Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Change

The one constant in life is change.

I want to thank everyone for reading my blog since 2009. I have enjoyed sharing my life and thoughts. The Lord has shown me many things and I have learned so much in the process.

I have started a new blog at www.holdingfastblog.wordpress.com

I would be honored if you would join me on this new adventure.

I still believe that the challenges do "come to pass" and I will continue to share in that regard and remind us of that truth. But,  I also have been challenged to think a little differently about our challenges.

I am so glad that things pass and don't remain the same but what do we do while we are in the midst of the storm? Do we sit idly by and wait hoping to endure?

There is a two part equation to life- what God does and what we do. God is the one with all the strength and power and knowledge. I am the one who is weak and powerless and ignorant. Yet, we are called upon, in scripture to "hold fast". This is our part of the equation. God does what He does as only He can and while He is at work, our role, our part is to hold fast; to be courageous in the midst of the trouble, to remember the promises of God and to not let go of them.

This idea of holding fast came as a result of reading an article on the art of manliness website http://artofmanliness.com Great site. This idea of holding fast refers to a nautical idea of not letting go of the rope. The rope is and symbolizes your life. Hold on to the rope you live, let go of the rope you may die.

Holding Fast will be a new place for encouragement. A place to be reminded over and over to "hold fast". The storm will pass but as it does, we must hold fast to the word of God and never let it go.

Please join me at www.holdingfastblog.wordpress.com

Thursday, August 20, 2015

IF

I...F...two letters that make up a "big" word.

The longer we live, the more we can see behind us and sometimes that look back leads us to say "If only..." The reality is that we live in a world of "ifs". We contemplate the plethora of decisions we make or didn't make and wonder "If" I had made this decision this might of been the outcome or "if" I had made that decision, the direction of my life would have gone down that road.

The only problem with this "if" is that it is based on the past, on hindsight. We each live with the consequences of our decisions and we cannot go back. We can ask the "if" questions but they get us nowhere.

How do we avoid and deal with the "ifs"?

First, we seek to make the right decision at the front end. We must be able to see, with some degree of wisdom, the consequences of the decision we are faced with currently. We need to think through the "ifs" before we move forward. This is proactive not reactive.

Secondly, once our decision is made, its made. Whatever comes, as a result of our decision, it comes and there is nothing we can do to change it. We might be able to adjust it's course to some degree but once it is in motion, it accomplishes its duty whether good or bad.

Thirdly, if the decision led to the wrong or unintentional end, we must live with the consequences. It is futile to wonder or ask the "if only" questions. It is done and now we live with it. There ought to be a time of reflection and determine the cause of our misguided decision. Once that is
over, move on. There is nothing else to do but to move on and determine to never make that bad decision again.

Lastly, we need accountability in some of our decision making. Having a couple of other people close in our life can prove beneficial. The book of Proverbs has much to teach us about wisdom and the benefit we gain by having others around us.

"Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
Proverbs 15:22

As we move forward in life, may our decisions be wise, may we celebrate the good and learn from our mistakes; never to repeat them and forget the "ifs".

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

How our "Stuff" Speaks to What We Value

For better or for worse, I have moved a lot in my life.





In our most recent move, I began to contemplate on how my "stuff", the material possessions I own, speaks to what I value. I became concerned with what others were thinking about my stuff and if it made any difference how much or how little I had. Does our stuff reflect our values? Does it reflect who we are as followers of Jesus?

In all the moving that I have done and assisted with, this is something I had never thought about before. My stuff has just been my stuff. I have more questions than answers on this subject but here are some thoughts.

Jesus taught that our treasure reflects our hearts. He taught that God knows that we need physical things like places to live, clothes to wear and food to eat and just like He provides for the sparrow, He will provide for us.(Matt 6)

If I accumulate a considerable amount of material things, does this indicate that "stuff" is my treasure? How much stuff is too much stuff? And if I have too much or too little, does that truly indicate the focus of my heart?

Another principle that we must consider is do we love money.The Apostle Paul teaches about this in 1 Tim 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs". The "love of money" is the problem, not money itself.

Do I love money more than God? Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). If I love money more than God, it very well be evident in the amount and cost of my stuff. The love of money leads me to be "me" focused rather than "kingdom" focused (Matt 6:33).

