James 1:2...
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." (NLT)
Can you believe that? I'm supposed to, "consider it an opportunity for great joy," when I have troubles? Geesh. That's a tough one.
Maybe? Maybe not? I think it comes down to where you're looking.
Man oh man do I understand troubles. Not to say that my life was/is any easier or harder than your life...I'm just saying that there are some troubles out there. This world is full of people with troubles.
And here's the key...it's all about where you look.
Are you looking at the economy?
The fact that my local news home page, TODAY, predicts a hike in gas prices of 5-20 cents per gallon within the next THREE DAYS?
Are you looking at the job market?
Your bills?
Your spouse's paycheck?
OR...are you looking to God? And His word. Paul writes in Philippians 4:19 that, "...my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV) As in, He already took care of all of our needs! All we have to do is tap into that. And I know that's hard. I know that on a daily basis...in the midst of the grind...this is hard to do. And I also know that it's the ONLY ONE true option that we have. Because it's not just about money. Money is nice...it's nice to be able to pay your bills and have fancy stuff...right?
But if we are really here for a reason...and we seek God, and we do NOT get discouraged by what we see...and we press in and get to the point to where we rely on God in EVERY situation...there will be victory.
That's what all these TV preachers are talking about. And I know that people are put off by the money talk. It's a shame...because there is so much more to the message and if we tune out because of the money talk...we miss a LOT. It's not about having a fat bank account. It's about walking in the fullness of what God has for us.
Well, we will know EXACTLY what that means if we will just slow down, shut up, put down the ipad:)...and seek...and listen. And I miss this. It seems I have to remind myself of this daily. And it's frustrating that I can't just get it right! And I just have to know that I'm getting better every day. I'm getting more used to relying on God and not on anything else. NOTHING ELSE.
Because, really, how am I going to be effective as a rich man if I can't rely on him now...right where I am.
Here's one to leave you with...if we're going to stand on what the word says...it's nice to know that the word also says this...
"Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true". (Joshua 21:45 NLT)
And we are the seed of Abraham...so this is a promise to US.
The Israelites were wandering in the desert for FORTY YEARS before these promises were fulfilled...and it all came down to obedience and trusting in God.
I've done some desert wandering myself...
And I'm over it...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
There is a story at every turn...at every wrinkle...every old, worn out pair of gloves...at a song...and a beat up chevy truck. Our neighbors have stories...our coworkers have stories...What's your story?
My father-in-law took his life a few weeks ago. There's definitely a story there. And through the tears and questions and screams...my wife and her sister...they wanted the story. They wanted letters. They refused to believe that he would NOT say goodbye to them.
And, so, we searched his modest home. We expected letters each time we checked our mail...and his mail. We prayed that God would reveal the letters! And NOTHING. For two long weeks...nothing! So we settled into the fact that there would be no goodbye from him.
AND THEN WE GOT OUR LETTERS! And they are more amazing than anything we could have imagined. In true fashion...God over delivered! We prayed for letters...and we had no idea how He would answer that prayer.
We checked Stan's mail on Saturday and there was a packet FULL of letters. Letters that he had written throughout his life. Letters dating back to 1971! And they are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. They have been so healing for Trish and Mandy.
God is so good. I love how He continues to show me that His plans are higher than my plans & His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.
Thank you, God, for the story that is my life...
What's your story?
My father-in-law took his life a few weeks ago. There's definitely a story there. And through the tears and questions and screams...my wife and her sister...they wanted the story. They wanted letters. They refused to believe that he would NOT say goodbye to them.
And, so, we searched his modest home. We expected letters each time we checked our mail...and his mail. We prayed that God would reveal the letters! And NOTHING. For two long weeks...nothing! So we settled into the fact that there would be no goodbye from him.
AND THEN WE GOT OUR LETTERS! And they are more amazing than anything we could have imagined. In true fashion...God over delivered! We prayed for letters...and we had no idea how He would answer that prayer.
We checked Stan's mail on Saturday and there was a packet FULL of letters. Letters that he had written throughout his life. Letters dating back to 1971! And they are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. They have been so healing for Trish and Mandy.
God is so good. I love how He continues to show me that His plans are higher than my plans & His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.
Thank you, God, for the story that is my life...
What's your story?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
An Out-of-Flesh Experience
At some point in every man's life...in every person's life...you have to step outside of yourself. You have to step out of your flesh. And there is blessing there. I've experienced it enough to know that this is true.
You have to move beyond yourself to be sold out for Jesus...I know that much. I'm not saying that my past includes me being totally sold out for Jesus...I'm just saying that my future will be a song of praise to Him!
