Christ & Culture, Faith & Politics, Discipleship & Life
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
So what is weighing you down?
***This has been a rough week, or a rough several weeks, for many in and around my circle on the blogosphere and Twitter. Prayers continue to go out for Mike at Mike In Progress and Kevin at Shooting the Breeze. Peter Pollock put up a post on the song It Is Well With My Soul and it reminded me of this earlier post of mine from 5/23/08 when Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter was accidentally killed playing in her driveway. A reminder we could all use.***
It was reported yesterday that the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman was killed in an accident at their home. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. It is tempting to take Satan’s approach to Job that it’s easy to glorify God when everything is going well. But one’s faith is truly tested when the inexplicable happens. Steven Curtis Chapman has certainly glorified God through his music, but also through his family and the adoption non-profit he founded. For tragedy to strike his family directly like this must be gut-wrenching as he is likely wrestling with the question of “why?”
To relate to this songwriter, I turn to another- Horatio Spafford. If the name isn’t familiar, he’s the writer of It is Well With My Soul, one of my favorite hymns. This is the story “behind the music” (courtesy of Wikipedia):
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville Du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with another ship, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died…
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The bottom line, to supernaturally respond to evil with good is found in the concluding lines of Romans 12, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Does this work? Absolutely! Though it does not prevent evil, remember we live in a fallen world, it does ensure that we are qualified to be Christ’s ambassadors to this world. The goal is not to rid the world of evil, but change our hearts and minds such that goodness permeates through every facet of our life such that the label ‘Christian’ or ‘little Christ’ truly applies.
Just as goodness should reign in every facet of our lives, in our thoughts and attitudes, it should also be apparent in our relationships as well. Recall that in this book, Romans 12 was divided into the following relationships: God (v 1), the world (v 2), ourselves (v 3-8), the Church (v 9-13), and our enemies (v 14-21). Overcoming evil with good can and should be applied to each of these.
To close out this final relationship, I want to call to mind the following scriptures to remind us and encourage us that we have someone fighting on our side that cannot be defeated. The battle is already won and Christ is the victor!
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Think: What does it mean to be an r12 Christian?
Reflect: How has this r12 journey impacted your life?
Understand: Of the five relationships we have studied together, in which of these have you seen the greatest spiritual growth? In which area do you need the most help in becoming more like Christ?
Surrender: Surrender is a point in time and also a life-long journey. How would you describe your present relationship with God?
Take Action: This book is just the beginning of becoming an r12 Christian.
Motivation: If you commit to becoming an r12 disciple maker, go to r12 online and explore our free resources to help you disciple others. [follow the r12 button on the right and explore from there]
Encourage Someone: Encourage someone you know in another city who wants to grow. Send them a copy of this book and coach them or do the study with them.
Today concludes our “virtual small group” covering the book Living On The Edge. For how this group is going to work, read this entry. For an introduction with disclaimers, click here. For some numbers from Barna to motivate you to continue reading, go here. For the R12 videos, click the R12 button on the sidebar to the right. Finally, as we move forward through the book you can always catch up by clicking the R12 label at the end of each post.
The bottom line, to supernaturally respond to evil with good is found in the concluding lines of Romans 12, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Does this work? Absolutely! Though it does not prevent evil, remember we live in a fallen world, it does ensure that we are qualified to be Christ’s ambassadors to this world. The goal is not to rid the world of evil, but change our hearts and minds such that goodness permeates through every facet of our life such that the label ‘Christian’ or ‘little Christ’ truly applies.
Just as goodness should reign in every facet of our lives, in our thoughts and attitudes, it should also be apparent in our relationships as well. Recall that in this book, Romans 12 was divided into the following relationships: God (v 1), the world (v 2), ourselves (v 3-8), the Church (v 9-13), and our enemies (v 14-21). Overcoming evil with good can and should be applied to each of these.
To close out this final relationship, I want to call to mind the following scriptures to remind us and encourage us that we have someone fighting on our side that cannot be defeated. The battle is already won and Christ is the victor!
