Gospel Humble

Would like to take a moment and thank the new readers and subscribers, and also the faithful few, you're awesome. My goal is to provide you with top notch content that will encourage, inspire, and add value to your life. This will not be just another blog,  I promise. Writing affords me the opportunity to learn and go to the experts, libraries, and the Bible in search for answers. With that, this will probably be my last post on blogger. I will be transitioning to Wordpress in the coming months.

It's hard to make it through one day without feeling snubbed, or ignored, or getting down ourselves. My friends, the ego often hurts. It is void, inflated, busy, and delicate. It's all jacked up. It always makes us think how we look and how we feel, it's constantly drawing attention to itself. When incubated long enough, the ego produces pride, and I'm not referring to the good kind of pride. "I'm really proud of the job I did today." No, I'm referring to the ugly, and it's defined as a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority. Augustine said, "It's the love of one's own excellence." Now if I were a tea drinker, I'd take a sip with my pinky up.

I write this week to those who struggle with pride, to those who seem to connect every experience with themselves. I write to you, I write to myself. Pride camouflages itself and creeps in as simply passion and hard work, but overtakes the soul as compliments, prestige, and the limelight distort our vision. Ever thought it was a great idea to share your greatest achievements and your vast extensive knowledge? Only to realize how foolish you were soon after? I'm guilty. The purpose of this post is to help us side step foolishness and provide the sustenance necessary to make the "ugly" pride in our lives, a thing of the past.

In his book the Freedom of Self Forgetfulness, author Tim Keller says,

"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next person. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. " In other words, we are only proud of being more successful, more intelligent, or more good looking than the next person, and when we are in the presence of someone of who is more successful, intelligent, and good looking than we are, we lose all the pleasure we had.

Poof...can you smell the gun smoke?

The dictionary defines humility as having a “low view of one’s own importance.” But the Latin root of the word, means “to lower yourself,” or as Professor John Dickson advises, "It's the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources, and use your influence for the good of others before yourself." CS Lewis goes on to say, "If we truly met a humble person, we would never come away thinking they were humble. They would not always be telling us they were a nobody. The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less."

 A gospel humble person doesn't need to connect every experience and every conversation with themselves. They stop thinking thoughts such as , "I'm in this room with these people, does that make me look good? Do I want to be here?" According to Phillip Brooks, "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is." True humility is the attitude and practice of putting others first, no matter who they are. It's Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. That is humility. Jesus didn't forget who He was or what He was capable of, He simply chose to serve and lead by example. Shouldn't we? He said, "A student is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave His master."

What can we do?

• Simple and effective, pray for humility everyday. Can you honestly say, "Give me neither poverty nor riches, just give me my daily bread?" (We're not praying to be poor, we're saying, "Our main focus is You, and I want a God-shaped heart") 

•  Don't worry what others are thinking about you. They're simply thinking about  themselves like everyone else. 

• Welcome criticism, because there are no shortcuts to growth. It isn't much fun to hear it, but I know of nothing else that inspires change like well received constructive criticism.

• You don't always have to know the answer, risk looking stupid. You will learn something new and you'll naturally be more approachable by those around you. Be honest with yourself, and be known for who you really are.

"The Lord is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way."

 

Change Small

It has been said that if we cease to change and grow we already have one foot in the grave. That isn't an ideal place for your foot to be, nor any other part of your body. While it's a good thing to periodically ask ourselves "Who am I?", more importantly it's essential we ask, "Who am I becoming?" Those of us who are honest, could find at least one, if not many "things" or areas of our lives we would like to change and improve. Unfortunately, the status quo is for folks to get stuck and remain complacent, while clinging to the desire to change. Hope is not a strategy, and there are a couple reasons most folks don't continue to improve or better themselves. Number one, is because they try ten different things at one time. Number two, is because they keep one eye on where they are and the other eye on their past. I write this week, to those who have one eye on where they are and one eye on where they want to go.

Tony Evans writes,

"If you want a better world composed of better nations, inhabited by better states, filled with better counties, made up of better cities, comprised of better neighborhoods, illuminated by better churches, populated by better families, then you'll have to start by becoming a better person."

Successful people are realistic about their problems and areas of weakness but find ways to resolve them.
Albert Einstein said, "It's not so much that I'm a genius, I just stick with problems longer than anyone else." The tallest hurdle we have to get over is sticking with a discipline through failure. We give up to easily when the going gets tough and if we fail once, it's all over. What's the thing you know is a problem but just can't seem to overcome? What are some of the darker areas of your life you want to shine brighter? The key to change is to start small, and stay the course. If you fail, learn the lesson and forget the details.

Let me give you an example...

This isn't going to be shocking to most who know me, but I'm not much of a conversation starter. Some may even call me anti-social and I'm fine with that, it's true. I would be perfectly happy not saying a word to anyone, ever. I could just nod or smile, and go about my business. I get stressed when I have to talk to folks, not sure exactly why but either way  I'm not proud of it and it's something I need to change. Obviously I can't change over night, but by taking small steps in the right direction I can overcome the defect.

This may sound cheesy, but indulge me for a moment. Changing small to me means introducing myself to folks I have never met. I try to follow through with at least one person everyday. This is most definitely out of my comfort zone, but the more I take the initiative to speak with others, the easier it will be to communicate naturally. The gym is my location of preference, remember small steps. It dawned on me a while back that I had been working out with the same group of people for almost two years and have never talked to any of them. Just a lot of grunts and glamour shots in the mirrors, neither of which I do by the way. (Unless of course nobody is around) The first time I followed through, I met a guy who knew my grandfather and had brushed shoulders with him in business a few times, pretty amazing.

Michael de Montaingne says, "No wind favors him who has no destined port." Likewise, success is connected to action.  If you don't feel like talking to a pastor, do it anyway, more than likely it will be the best conversation you've had in your life. When you don't feel like going to the gym, go anyway. It doesn't matter if you simply walk around in there for a few minutes, you went and perhaps even worked out a little. If you don't feel up to reading that book, do it anyway. Even if it's just a few words, the point is you read and perhaps learned more than expected or got an idea that will change your life forever. When you don't feel like practicing the guitar do it anyway. Little and often makes a lot in time. You don't have to hit a home run every time, consistent singles will do the trick. Or as Aristotle observed, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit."

The process begins with one book, one mile, one smoke, one meal, one friend, one prayer. Whatever it is you would like to change, just begin and change small. In time you'll develop the qualities you admire and it will change you from who you were to who you desired to become. Might I suggest something else? Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable. It does the body good to hear a dose of truth every now and then. If you're not following through on your commitments, hearing it from someone else will make it clearer. Though it may hurt briefly, it's the intake system that drives motivation. Remember, we want to change! I encourage you to begin the process this year. Take the first step and then learn from your mistakes. If you fail, correct your course and try again.

"Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave."
-Psalm 94:17

May God Bless you in 2014 and may you seek and walk out His will.
PS: There's an army rising up...

Reflections 2013: Life is Hard, REALLY

I usually end the year with a post reflecting on the challenges and lessons learned  this year and what my ambitions and disciplines will be for the coming year to make it much more fruitful. As I was thinking about this past year, I made an observation. Every year I think to myself something like this: "Next year is going to be different. Life is going to be smooth sailing. The bank account is going to show a few more commas, the family will get along perfectly, I'll finally get promoted, the Redskins will win the SuperBowl, happy happy happy." I think, "If I can just get these few principles I've learned down pat I can live the next year in peace without any hindrances." But for some reason this just hasn't happened.

Ian Smith has said, " Luck is great, but most of life is hard work.

Lesson learned:

Life is hard, REALLY. In fact, it's hard almost every single day. Aside from working everyday and caring for our families we need to stay healthy, build our skillset, and grow in our relationship with the Lord. Naturally, it takes time and hard work to cultivate anything worth while whether it's a relationship, ministry, or a profession. Meanwhile, there are problems and opportunities bundled in packages simply waiting for us to discover on a daily basis. REALLY. We should learn to expect problems and friction and not be shocked when they arise. I share this because I personally have believed the lie, I know some of  you have as well, that there will come a time when things get much easier. We think, "If I can trust the Lord through this season,  the future will be much easier to navigate." Following the Lord doesn't mean life gets easier, it means we can overcome in every situation and circumstance.

Allow me to share a snippet from John Maxwell:

"Everyone's reality is different. However, there are some realities that are true for all of life:  

Life is difficult. Life is difficult for everyone. Life is more difficult for some than others. Somehow people believe that life is supposed to be easy. This is particularly a problem here in America. We expect a smooth easy road to success. We expect our lives to be hassle free. That is not reality! Even if we are willing to concede that life is difficult for most people, deep down inside many of us secretly hope somehow this truth won't apply to us. I'm sorry to say it isn't so. No one escapes life's problems, failures, and loses. If we are to make progress we must do so through life's difficulties. If we don't understand and accept this truth that life is difficult, we set ourselves up for failure."

It's hard to swallow, but it's true. How many folks believe life is only hard for them? Don't raise your hand. My life has been a twisted mess of hurt, letdowns, and hardships but I've also experienced some great things and have made lasting memories. As I've matured, I've noticed a pattern. Life is full of ups and downs (REALLY) and most of the time everyday is a struggle. The application here is to accept the fact that that life is difficult. BUT, when the good times come, celebrate them. Learn to recognize the waves of peace, pause and enjoy them. Not long after your going to be grinding it out until you get over the next hump. "There's a time and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." #Truth

The other lesson I learned is that it's ok to be me. I like and enjoy certain things because it's a part of me, it's how I'm wired. What a tragedy it is to copy the lifestyle, talents, and personality of others. If we aren't careful we won't fulfill our dream because we're to focused on imitating the dreams of others. The comparison game is never ending and exhausting. This came to a head for me while I was at an event earlier this year. I believe I compared myself to every single person I saw, for hours. Worse yet, I think I wanted to be like every single person, weird huh?

My grandfather taught me there's always someone better no matter how good you are. Let them do them and you do you. Or, "You, get you you and I'ma get, me me", as a friend of mine says. Except who you are, don't be ashamed of it. Grow in the areas you need to grown in but never compromise your personality, desires, and talents. If you've been living someone else's dream, ask God for a dream of your own and He will give it to you.

"Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want; be sure it is what you want". -TS Elliot


Life takes hard work, patience, and determination (REALLY) to make it through. I believe it was Augustine who said, "The more I have to do today, the more time I spend with God." Likewise,  Dr. Hang Yang's sermon this year was a powerful reminder as to how it's done, by fixing our eyes on Jesus. "Fix" literally means to direct one's eyes, attention, or mind steadily or unwaveringly toward. When we fall we dust ourselves off and get back up. We fight our battles on our knees. Keep moving forward, laugh at yourself, and know this, "It takes a long long time for God to work in someone's life before it amounts to anything."(Rick Warren)

My power verse for next year is Colossians 2:7:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in  Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

It's Ok To Be Different

How is that we're the only ones that "get" there's a God and the world should be worshipping Him? Why are we jeered at, mocked, and socially unaccepted? Can we straddle the line between church and culture? Can we live differently and be accepted? These are tough questions to answer and more than likely every Christian has pondered these. No doubt, it's challenging to live out our faith in a world with polar opposite morals and views. But it's nothing new, the church has always met resistance, it was birthed in a fallen world. Most will think this to be obvious, which it is, I'm only offering encouragement to stay the course.

First of all, it's ok to be different, in fact we must be different if we're to be the church, grow the church, and bring forth the will of God. Jesus told the disciples, " I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves." Well that isn't very comforting is it? In fact, it sounds intimidating. The point however, is that we are most definitely different than those around us and we will definitely meet resistance. Indeed it costs us something socially to walk with the Lord , but the peace and favor of God far outweigh the sacrifice. Jesus also said, "You didn't choose me, but I chose You." Tap tap. is this thing on? Did you hear that? We should cling to that revelation because it's so easy to forget.

Can we forfeit fearing the perception of what others think about us and choose a different path? We dress, act, and live differently than those around us because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us and we're called to live differently. It's why we read our Bibles,  fast while others indulge, seek Him early and late, and guard what we watch and hear. It's why we choose not to curse and use filthy language either publicly or in our homes; our hearts and minds are guarded in Christ. Let your righteousness go before and have the glory of the Lord as your rear guard. We shouldn't be embarrassed or uncomfortable by the way we live, we should be empowered by it.

So, is it wise to live the way the world lives?    

The other half of the scripture in Matthew 10, says, we are to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves."The word "wise" means prudent, careful, cunning, discerning, thoughtful, intelligent, or sensible. If you would like to be described as that kind of person, raise your hand.  We aren't going to become wise by hanging with fools nor following the customs of this world. We aren't judging others by the way the way they live, we simply choose to live differently that's all.  The word "fool" means one who is deficient in judgement, sense, or understanding. A mentally deficient person and an idiot. Nice huh? Moving right along. To be foolish is to be ignorant of the truth and/or know the truth but simply reject it. "The wise man does at once what the fool does finally."

As I'm writing this, I'm aware that both Christian and Christian may one day stumble across this post. Perhaps even my own children and other family members. To you I write; I have a secular job, I have secular friends, and I have secular family members. I know what it's like to be around folks who curse all the time, drink all the time, and waste all their time. I see the selfish ambition and greed of others on a daily basis and I know what it's like to live opposite of those things. It's hard to tell your friends and family that you can't do things with them. It's hard to walk away from co-workers conversing. I share this because I'm not an insider peering out. I know how hard it is to say no and choose the right path. 

