pastorjfreeman

Notes from my sermon today on being a Christ-like husband:

I. A Christ-like husband leads! (Ephesians 5:23-24)
a.) Spiritual leadership begins with knowing Christ personally and intimately.
b.) Spiritual leadership is about rejecting passivity
c.) Spiritual leadership is about accepting responsibility

II. A Christ-like husband loves! (Ephesians 5:25)
a.) He loves sacrificially
b.) He loves selflessly

III. A Christ-like husband learns! (Ephesians 5:28-33)
a.) He learns how to nourish his wife
b.) He learns how to cherish his wife
c.) He develops oneness with his wife

Practical application:
-Share something (2-3 times weekly) that God is teaching you with your wife and have your wife share what God is teaching her.
-Pray with JUST your wife 2-3 times a week. Ask her what she needs prayer for and pray specifically.
-Do something special for your wife once a week.
-ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE!!!

Men, sit down with your wife this week and ask this question:

“What are your greatest needs and how can I better meet your needs?”
-take notes and work at meeting her needs

Ok…so, on April 27th I am running the OKC half marathon. There are actually quite a few running the half and full marathon from our church. It’s going to be a great day.

I have mentioned that I am running for Trey…my hero. Trey ran a much better spiritual race than I ever will and this physical race is in his honor…and I want to run the physical race like I want to run my spiritual race…with focus, endurance and passion!

A very good friend of mine, Alena Foster Honeycutt created a t-shirt design that I plan to wear in the race. I’m grateful for her kindness to me, helping making this day extra special.

Several have indicated to me that they would like a shirt. Well, you can see the shirt pictured below and they will be on a bright yellow, Nike dry fit shirt. I plan to go see Carrie Nelson McKellips tomorrow to get pricing. I suspect the shirts will be around $20. However, I had a very generous friend offer to purchase some shirts for those wanting to remember and honor Trey. I would like most of these shirts to go to those actually running in the race, but I would also be honored by others getting a shirt to wear in memory and in honor of Trey. Below is the t-shirt design…the silhouette is actually from a picture of Trey running. I love it! Thanks Alena! The top picture is of the front and the bottom picture is of the back. I haven’t decide which front version I will use…I’m trying to decide whether or not to use the date (you will see both options below)…and the city skyline on the shirt, by the way, is of OKC!

If you want a shirt, send an email to jeremy@fbcnewcastle.com and give me your name, shirt size (remember, they will be Nike dry fit), and phone number (so I can contact you if I need to). If you live out of town, send me your address too and I will figure out a way to ship it to you. I need to order by next week, so get me your information by Thursday, April 3rd at the very latest. This will be first come first serve and when the freebies run out, if you want one it will be around $20 (I’ll confirm the price tomorrow).

As I was running this morning, I was reminded most vividly of this truth… if you are alive today, if your heart is beating, you are alive for a purpose! And not just any purpose I might add…you are alive for God’s purpose. The sovereign God of all creation, the God who loved you enough to send Himself to die on the cross for your sins, and who rose again to show that He conquered all things…has a purpose for your life!

So wherever you are in life today, and I know that many are in very difficult and trying situations, know that God sees you where you are, He may have even placed you where you are, but He loves you, He’s not finished with you, and HE has a purpose for it all!!!

TRUST HIM!!!!

Today, March 1st, marks 6 months since my son, my hero, Trey went to be with Jesus! It’s not any easier today that it was on September 1st…it’s different, but not easier.

We continue to live in a tension, between trying to go on normally, and yet never feeling normal in anything we do anymore. There are days the “normalcy” is overwhelming emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. As my wife aptly said to me the other day, “It’s exhausting trying to be normal.” Some will have no idea what that means, but some know exactly what I’m talking about. But…then there are days when the normalcy feels good. Where sitting at a ball game feels okay. Where sitting around the dinner table feels okay. It’s just such a balance and such a challenge every single day.

So…we press on in God’s strength. We try to make the most of our time on earth, yet yearning for eternity every day. We remember Trey in everything, yet try and keep moving for the sake of so many others…our kids, family, church family, community, and even ourselves. Breathing used to be so natural…so easy, but now, with our every breath, we depend on the Lord. As I have thought and said so many times these past 6 months, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…”

We love our Trey-man! We miss our hero! I miss seeing his incredible personality…his one of a kind smile…his wonderful laugh…his voice…his touch…his heart for the Lord…his love for his brothers and sisters, and for his mom and dad…I miss watching him play with his toys and watching him play with his friends. I miss watching him play sports and ride his bike and swim and eat pancakes and play video games and jump on the trampoline. I miss watching him sleep. I miss holding him. I miss so many other things. BUT…I’m reminded always that Trey misses nothing!!! HE IS WITH THE LORD AND IN GOD’S PRESENCE THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY…and because I know he’s happy and with the Lord, that gives me peace.

But, until then, for us, “Life is less sweet, death is less bitter, and heaven is more real.”

You dad loves you Trey and always will. When I run that 13.1 miles in April, every step will be for you. I love you son. You were a great son and I miss you so much everyday. Your forever in my heart. I will see you soon buddy.

Love,

Dad