To Everything There is a Season

Solomon said to everything there is a season. The passage I am speaking about is found in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes. Days follow one after another, and as I get older, they seem to be picking up speed; but this is the day that we focus on starting a New Year. It seems such a short time ago that we changed centuries. Solomon describes times of great joy and great sorrow, and times of building and times of tearing down. The awesome joy of a birth, followed by the terrible lament of a death. Beginnings and ends, to everything there is a season. I have experienced both the painful loss of my father, and the joy of welcoming a niece and a nephew. I try to make the things that I loved about him to be true about me; especially when I am around the little ones.
One thing that I do know is that time continues to press on, and there will be times of great joy and times of great sadness. So if you want a goal to shoot for this New Year: make the things that you loved best about those who have gone on to their reward, true about you. God bless you and keep you in this New Year.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

It is a fearful thing for a sinner to meet his end. I recently read Jonathan Edwards sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." It was delivered in the July of 1741. The theme of the message is that there is nothing that keeps God from destroying a sinner at any moment. The only thing that stands between a sinner and eternity is the will of God. If you are an unrepentant sinner who hasn't accepted Christ, these words should rightly terrify you.
As a Christian, the impact of this profound sermon has stirred in me a desire to reach people with the gospel of Christ. Because Edwards got it right, there isn't anything standing between a sinner and eternal destruction but the mere pleasure of God. You see that is why Paul said "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;" because it is a terrible thing for a sinner to meet with his end. We earnestly need to be about the business of witnessing to people, because regardless of health or anything the we mortals do to stave off death, no one is promised a tomorrow. It is the job of we Christians, to reach these souls who are at every moment on the brink of eternity. So, if you know someone who needs Christ; it's time to go and share your faith with them.
Here's a link to Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God if you would like to read it.

God knows everything we need.

I know it has been a few days since I have blogged. You might think this a little strange considering it is the Christmas season. Well, I've have been in the Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg, with no internet connection.
It always amazes me how things come along just when you need them. A few weeks ago, I wasn't sure I was going to do for my next meal. In the last week I have been in the Presidential suite at the Hermitage Hotel (working, but at $3000 per night how many people can say they have been there), and I spent two days in a cabin in Gatlinburg. I spent time photographing the great outdoors with my two brothers. (I'll post some pictures later, still shooting film.) I spent some time in a jacuzzi with a spectacular view of the mountains, and spent some more time at the peak of the mountains. It might sound like I am bragging, but the fact of business is that I can't take credit for any of it. It has been through the graciousness of others that I have been able to experience these things. Ultimately, it has been God who has given me a wonderful time, when I really needed it. God bless you all, and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

The Time I've Lost

Thomas Moore was a poet who was born in Ireland. He lived from the time of the Revolutionary War to about ten years prior to our Civil War. He wrote some wonderful poetry. So, nothing profound or earth-shattering today; I just thought you might like to see one of his poems that gave me a laugh. Some things change and some things remain the same. Enjoy.

The Time I've Lost
by Thomas Moore

The time I've lost in wooing,
In watching and pursuing
The light that lies
In woman's eyes,
Has been my heart's undoing.
Tho' Wisdom oft has sought me,
I scorn'd the lore she brought me,
My only books
Were women's looks,
And folly's all they taught me.

Her smile when Beauty granted,
I hung with gaze enchanted,
Like him the Sprite
Whom maids by night
Oft meet in glen that's haunted.
Like him, too, Beauty won me;
But when the spell was on me,
If once their ray
Was turn'd away,
O! winds could not outrun me.

And are those follies going?
And is my proud heart growing
Too cold or wise
For brillant eyes
Again to set it glowing?
No -- vain, alas! th' endeavour
From bonds so sweet to sever:
Poor Wisdom's chance
Against a glance
Is now as weak as ever.

God's amazing goodness

God is so incredibly good. It is such an awesome thing when God uses one person or a group of people to bless one of His children. It causes an outbreak of rejoicing, which is exactly what giving is meant to do.

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

What does all this mean? God literally enriches you in everything, so that you can be more liberal in your giving. Why is being liberal in your giving so important? You are sharing with the person to whom you are giving, the picture of a benevolent God who is rich beyond measure, and in His riches gave the most precious thing that He had to purchase our sinful souls, His only Son. When you give, you cause people to glorify God, because you demonstrate the grace that God extended to you. Here's another benefit: you tie their heart to yours, very much in the same way, as the King James puts it, "that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." Because of his good conversation, Jonathan loved David as his own soul. Conversation is meant to mean more than just the words we speak. Jonathan loved David because his actions gave weight to the words he used. So in giving, you add weight to your words of love, what Paul calls "the proof of this ministry." When you give generously, you hold up a mirror that reflects the Beautiful God who gave up His Precious Son for you and me, and in so doing you cause an outbreak of rejoicing.