We will fail many times as we try to straddle the line between church and culture. Not just because we throw our hands up and walk away from God, but because transformation and sanctification is a process and most folks learn things the hard way. Our focus needs to shift from temporary satisfaction to lasting peace. Romans 8:6 says, "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." We must practice the things that feed the Spirit. Solomon said, "Wisdom is like an inheritance and benefits those who see the sun and preserves the life of it's possessor. She is a tree of life to those who find her and all her paths are peace." He put the kibosh on Ecclesiastes by saying, "Fear God and keep His commandments.", penned after a lifetime of observing how life is lived and how the world operates. It's ok to be different, wisdom doesn't follow the crowd. 

"The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

-2 Corinthians 2:4 

"Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."

- Psalm 14:1

The Heart of Marriage II

If you haven't read the book, I encourage you to do so. The FIVE love languages are as follows, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, and Physical Touch. My purpose is to not give away all the juicy details of the book but to share some highlights and personal insights. I'm going to share a little on the second language, Quality Time. That is not to say it's the most important it's just simply one that I personally believe we could all do a better job at. The stories and life applications behind the others are just as good, if not better. I'll conclude this post with the thoughts and hopes the impact the book will have by Dr. Chapman.

A central aspect of quality time is togetherness, not simply proximity. Togetherness has to do with focused attention. On the other hand, quality time does not mean we have to spend our waking moments gazing into the starlight of each other's eyes. It means that we are doing something together and giving our full attention to the other person. Quality time can be an activity or a conversation. Quality conversation is a sympathetic dialogue where two individuals share their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires in a friendly uninterrupted context. Below is a testimony from the book.

I met Patrick when he was 43 and had been married for 17 years. I remember him because his first words were so dramatic. He sat in the leather chair in my office and after briefly introducing himself, he leaned forward and said with great emotion, "Dr. Chapman, I have been a fool, a real fool. I've been married for 17 years and my wife has left me. Now I realize what a fool I've been." I asked the question, "In what way have you been a fool?" "My wife would come home from work and tell me about the problems in her office. I would listen to her and then tell her what I thought she should do. I always gave her my advice. I told her she had to confront the problem. You have to deal with the problem. The next day she would come home and tell me the same things. I would ask if she did what I told her to do and she would say no. So, I'd repeat my advice."

"After 3 or 4 nights of that I would get angry. I would tell her not to expect sympathy from me if she wasn't willing to take my advice. She didn't have to live under that kind of stress and pressure. She could solve the problem if she simply did what I told her. It hurt me to see her living under that kind of stress. The next time she'd bring it up I would tell her I didn't want to hear about it. I would withdraw and go about my business. What a fool I was! Now I realize she didn't want my advice when she told me her struggles, she wanted sympathy. She wanted me to listen, to give her attention, to let her know that I could understand the hurts, stress, and pressure. She waned to know I loved her and was with her. What a fool and now she's gone. I was blind to what was going on and I have failed her."

Who can relate? I know I sure can, I've done it. We forget that marriage is a relationship, not a project to be completed or a problem to solve. As men, most of us are trained to analyze problems and create solutions. Amen? Amen. Here are a few suggestions written elsewhere, not just this book that can help us really listen.

1. Maintain eye contact when your spouse is talking. This keeps your mind from wondering and lets her know she has our attention.

2. Don't listen and do something else at the same time.

3. Listen for feelings...(I know it sounds weird) Ask yourself, "What emotion is she feeling? Then attempt to  relate.

4. Observe body language.

5. Refuse to interrupt. Just simply listen. Research shows the average individual listens for 17 seconds before interrupting or injecting their own ideas. (You too ladies) The goal is to discover your spouses thoughts and feelings.

Finally, we have to learn how to talk. Dr Chapman says there are two personality types when it comes to talking. The first is the "Dead Sea" and the other is the "Babbling Brook." The "Dead Sea" receives many experiences, emotions, and thoughts. They have a large reservoir where they store that information and they're perfectly happy not to talk. If you ask a "Dead Sea", "What's wrong, why aren't you talking tonight?" he will probably say "Nothing, what makes you think something is wrong?" That answer would be perfectly honest. The "Babbling Brook" on the other hand...whatever enters the eye or ear comes out the mouth. If no one is home to talk to, they'll call someone to talk to. If you're a "Dead Sea" and you date a "Babbling Brook" you will have a wonderful evening. The "Dead Sea" doesn't have to worry about how to keep the conversation alive and the "Babbling Brook" can talk for hours on end. Both walk away thinking, "Wow, what a wonderful person :)"


Focus on listening to your wife as she's talking. Listen intently and try to relate, ask yourself how or why she may be feeling a certain way.  This takes practice. My wife and I have started asking each other to tell the other 3 things about their day. We have to initiate the quality time and conversation because for most of us men, it doesn't come naturally. We're simple. We have to make time for quality time even if it means sacrificing things we love which it certainly does. The saying goes, "If mamma ain't happy, nobody's happy." I agree, but the wonderful thing about putting in the work is that it's reciprocal. The health of our marriage affects every aspect of our lives second to that of our relationship with God. Out of balance in either of those and we're jacked up all over the place perhaps not even realizing it. Reading the book and applying the principles doesn't mean we will never have another bad day or argument. Don't throw in the towel after attempting these things once or twice, put in the work. I am and will, I owe it to God, my wife, and my family.

I have not written this book as an academic treatise to be stored in the libraries of colleges and universtities, although I hope professors of sociology and psychology find it helpful in courses on marriage and life. I have not written to those who are studying marriage, but to those who are married, to those whose have experienced the "In love euphoria", who entered marriage with lofty dreams of making each other happy but in the reality of everyday life are in danger of losing that dream entirely. I dream of a day when the potential of the married couples in this country can be unleashed for the good of humankind. If it were possible I would hand this book personally to every married couple in this country and say, "I wrote this for you. I hope it changes your life. And if it does give a copy to someone else." -Gary Chapman

Dr. Gary Chapman seeks to fulfill his call to the ministry as a pastor, speaker, and author. He speaks extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally on marriage, family, and relationships.

http://www.garychapman.org/

The Heart of Marriage

How would you rate your marriage? Good, bad, ok? Is it not bad considering...Compared to other people you know? Well, if we're honest most of us would have to say it's nothing like we thought it would be in the beginning, life happily ever after. I know there are life situations and circumstances that affect a healthy marriage, but that's not going to be my focus here. The focus is simply you and your wife's love relationship. Did that make you cringe? If your like me, love talk just turns you off. As a man, I'm not into all that love goo goo and in fact I hardly ever read books on love because well, it's just not manly. Can I get a witness? You may be thinking that's harsh and I have to admit that my perspective has radically changed. Love means something different and is shown differently to us all.