How do I need to step out of my flesh?...
1. I know that I've got to step out of my flesh if I'm to know everything that He has for me. To wake up before every one else and have some quiet time with God...that'll take some steppin' out. And the rewards are grand. The Bible is full of promises of things to come for those who seek God and believe in Him.
Psalm 31 says, "What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip. Blessed God! His love is the wonder of the world. (Psalm 31:19-21 MSG)
That's good stuff there!
2. We all know that you have to go beyond yourself when you're married. Need I say more? :)
I'm reading a marriage book that my dear wife craftily placed on my bed side table...and it talks about the "Sweet Sixteen" of marriage. According to this guy...EVERY DAY...for 16 minutes...a husband and wife should put down phones and TV shows and KIDS and any other distraction and just sit and LOOK AT EACHOTHER and TALK and LISTEN...for SIXTEEN MINUTES! I really love my wife...and that seems like a HUGE "out of flesh" experience for me.
But I think it will strengthen our marriage.
Because, let's be honest, marriages don't dissolve in an instant. A husband or a wife doesn't just wake up one day and decide they want a divorce. The best I can figure...from watching divorce from the outside looking in...it's a gradual thing. That's why the world, and what the world has to offer, is toxic to a Godly marriage. And please know that I'm not talking from on high here! I don't know what I'm doing either...but I think it's critical to constantly pursue a more Godly and God-centric marriage.
We've done the FIVE minute hug thing before...And it seems like forever! I'm not gonna lie. But after the first 2 minutes or so...you kinda sink into it...and it's good stuff:)
The idea here?...it's hard to hug and be that close to someone when there is strife or anger or resentment.
3. To not cuss the person driving in front of me when they are driving like an idiot...to pray a blessing over them and get on with my day WITHOUT getting in my flesh about it.
Because...frankly, God loves idiots too.
OKAY...just kidding! I will work to not even say that as I drive past that wonderful person:)
I definitely learned a lesson recently. Nearly two weeks ago, I got a phone call from my wife. And as I rambled on (without even saying hello!) about vegetables for a dinner party she was hosting (and I was cooking for)...I finally took a breath and realized she was sobbing. Her father was dead! She just got the call from her uncle. She was at home...with the kids...and her heart was breaking. AND I WANTED TO GET HOME TO HER IMMEDIATELY! And you know what else?...EVERYONE WAS DRIVING TOOO DARN SLOW! I couldn't get there fast enough...it felt like an eternity. All I wanted to do was hold my wife. I say all that...to say this...be kind out there. I will no longer be a butthead on the road...I will let people zip around me and let them drive as slowly as they want. At the end of it all...we really have no idea what people are facing...on the road way and in everyday life. If I'm to be the salt and the light, then I'm going to have to start being a little nicer to everyone else out there.
Check out www.LiveDecorated.com for the whole story on that adventure!
4. I don't have to even mention how much, "out of flesh" time we need for our kids. It seems we have to fight to do anything that WE want to do. They demand so much of our time and energy.
AND...I don't have to tell you the blessing that they are either!
This might be the most obvious & tangible Cost-Benefit experience that we have in our lives. Boy oh boy are there costs...and aren't the benefits a thousand times greater?
They have been entrusted to us, BY GOD, and we need to take that seriously folks! I have to take a step back and remind myself of just how big this is!
And consider what you're saying about and SPEAKING over your children. They are not brats, they are not pains, they are not terrors, or troublemakers, or stinkers. What is a "stinker" anyway? Don't let your kids grow up hearing those things spoken over them. I think this is fundamentally essential if we are to progress as a people.
I say, "MY KIDS WILL CHANGE NATIONS!". What are you saying about your kids?
And...it's time to sign off. Those precious little bundles of joy are hitting each other and need a little redirecting:)
You have to move beyond yourself to be sold out for Jesus...I know that much. I'm not saying that my past includes me being totally sold out for Jesus...I'm just saying that my future will be a song of praise to Him!
How do I need to step out of my flesh?...
1. I know that I've got to step out of my flesh if I'm to know everything that He has for me. To wake up before every one else and have some quiet time with God...that'll take some steppin' out. And the rewards are grand. The Bible is full of promises of things to come for those who seek God and believe in Him.
Psalm 31 says, "What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip. Blessed God! His love is the wonder of the world. (Psalm 31:19-21 MSG)
That's good stuff there!