Seek ye first . . .

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God. You're either thinking about the song or the passage in Matthew. I remember a time before I answered the call to preach. I got to a point that I just had to get away from everything. I went camping. I went to Fall Creek Falls, a lovely place. So, I thought I would go for a bike ride and take it all in. When I left it was daylight, and I rode about five miles, and then I realized that dark would soon catch me. So, I did my best to get back to my camp site before dark, with no tent set up. Since I hadn't camped before, I didn't have any idea how to set up a tent. Fortunately, the neighbors up the way helped me set up my tent, and invited me to sit by their fire for a while. Oh yeah, all of this was in late October. In my whole family, we only had two sleeping bags; one with a busted zipper. Guess which one I took with me. It got down to forty degrees that night. The ground was cold an hard, needless to say I didn't sleep much that night. To say that I was unprepared would be a huge understatement. I had no idea what I was doing. But eventually, my long cold night ended. As the day started breaking through the trees, having abandoned my tent and trying to warm up in my car, I read the sixth chapter of Matthew. Then I read, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." The next day I surrendered to preach and lived happily ever after. Not exactly, but I realized that I needed to put what God wanted ahead of what I wanted. And I did, and that eventually led to my answering the call to preach, and that led to a complete change in my life. God is good, and I still need to put what He wants ahead of what I want.

God bless the friend. . .

There is nothing like having a friend that you can always count on. Someone that you can share any problem with. I have enjoyed the blessing of having friends that I could call at two o'clock in the morning, and if need be, we would meet me for coffee and I could share with them what was in my heart. They would share their counsel and pray for me; sometimes they would just be there. Friends like this are a blessing from God. We all need this kind of help from time to time; because even when there is a smile on your face, there can still be sorrow in your heart. The best friends understand this and they know how to just be there. So, as I am prone to do, I will leave you with a poem that talks about that kind of friend.

The Friend Who Just Stands By
by B. Y. Williams

When trouble comes your soul to try
You love the friend who just "stands by."
Perhaps there's nothing he can do-
The thing is strictly up to you;
For there are troubles all your own,
And paths the soul must tread alone;
Times when love cannot smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load,
But just to know you have a friend
Who will "stand by" until the end,
Whose sympathy through all endures,
Whose warm handclasp is always yours-
It helps, someday, to pull you through,
Although there's nothing he can do,
And so with fervent heart you cry
"God bless the friend who just 'stands by!'"

The Little Drummer Boy

Christmas is coming, a time we all think about giving. Everyone thinks about what they are going to give to everyone else, but do we really think about what we are going to give God. I remember when I was a kid there were certain Christmas songs that I wasn't all that fond of. The Little Drummer Boy was a song that I didn't like because of the repetitive "pa rum pum pum pum." As I have gotten older, I listen to the lyrics more and more. The lyrics of this song finally got a hold of me. What beautiful words, "I have no gift to bring. . . That's fit to give the King." Sounds very much like us, doesn't it. Then the little boy offers to play his drum, all that he has to offer. The lyrics then say, "I played my drum for Him. . . I played my best for him." The little boy didn't have anything except his drum, and he played his heart out. The little boy with little to offer gave it all that he had. "Then He smiled at me pa rum pum pum pum. . . Me and my drum."

Check your grip.

Probably none of you know that in my younger days, I studied the game of golf. I read everything I could find on the subject. I enjoyed it, when I practiced. There is nothing that replaces the feeling of hitting a great shot. When it is done correctly, it feels almost effortless. Well, during my reading, I found Greg Norman describing one of his first big tournament wins. It was the night before the last round, and he said that Jack Nicklaus sought him out to give him some words of encouragement, and then some advice: he told him to check his grip pressure before every shot. Anybody who has hacked his way around a golf course will know why. If you grip the club to tightly, you will almost of certainty hit a bad shot. The proper grip is using just enough pressure to keep the club from flying out of your hand when you swing. Greg Norman won the tournament, because the pressure to win the tournament didn't make it into his grip.

We all have pressure, some external and some we create. There is such a big tendency to hold on to things too tightly. After all, I did this or that, or I worked for all of this. All of what? After Solomon had surveyed everything that he had worked to achieve, he found it all to be worthless. Chasing the wind is a pretty good description, when you consider everything that you have in the light of eternity. Remember, you have to lose your life to save it. Matthew 10:39, in case your wondering. So, ribbon and bow time. It seems so illogical that you loosen your grip to hit the ball further and straighter. But that is what it takes. In the same way you have to let go of what seems so natural to hold on to so tightly, to be what it is God truly wants you to be. And if you want to be a success in God's plan, that's what it takes.

