Francis Chan

To the Friends I Haven't Met Yet

Recently I added a feature to the blog that allows me to see statistics -- how much traffic I have, which are the most read posts, where the readers are from, that kind of thing.  I was just looking at the stats and see that there are people from around the world who visit this blog.

This week there have been people from Europe, Asia, Australia, and North and South America dropping by Three Minutes to Nine!  How you found the blog, I really don't know, but I'm glad you did.  I'd like to welcome all of you.  I invite you to take a moment to introduce yourself by sending a note.  You can address it to threeminutestonine@gmail.com.  I'd love to have a chance to meet you and say hello.

My wish for each of my readers, wherever you live and what ever the circumstances of your life, is that you would experience the fullness of life that comes from walking with Jesus.  The older I get, the more I come to find Him to be sufficient for all my needs.  The world disappoints; Jesus satisfies!

Forever Changed

I'm off again, this time to Colorado to pick Samuel up at the ranch where he's been for the past few weeks.  He says he hasn't shaved since he got there -- bet he looks like a grizzly bear! -- but that he'll shave before I arrive.  Who cares!  I'm just looking forward to seeing him again!

This "letting go" thing that parents have to do, it's not so easy. It's just one of a thousand things that you don't really understand when you start out.  You learn that you're going to be parents, and you get all starry-eyed and dreamy, imagining your idyllic life with this amazing child, your child, and what good parents you will be.  And then the baby arrives, after hours of unimaginable pain, and there you are, traumatized and sweaty -- both of you -- holding this tiny, squalling person who has just left all the comforts of the womb and is totally dependent upon you to meet his needs.

You are now a parent, and for the rest of your life nothing will ever go quite like you'd imagined.

Nothing about parenting has been particularly easy, nor according to my fluffy, substance-less dreams, but it has been the sweetest, hardest, most consuming, awe-filled experience of my life.  These boys of ours, these mysterious, marvelous boys, have changed me.  I have had to accept paradoxes.  For example, I have become more aware of my desperate need for God, yet have learned to be more self-confident.  I have had to learn to advocate for my kids, being both forceful and gracious.  My boys don't always want to do things the way I would, so I am learning to hold firm to the essentials and give lots of room for personal preference.

I could never have imagined the life I have, nor would I have picked it out of a list of possible scenarios. But, praise the Lord, He didn't give me that opportunity.  It was God's idea, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Word Wizzards

Tom's mom had saved these poems in the back of a photo album that we brought back from the farm last week.  Here are the poets and their poems.

Snake in Summer

With me have you tried
to abide?
Along my side,
stride.
Hiss, hiss.
Slither left,
slither right.
Live under rocks.
Eat rats,
mouse-meat meals
down at the place of your heels
for me to eat.
Crawl, crawl.
Let your young sprawl
if you have baby snakes,
like I.

Tommy, age 7

Air

Air is here,

Air is there,

Air is everywhere.

And the bubble gum has air,

And it makes it pop.

Pop goes the weasel!

Samuel, age 6

At God's Mercy

Our discussion on confession in the Seekers Service at church yesterday led me to look at the John Wesley Covenant Service found in the back of our hymnal.  I was struck by The Prayer of Supplication, which is a part of the Covenant Service, the prayer of one who recognizes his or her utter dependence upon God.  It echoes a conversation between Jesus and the Peter in John 6. Many of Jesus' followers have turned from  him because of his difficult teachings and he has just asked the Twelve, "You do not want to leave too, do you?"  Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God (verses 68,69).  So right, Peter!  If not Jesus, then who else? Where else? What else?

John Wesley Covenant Service

Prayer of Supplication

Lord Jesus, here I am, a lost creature, an enemy to God, under His wrath and curse.  Wilt Thou, Lord, undertake for me, reconcile me to God, and save my soul?  Do not, Lord, refuse me, for if Thou refuse me, to whom then shall I go?


If I had come in my own name, Thou mightest well have put me back; but since I come as the command of the Father, reject me not.  Lord, help me.  Lord, save me.


I come, Lord.  I believe, Lord.  I throw myself upon Thy grace and mercy.  I cast myself upon Thy blood.  Do not refuse me.  I have not wither else to go.  Here I will stay.  On Thee I will trust, and rest and venture myself.  On Thee I lay my hope for pardon, for life, for salvation.  If I perish, I perish on Thy shoulders.  If I sink, I sink in Thy vessel.  If I die, I die at Thy door.  Bid me not go away, for I will not go.

Hymn of the Month -- Majesty!

Majesty!

by Jack Hayford

Majesty, worship his majesty;
Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.

Majesty, kingdom authority,

Flow from his throne unto his own, his anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

Majesty, worship his majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings. 

You can read the story of how Pastor Hayford wrote the song here.

Silly Saturday

I came across this old photo today and believe it's Tommy 

I have to thank for turning it into a Wanted poster. 

Wishing you a Silly Saturday!