When did he turn 6?

My son turns six years old today. Last night, during our bedtime routine, I laid down with him and thought, "Man, when did he get so big?" I still remember him as a toddler, looking up at me with his arms raised, tears in his eyes, longing for his daddy to cure all his ailments and rid him of all his fears. Now, it's like he's a little man! He's in school, he can read, he can even do math. He's independent (other than the times, of course, when he comes downstairs in the middle of the night and curls up between Ashley and me because of a bad dream). His mind is constantly coming up with new scenarios for his Star Wars toys. And he's amazing with Addy. He's a little man! I get so much enjoyment out of watching his little mind work or when he plays with his baby sister. And there is no sound quite like his laugh! I am so proud of him!

Today, we'll play Star Wars a little longer. I'll hug him a little tighter. I'll let him stay up a little later. I'll read him an extra story at bedtime. I'll have him read me an extra story at bedtime. We'll do the things he wants to do a little longer. Because I want him to know - without doubt - how much his daddy loves him! I am so proud of my boy!

The Power of Praise

This last Monday, in my quiet time, I was hit by an eloquent and profound message by David found in Psalm 42. This particular message is one of the chief reasons my wife and I are so passionate about bringing to light what praise can do in the life of believers. As many of you already know, my wife was struck by a terrifying case of dehydration that caused our flight from Fort Smith, AR to Atlanta, GA to make an emergency landing in Memphis, TN on our way en route to visit Rocky Mount, NC back in June of this year. Talk about some scary stuff!

Now, at the beginning of this venture, we knew the Lord was already working in the hearts of many on our behalf – but, that did not stop Satan from sending his agents to infiltrate. Needless to say, we immediately recognized the fact that “Ol’ Red Legs” was hot on our trail and we were not about to allow him to keep us from the prize that Paul writes so eloquently about in Philippians – and so we pressed on. On our third flight that day, as we strolled down the ramp and boarded our plane, we began to sing aloud: “Lord, You are good and Your mercy endures forever. Lord, You are good and mercy endures forever. – We worship You. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” We sang it the entire flight – and sure enough, that flight went off without a hitch! That is the power of praise!

In Psalm 42, David says, “My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember You….” Basically, what David is saying is: “Lord, I’m hurting. Something’s going on within me that I don’t understand. I’m sad. I feel depressed. I’m alone. But, I will intentionally set my eyes on You, Lord, and praise You regardless of the junk going on.” He goes on to say, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and breakers have swept over me.” David recognizes that, even though he’s hurting (maybe emotionally, spiritually – even physically), the river that flows from the Throne of God contains healing water. And so he knows that regardless of what hurts – with authority given by praising the Name Above ALL Names, healing is found! And so, David finishes his Psalm with these words: “Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

If you're reading this right now, I want to encourage you to set your eyes on the God of Heaven and praise Him unconditionally – regardless of the stuff going on. There are so many times we are relentlessly tempted to give into depression or allow the circumstances to overtake us, rendering us helpless. But, 1 Corinthians 10: 12 – 13 reminds us: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” So, I say – “Stand up, saints! Stand up in the face of adversity! Stand up in middle of the junk going on! Head straight for the Enemy’s Camp and take back what’s been stolen from you! Take back your joy! Take back prosperity! Take back emotional stability! Take back your health! Take back your peace, comfort, love! And shout at the top of your lungs praises to our King while doing it all!!! Stand up under it, saints, and allow the Lord to work on your behalf.”

And we’ll be right there beside you,
The Moads!

20/20 Vision

The old cliche "hindsight is always 20/20" is obviously a true and accurate statement (or else why would it be one of the most quoted statements in the history of cliches). But, just because something is true doesn't make it right, correct? For example, in the context of the statement, generally it's quoted because in retrospect you figure out you quite possibly could've done things differently, perhaps resulting in an entitrely different ending. But, if you think about it - should you be given a second chance at something - would you do it all over again? And if so, how? That being said, there are a lot of things I would like to do over. I'd like to fall in love with my wife all over again. I'd like to repeat my first two years of college. I'd like to possibly go back to high school (only the parts that I messed up - the rest I don't think I could stomach again). I'd like to re-learn how to tie my shoes (evidently I don't do the whole "bunny hop" thing - I figured that out as I was trying to teach my son how to tie his shoes and my wife gave me a look like "I can't believe you don't tie your shoes with the bunny hop rhyme" - apparently, I was neglected as a child). I'd like to repeat previous ministry opportunities. But, let's face it - they're not going to happen again........at least not in the same context as before. Therefore, my questions are......should it be said that hindsight is always 20/20? Or could it be rephrased a little more correctly? Because, really, when you look back at things, you're pretty much always going to find an area where you could've done things differently - but, given those same circumstances again, I'm not so sure you wouldn't make the same decision. Now, I could be totally wrong. But, I think the moral of the story here lies in another cliche: "If I only knew then what I know now." If that were the case, of course you could change things......or at least make a better attempt at doing the right thing to keep yourself out of the hospital after a night of binge-drinking and diving into a pool that was only five feet deep......waking up in a hospital in a neck brace and being in a wheel chair for the next eight weeks and then on crutches for another four. But, that's just one scenario. There are a lot more cases out there, I'm sure. But, if it were possible to go back and repeat a time in your life with the knowledge you now possess, why wouldn't you?