Two boats and a helicopter. . .

You have probably heard this one several times, but in case you didn't: There was a flood. As the water rose, a boat came to a man's house and they said get in and we will carry you to safety. The man said, "I have faith in God, move on." The water continued to rise, and another boat came to rescue him. Again he replied, "I have faith in God, move on." The water continued to rise, and now the man was standing on the roof of his house. This time a helicopter came, and they pleaded for the man to let them carry him to safety. He replied, "I have faith in God, move on." Long story short, the man drowned. When the man got to heaven, he asked God why with all of his faith and prayers the flood was allowed to take his life; to which God replied, "I sent two boats and a helicopter." So, why the tired old joke? Be patient.

I drive a 1994 F-150, perhaps the finest vehicle ever made, which has both a front and a rear tank. Well, last night (the coldest night of the year thus far) the tank ran out as I was going up a slight incline about a fourth of a mile from my house. Thinking I could make it farther than I did, I hesitated to flip the switch to the other tank; using up the gas that remained in the fuel line. (I'll try to tone it down for you non-gear heads.) So, the engined died: truck pointing up hill on a narrow street. With in a minute, a good Samaritan stopped to see if I needed some help. I thanked him for stopping and sent him on his way, thinking the truck would start any second. Five minutes later, a police man stopped to see if I needed help, thinking the truck would be over its bout of stubbornness any minute, I said thank you, but I'll be fine. Shortly after that, I ran the battery down trying get the engine restarted. About an hour after my truck died, my brother came to my rescue, and I was able to make it the final quarter of a mile to my house. What's the moral of this story: I turned help away twice and I spent an hour in the cold, less than a quarter of a mile from my house; because things didn't happen the way I thought they would.

Attitudinal adjustment

If I had started writing this a few minutes ago, it wouldn't have been near as up beat. Sometimes I think about all the things that are going on in my life and to be honest, I get too focused on what is going on with me. I couldn't help but notice that none of my thoughts were that cheery today. Thankfully, I started thinking before I started writing; I know you would hope that it is that way every time, but it's not. I began to think about the words of the apostle Paul, in closing his letter to the Philippians. He said to think on things that have virtue and things that are praise worthy. Well, I did. Within a matter of minutes, I was smiling. I stopped thinking about things I couldn't help anyway, and started thinking about the blessings God has given me. We all need an attitude adjustment now and again. So in closing, I will leave you a poem from Ella Wheeler Wilcox and pray that you are thinking about good things today.

One ship drives east, and another west
With the self-same winds that blow;
'Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
That decides the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As they voyage along through life;
'Tis the will of the soul
That decides its goal,
And not the calm or the strife.

Of all of the hopes and dreams . . .

We all imagine our future, and seldom in a way that we don't get what we want. The life that I imagined I would have, and the life that I live every day are not the same. That is not such a bad thing; lets face it, if we all got what we wanted what kind of people would be? So this is the way my life has turned out so far. No excuses and no apologies for what I thought my life was supposed to be.
I have recently been working in Nashville with my brother, and I can't recall ever seeing so many homeless people. You barely travel a block of downtown without seeing someone who has little more than the clothes on their back. Of all of the hopes and dreams, who would have ever thought that this is how their life would turn out. Paul said, "I know how to be abased . . . and to suffer need." God's apostle who carried the gospel, knew what it was like to go hungry. He understood going without. The one thing that is different now: when I see these homeless people, I see people who aren't that different from me.

Living by faith

Faith, the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not yet seen. Sometimes we think that it is all on us; if I don't do this or that something tragic will happen. Well, it might or might not. We have to strike a balance between our faith and our works. James said show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works. To be clear James was not talking about works for salvation: he is talking about a saved person whose works were produced from a heart that was changed by the grace of God. Do we need works? Absolutely, but that is not all that we need; we need faith to be pleasing to God. It is impossible to please God without faith, because anyone who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Sometimes we have to get out of the way, so that God can work in our lives. It is easier to get out of the way when we realize that "I" can't do much on my own, but God can do amazing things when we put Him first. Put your trust in God and allow Him to work in your life.

Everybody wants to be blessed, don't they?

Who remembers the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel? The angel in the end did bless Jacob, but do you remember the circumstances prior to that? Jacob had a brother, whom he had wronged (stealing both his blessing and birthright), steaming toward him with a force of 400 men. Jacob had divided what he had in two, so that something would be left if Esau destroyed one of groups. He had seperated everything from him, including his wife and children, and was left alone with the angel. He wrestled with the angel the whole night, and refused to let him go until the angel blessed him. So here's the blessing, he dislocated his leg and changed his name to Israel. So, who is ready to be blessed?