I picked up a book that had been sitting on our bookcase for quite sometime. It's called "The Five Love Languages", by Gary Chapman. I laughed at the title as I started flipping through the pages. It didn't take long for me to discover that this book was different. This guy was being completely honest about marriage! Who does that? Over the next few weeks I'm going to share some insights and truths that I learned from the book and have already begun to put into practice. It works! I'm definitely promoting this book, and it's a must read for every man who is married, newly wed or old timer. The principles in this book have the potential to save any marriage no matter the damage that has been done and to breathe new life and passion into your relationship right now. Trust me.

The foundation...

The desire for romantic love is deeply rooted in our psychological makeup. Almost every popular magazine has at least one article each issue on keeping love alive in marriage. TV, talk shows, radio, etc. Keeping love alive in marriage is serious business. With all the books, magazines, and marriage seminars, how is that so few couples seem to have found the secret to keeping love alive after the wedding? Not to say those things aren't helpful, but the fundamental truth we have all overlooked is that people speak different love languages. Mr Chapman's conclusion after 20 years of counseling is that there are FIVE basic languages that either the male or female respond to. Five ways that people speak and respond to emotional love. I'll glaze over each of these the next few weeks without giving away the meat and potatoes of the book. 

The most shocking realization I made was that most couples fall out of love shortly after the wedding and in fact can even fall out of love before the wedding. This is because of our high natural emotions that go haywire when we initially fall in love. In fact, as the counselor puts it, this stage should not even be called love. It's a euphoric high that we eventually come down from sooner rather than later. The longest period of the "In Love Euphoria" can last up to two years. As we begin to come down from the high, we realize that we're two individuals with dreams, hopes, and plans, and we gradually start gravitating back towards our individual self. The real work begins once we come down from the high and if done properly our marriage can be full of passion and happiness. More so than the original "In Love Euphoria", because there's also a deep emotional bond.

The negative feelings we have at times towards our spouses are actually pretty natural. The reason is because we aren't being loved ourselves. You may say that I'm way off point here but it's actually true. When we're loved we give love back, that's the way it works. Another piece of wisdom I learned, is that love is a choice, we choose to love. That means doing things we really don't feel like doing. On the flip side, it soon becomes natural and the payoff incredible. Finally, we actually begin to enjoy doing those things that make our spouses feel loved. The languages and techniques in the book are not difficult to apply. Once you learn the love language of your spouse and she learns yours, it's all downhill afterwards. Your eyes are going to be opened and more than likely you'll slap yourself in the face for not seeing this yourself, I promise.

Dr. Gary Chapman seeks to fulfill his call to the ministry as a pastor, speaker, and author. He speaks extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally on marriage, family, and relationships.
http://www.garychapman.org/

When Pride Hurts

Buildings sometimes implode. They collapse, leaving a mess to clean up so the rebuilding process can begin. Comparitively, the same thing happens in our lives from time to time whether it be self inflicted or just part of the natural cycle of life. One thing is for sure, if you're not going through a rebuilding process now, you just came out of one, and if neither of those is the case unfortunately you're headed there. Though the degree and magnitude of the collapse will be a variable, the only hope of recovery we have is to see it all through the lens of a faithful and loving God.

As Christians we have an advantage that other folks do not have. We have experienced salvation, we know that God has a purpose and plan for us, and we have the Word of God to stand on. We don't have the luxury of going backwards or staying idle for a long period of time because as I've said before, God is not interested in us functioning at half or less than half of our full potential. That means He will do whatever is necessary to get our attention and to get us back on the path He destined us to be walking. He may attempt to use the garden snips to prune or He may need to bring out the chainsaw. At worst, the rug can be pulled out from under you so fast that you land on your face.

To the particulars...

As men I wouldn't be going to far out on a limb in saying that our biggest issue is pride. Pride comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. We don't like to lose at anything. Whether it be a game of Madden NFL 2013 or a friendly game of go fish. We feel the pressure managing the finances for the family, when our children get out of line, and of course in our careers. Those are obvious outward materials that affect our pride. The not so obvious pride creeper, is the wall that erects in our spiritual life. That wall makes us Bible scholars, teachers, arrogant know it alls, unteachable, not willing to take the advice of others, and gradually and eventually weans us away from our Source. This has to be the thing that hardens most hearts of men and the dangerous snare that leads to most downfalls.

Thank God that if your heart is pliable the wall can come down and the rebuilding process can begin. The greatest example of this in the Bible would have to be Peter. The man was so sure that He wouldn't deny Christ. "How could you dare to say such a thing Lord? You know me. I'm the rock."  I'm paraphrasing but you get the point. We know that Peter did in fact deny Jesus. Now, think about that. Denying Jesus after being the greatest Apostle has to be one of the worst implosions and trainwrecks of all time, at least in Peter's mind. The Lord knew how to get Peter's attention and it was needed in order to get Peter back on track and dependent on the Source.

Proverbs 16:18, "Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall." The downfall usually involves sin. We choose to sin when we attempt to meet our needs apart from God. When we choose to meet our needs apart from God something has gone terribly wrong. If we choose not to acknowledge our sin and take action, it will be done for us. Again, thank God. Faith in Christ brings many new things- a relationship with God, a new spirit, a new outlook on life, but it does not eradicate all traces of our old nature. That is done through intentional devotion, renewing the mind via the Word, and valley experiences.

When we repent of our bad experiences, God uses them to make us stronger, as the case with Peter. He doesn't excuse them or remove the consequences, but He is bigger than our failures. We create some messes, make some mistakes, and commit some sins simply because of our own weaknesses, flaws, or rebellion. Yet God allows us to fall into some because He knows that when we come back, we will be stronger, our perspective will be deeper, and our commitment will be truer. It teaches us something about ourselves and about God. We may fail but we are not failures. Seek God in and through the mess. We all fall short but God is greater still. He will restore and He still has a plan. God is good, His faitful love endures forever.

Transformed

"But let He who boasts boast of this; that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight says the LORD."

-Jeremiah 9:24

Eye to Eye, Knee to Knee, Toe to Toe

Since I've been away from writing for several months my mind is all over the place with ideas of how to nail this one down. I'm not going to be methodical in laying this one out, just going to let it rip. What I'm about to share comes from my own experience. The focal point of this post is a story shared by my Pastor this passed Sunday. It had such a powerful effect on me and has changed my perspective in how I view my relationship with God. It's not so much knowledge that I have lacked it's the surreal experience of knowing and abiding in the Lord.