Just food for thought....

Last Saturday

We were finally able to make it to the coast for a day last Saturday. It was so awesome - and very much needed! It was the first time Eli had ever seen the ocean - his eyes were huge. Addy got to dip her toes in the Atlantic and Eli splashed and played, looking for seashells. Ashley and I got to just relax (even for just a little while) and take in such a vast panarama of unending water.......it was good.




Ashley and I have some friends who have a house on the beach about two and a half hours away. We drove down that morning and spent the afternoon playing in the water, then drove home that evening. It's nice to be that close to the ocean.

"Are you guys settling in?"

Is there really any way to truly settle in? If there is, I don't know it. I guess I feel like you should always be ready to go onto the next task. But, I see where the saying comes from: "Are you guys settling in?" For the most part we are......I mean, our bags are unpacked and we've hung pictures on our walls. But, our hearts and minds still long to be in the familiar.......the comfortable........our thoughts seem to always flow in the general direction of back home - gravitating unrelentlessly toward Arkansas. Don't get me wrong, North Carolina is fine. It has its really great parts (like being close to the ocean) and then it has its really not-so-great parts (honestly, I could name several - and I'm trying to stay positive - so I won't comment on that). But, settling in? I don't know about that.

See, to me, I guess I feel like "settling" means "to lessen" or be complacent when there's something better. Now, I could be totally wrong about this - and to some degree I hope I am. But, stay with me a moment. Complacenecy means contentment and I'm not 100% sure we should ever really be content with where we are in life, in our jobs, in our walks with Jesus. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we should always strive for something else. We should strive to be better at our jobs, or strive to live a better life (not monetarily or materially; but emotionally, physically and spiritually). We should strive to walk closer with Jesus and grow to know Him better and better everyday.

Contentment has its share of qualities, too, though. For example, my daughter Addyson is the most content little baby girl on the face of the planet. She only gets ticked when she's hungry or if she sees her mommy and mommy doesn't pick her up right away. Then it's on - and she doesn't want anything except her mommy to hold her. But, for the most part - she's content. That type of contentment is great; where you don't really need anything, just enjoying life, hanging out - no agenda, nothing to gain or lose. But, in the spiritual realm - am I like Addy? By that, I mean, am I good with everything in my life - except when I feel absent from my Heavenly Daddy? Am I fussing and crying because I'm not being held by the One who made me? The cool thing about that is that we serve a Papa who wants to hold us constantly. His deepest desire is for us to stretch out our hands and long for nothing but His embrace.

It's a great comparison, if you think about it (especially from my stand point, because I get to see it first hand). Picture it: this precious little baby girl is all subdued and calm - playing with her toys or chewing on Griffen - when she hears the front door open and in walks mommy. Now, at first, she sees her mommy from a distance and this huge smile crosses her face and she begins to chuckle in excitement at the thought of being in her mother's arms. Immediately she crawls as fast as her little chubby legs allow all the way to mom's feet. But, mom walks by to set her bags down. Well, that's simply unacceptable! WHAAAAAA! To the point of coughing and hacking, real tears, complete heart-break, bawling and bawling and bawling - until she feels the touch of her mommy's hands grab her and bring her up to her chest where Addy lays her head in exhaustion and exhilaration.

To me - the question shouldn't be aimed at whether one if "nesting" as if in one's home - but rather are you settling in to be content and complacent in the Lord? Technically, (and for those of who you who know me - you also know this about me - everything hinges on technicalities) settling has several meanings. For the purpose of this particular argument we'll use the "resting and nesting" meaning.

I said all that to preface this: If anything - I want to settle into the arms of my Heavenly Daddy - from whom all blessings flow, from whom the River of Life flows, from whom my manna will be provided, and from whom I have been formed and found beautifully and purposefully created. That's where I want to settle.

- The Moads (via NC)!

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

WOW! The Lord truly does work in some crazy-mysterious ways. My family and I are moving from our current residence in Arkansas 1100 miles East to Rocky Mount, North Carolina and accepting a full-time contemporary worship leader's position at First UMC/Rocky Mount. Completely unexpected and out from left field we have been moved by the Spirit to this area. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. On the one hand, I'm scared to death moving my family out of their comfort zone and familiarity (all the while knowing that "fear" doesn't come from the Lord) and on the other hand crazy-pumped about being able to bring the vision God gave us TWO YEARS AGO to life in a community that truly needs it.

July 5, 2006 my wife was in Dallas at a worship conference and I was at home with our son Eli. It was about 11:45 at night when I felt the Lord really speaking to me about worship and what it means to praise Him, how He needs and deserves to be praised and worshiped, and how we are commanded to praise and worship. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced and so I began writing as quickly as I could to capture it all and write it down. Around fifteen minutes later, my wife called from Dallas and said, "Stephen, I really feel like the Lord is speaking to me." So, I replied with, "Well, what did He say?" She began to recite basically everything I had written down.....almost verbatim. That, needless to say, was confirmation to us both that this is something the Lord is commanding us to do.