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Think: What does it mean to be an r12 Christian?
Reflect: How has this r12 journey impacted your life?
Understand: Of the five relationships we have studied together, in which of these have you seen the greatest spiritual growth? In which area do you need the most help in becoming more like Christ?
Surrender: Surrender is a point in time and also a life-long journey. How would you describe your present relationship with God?
Take Action: This book is just the beginning of becoming an r12 Christian.
Motivation: If you commit to becoming an r12 disciple maker, go to r12 online and explore our free resources to help you disciple others. [follow the r12 button on the right and explore from there]
Encourage Someone: Encourage someone you know in another city who wants to grow. Send them a copy of this book and coach them or do the study with them.
Today concludes our “virtual small group” covering the book Living On The Edge. For how this group is going to work, read this entry. For an introduction with disclaimers, click here. For some numbers from Barna to motivate you to continue reading, go here. For the R12 videos, click the R12 button on the sidebar to the right. Finally, as we move forward through the book you can always catch up by clicking the R12 label at the end of each post.
Now the rubber meets the road. It’s been nice to share parables and theories on what surrendering to God is about. But what does it look like? How do you actually do it? That’s the subject of Chapter 4 of LOTE: The Book. Before digging into the Biblical example Chip gives though, I want to share with you a few real life examples.
Please read Kevin Martineau’s post on “You can’t steal second with your foot on first“, Peter Pollock’s “Stepping out without looking“, and Bonnie Gray’s “What If Challenge“. It seems the Holy Spirit has put this subject on each of our hearts. Thanks too for Lalyne, Sam, and Jay for their comments thus far!
The book If You Want To Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat covers a lot of this ground, addressing the fears that hold us back and the underlying desire to hold on to our own will. That book challenged me and still does. I assume Max Lucado’s most recent, Fearless, is similar and I must also recommend Gordon Ferguson’s Victory of Surrender.
Obviously based on the popularity of this topic for books and blogs this is a subject we can all relate to. Either we’ve mastered surrender (yeah right, what an oxymoron!) or we struggle frequently against it. We all have a story we could share that demonstrates the risks taken and the rewards God has blessed us with. But I want to look at the example Chip gives in his book, because there’s a lot there to take away.
Chip’s example is of Abraham and Isaac. Cliche maybe, and I’m sure you’ve heard a dozen sermons on “what’s your Isaac?” But I want to point out a couple of things that were recently pointed out to me. Usually the sermon points out that because Isaac was so loved, it was that much more a powerful testament of Abraham’s faith to offer him in sacrifice. You might also hear that because Abraham loved him so much, he had become an idol. But you don’t often hear why. Have you ever wondered that? Why was Isaac an idol to Abraham? Isaac represented God’s promise. He was a visible demonstration of God’s faithfulness. So Isaac represented God’s goodness to Abraham. But he wasn’t God. Think about the irony of that for a moment. Abraham worshiped Isaac because he represented the goodness of God, but was an idol since he wasn’t God. Some Christian denominations consider the crucifix and idol. We can worship a symbol of God’s sacrifice without worshiping God Himself. You might also see this as resting on your laurels; “Wow! Look what God’s done for me! That is now going to be my object of worship!” Our health, our families, our careers can all be blessed by God and the temptation is for those to turn into our idols. Not because they demand all our time or all our attention, but because they represent to us God’s goodness though they are not God. We fall into the same trap worshiping our church. We see God do a great thing and suddenly think our church is blessed above the rest.
So what does Abraham do? We often hear about how he obeys without questioning. He left “early the next morning.” He didn’t put it off. What a great example of submission and obedience, right! But what is the first thing he says to his servants? “Stay here. We’re going over there. And we’re going to worship.” Abraham’s willingness wasn’t an act of obedience or submission, it was an act of worship. We get this order mixed up. We obey and say that is our worship. It should be we worship and it is demonstrated by our obedience. Worship comes first.
