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.