We sing the song, "It's all about you, it's all about you Jesus." And it may be on Sunday, sometimes...But usually the song goes, "It's all about me, it's all about me Jesus." How often are we really praising and thanking Him? Especially when things aren't going so well or we're in a dry season. We want to get in our worship, hear the Word, and ask God to bless our plans. When trouble comes we may pray, speak the Word, or apply the blood. Or we may spend so much time in prayer, read the Word daily, go through our rituals just so everything is kosher when trouble starts to attack our plans. I'm not trying to offend anyone, unconsciously I catch myself doing this. The blood isn't to be applied, the rituals don't protect, it's all about abiding in Him all the time.

The Pastor's question went like this, "If you were sitting in front of Jesus; eye to eye, toe to toe, knee to knee, what would He say to you?" Visualize that for a moment, what would He say? Honestly? If you know who He is and what His character is like this should rock you to the core. Let me share just two scriptures. From Isaiah 42, "He will not shout or raise His voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle." We should all be familiar with the passage in Matthew 11 that says, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I believe the Lord would look at me and say, "What are you doing? Let me explain the gospel to you and what I've done for you." Can you imagine that? "You're trying so hard and getting nowhere. I have poured out my compassion on you, saved you, created you with a purpose in mind. It's not about you, the sin is gone, abide in me, and you will be everything I created you to be." If that happened to me I'm not sure I would ever get up from my chair. You talk about being overwhelmed, and overwhelmed with compassion at that. That's amazing to me.

Every time you pray do it eye to eye, toe to toe, knee to knee with the Lord. That's an encounter. "Abide in Me." That's what He says to do. It's easy and light. Get a new grip, sit down in the chair, and let Him mold your heart. It's a tough, fast world out there. We weren't created to destroy ourselves or to simply enjoy life to the maximum. We were created to worship the Creator. We were created with a specific purpose in mind. Lay aside the sin that entangles, walk in the Light, be pure, and take on the heart of a servant. Seek His will, stay in the Word, abide don't apply, and sit in the chair.

Trust through Change

"Perpetual change is not something unsettling, but an unfolding pattern, scintillating and God given. Instead of frozen perfection, there is a kaleidoscopic movement of innumerable processes, each with its own character and period of blossoming and ripening, beautiful in its time and contributing to the overall masterpiece which is the work of one creator." -Iain Provan

We all deal with change, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The ending of one year and beginning of the next is traditionally the time when we contemplate the possibility of change. But what happens when change is forced on us, say through the loss of a relationship, a job change, or a family issue? This week I write to  offer some encouragement for those of us who are going through a season of change.

Coping with a change that you didn't initiate requires that you change your perception of the event. That being said, if we aren't careful we can easily get distorted and lose our sense of direction. It's even possible to begin to resent God and while we second guess Him, the devil seethes as he assaults our minds with all kinds of negative propaganda. (And that's where we put him in his place) I don't casually say this, but sometimes we have to "Let Go...and Let God.". While I admit that its extremely hard to do so when life is making changes that don't seem to fit, we must. While I don't know what the future holds for you or I, I do know the One who does.

Perhaps you have been  waiting for the windows of heaven to open up and for God to bless your socks off for all that faith you have? I say that with a bit of sarcasm, but there is a sense of entitlement we think we deserve because we serve God. I'm not speaking of claiming promises, I'm saying, "I know what's best for me and this isn't it", in other words. Oh how vastly different our needs are compared to what God knows is best for us at the time. I have heard many pastors and people of influence say God took them through the desert. They never imagined the journey would be as it was, but hindsight is 20/20.

While the world waits for us to fall, the scriptures say He will guide us with His eye and that the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him. It's ok to embrace our imperfections, it's ok to admit our failures, it's ok to be uncertain of our future. This is why we have a mighty God we put our trust in. And if we know He always has our best interest in mind, and all things work for our good, then we have to trust Him. CS Lewis put it this way, "Withhold nothing from God and trust Him with everything."

God is never surprised by something that happens to us, He has already met every need you and I will ever have. Thankfully, we’re not at the mercy of the unknown; God’s Word tells us each pilgrim appears before Him (Ps. 84:7). We will be victorious, no matter how long and jagged our valleys might be, because our needs have already been provided for by the master Logistician.

 "The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.

 From the place of His dwelling He looks on

 all the inhabitants of the earth; 

He fashions their hearts individually;

 He considers all their works."

TRANSFORMED

" For God is not unjust  
as to forget your work and the 
love which you have shown toward His name..."

New Year, New Focus

My wife and I had the opportunity to enter 2013 in the presence of God. We went to a service at a local church, one that her and I attended several years ago. It's actually where we met. It was a small scale homecoming for us and we enjoyed seeing the familiar faces and catching up with those who are such a big part of our life, some of which we owe many thanks for guiding us to where we are today. If you ever get the opportunity to attend a new year's service, do it. There's no better way to reflect on the past year and to renew your spirit to walk into a new one.

By far, the most captivating part of the night were the testimonies given throughout the service by those who attended and also the pastors. One thing was clear, 2012 was a tough year on us all and at times it seemed as though we may not make it through. Our families, marriages, careers, and ministries were under heavy assault. This was the theme for all, and it was comforting to know that we were not alone. Through it all, we kept our minds on the Lord and His Word. Our relationship and worship may not have been anywhere near perfect, the point is that we stayed the course.

“For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.” -Alfred D'Souza

There's a lot of wisdom in the above quote and again it's nice to know that we aren't alone. There's a reason for the struggles, they create maturity and shake those things which we need to let go of. We are faced with a choice when we meet an obstacle. We can fight it ourselves and burn out, or we can surrender and conform to the Lord's will and walk through it with Him. Last year was a year of great preparation for those in the house of the Lord. The enemy has tried to play many of us out of position because he knows what lies ahead. If you made it through 2012 you can make it through anything.

 My objective in this blog is to encourage you to renew your focus this year. What has the Lord been saying to you? What is that thing inside you that just keeps coming back? What are you passionate about? Make this the year that you focus your energy on your passion. Develop and practice the skills you need to be successful.

The task I feel that I have been given is to perfect my evangelistic message. The Lord opened my eyes to this in early December. I feel this responsibility is something that we all have as well. We are stewards over the mysteries of God, and we are the only way those around us will see the Kingdom. This year I'm taking a targeted approach in my Bible study and reading. I'm going to memorize all necessary scriptures, and work on my presentation for leading a person to Christ, as well as answering  the questions that most folks raise about God and salvation. I'm laying out a clear plan, one that starts with the existence of God, His attributes, and why Jesus. This will no doubt be a lot of work, but its something I'm passionate about and exactly what the world needs. May God help me in my pursuit this year and also in yours.

In closing I'd like to share the scripture the Lord gave my wife and I to stand on this year:

Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

-Psalm 126:6

2012 was tough, it took a lot of effort to make it through, and much of the work we did was done through pain. But...We shall doubtless come again rejoicing! 