So now let’s look at Romans 12:1-“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Our “living sacrifice” or surrender to God is our worship! Note that “spiritual” can also be translated “reasonable” or “appropriate”. So Paul is telling us here that this is what we should be doing. It’s what is reasonable, appropriate, and therefore spiritual.
But why? “In view of God’s mercy…” I mentioned this in the introduction, but we have to start with a “therefore”. We need to look back and see all that God has done for us. It may be personally after already stepping out on faith to follow Jesus. Or as a new believer it may only be the Biblical examples of God’s faithfulness to his chosen people and the fulfilment of his promise through the sacrifice of Jesus. In fact, this is the outline of Chapters 1-11 of Romans. So Chapter 12 begins, “Therefore…” Abraham knew what God has done in his life- he gave his barren wife a son. Therefore… he worshiped.
What better example can there be of surrender? What better example can there be of worship?
Think: What or who might be your Isaac?
Reflect: What do you fear most about sacrificing your Isaac? Can you see that sacrifice as an act of worship?
Understand: What past experiences make it hard for you to trust God? For example, past abandonment neglect, abuse, or divorce will often cloud your view of God as a Father.
Surrender: Tell God how you are feeling and what you are thinking in prayer. Ask him to direct your next steps.
Take action: Write out what might be Isaacs in your life.
Motivation: Download and listen to the full audio message: How to Give God What He Wants Most at R12 online (found by clicking the button on the right, going to the Surrender tab, and finding it under Free Resources).
Encourage someone: Tell someone you care about to check out R12 online, the book, or this blog. Introduce to them God’s dream for their life.
Today continues our “virtual small group” covering the book Living On The Edge. For how this group is going to work, read this entry. For an introduction with disclaimers, click here. For some numbers from Barna to motivate you to continue reading, go here. For the R12 videos, click the R12 button on the sidebar to the right. Finally, as we move forward through the book you can always catch up by clicking the R12 label at the end of each post.
Now the rubber meets the road. It’s been nice to share parables and theories on what surrendering to God is about. But what does it look like? How do you actually do it? That’s the subject of Chapter 4 of LOTE: The Book. Before digging into the Biblical example Chip gives though, I want to share with you a few real life examples.
Please read Kevin Martineau’s post on “You can’t steal second with your foot on first“, Peter Pollock’s “Stepping out without looking“, and Bonnie Gray’s “What If Challenge“. It seems the Holy Spirit has put this subject on each of our hearts. Thanks too for Lalyne, Sam, and Jay for their comments thus far!
The book If You Want To Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat covers a lot of this ground, addressing the fears that hold us back and the underlying desire to hold on to our own will. That book challenged me and still does. I assume Max Lucado’s most recent, Fearless, is similar and I must also recommend Gordon Ferguson’s Victory of Surrender.
Obviously based on the popularity of this topic for books and blogs this is a subject we can all relate to. Either we’ve mastered surrender (yeah right, what an oxymoron!) or we struggle frequently against it. We all have a story we could share that demonstrates the risks taken and the rewards God has blessed us with. But I want to look at the example Chip gives in his book, because there’s a lot there to take away.
Chip’s example is of Abraham and Isaac. Cliche maybe, and I’m sure you’ve heard a dozen sermons on “what’s your Isaac?” But I want to point out a couple of things that were recently pointed out to me. Usually the sermon points out that because Isaac was so loved, it was that much more a powerful testament of Abraham’s faith to offer him in sacrifice. You might also hear that because Abraham loved him so much, he had become an idol. But you don’t often hear why. Have you ever wondered that? Why was Isaac an idol to Abraham? Isaac represented God’s promise. He was a visible demonstration of God’s faithfulness. So Isaac represented God’s goodness to Abraham. But he wasn’t God. Think about the irony of that for a moment. Abraham worshiped Isaac because he represented the goodness of God, but was an idol since he wasn’t God. Some Christian denominations consider the crucifix and idol. We can worship a symbol of God’s sacrifice without worshiping God Himself. You might also see this as resting on your laurels; “Wow! Look what God’s done for me! That is now going to be my object of worship!” Our health, our families, our careers can all be blessed by God and the temptation is for those to turn into our idols. Not because they demand all our time or all our attention, but because they represent to us God’s goodness though they are not God. We fall into the same trap worshiping our church. We see God do a great thing and suddenly think our church is blessed above the rest.