Jacob was up against an angry brother, who by Jacob's estimation could have been the end of him. He was up against it, in the grandest sense. Jacob obviously could not prevail if it came down to a fight, but through his blessing, God did what he could not. The sight of his crippled brother, melted Esau's hardened heart. A tearful reunion replaced what could have been the loss of everything that Jacob had. God can always take what would be a tragedy in our own hands and make it a blessing.

Facing a blank page. . .

Facing a blank page on a frequent basis, forces me to think of something to put on it. Sometimes it's good and sometimes, not so much. It's an exercise, to make me a better writer. If you have been following this blog, you know that getting better is a recurring theme. Something that I have observed in my adult life, is the relationship between work and gettting better. They are inseperable. Obviously, I could go on and apply this to football, a game that I love; but I am going to apply it to being a Christian, which is of the most importance to me.

I broke down once in Alabama (I had a very short career as an over-the-road truck driver.) I could tell by his conversation, that the man who owned the repair shop was a Christian. We got to talk for a little while, and he asked about my background. After telling him what religion I was, he asked me pointedly, "Are you a Christian?" The point he was making: there are plenty of people who attend church, but not near as many Christians. You see, to be called a Christian: you must be like Christ. In other words it means that your conversation and behavior reflect that you have a relationship with Christ.

So, when my page is filled up, can you call me a better writer? Maybe. When my day is filled up, can you call me a better Christian? I certainly hope so. Paul put it this way, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Paul, whose pen gave us most of the New Testament, in his own estimation, was not "there" yet. His goal was reaching forward to be better for his Lord. So as I search for wrapping paper and ribbon; Anyone who wants to be better for their Lord, will, of certainty, put in the work to be better for their Lord.

The not so great depression. . .

There is report after report of people losing their jobs or their businesses folding. The good news, the economy still shrank, just not as much. 375,000 people lost their job last month, but hey! that less than the month before. That's right folks, the only good news: the bad news is slightly less than the month before. Ridiculous isn't it?

So, here is some real good news. God knows everything that you need, and God has a vested interest in you. He knows if you need food, clothes and/or shelter. Furthermore, He wants to supply your needs. I mean, if God has cattle on a thousand hills; I don't think He's going to have much trouble giving you a cheeseburger. Seek God and what He wants first, and God will handle what it is that you need.

If you had one wish. . .

If you could have one wish granted, what would your wish be? Take a minute and think about it. I'm not going to ask what it is. I remember fondly, the story of a young Solomon. God called to him in the night, and after some misunderstanding about who was calling him, he eventually answered. God asked Solomon what he would have given to him. He asked for wisdom and an understanding heart. I can't help but wonder if an understanding heart would top my list if I were given a blank check by God. There is a beauty in Solomon's choice; the recognition that he was not equal to the task before him, and the recognition that he needed God to help him. And all of this reminds me of how much I need God to help me.

Less than perfect. . .

As I start this blog for the sixth time, I realize that I don't have to be completely perfect; I want to be, but I don't have to be perfect. On good days I am more lenient, and on bad days I torture myself over the pursuit of perfection. I think that ultimately, trying is all that I really have. I mean you could place your possessions on the score card, but what if you end up like Job and lose everything that you have. I really like to see people try. They may or may not succeed, but you can gauge the person by how hard they try. I once heard Peter Sirmon (former line-backer for the Tennessee Titans) talk about the man that scouted him for the NFL; he said that this scout wanted to see the person he was scouting in a losing game. You see, the scout could more easily see what kind of player he was, based on how he performed in a game that was being lost. Obviously, he was looking for someone who never quit, regardless of the outcome of the game. The good news for all Christians is that one day we will be perfect. Until that day comes, I want to be somebody who tries.

God never changes

With everything that changes in life, it is sometimes hard to feel that you have a solid footing; however, I find it completely settling to know that God never changes. I was reminded of this in the sermon this morning. God hasn't changed. We all think about days gone by and long for a time when things aren't as bad as they seem now. From the day that we long for to the present: God has not changed, and He isn't going to change in the future. Certainty in an uncertain world, outstanding! God still loves, God still saves and God still wants the very best for us, and that is not going to change.

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Pretty simple, but often forgotten: Trust in the Lord. I can't do anything worth while on my own, and after spending another week proving it; I realize the simple truth is I need to trust in God and not me. God is ready, willing and above all else able to help us. So you see, the direction I have been looking for; I learned from my grandfather when I was a boy. I don't need answers; I don't even have to understand what is going on. I have to trust God, which is what He has wanted all along.