2. We all know that you have to go beyond yourself when you're married. Need I say more? :)
I'm reading a marriage book that my dear wife craftily placed on my bed side table...and it talks about the "Sweet Sixteen" of marriage. According to this guy...EVERY DAY...for 16 minutes...a husband and wife should put down phones and TV shows and KIDS and any other distraction and just sit and LOOK AT EACHOTHER and TALK and LISTEN...for SIXTEEN MINUTES! I really love my wife...and that seems like a HUGE "out of flesh" experience for me.
But I think it will strengthen our marriage.
Because, let's be honest, marriages don't dissolve in an instant. A husband or a wife doesn't just wake up one day and decide they want a divorce. The best I can figure...from watching divorce from the outside looking in...it's a gradual thing. That's why the world, and what the world has to offer, is toxic to a Godly marriage. And please know that I'm not talking from on high here! I don't know what I'm doing either...but I think it's critical to constantly pursue a more Godly and God-centric marriage.
We've done the FIVE minute hug thing before...And it seems like forever! I'm not gonna lie. But after the first 2 minutes or so...you kinda sink into it...and it's good stuff:)
The idea here?...it's hard to hug and be that close to someone when there is strife or anger or resentment.
3. To not cuss the person driving in front of me when they are driving like an idiot...to pray a blessing over them and get on with my day WITHOUT getting in my flesh about it.
Because...frankly, God loves idiots too.
OKAY...just kidding! I will work to not even say that as I drive past that wonderful person:)
I definitely learned a lesson recently. Nearly two weeks ago, I got a phone call from my wife. And as I rambled on (without even saying hello!) about vegetables for a dinner party she was hosting (and I was cooking for)...I finally took a breath and realized she was sobbing. Her father was dead! She just got the call from her uncle. She was at home...with the kids...and her heart was breaking. AND I WANTED TO GET HOME TO HER IMMEDIATELY! And you know what else?...EVERYONE WAS DRIVING TOOO DARN SLOW! I couldn't get there fast enough...it felt like an eternity. All I wanted to do was hold my wife. I say all that...to say this...be kind out there. I will no longer be a butthead on the road...I will let people zip around me and let them drive as slowly as they want. At the end of it all...we really have no idea what people are facing...on the road way and in everyday life. If I'm to be the salt and the light, then I'm going to have to start being a little nicer to everyone else out there.
Check out www.LiveDecorated.com for the whole story on that adventure!
4. I don't have to even mention how much, "out of flesh" time we need for our kids. It seems we have to fight to do anything that WE want to do. They demand so much of our time and energy.
AND...I don't have to tell you the blessing that they are either!
This might be the most obvious & tangible Cost-Benefit experience that we have in our lives. Boy oh boy are there costs...and aren't the benefits a thousand times greater?
They have been entrusted to us, BY GOD, and we need to take that seriously folks! I have to take a step back and remind myself of just how big this is!
And consider what you're saying about and SPEAKING over your children. They are not brats, they are not pains, they are not terrors, or troublemakers, or stinkers. What is a "stinker" anyway? Don't let your kids grow up hearing those things spoken over them. I think this is fundamentally essential if we are to progress as a people.
I say, "MY KIDS WILL CHANGE NATIONS!". What are you saying about your kids?
And...it's time to sign off. Those precious little bundles of joy are hitting each other and need a little redirecting:)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Obedience
Here's the thing about obedience. I know it seems ridiculous and a little over the top when I redirect and discipline my boys over the most simple thing. And I don't really care. I want them SO used to obeying...that it's totally natural for them to obey God...all the time. Can you even grasp that?...can you even begin to imagine?!?!?! What would your life...what would MY life...look like, if we obeyed every time. If we heard His voice...recognized it for what it was...and OBEYED...right away. That's where I am. I'm making it a personal goal to OBEY immediately for tomorrow. Just tomorrow...for starters...This is gonna be good:) I know I must model these things to ensure that my boys live them out
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Trusting in Him Always
When I can't see You, I know You're there
When I can't feel You, I will not fear
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
When the battle is close at hand
Though You're with me and help me stand
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
I will trust in You, I will trust in You, I will trust in You
When the darkness is close at hands
And I'm running against the wind
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
When I'm standing upon that shore
All the battles I've gone before
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
I will trust in You, I will trust in You, I will trust in You
When I can't feel You, I will not fear
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
When the battle is close at hand
Though You're with me and help me stand
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
I will trust in You, I will trust in You, I will trust in You
When the darkness is close at hands
And I'm running against the wind
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
When I'm standing upon that shore
All the battles I've gone before
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid
I will trust in You, I will trust in You, I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Songwriter: Danny Daniels
Songwriter: Danny Daniels
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