So what does Abraham do? We often hear about how he obeys without questioning. He left “early the next morning.” He didn’t put it off. What a great example of submission and obedience, right! But what is the first thing he says to his servants? “Stay here. We’re going over there. And we’re going to worship.” Abraham’s willingness wasn’t an act of obedience or submission, it was an act of worship. We get this order mixed up. We obey and say that is our worship. It should be we worship and it is demonstrated by our obedience. Worship comes first.
So now let’s look at Romans 12:1-“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Our “living sacrifice” or surrender to God is our worship! Note that “spiritual” can also be translated “reasonable” or “appropriate”. So Paul is telling us here that this is what we should be doing. It’s what is reasonable, appropriate, and therefore spiritual.
But why? “In view of God’s mercy…” I mentioned this in the introduction, but we have to start with a “therefore”. We need to look back and see all that God has done for us. It may be personally after already stepping out on faith to follow Jesus. Or as a new believer it may only be the Biblical examples of God’s faithfulness to his chosen people and the fulfilment of his promise through the sacrifice of Jesus. In fact, this is the outline of Chapters 1-11 of Romans. So Chapter 12 begins, “Therefore…” Abraham knew what God has done in his life- he gave his barren wife a son. Therefore… he worshiped.
What better example can there be of surrender? What better example can there be of worship?
Think: What or who might be your Isaac?
Reflect: What do you fear most about sacrificing your Isaac? Can you see that sacrifice as an act of worship?
Understand: What past experiences make it hard for you to trust God? For example, past abandonment neglect, abuse, or divorce will often cloud your view of God as a Father.
Surrender: Tell God how you are feeling and what you are thinking in prayer. Ask him to direct your next steps.
Take action: Write out what might be Isaacs in your life.
Motivation: Download and listen to the full audio message: How to Give God What He Wants Most at R12 online (found by clicking the button on the right, going to the Surrender tab, and finding it under Free Resources).
Encourage someone: Tell someone you care about to check out R12 online, the book, or this blog. Introduce to them God’s dream for their life.
Today continues our “virtual small group” covering the book Living On The Edge. For how this group is going to work, read this entry. For an introduction with disclaimers, click here. For some numbers from Barna to motivate you to continue reading, go here. For the R12 videos, click the R12 button on the sidebar to the right. Finally, as we move forward through the book you can always catch up by clicking the R12 label at the end of each post.
Yesterday we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without this event, our faith would be worthless (1 Cor 15:14). And it is through his death that we die to our sins and through his resurrection that we are given a new life. (Rom 6:4). So now that we have new life, what do we do with it?
I believe the expectation is to build something with our lives. Paul gives an allegory in 1 Corinthians 13 about building on the foundation of Jesus. I’ve heard this applied to churches, but I believe the context demands it be applied to individuals. In other words, we cannot lean on our church for our faith and how we live our lives as Christians, it is up to each and every one of us at a personal level. An important point is found in verses 12-15 that what we build will be tested so we should build the best that we can. If not, “it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Cor 13:15) So how do we build?
A couple of years ago, my wife and I purchased a Do-It-Yourself enclosed patio kit. As advertised, it would only take a weekend or two with a small crew of a “few” people. Piece of cake right? So one weekend, I called my crew, laid out all the pieces, brought out all the tools, and stood there overwhelmed. None of us knew what to do. The patio slab has a downward grade so the walls won’t be even. The back wall of the house is stucco so the vertical beams that connect to the house leave up to two-inch gaps. The doors were too heavy to move. Not every piece fit. And on, and on. So we disbanded with our sanity intact, but my pride damaged. That “couple of weekends” project took a year of weekends and weekday evenings. What did I learn from this? Without help, without expertise, and without the right tools and materials, whatever I build will be burned up. So I learned. I just completed a swing set for my children. This took four days. But this time I had help, I had the tools, and I knew a little better what I was doing.