Our stuff, in and of itself, is not necessarily bad. How much stuff we have may not truly reflect our heart towards God or anything else but it is good to stop and think through how our stuff may reflect to those around me.






Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Adrift

Many years ago our pastor spoke about drifting.

I am not into boating but I can image that drifting is nothing more than letting the wind and current take you wherever it wills. If there are no oars in the water, no sail, no rudder, then the boat will have no real intentional direction.

I imagine that drifting could lead to the boat aimlessly floating along and then without much notice there appears a dangerous waterfall. If there is nothing to power the boat away from danger then the unintentional consequence of drifting is possible death and certain destruction.

Unfortunately, if we are not purposeful and intentional, we will drift along this life being carried along by all sorts of selfish desires and carried further and further from the safety of the shore where truth and life reside.

It is often in a moment of crisis that we become painfully aware of our drifting. It exposes the reality that we have not been as intentional with our life, our spouse our career, or our children and family.

In response to this reality, we will either  think that we have gone to far and there is no hope or we will  raise the sails, put the oars in the water and do those things that we ought to have been doing all along.

Drifting will get you nowhere. It is only with intentional thought and action do we make positive progress in life. It is seeking Christ and His ways and then living in His power and strength.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2

Monday, March 16, 2015

Dry Bones

I have come to love the story in Ezekiel 37 about his vision of the "valley of dry bones". It is a great story of God's power and work in the history of Israel. It reveals the heart of God in that He does what he does because of His great name, for the honor of His name and for His own glory. The other interesting aspect is that no where does it mention Israel as a reason for His restoration power. Israel will greatly benefit but they were not the reason. According to the "word of the LORD" Israel defamed the name of God because of their idol worship.



I am glad that I am not the center of God's world. I make myself the center of my world but it is wrong to do so and only leads to trouble. It leads me to believe that God should always do what I want and when He doesn't "come through" I'm left disappointed and frustrated at God. I also think that I have all wisdom and can do what I think is best. I make myself my own idol.

The future promise that God would raise a "exceeding great army" is a glorious thing because it is God who does it and He does it for His own glory! When God acts for His own glory and we are obedient to His words, a wonderful thing happens; we are restored and filled with the power and presence of God.

We do not know better than God. The idols we make only take us away from the truth. When we are obedient to the teaching of God, we find peace, freedom, His presence and healing. The idols leave us dumb, mute and deaf; just like they are.

If you are "dry" from following after idols, which is what sin is, then stop today and confess and repent of your sin. God will send His Spirit to revive and restore and you will be blessed and mighty in the power of God.


Thursday, January 1, 2015

The Value of 2nd

Our culture seems to only celebrate and focus on the 1st stringers, the A-list players. Granted, they are in that position due to great skill and leadership abilities. Whole companies and franchises are built around the 1st string quarterback, running back or wide-receiver type of people. They are the ones that everybody comes to see or the ones that everyone wants to talk to.




What happens when the 1st stringers go down and they are taken out of the game?




Here is where the value of the 2nd string players either shine or they reveal a fundamental flaw that the 2nd string players are not as prepared or equipped to play at the same level. The 2nd string players must be as good and must know the plan just like the 1st string players. The 2nd string must prepare, workout, practice and train just like the 1st string.




The value placed on the 2nd is critical to the success of the organization.




If the resources that are available to the 1st string are not available to the 2nd, then there will be trouble when the 1st is not there or out of commission.




Whatever organization you and I are a part of, there is a great need to invest in the 2nd. Moses had his Joshua, Paul had his Timothy. Leaders must invest in others so that when they are out, the work, the business, the ministry will continue with the same level of excellence.


The 2nd's of our organizations need to be in the game when the 1st are present. Those in 1st position must not dominate the entire organization, they must allow the 2nd to have some leadership and gain the experience and trust of the people supporting the organization.


The over arching goal of preparing the 2nd's like the 1st is that the organization will have continued and long-term success. If we fail to plan for the future and the "what ifs", we will find the organization at a great disadvantage when the 1st leaders are gone.




One last thought; if you are a 1st share with your 2nd. If you are a 2nd, stay prepared and ready. Don't think that you are not valuable, keep your head in the game.




Value the 2nd.