivered directly by the Apostles.

I am not looking for a theological fight because I realize there are deep divides between modern day Protestants and age-old Orthodoxy. What I am trying to convey is the joy of a life long Protestant that was led to a strong force for the Kingdom that understands the difficulty and outright commitment that being the Father’s daughter or son requires.

What a privilege to hear my son say, “dad, it seems the Church is trying to attract the World by becoming more like the World, than committing itself to stand out from the World.” Wow! Such amazing insight from my beloved son in whom his Father in Heaven is pleased.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV

I love how the Father expands my horizons and narrows my focus.

Thank you, Lord.

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

Father, how did the disciples families respond to their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers leaving all that was ‘normal’ to follow Jesus? What kind of fear and anger flooded their minds? Lord, were they distraught at the idea that these men had left the conventions of the day and moved into the new assurance that was Jesus?

Lord, I surrender all. Father, I surrender fear. I surrender control. I surrender agendas. I surrender my wife. I surrender my children. I surrender all desires, objectives, wants, needs.

What am I afraid of? Father, as our kids seek their own personal and intimate relationship with you, I pray and petition on their behalf. Lord, as one seeks relationship through Orthodoxy, I surrender and trust you are the good, good Father. As one holds tightly to you through worship, praise and emotion, I surrender and trust that you are the good, good Father. As one grows into the identity you have for them, I surrender and trust that you are the good, good Father.

Lord, I ask that you guide me and prevent me from messing up what you have so wonderfully made. Lord, give me the gift of understanding and release that surrenders my wife, our kids and all that I hold precious to you, Father.

God, was what you asked of the disciples families met with joy and acceptance or the sin of doubt, rejection and discouragement? Or, Father, was the calling on their family member’s life greater than personal wants?

Father, I know that all that I have are yours. I know that all that is me is held by you. I ask that you remove doubt, every desire, every agenda that distances me from you. Father, I pray that my family whom you have entrusted to me will seek, see and rest in the truth that is you.

Father, I pray for bold faith that causes me to choose identity over doubt. Surrender fear for purpose. Choose joy over agenda. Watch with wonder at the things you are doing in and through our kids. Father, cause me to honor my wife over all others because she is deserving of my respect and admiration.

To you, Father, be all glory, honor and praise this day.

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NLT

To Benton, Malia, Kensley and every kid that professes the name of Christ.

Know that God loves you exactly where and who you are.

Know that schooling is important to you, in your life as God’s child and servant.

Know that your academic successes do not define you. You are defined by the Omnipotent God who loves you regardless of achievement, academic or otherwise.

Know that standardized tests do not adequately reveal your marvelous uniqueness.

Know that God has predetermined your contribution to this World. Contribute love, generosity, kindness, compassion, care, genuineness. Contribute your unique self.

Know that your actions speak louder than the loudest words. Speak softly and with care.

Know that you are beautifully and marvelously made. That no one person or group can ever rob you of the marvelousness that is you.

Know that how you treat others speaks more about who you are than the grades on a page or social status.

Know that your life has purpose. Amazing purpose.

Know that mom and I love the journey. That we marvel at your growth and development. That we love you exactly as you are.

Know that this is the day (and year) that the Lord has made. Rejoice. Be glad. Trust. Expect.

Know that we pray and desire that you have an intimate relationship with Jesus over all World accolades. Focus on the eternal and accept that the fleeting things of this World will not last.

Know that whether a minister, a teacher, a doctor, a trash collector or any career God assigns you, you are loved and valued by the God of life.

Know that when you arrive in Heaven at the end of this life, the goal is to hear “well done thou good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21). Be faithful first and foremost. Be good to everyone that crosses your path.

Know without question that you are loved by mom and me and most importantly, by our Savior who laid down his life so that we can live.

Know that you matter. You do! You are marvelous.

Know that your identity is in Christ and no human or evil can ever take that from you.

Love,

Dad

“Hey Myron this is _, i’m apart of Level 10 and kelli let me know you said you were proud i got baptized and i wanted to thank you because you played a big role in my decision after listening to what you had to say because i have struggled respecting women in my mind and when you said when you have those thoughts think of them as gods daughter it clicked in me and when i have negative thoughts about just people it makes me think how they are gods children just like me and that’s my journey isn’t all about me it’s about the Lord and helping spread the gospel to others and i wanna just thank you for speaking your circumstances into me because it just had an amazing impact .”

