Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

The Joy of Children - Don’t Hinder Them

For the past five days, my wife and I have had two of our three grandchildren with us. We were also together with all three of our grands on a couple of occasions over the July 4 holiday weekend. The youngest granddaughter turned five months old on July 4.
 
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
 
When I look at my grandchildren, I am first reminded of our four children when they were little, and of all of the trust they put in us as parents, and of all the hopes that we had for them. Each is now grown, living in his and her purpose, and doing very well.
 
Spending this quality time with our grandchildren made it clearer how marvelous the grace of God is, and how much their parents love them, care for them, and provide positive experiences. It was a joy to see the creativity and positive energy of our five-year-old grandson and our seven-year-old granddaughter. They love to imagine, draw and create worlds in which to express their thoughts and dreams.
 
We created a couple of videos in my home studio on green screen, in which my granddaughter scripted and shared her knowledge of animals and nature. She and her brother worked together, haggled a little bit, and made two fun videos talking about the attributes of elephants, zebras, cheetahs, and lions. It was actually informative.
 
When a child's mind and heart is nourished and is open to Christ, they express the freedom and creativity of their Creator. This is one of the reasons why Jesus said "do not hinder them." Children represent the kingdom of God which is the source of hope, creativity, and life at its best.
 
However you interact with children, as parents, grandparents, educators, or others, let us all be very intentional on providing the kind of life and environment in which children learn to love the Lord, become full of hope, eager to learn, and their God-given creativity and uniqueness.
 
God Bless and Be Encouraged!
Bryan Hudson, D. Min.
 

God Keeps His Promises to You | Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for June 29, 2022

Psalm 37:3, Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. God makes promises to us. He does this because He wants to bless us and connect us to His faithfulness. Always remember that whatever God requires, He provides. Whenever we make a promise, such as to our children, we think it through because we have every intention to fulfill our promise and providing something good to our children. 
 
Many of God's promise are conditional, meaning that some type of response is needed. This is not required to prove our worthiness. God does this to involve us in the process of our blessing. Many of us have been burned by people who promised, but never delivered. It is a painful experience that can affect your ability to trust again. While is an unfortunate reality in life with people, don't transfer that distrust or hesitancy to God. He always keeps His promises.David wrote, "Trust also in Him, And He shall bring IT to pass." It is whatever you need or want that is consistent with the will of God. Here are the conditions to this promise (again, whatever God requires, He provides): 
Trust (in the Lord), Do (good), Dwell (in the land), Feed (on His faithfulness), Delight (yourself in the Lord), Commit (Your way to the Lord), Trust (in Him).
Know that God will bring IT (whatever is needed) to pass in your life!Below is a link to the full message, "Delight in the Lord: Receive His Promises"
God Bless and Be Encouraged!~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

Delight - What Is it?

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Psalm 37:3, Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 
Psalms 37:5 states, “He shall bring it to pass.”
What is “It?” 
“It” is whatever you need or want that is consistent with the will of God.
Delight is a simple word with profound significance. This word is profound because delight reflects our desire, disposition, and direction. 
Delight definition: 
Take pleasure in, desire, incline to; to bend; favor, be (well) pleased, have pleasure
Sometimes we feel conflicted in our thoughts and desires of heart. Remember: “The thoughts of the righteous are right…” (Proverbs 12:5)
Our desires and thoughts are shaped by are obedience to God. Psalm 37:3-5,
Trust (in the Lord), Do (good), Dwell (in the land), Feed (on His faithfulness), Delight (yourself in the Lord), Commit (Your way to the Lord), Trust (in Him)

Fathers: Men of Compassion

Psalm 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 
Father's Day was Sunday, June 16. I was blessed to celebrate another Father's Day with my 85 year old dad, Horace Bryan Hudson. He is the greatest man I've ever known, and a man of great compassion. He was my model in being a father to our four wonderful children, and now, three grandchildren.
Our youngest son experienced his first Father's Day when he became a father when his wife gave birth to a beautiful little girl in February. My son, along with another first time father, shared reflections on their early experience of being a father. We also heard from two experienced fathers who were also grandfathers. 
In our culture and community, we value those whom we call "father-like-ones," such as relatives, coaches, educators, and men in the church community. One of our men who spoke, a former high school principal and teacher, reflected on having served as a father-like-one to more than 3000 students in the course of his career.
As a pastor and community leader, I've also had the experience exercising compassion in serving young men and women, especially through 39 years as a pastor to our congregation and for 20 years of conducting summer media camps for youth.
I share all of this to highlight something about fathers that we often overlook: When we look as compassion as only an emotional response, we have difficulty seeing fathers in that light. 
However, when we understand compassion in its more proper definition, we can see fathers in their true light. The best understanding of compassion is "love in action." When we think about the actions that men and father's take for their children and others, we can clearly see the compassion filled role of the father. 
David compared the compassion of fathers to the compassion of God. In this we find one of the most significant purposes of fathers: To properly and lovingly represent God before the children and others. God is a God of compassion. He is a God of action, which He proved by sending Jesus Christ to be are Savior and Lord.
When we  consider the lofty and seeming overwhelming requirements of fathers, I like always remind men of this very important truth: Whatever God requires, He provides.
So brothers, embrace your assignment of compassion because it is not only about emotion––which we have. It is more about love in action...and you know how to do that!