Laugh

Find something to laugh about. Nothing makes you feel better than having a good laugh. It lightens your load and brightens your heart. Proverbs says that a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, and a merry heart does good, like medicine. Some of the best blessings in life come in the form of a laugh. Christ told his disciples, I have spoken these things so that your joy may be full. God wants you to be joyful. Keep joy in your heart and find something to laugh about.

Problems you can't solve. . .

Once in a while, you run up on a problem or a bunch of problems that you just can't solve. Think about the Red Sea, the children of Israel and Pharoah's army closing fast; it was a problem that they just couldn't solve. God saved them by parting the Red Sea, but not before they were nose to nose with a problem that they couldn't solve. Becoming a Christian does not now, nor has it ever meant, taking a pass on troubles. So, if we are going to have problems, let's figure out how to deal with them.

First, keep a smile on your face. You can still have joy in your heart, even if you have trials and tribulations. Second, don't bury your head in the sand. Think about it; you have a front row seat, to watch God work in your life, and you won't see much with your head in the sand. Finally, pay attention! Your trials and troubles and the way that you deal with them are what become your testimony. So, make it a good one. God is always there, and He is a constant source strength.

When you don't know what to do. . .

Have you ever felt like you were lacking direction? It happens to everybody at some point. So what do you do when you feel like you don't know what to do? We feel like we don't know what to do, but that isn't really true. I think it is fair to say that most people don't like math, but one thing that my many math classes taught me was how to deal with problems. You can either be overwhelmed by a problem and do nothing, and so the problem goes unsolved; or you can break the problem down to its smallest parts and then solve it. This may sound a little funny, but when you don't know what to do; do what you know to do. In other words, there are things that are always right to do. Reading your Bible, studying your Sunday School lesson, memorizing Scripture, spending time in prayer: I think you get the idea, you can make a pretty long list of things that you know are always the right thing to do. Here's the trick, doing those things will give you direction, so that you will know what you should be doing.

And when tomorrow comes. . .

When you wake up tomorrow, thank God for a brand new day. Think about your family and friends; and think about how blessed you are that God has given you more time with them. Love everyone better. Teach those who are younger than you, and learn from those who are older. Make the very most of this tomorrow, and let everything that you do praise Him.

His love. . .

God's love is amazing. When you consider how much He shows His love to us here, it doesn't compare to what is waiting for us. It hasn't even entered our hearts, the things that He has prepared for those who love Him. Paul said, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." In other words, the trials of this life aren't even going to be worth mentioning in comparison. So when you think you understand that God loves you; remember, His thoughts of love toward you are more wonderful than you have ever imagined.

Things change, get use to it.

If I had a nickle for everything that changed, that I thought would never change; well, I'd be sitting on a big pile of nickles. Certainty is not at all a normal thing, it turns out. Thankfully, there are some things that are certain; namely God and His love and care for me. You see, if it weren't for those certainties, I would never be able to make it through all of those uncertainties. Things change; but the one thing that can't change is the hold that God has on me. So eventhough, I go through hurts and things I don't always understand, I hold on to the things I know that won't change, and that is what sustains me.

A long walk. . .

Nothing fixes things like a long walk. No matter how many problems you have, a long walk just makes you feel better. Maybe it's the fact that you instantly accomplished something; maybe you just feel better because your active. When I got back home I had the same problems waiting on me that I had when I left, but things didn't seem so overwhelming when I returned.

Thoreau once wrote, "In the wilderness lies the preservation of the world." There is something about being out in God's handiwork, even if it is on parts of it that we have paved. The wind still blows through the trees of the city, just like it does in the woods. It reminds me that there are bigger things in the world than me. God is good, and I am greatful.

People need the Lord

I really enjoyed services this morning at church. Not one thing in particular, but the whole service was a blessing and an encouragement. It was exactly why we are supposed to go to church; so that we can be encouraged and be able to go out and tell others about Jesus. Most people think of church in an evangelistic sense; in other words, we are supposed to get people to come to church so that they can get to hear the gospel and get saved. The fact is we are supposed to go to church so that we can be encouraged and equipped to go out into the world and win the lost to Christ. You see, nothing works better than telling people about your own experience with something. That's why you check seller's ratings on Amazon and Ebay, because people relate their own experiences with the sellers and products. Inviting someone to church is always a good thing, but nothing works like telling people about your experience with Christ. So, go and tell somebody about what Christ has done for you.

Sometimes you don't have to do anything.

I don't know how it happened, but I developed a love for work. There is something so satisfying about putting your effort into a job and doing it well. So I'm an odd ball, but I am an advocate for work. Yet in all of this, there is the wonderful blessings that come through prayer alone. Blessings that come from what I cannot do. I'm still an advocate for work, but there is something so exciting about the things that God does for His children. I believe that God blesses effort made for His kingdom, but sometimes He just puts on a show that lets me know that He is my all in all. He also lets me know that everything doesn't depend on my efforts. At times like these, all I can be is thankful.