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

I received this text last night from a young man that I had the privilege to speak to as part of a larger group. God knew that I needed encouragement after a day of identity crisis and attacks by the enemy causing questions of value, purpose and impact. This young man’s text righted my thinking and again confirmed my purpose for the Kingdom.

I am led to share with most groups that I speak with or meet with individually that their identity is in Christ Jesus. I share with them the truth that we are God’s chosen children whose value and purpose lies within Him. I often discuss my 35 year imprisonment as a slave to addiction, when Jesus said that just like the Israelites 40-year wandering because of lack of faith, freedom, identity and purpose was a 14 day walk. Imagine, the Israelites wandered for 40 years of what was a 14 day walk from Egypt to the Promise Land. What are you trapped in that Jesus can free in moments?

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV

Never underestimate the patience, cunning and evil that Satan desires to unleash on you. He hates that he has lost you for eternity. So now his plan is to minimize your impact for Christ by causing you to question who God says you are and the purposes of your life. Many Christians that I meet and meet with struggle with accepting the freedom from sin assured when surrendering their lives to Jesus.

You are free. You are free from the past. Your future is given through those difficult to accept gifts called Grace and Mercy. You are a child of the most high God who forgot your sins and past the second you asked for forgiveness and invited Him as the Author and King of your life. He plans a wonderful story that is you and your life reflecting him.

Oftentimes freedom comes from a different life lenses. Seek and allow God to change your perspective from guilt and shame to experience and purpose. Our past is only a ball and chain around our ankle if we don’t accept that we have been freed from the past through Christ. You have been freed.

To my young brother, ‘thank you for your encouraging text.’ Thank you for sharpening me. Thank you for your courageous example. Your life of purpose is coming into focus and it is beautifully marvelous. Too marvelous to understand, so simply accept, trust and obey.

To my brothers and sister in Christ. The past is forgotten by our Heavenly Father. He awaits your willingness to accept the future that He has created you to live. You are His beloved daughter or son. That is enough.

You’ve got this!

“I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” 1 John 2:26-27

There is a paradox unfolding where we are disgusted by a man who will choose to fight a woman in Olympic boxing, yet the ratings for this Olympics are soaring. Soaring so much that NBC is selling supplemental ads at higher costs because viewership is up so significantly.

In the movie Gladiator, Maximus, the main character portrayed as a Roman general, yells at the crowd watching men kill one another “are you not entertained?” The context being a society that places pleasure over human life. A society that values the event more than the soul of the entertainer. A culture devoid values and morals.

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

My comment and encouragement to you during these times is “why are you surprised?” We have a God who knew of the coming perversions of the World. The coming lies and denials of the World. Antichrist hidden as entertainers, politicians, ‘influencers,’ information networks, education union leaders, the god of sports and on and on and on.

I heard a great analogy that said our god is what occupies our minds. I would expand on that to include what captures our time. Seduces the surrender of our finances. Desensitizes our hearts and minds. Causes rationalization cloaked as “inclusion” to erode the Biblical values that too many lack knowledge of because the aforementioned life seductions, minimize the desire to seek the truth from the only source of the truth. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. God through His Word.

Quite simply, we cannot have it both ways. We cannot jump into the pool of the World and not get wet. The battle lines between good and evil are drawn more distinctly every day. Evil exists and the Bible tells us to “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). Believe it! We are here at this moment after decades of life and values erosion. Satan never comes through the front door but through those things that occupy our minds daily.

I recently spoke to a group and asked them about junk in and junk out. To my surprise, well over 90% had never heard this term. I wonder why we are surprised that what is flooding our information networks is not met with disgust and rejection? Could it be that we are failing our children and allowing the erosion of our values because we fear rejection and a label that causes us to be ostracized by those needing our guidance? Words fall meaninglessly to the side as actions exhibit contradictory truths of who we are. Do as I do always trumps as I say.

The battle is real. The lines are clearly drawn. The time of hard, difficult decisions of not being unequally yoked is here. The World intends to capture our children’s minds and lead them to an eternity in Hell one song, one meme, one Snap, one influencer, one eroding drip of lies at a time. The only thing standing between our kids and our families are parents rooted in the knowledge of the Bible and accepting without rationalization that the only foundational truths come from the Word of God.

So the Olympics will continue to entertain and disgust. The question becomes, what occupies your time and your mind? Are you not entertained?

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9 MSG