When she came home from the conference, we spent a few weeks in prayer and fasting and just really trying to seek the Lord's will in all of it. We then took it to our pastor at Heritage and he was pumped up about it. We were met with a lot of resistance when we tried to implement certain parts of it - and so we thought, "well, maybe right now isn't the time." So we waited. Little did we know where it was actually needed was in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Holy COW!!!!

I could go on and on about the details of this move - but I won't. I'll save it for another blog. So, for those of you who actually read my blog - keep your eyes out for another installment of the life and times of the Moad clan coming soon! Until then "Bless Big and Be Blessed Big!"

-Moad!

Day #11,315

This may actually be the most depressing day I’ve ever had to endure…….and it ain’t over yet. Today, I have been in this world for 11,315 days. Sort of a big day, really. It’s wacky-ridiculous, though, when I look back at the previous ten-thousand and realize that I haven’t done anything I set out to do. Things change – granted; life happens – granted; changes occur – and there really isn’t anything you can do about it except accept them and shoulder on. But, in my human-ness, I really suck at over-analyzing the patterns I’ve rooted myself into by failing to clutch the chances I’ve had to really triumph magnificently in the face of adversity so that I could represent the masses who ever really dare to dream. In laymen’s terms, I wanted to be the success story.

My whole life it seems like I’ve been the underdog. I’ve always wanted to do great things for the Kingdom of God, for my family, for my wife and children. But, nothing ever comes easy for the Moad clan, trust me. If it wasn’t for bad luck – we wouldn’t have any…..just ask one of us. I try to live a Godly life. I‘m in the Word constantly. I fast, pray and fellowship with other believers….I’m on staff at a church for Pete’s sake (by the way….who is Pete?…..Have you ever thought about that?….I mean, seriously, I want to know who Pete is). Sometimes, it just seems like I can’t catch a break. But, the Lord knows best what needs to be done and I trust that – I just wish He’d warn me sometimes before I get myself into situations where my human-ness outweighs my spiritual sense.

Honestly, I was in a grocery store one day after church…….and there was this couple who were extremely ignorant about the here and now. Please understand, by saying ‘ignorant’ I’m not talking trash about them. To be ignorant simply means you are uninformed, or that you just don’t know. So, really, I’m taking up for them – when I probably could be justified by talking trash. But, my church (at the time) was very laid back as far as dress code – I had on shorts, flip-flops, and a sleeveless, tie-dyed shirt. I have earrings and tattoos….which aren’t all that uncommon these days……even in churches (for those of you who don’t know). Now, I consider myself to be a pretty cordial and nice person with a decent amount of discernment. However, the couple in front of me were quite bluntly disgusted by the fact that I was revealing a bit much about myself by showing tattoos and wearing earrings. Now, I know this disgusted them because the husband said to his wife (which, I probably wasn’t supposed to hear, but heard very plainly), “Look at that…….tattoos and earrings. Shoot, he needs to get to church.” So, at first, I was a little offended that they were…..well, offended – but decided to be the bigger person and nicely reply, “I’m assuming that’s where you guys just came from,” as they were dressed in their Sunday best. I was trying to make conversation to inform them that not all tattoo-ed people are heathens. The man looked at me, obviously surprised I had heard him, but even more disgusted that this pierced freak was trying to make contact with him and his wife (like I was an alien or something). Had it stopped there, it probably wouldn’t have been that big of a deal. But, the man came across so arrogant and disrespectful that I couldn’t contain myself. He replied to me, “As a matter of fact we did…..from the First blah-blah-blah-blah-blah Church of…” wherever it was. So, what I thought was done politely (with a hint of sarcasm, I’m sure), I said, “Well, you might ought to go back and repent, ‘cause the Bible clearly states ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged’.” They just looked at me all flabbergasted-like and watched me intently over their shoulders as they high-tailed it through the automatic doors of Wal-Mart. The nerve of those tattoo-ed freak-o’s. I mean, really.

I say all this because I’m not perfect. It’s taken eleven-thousand days of screwing up and making little mistakes and huge-massive mistakes to make me the person I am…..and I wanted (and still want) to be so much more. My whole life, it seems like people have had this mental image of what I’m supposed to be. People who know me and people who think they know me. Is that really fair? I mean….to think you know how someone needs to turn out in life? After I had graduated and returned from college to my home town, I had a teacher that told me they just knew I’d wind up in prison or on drugs. I can’t tell you the times I’ve had people comment in total-shock, “You’re a worship leader?” What gives a person the right to judge others? Who are they to judge me? Shouldn’t they be more focused on themselves? Is it fair to judge others? No….but then again, sometimes it’s needed to get you back on track. When it’s done right, of course. I guess my lesson for today, kids, is that “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.”

11,315 days so far and counting.

Be blessed
-Moad!