When the going gets tough. . .

I have noticed that some days are just out right harder than others. I find this particularly true on days when I am working on my relationship with God. Things seem to have already gone wrong before my feet hit the floor. It's not an accident. Anytime we start working on our relationship with God, Satan starts working to knock us off our perch. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness. Sounds scary doesn't it. This is when it is most important to stay close to God. This is what Paul was talking about when he said to put on the whole armor of God, it wasn't just for a parade. He is talking about putting on the implements of war. I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but being a Christian is not easy. It is a fight, ask Paul. So naturally, when we go to work for God, Satan and his army are going to fight us. So on days like this; put on your armor and get ready to fight.

Making decisions. . .

There are plenty of things that make sense from an earthly perspective, but when you weigh them against what you believe as a Christian you have to decide against them. Many of these decisions have a cost or reward attached to them. The problem many have with making these decisions, is that they only know how to compute cost and rewards in dollars and cents. What am I getting at? Working on Sundays, stay-at-home moms or homeschooling kids (just to name a few) are some of the big issues facing Christians today.

The prevalent thought is: if I don't work Sunday I don't make extra money to get ahead, or I won't get to work Monday through Saturday if I don't work Sunday. If you want me to be honest, you won't make extra money and you might not get to work Monday through Saturday. Fact is nobody wants to trade what we have for what we do not know about. The exceptionally neat thing is that God honors the faith it takes to make these choices. It takes a lot of courage to say I won't work on Sunday, or I'm going to stay home with my kids regardless of the financial fallout. The truth is it takes a leap of faith, and in Hebrews it says that it is impossible to please God without faith, and continues by saying we must believe that God is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. So as I struggle to wrap this up and put a bow on it; Let God decide what is important, make your decision accordingly and trust God to reward you.

Early to bed, early to rise. . .

Nothing sets your day up like getting up early. I'm not talking about seven or eight o'clock, I mean early like five in the morning. It is the perfect time; because all of the distractions, that keep you from reading your Bible or praying, don't occur until later in the day. It is quiet, and you can spend time with God. On the other side of the coin, when you get up at seven or eight: the distractions are already waiting for you.

We all need time with God, and more often than we should we neglect it. Nothing I have found has made as big a difference as getting up early. So when tomorrow comes, get up at five in the morning, take your Bible and read it and then spend some time in prayer with God. Give God the first part of your day, and see what He does with the rest of it.

Haunting words . . .

I find the more I write, the more my words haunt me. It's not a bad thing; just a product of self-reflection. You put yourself, or what is important to you at the moment, on the page, and then you go back and examine it. It's a good way to see whether or not you are full of bologna. You see, I like to think that I am made of the finest stuff, but many times I prove that wrong.

When you put yourself (thoughts) on a page, you and everybody that knows you can easily see whether your life lives up to the ideals that you put on the page. So, now you can see why my words haunt me. I have to measure me against what I have written, and as always I want to be better and not worse. And one more thing, I have to make sure that my words are in agreements with God's word. So all in all, writing is a good exercise. It helps keep me where I need to be.

Providence. . .

God knows everything that we need, and He will supply all of our needs. Needs are not what God put us here to fulfill. He put us here to do His work; Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things that we need to do His work will be provided. Sometimes we think that if we put God first enough, that it will eventually translate to monetary gain. Here's the truth, you can follow God your whole life, and you may be poor your whole life. But if it is a life lived by faith, God will supply your needs.
Today is all that we are promised, and tomorrow might not come and eventually won't come; so we need to think in terms of today. Do what it is God wants today, and He will supply everything you need to do it.

How much?

How much is enough? I've been wondering that very thing for the longest time. Few things make you feel as good as paying all of your bills, and knowing that there is still money left over. It seems that we are all taught to pursue money, but how much should you have? Where is the point that enough goes into too much? Proverbs says don't let me have so much that I forget God, and don't let me have so little that I steal.
Money is not the problem; the problem is the love of money. Paul said having both food and clothing be therewith content. Not all of the someday items I would like to have, just food and clothing. If you think about the Lord's prayer or the model prayer, it says, "Give us this day our daily bread." There is a great distance between what most of us consider poor, and going hungry. In all of this, God simply wants us to ask for what it is we need today, and to be content with it.

The Story of My Life

I recently read Helen Keller's autobiography, "The Story of My Life." I never knew much about her other than that she was deaf and blind. So, how did I come to read her story, well I had to go out of town for work at the last minute, and found myself in Florence, AL. I always do a little web search, as I have found just about every town has a claim to fame; and lo and behold Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, AL about five miles away. So, I visited her birthplace, and I was taken enough with the things I heard to read her story.
She was funny, well educated and overcame great obstacles to make her mark on the world. Her story was filled with accounts of visits with new and old friends, and she talked about what they meant to her. When she finished her story, she made the most beautiful comment: "the story of my life has been written by my friends." So when I think about her story, I think about my story and my friends, and thank God for you all.