Shout out to Living Faith Church and the Isaiah 58 Project!
419 N Cameron St
Winchester, VA 22601
www.isaiah58project.com/

Stay the Course

More often than not I find myself thinking about the future. When will I find my purpose and what will it be? What does the Lord have planned for me? Is this what I'm going to be doing the rest of my life? I'd like to offer some encouragement today, for all of us who have hopes of seeing the Lord's plans come to full fruition in our lives. In saying that, most of us have discovered that walking with the Lord is a journey and that He is in no hurry to have us take over the world. If you didn't know that, welcome to the club.

God has birthed passions and desires in our hearts, but in order to turn our dreams into reality we have to walk the path set before us and be willing to stay the course no matter what. We can choose to let God work and to establish us as His chosen vessel, or we can resist, losing His best for us. God is not interested in using only what we think is beneficial to Him, He is interested in using us in the way He designed and destined us to be used. It will take time, patience, and perserverance. Below is an illustration of our journey taken from the "Ultimate Conversation", be encouraged.

When I was just a lad, my mother taught me this principle through a wonderful lesson about gardening. I can still remember how we went out to the backyard and she prepared a small, three-foot-square area so we could sow some seeds. Even though I had no idea what we were growing, I was eager to see what would happen. We dug the holes, planted those seeds in the ground, and covered them up again. Then Mother explained that it wouldn't be long before we noticed tiny green sprouts coming up, which would confirm that something was developing below the soil. Not long after that, we would have fruit. So day after day, I would walk out to the backyard and look for evidence of growth. Seeing none, I began to get so frustrated that I decided to find out what was happening with those seeds.

So, I dug them up. I did not realize that it was going to take a while for the plants to mature and produce fruit. And because of my haste to see results, I destroyed those seeds right as they were developing. How much fruit did I grow? None. That experience taught me a lesson about being patient and waiting for God's timing. The Lord has a schedule for how He will answer our prayers and help each of us progress spiritually, conforming us to the image of Christ. However, we should not allow ourselves to become impatient or try to take control because there are destructive consequences to our actions. Our responsibility is simply, to rest in the eager anticipation of His provision for us and to trust: "The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me." (Psalm 138:8)

 -Charles Stanley, The Ultimate Conversation 2012

Jesus never promised that every door would open immediately. On the contrary my brothers, in telling us to "seek" and "knock," Jesus used a Greek verb which is best translated as "knock, and keep on knocking" and "seek, and keep on seeking." Some of the gifts the Lord has for us will only come after long seasons of waiting and praying. God knows what is best for us, and He always has our best interest in mind. When we think we aren't getting what we want, there is a reason behind it. The Lord sees more deeply than we do. We need to trust Him to answer our prayers in His timing and to transform our dreams so they conform to His will. We must realize that while we are patiently expecting the Lord's answer, He is actively engaged on our behalf: arranging circumstances, purifying our motives, teaching us to rely on Him, and preparing us to influence others.

We can't change the past. Whatever has happened in our lives so far, both good and bad, cannot be altered and all the decisions and events that have made us what we are today are inscribed in the story of our life. With the LORD's help we can change the future. You and I aren't here by chance or by accident; God put us here on this journey called life. We came from Him, and our greatest joy will come from giving ourselves back to Him and learning to walk with Him everyday. Through the twists, turns, briars, and lush pastures, we will find our way if we keep our eyes on Him. Lord help us to stay on the potters wheel, through the frustration, pain, sin, and hurt, until we become the vessel you had in mind all along. Stay the course, and may God bless you and your family, and may all your plans succeed in 2013.

For my wife, I love you. (2010)

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen—even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8)

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. (Proverbs 16:3)

Financial Peace and Contentment

You know what I think about during the holiday season? Money and gifts. I can't rest or enjoy anything else until I have budgeted for the season three or four times over and I know exactly what everyone is getting. Does that seem absurd? Some people actually start saving for next year's Christmas right after Christmas. What about the rest of the year? I know that money can't buy happiness and all that good stuff, but I still seem to hoard and budget myself to death at times, and it's always for birthdays, Christmas, and a few of the other holidays. I never seem to be content with the amount of money in the bank when I know I have to spend some of it.

Money is great, you should have a savings account and retirement fund, but it shouldn't be a priority. More than likely folks out there believe that as long as they give the 10%, maybe a hair more, that they can spend and do whatever else they want to with their money. God gave it to us right? I've been there! Don't twist up what I'm saying here, I do have a point I'll get to in just a minute. I also believe that we are entitled to spend on some of our desires. The hard part is trying to balance it all. If we're raging in our hearts for more, more, more, that doesn't leave a lot of room to be thankful for what we have. Nor does it give us the peace we need to walk out His will.

"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life." 1 Timothy 6

Is he saying not to have anything to do with money? No. The point is that chasing after money is a trap. We are counting on our own talents and resources to establish ourselves for a fruitless cause. My favorite part of the scripture is, "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." If we're never content we have no peace. If we have no peace we aren't trusting God to meet our needs. God always has our best interest in mind, so we can trust him with everything. My prayer is that  you and I would reflect on those things we have which are of eternal value this holiday season. What if we all woke up tomorrow and our bank accounts were liquidated? What would we have then? Only the things that can't be shaken. Happy Holidays to all!

Stop the Steamroll

I'm not sure who reads the blog, but I know there are a lot of people who land on this site. People from all over the world. Somebody, somewhere, sometime will stumble upon one of these pages at the right time. That's all that matters. This week I'm writing about something we all deal with whether we understand what is happening or not. Most of us who are somewhat mature in the Lord understand it, almost to the point to where it gets old and we brush it off. No matter how mature you are, you will have to continually fight this battle and continually be on guard. For those of you who are new to the faith, and would like insight into how the enemy operates, and how to beat him, this is for you too.

It doesn't take much for us to feel beat up, worn out, frustrated, and unhappy. After a while we tend to get used to feeling that way, not because we like it, but because we don't know how to fix it. For us Christians we tend to think it's just the way life is, after all we're free and we're new creations. What could be wrong? It can't be the devil, I know how he operates and I'm tired of people mentioning that! The problem is that the devil is cunning, unsuspecting, and will slow walk you right back into those old patterns of thought without you realizing what's happening. Before you know it you're agreeing with some of it, you're confused, and most importantly you're moving away from God. When we're moving away from God our whole life is out of balance. And then, it's steamroll time. Don't be steamrolled. I want to share a few insights into how and why this happens and of course how to say enough is enough and put an end to it.