Fathers in 3D: Destiny, Design, & Duty

 DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Psalms 13:13, As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Compassion is “love in action”
Proverbs 17:6, Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 1:8, My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;
FATHERS IN 3D
1 - A Father’s Destiny (Purpose)
2 - A Father’s Design
3 - A Father’s Duty
Our responsibility to our Father is to:
Listen to him
Learn from him
Lean on him
Love him

God’s Excellent Ones (Scholars) - Go Beyond

Psalms 16:2-4, O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
 
Last Sunday, my wife and I recognized some young scholars as part of our church service called, Scholar's Sunday.Patricia had the idea to encourage students and graduates with a special recognition. Once again, we witnessed the power of encouragement. Included among the group of students advancing to higher grades where a high school graduate and a college graduate.
 
I shared a special sermon in their honor, we presented each scholar with certificates of recognition, and enjoyed refreshments afterwards. My wife noted that many students had missed out on in-person recognitions the past two years because of COVID, so this spring was a return to celebrations and commencements.
 
Their response to the recognitions confirmed in importance of empowering, recognizing, and giving words of wisdom to young people. In Psalms 16 God called His people, "Excellent Ones" and said that He delights in them. Excellent comes from the word, "Excel" which means "Go Beyond."
 
Some of the keys I shared to going beyond in commencing and advancing in education included.
 
1. Stand in your space. Earn and demand respect.
2. Commit Yourself to God: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
3. Trust the Lord more than your own understanding: Proverbs 3:5-10 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
4. Work for God, not only for people: Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
5. You were built for purpose: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
 
Here is a link the entire message and video on Youtube.
 
Let's make it a point to encourage young people as life long learners and scholars. It goes a long way towards motivating them to Go Beyond.
 
God Bless and Be Encouraged!

”The Excellent Ones” - Scholars’ Sunday Message by Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE
Psalms 16:2-4, O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 
How to Commence and Advance 
1. Stand in your space. Earn and demand respect
1 Timothy 4:12  “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
2. Commit Yourself to God
Proverbs 16:3  “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
3. Trust the Lord more than your own understanding. Honor the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-10  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
4. Work for God, not only for people
Colossians 3:23  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
5. You were built for purpose
Ephesians 2:10  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
2022 Graduates & Scholars
Congratulations!
Your college degree, high school diploma, or passing to a higher grade is evidence of learning.
Your college degree, high school diploma is neither a shortcut in life nor an emblem of privilege. You still have to become skillful in your field and earn the professional respect of people who know and do more than you.
Don’t settle. #GoForward

What Does Change & Transition Look Like? | Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for June 8, 2022

This Saturday, June 11, I am one of the speakers at a leadership conference online. The link to the event is in this post, join us if you can. The theme is “Change and Transition.” (Conference info here)There are many ways to think about change and transition, but I want to offer an example from David's life. In Psalms 42:3 David spoke of change in the negative. He said: My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” The pain of what he was going through felt like having tears for food day and night. He also said that others mocking him in saying, “Where is your God?”I remember these words from a webinar that I was a part of a couple of years ago. Paul Scanlon said: 
• Change is in inevitable. Transition is intentional.• Change is an event. Transition is a process that we enter into.• Change is unchosen. Change happens to us. Transition is how we respond to change.David did not choose the negative change that happened to him, but his positive response became part of his transition out of the difficulty.He said in Psalms 42:4, When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a holy feast.David spoke of pouring out his soul within himself, which is a reference to casting his care on the Lord and putting his trust in God. Then he spoke of going into the house of God with others. He understood that transition always involves God, and it also involves others––but not just anybody. David said he would go into the house of God with those who had “The voice of joy and praise."Notice when the negative changed happened to David, 1) he transitioned to a place of focusing on the Lord, 2) connected with encouraging people, and 3) found his voice of joy and praise.Following is a link to my message from Sunday on this topic: How Joy Comes -- Finding Your Voice of Joy & PraiseYour change might be unchosen, but you transition through it by what you decide to do.
God Bless and Be Encouraged!~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

How Joy Comes - Finding Your Voice of Joy

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Psalms 42:1 
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Happiness is refreshing like lemonade
The Joy of the Lord is your strength
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. 
Joy is an artifact.  
Joy is a result of something else.
Joy cannot be manufactured
Joy does not come by song, faith, or prayer
Joy is already present in the hearts of Christ Followers
Joy is a gift
Joy is inevitable (it has to come)
How Does Joy Come?
Joy is revealed through the Holy Spirit
Joy is revealed through favorable circumstances
Joy is revealed through encouraging people and encouraging environments
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always [at all times]. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Hear, Pay Attention, Create a Standard, and Increase | Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for June 1, 2022

Mark 4:24 ESV, And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
Today, we don't lack information. We are literally flooded with all types of information as well as mis-information (which are inaccurate things), and even dis-information (which are things intended to mislead and deceive). 
One of the keys going forward in life is deciding what and who to pay attention to. Jesus indicated that the measure, or standard of attention, that we use, becomes the determining factor and standard of what we get out of life. When it comes to paying attention to the Lord, this is especially important for getting the most out of your walk with Christ.
We all know what happens when we hear, but don't pay attention. In this season of graduations and academic advancement, we know there is no progress, no good grades, and no graduation, without paying attention to subjects. The measure or standard that a student uses leads to a higher standard of performance. Long ago I realized that students who we call "smart," are people who pay attention and create a high standard for themselves. This is something we can do at any age, in any area of life. 
The reward of hearing, paying attention, and creating a standard for yourself, is living your life at a higher level.
In what ways do you need to go from hearing to paying attention? What measure or standards will you establish for yourself? As Jesus said, the outcome will be, "more will be added to you."