Thinking on good things. . .

No matter what I am faced with in a day, I like to think about things like people smiling, kids laughing and a nice shade tree to sit under and take it all in. Some days I don't get to think about those things much, and some days I do. I like to think about people doing what is right, because it is right; not because there is some other motivation. I like to think about people being thoughtful and considerate. I like to think about things that make me smile. I suppose those things make me think about what things will be like in heaven, where everyone is happy and glad to see you. When you get right down to it, I like to think about home; and this world is not my home.

God's blessing.

God blesses us with good things all of the time. Sometimes we don't respond like people who have been blessed, and sometimes we are indifferent to the blessings. Once in a while, you see one of these blessings, and you realize that God have given you more to rejoice over than to murmur about. God is good, and these little treasures remind me of it.

The sound of fireworks

Last night, it sounded like a war zone. I know that things are loud on the fourth, but last night it seemed like there were more fireworks than I have ever heard. I know everyone thinks that fireworks are for kids, but honestly, what man doesn't like to see something explode? Last night it struck me; it must have sounded like this when they were fighting for our independence. Rather than wishing that they would finish so I could go to sleep; I found my self welcoming the sounds and glad that I lived where people could stay up half the night blowing things up. I realized that it was because of the sounds of countless cannons and muzzle-loaders that we have the freedom that we have enjoyed for so long in this country. So, I thank everyone who gave so much to purchase our freedom, and I thank everyone, that has served in the past or is now serving in our military defending that freedom, from the bottom of my heart.

The Work is NEVER Done.

I don't know why, but most people think of work their whole lives as something they can get away from. News flash: that is not the way it works. Since the inception of mankind, God intend us to work; thats right, before Adam and Eve ever left the garden they were put here to work. And if you are reading this, so were you. Not just, punch a clock and get a paycheck work. There is work in everything. Do you want to be the best at something? Well, there is a lot of work in being the best at anything. Do you want to be in love? Guess what, there is work in loving someone. Do you want to do nothing? There is a ton of work in figuring out how you will be able to live and still do nothing. Get it yet? Work is a fact of life. You not only need to get use to it, you have to come to understand that any reward in life, is a product of the work that you do. Here is the secret, the work is the reward.
You are not here to have everybody pour their life out to please you; your job is to pour your life out taking care of the people you love. It is work, and it is rewarding work. You can't be a good father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter with out working at it. Commit yourself to the well being of the people you love and you will love them better than you ever have before; and that is a life full of rewards.

New every morning. . .

God's mercies are new every morning. Beautiful thought to come from a book called Lamentations. The writer said that his soul sinks within him, until he recalls this to his mind, he says, "Therefore I have hope." We get the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" from this passage. No matter how bad things seem, when you wake up in the morning remember: it's a new day, and God's mercies toward those who love Him are brand new.

A cold drink of water.

Sometimes the going gets tough; when you find yourself pushing more and smiling less. Having spent some of my formative years in West Texas, the image that comes to my mind is walking through a dry and dusty land. You look as far off as you can, and all you see is more of the same dry land that you are walking through. It is in these times, the way God provides for you is especially apparent. You hear from a distant friend, you find a cheap CD with the music you grew up hearing and God reminds you that you aren't the only person in the world. Like when your hot and sweaty, your mouth is dry; then you get a cold drink of water, and suddenly things don't seem quite so bad.

Trading what you can't keep for what you can't lose.

Jim Elliott's words, not mine. More precisely, "He is no fool, who trades what he cannot keep, for that which he cannot lose." Trading the temporal for the eternal, not just the trading, but the willingness to trade. God judges the intent of the heart, and what that heart is willing to give. Jim Elliott was a man who traded his life, so a group of people he didn't know could come to know Christ. He traded what he could not keep, his life, for what he could not lose, eternity. I have to stop and ask myself sometimes: How much are you willing to give? When I think about Jim Elliott, the question becomes: Are you willing to give everything?
What would happen if you told all of your friends and loved ones about Jesus? You might annoy some people; some people might quit hanging around with you; or you might see someone's life changed by Christ. For a Christian, life is not about being comfortable, it's about sharing Christ with others; so tell everybody the Good News!

Frustrating day. . .