The name devil is the greek word diabalos and is derived from two greek words dia, which means through, as when referring to penetrating something all the way through and balos which means to throw. When these words are put together to form the word diabalos, it paints a vivid picture of the devil as one who repetitiously throws accusations at the mind, striking again and again until he ultimately penetrates the mind with his slanderous lies and relationship destroying insinuations. Hopefully you've heard the scripture, "neither give place to the devil." Other translations use "foothold" instead of place. The word place is the greek word topos, which describes a specific place, like on a real geographical map. The word topos is where we get the word topography. This is important because it tells us that the devil is seeking a specific place and entry point through which he can enter our minds and emotions and stir up trouble.

The devil is referred to in Ephesians as the "commander of the powers of the unseen world", and in Revelation he is called the "accuser of the bretheren". The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, said Jesus in John 10:10. I'm not going to break bad on scriptures here, I want to emphasize the point that the devil is a destroyer and remains unseen other than the physical and emotional affects the person being tormented manifests. Taking it a step further, this happens to us all. I've gotten so bombarded with thoughts that I've literally been worn out. I give the enemy an entry point somehow, by offense, jealousy, disobedience, etc. I get so caught up in my own stuff, I don't realize what's happening, until I've had enough!

Which brings me to the conclusion. The Bible is called the sword of the Spirit for a reason and it's not because you're supposed to pick it up and swing it around as such. The words contained inside of it are a spiritual force, from THE spiritual source. I learned a while back that for every negative thought there is a scripture that destroys it. When you have had enough of the steamrolling, you need to get mad, stand up, and start quoting scripture. I'm not talking about passive Bible reading. Jeremiah 20:9, "But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary from holding it back, and I could not." A fire! When you read the Word in times such as this it needs to be fire and spoken loudly. Quote some of your favorite scriptures and tell the devil he's out of here! That's the transforming, creative, life giving force of the Word. When you mean it and speak it. If you choose to do nothing, you will continue to live in torment. Take the stand. It's God's Word and no lie or accusation stands a chance against it. Below is as example,

The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want! He goes before me and levels the mountains, He breaks down the gates of bronze and the bars of iron, the mountains melt like wax before the Lord. Shouts of deliverance and praise resound in the tents of the righteous. He is my rock and my redeemer. I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord and I will never be snatched from His hand. I go in and out always finding pasture. I demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God and I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. My name is written in the Lambs book of life and I can claim every promise. I'm a living stone, a spiritual house, who flourishes in the courts of my God and I will never be put to shame. I dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. The Lord is my deliverer and I will be delivered. 




Greek word study taken from Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems. For further study on the devil's schemes check out Neil Anderson.

Praying with Purpose

"If God had not spoken to me in such a powerful way, I may have given up, and the course of my life would have been altered completely. But I can say for certain that not once since then have I ever doubted His call." 

Tammy and I are currently reading Charles Stanley's new book called "The Ultimate Conversation." In the book he shares a testimony of answered prayer, which got us talking and thinking about answered prayer in our own lives. I'm not talking about dinky, mickey mouse prayers here..."Please help me, bless me, protect me, etc." I'm referring to prayers that change the course of your life, and those prayed with a passionate purpose, knowing that only God can answer them. I'm going to share the testimony from the book, and also one from my personal treasure chest. Be encouraged.

I recall a particularly difficult season during my senior year at the University of Richmond. Everything seemed to be going wrong, and I was completely miserable. It was exam week, and I had received a fifty on one test and a seventy-five on another. This was terrible, because I was a senior, and it seemed as I'd spent all this time in school just to fail. I was desperate to know God's plan and purpose for my life, but I felt as if He had completely walked out on me. At one point the pressure grew so great and my struggle so intense, I went to see my prayer partners. On my way I said, "Father, I've got to be absolutely sure of what Your will is for me. I've prayed, asked, pleaded, and fasted. I've done everything I know how to do. Please do something, my whole future is based on You. Please clarify this question in my mind and show me exactly what to do."

The Lord brought to mind something my grandfather had told me. He had gone through a similar time in his life when he was confused and seeking God's guidance about whether to preach. My grandfather didn't have an education and could barely read or write. He was feeling inadequate and doubtful about his future. Granddad said he got down on his knees and asked the Father to show him what to do. Then he got specific. He said, "Lord, if You are calling me to preach the gospel, let me see two falling stars." Sure enough, he looked up and saw two bright lights streaming across the sky. 

I thought, if Granddad asked God for something that specific and the Lord answered, then maybe He will do the same for me. After all, my grandfather never doubted that the Father had called him to preach. So I prayed, "God I know I don't have any business asking You this, but if this is Your will for my life, if this is really what You're calling me to do...please let me see two falling stars like my grandfather did." Well, a couple of evenings later, I looked up and saw two brilliant meteors shooting across the night sky at the same time. It was if the Lord said to me, "You asked Me, and I've answered your prayer." I fell on my face and thanked Him with all my heart. 

-Charles Stanley, The Ultimate Conversation (2012)

Now that is answered prayer! Several years ago I was in an awesome place with the Lord. I was set free, filled with the Holy Spirit, and burning with fire and love for Him. (My zeal outweighed my wisdom :) At the time I had no job, not even the prospect of one. I had no hope that I would ever find a job as good as I had. I knew I needed to get one soon, but I was afraid to start praying for it because I was really enjoying God moving in my life, and I thought there was a chance I could be let down. 

Long story short...I had been thinking about praying for a job for at least a month when I went to a church service and heard the pastor talk about prayer and to ask God for something big. That night I went home and was reading my Bible when all the sudden the Lord opened my eyes. (I was thinking about prayer the whole time I was reading) The scripture was in Genesis 24. Read that, if you want to learn how to pray! Abraham sent his servant to go find a wife for Isaac. The servant set out to do so, and during his travels he stopped at a well, then he prayed, “Lord, you are the God of my master Abraham. Give me success today. Be kind to my master Abraham. I’m standing beside this spring. The daughters of the people who live in the town are coming out here to get water. “I will speak to a young woman. I’ll say, ‘Please lower your jar so I can have a drink.’ Suppose she says, ‘Have a drink of water. And I’ll get some for your camels too.’ Then let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. That’s how I’ll know you have been kind to my master." 

Do you see what he did there? He got specific with the Lord. He told God, "I'll say to her, please lower your jar so I can have a drink..." Then God, if she is the one, let her say, "Have a drink of water, and I'll get some for your camels too." Sure enough, that's exactly what happened! I bet he about fell into the well after hearing that. The testimony was so powerful he told it to several people including the woman's family! God can blow our minds! So, I prayed, "Ok God. You're definitely speaking to me. Now is the time to pray and ask what I have been wanting to ask. Lord, I need a job. I'm praying for a job that is in my field, I pray that it has great benefits, working hours, not a lot of stress, and a place where I can minister to people. I pray that it would be well paying and that it would be exciting. On top of that Lord, let someone ask me about this job!"