Do you ever have one of those days that everything seems to go wrong? Today seemed to be that kind of day. Not one thing, but half a dozen tiny things that just kept adding up. Anger and frustration kept adding up as well; but anger and frustration don't solve problems, they make them bigger than they seem. It's best at those times to stop, breathe, and pray for a little while or a long while. But, we or I don't always do what is best. At the end of this day, I can thank God that He is patient, and gracious. Looking back, I wasted hours that are now in the trash can of eternity. Now, I am calm and reflecting on what was not my best effort. God is good, and I will have to do better.

Going out into eternity . . .

Three icons of pop culture went out into eternity this week, two of them on the same day. It is another reminder of just how short life is. One thing is certain, they all needed Christ as their Savior. We all do. And, you have just as long as you travel this earth to accept him. And for those of us who do know Christ, it should remind us that no one is promised tomorrow, and we need to work while it is still day. If you know some one who needs Christ, tell them about Him, don't wait for someone else to do it, because time is running out; and they may not have a tomorrow.

Writing . . .

Sometimes, I would call my writing: creative stealing. I love sounding brilliant, but much of the time the credit goes to whomever I was smart enough to quote, or in worst cases pass their words off as my sound wisdom. So in that spirit, I will complete today's blog with the words of James Russell Lowell:

It’s not what we give,
But what we share,
The gift without the giver is bare,
Who gives of himself,
Of his alms feeds three
Himself, his hungry neighbor, and me.


Share something with somebody.

A few secrets to being a success in life

If the phone rings: pick it up. You'll spend less time answering calls than you do avoiding them. If you screen your calls in front of anyone; everyone will know that's what you are doing when you don't answer their calls. Then you get pegged as a jerk, every time you don't answer a call no matter what the reason is. It affects people perception of you, and eventually it affects you.
Do you best at everything. It's what football players (if you know me at all, you know how much I love football) call leaving everything out on the field. Namely their best effort. Vince Lombardi, told his team that they would relentlessly pursue perfection, knowing full well that they would not catch it, but in the pursuit of perfection, they would catch excellence. In short, every person needs to know the satisfaction of walking away from something knowing that they had given it their best effort.
Learn how to use a broom. No one thing can do more for you in the work place than this. This is the one thing that can make you stand out in a crowd. Taking the initiative to pick up or sweep up what everyone else walks by. It takes almost no time, but it speaks volumes about you. You become the kind of person who sets the standard, and not the kind that has to be given a standard to follow.
Now, go do your best!

Too much me

Worrying about me, we have a whole country that is obsessed with it. I myself am more guilty of it than I would care to admit. As I worry more about me I become increasingly useless to others around me. So here's the question, how well do you take care of the people around you? How much do the things that concern the ones you love, concern you? Billy Graham talked once about what others would call "puppy love," and then he remarked, "It was real to the puppy." The people who made the biggest impression on me when I was little, were the people who concerned themselves with the things that concerned me. I have always meant to be that kind of adult, but sometimes I find that I am just another adult who is way to concerned about me.

Summer day. . .

Sometimes, I like to just not think. Doing everything right all the time, is exhausting; not that I do everything right all of the time, I want to, I just don't succeed all of the time, or much of the time (depending on who you ask.) There is more than enough to occupy my mind while I am awake and asleep. It's times like this, when I like to think about God being in control. For everything I know and all the decisions I have to make; it's nice to know that the Maker of Heaven and Earth has a vested interest in me, and suddenly it's more about Who I know and not what I know. Then all I have to do is fear God and keep his commandments, and try to do a better job tomorrow than I did today.

My father

Since everyone is thinking about their fathers today . . .
A few years ago I started working on a devotional book, which I haven’t finished. I used some poems that I liked, Scripture and added my own commentary. Long story short, I wrote this the winter after my father passed away. I hope that you are blessed by it.

An Old Story
Edwin Arlington Robinson

Strange that I did not know him then,
That friend of mine!
I did not even show him then
One friendly sign;

But cursed him for the ways he had
To make me see
My envy of the praise he had
For praising me.

I would have rid the earth of him
Once, in my pride. . .
I never knew the worth of him
Until he died.

Scripture: Proverbs 1:8,9 (NIV)
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

Once in a while, you receive the blessing of having someone come into your life that sees more than you see; someone that pushes you further than you believe is fair; and sometimes requires more of you than your best. The typical response is childish resentment, but time being the great equalizer that it is, one day you are faced with the exact same situation, only this time you are the old goat. You instantly realize what that horrible person meant to you, and how you would have never known that you had more to give, had it not been for someone who knew that you had more in you than what you had shown.
I recently lost someone like that in my own life, my father. I knew him all of my life, yet I still did not understand how deeply or how many ways he touched my life until he was gone. The man he was made me the man that I am, and I carry with me everywhere I go, the lessons learned from hard fought battles between a father and a son, and I am glad that he wasn't always so easy to please.