The very next day I called up a good friend out of the blue. Not sure why, I just felt the urge to call him. We started talking,  telling each other what God was doing in our lives, and somehow that led to him asking me what I was doing for work. I told him I wasn't working but I was looking. He says, "Hey! Why don't you take my job. I'm moving in a month or so, would you be interested? I'll put in a good word for you, recommend you, etc." Sure, that sounds good. I didn't realize what was happening until I hung the phone up. My friend had told me exactly everything that I had prayed for, verbatim. Who just asks you if you need the best job you have ever had? That is God! The friend did everything he promised, wrote a letter of recommendation, got me an interview and helped me with the whole process. I didn't get the job right away, even though I knew I had it! I got a call saying they had offered it to someone else. A week after that, I was in a prayer/fasting meeting with some men from my church. About 2 hours into it, my cell phone rang..."Can you still take the job?" 

God answers prayers! If we aren't specific in our prayers then how does He get the glory? How can we know for sure that we are doing the right thing? How do we know it's Him? We get specific!

"He who comes to God must believe that He is,
 and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
-Hebrews 11:6

God Always Comes Through

I stumbled upon a gem of a scripture this week. It's as straightforward as they come, nothing flashy but one that can be that can applied all the time. Before I share the scripture, allow me to set it up with a quote I read from Charles Stanley this morning. "Jesus never let circumstances control His emotions or dictate His actions. He chose to trust that God was able to carry out His Word." 

Every time I read that quote it stops me in my tracks. Wow, God always carries out His Word. Not just in the Bible from a historical and prophetic account, but in verses that He's given us personally. I can look back in the recent past and see how His Word has shaped my life and the very scriptures that were illuminated to me came to pass. The only thing that "is what is..."is God's Word. I write this week to encourage those who are going through change. I write this week to tell you...God Always Comes Through.

If there's one thing that's certain in life, it's change. Change is gonna come. It can be pleasant, hurtful, dreadful, painful, and uncomfortable. Wow. One good word, the others, not so much. Those negative words can turn into welcoming words, with the right attitude. Change isn't fun, it's challenging, but it leads us to our destiny. The scripture is Psalm 69:32, "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged." 

I know a guy right now getting ready to go through a divorce. He and his wife just recently bought a house together too. How can you tell someone going through that it's going to be alright? "Let all who seek God's help be encouraged." Reading through the Psalms you'll discover that David struggled in life and also in His relationship with God. On many occasions he asked God to forgive him of his sins, and for God to create in him a clean heart. Being broken and beat down though didn't stop him from putting his trust in the Lord. He knew God would heal him and God was the only one that could. Ever been there? Not a fun place to be, but God restores those who seek Him. "The humble will see their God at work and be glad."

Personally, I'm embarking on a new journey. I'll be switching careers early next year, leaving behind comfort and security that I've known for years. I'll be taking a pay cut which is outlandish I know, but I'm putting my trust in God who has led me thus far and has opened a door of opportunity for me and my family. My wife and I are step parents, and we face challenges every day with our children and other family members. We want what is best for them and we do our best to raise them properly. Dealing with change is tough, and life is tough. But putting our hope in God will always bring about praise! "From where the sun rises to where it sets, You inspire shouts of joy!" Penned by David after being up to his neck in flood waters. 

For you, for me, and for all who put their hope in God, choose to trust that God will always carry out His Word. "Let all who seek God's help be encouraged." If you've never sought His help before, make today the day. Be encouraged. He Always Comes Through. 

What can I do?

It's  been a minute since I've blogged,  I've been involved in project after project at work, trying to put together ideas and content for a new website, and just returning from a much needed vacation. That being said, I needed a break from the blogging world. If you're not careful you can become a slave to it. This week I'm taking something I learned from the corporate world. It's a strategy that's easy to apply and one that will brighten your future and propel you forward through the daily grind, no matter what industry you're in or what your job title is. It's all about personal accountability.

If you're honest, you'll have to admit that you go through trials throughout your day, much of which involve co-workers and family that can frustrate you. If not there, how about the workplace in general? How about folks in church? Or do you you always have a happy go lucky attitude all the time towards everyone? The trials I'm speaking of are those that give us the opportunity to blame others, complain, and procrastinate. Luckily this blog doesn't apply to me because I'm perfect all the time and I have never once complained. Enjoy!

"When will that department do it's job right? When will they communicate better? Who dropped the ball? Why can't we find better people? Who's going to give us a clear vision? Who's going to solve the problem? Doesn't anyone know what's going on? Why don't others work harder?" These questions are innocent enough, but they indicate a lack of personal accountability, and go right to the heart of many problems we have today. They sound like, "I'm a victim of my own environment and I'm powerless." Conversely, turning our thinking around and asking more personally accountable questions is one of the most powerful and effective things we can do to improve our organizations and our lives. It's simple, ask better questions of ourselves, create personal accountability.

Each day, as we journey into the unexplored wilds of our personal and professional lives, there are virtual "goatheads" lurking at every turn. Choose the wrong thought and we're off into blame, complaining, and procrastination. But the right thoughts lead us to a richer, more fulfilling life and the feelings of pride and accomplishment that come from making productive decisions. The idea that we are accountable for our own choices and are free to make better ones is fundamental to QBQ, "The question behind the question." Sometimes people think they have no choice. They'll say things like "I have to", or "I can't." But we always have a choice. Deciding not to choose is making a choice. Realizing this and taking responsibility for our choices is a big step toward making great things happen in our lives.

The QBQ is built on the observation that our first reactions are often negative, bringing to mind incorrect questions. But if in each moment of decision we can instead discipline ourselves to look behind those initial incorrect questions and ask ourselves better ones, the questions themselves will lead to better results. The answers are in the questions. If we ask ourselves better questions, we get better answers. Here are the three simple guidelines for creating a QBQ: 1. Begin with "What" or "How" (not "Why," "When," or "Who"). 2. Contain an "I" (not "they," "we," or "you"). 3. Focus on action. "What can I do?" for example. It begins with "What", contains an "I" and focuses on action.

If we don't ask what we can do or make or achieve or build, then we won't do or make or achieve or build. It's just that simple. Only through action is anything accomplished. The practice of personal accountability: We discipline our thoughts. We ask better questions. We take action. None of us has guaranteed job security, and our lack of initiative today may guarantee our unemployment tomorrow. Taking action may seem risky, but doing nothing is a bigger risk. "Its better to be one who is told to wait than one who waits to be told." So ask yourself, "What can I do today to solve the problem? How can I help move the project ahead? What action can I take to "own" the situation?" We've all heard the phrase, "True creativity is to think outside the box." Real creativity is "Succeeding inside the box." Start asking better questions of yourself, take ownership of a given situation, and watch things change for the better. (John G Miller, "QBQ")

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth--Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." -Psalm 40:1-3