The same is true of our faith. Without help, without expertise, without the right tools and materials, we cannot hope to build anything of value. We try and try and get burned time and time again, but we learn. Many Christians are content with just showing up on Sundays and living their lives their way the rest of the week. Many also treat the resurrection of Jesus as the ends, not the means, of their relationship with God and take God’s grace for granted. What they build will be shown for what it is. But I do not believe it is meant to be this way. We know this verse by heart: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) But we neglect the rest of this passage: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (v 10) We are a piece of work. We are incomplete. And we are meant to do something with the grace God has given us.
Over the next several weeks, I hope to give us the right tools and materials for us to build something of value for God. I will be going through the book, Living on the Edge, by Chip Ingram and using the online resources to lead a “virtual small group” in an exposition of Romans 12. I’ll be introducing the lesson the rest of this week and will dig in to Chapter 1 on Monday. You don’t need the book to follow along, but you do need an open and willing heart. Please join me the next few weeks to build something that will last.
Yesterday we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without this event, our faith would be worthless (1 Cor 15:14). And it is through his death that we die to our sins and through his resurrection that we are given a new life. (Rom 6:4). So now that we have new life, what do we do with it?
I believe the expectation is to build something with our lives. Paul gives an allegory in 1 Corinthians 13 about building on the foundation of Jesus. I’ve heard this applied to churches, but I believe the context demands it be applied to individuals. In other words, we cannot lean on our church for our faith and how we live our lives as Christians, it is up to each and every one of us at a personal level. An important point is found in verses 12-15 that what we build will be tested so we should build the best that we can. If not, “it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Cor 13:15) So how do we build?
A couple of years ago, my wife and I purchased a Do-It-Yourself enclosed patio kit. As advertised, it would only take a weekend or two with a small crew of a “few” people. Piece of cake right? So one weekend, I called my crew, laid out all the pieces, brought out all the tools, and stood there overwhelmed. None of us knew what to do. The patio slab has a downward grade so the walls won’t be even. The back wall of the house is stucco so the vertical beams that connect to the house leave up to two-inch gaps. The doors were too heavy to move. Not every piece fit. And on, and on. So we disbanded with our sanity intact, but my pride damaged. That “couple of weekends” project took a year of weekends and weekday evenings. What did I learn from this? Without help, without expertise, and without the right tools and materials, whatever I build will be burned up. So I learned. I just completed a swing set for my children. This took four days. But this time I had help, I had the tools, and I knew a little better what I was doing.
The same is true of our faith. Without help, without expertise, without the right tools and materials, we cannot hope to build anything of value. We try and try and get burned time and time again, but we learn. Many Christians are content with just showing up on Sundays and living their lives their way the rest of the week. Many also treat the resurrection of Jesus as the ends, not the means, of their relationship with God and take God’s grace for granted. What they build will be shown for what it is. But I do not believe it is meant to be this way. We know this verse by heart: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) But we neglect the rest of this passage: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (v 10) We are a piece of work. We are incomplete. And we are meant to do something with the grace God has given us.
Over the next several weeks, I hope to give us the right tools and materials for us to build something of value for God. I will be going through the book, Living on the Edge, by Chip Ingram and using the online resources to lead a “virtual small group” in an exposition of Romans 12. I’ll be introducing the lesson the rest of this week and will dig in to Chapter 1 on Monday. You don’t need the book to follow along, but you do need an open and willing heart. Please join me the next few weeks to build something that will last.
Inspired by the most recent Coffee Break from Living on the Edge that referenced Psalm 103 and a desire to get at least one post up while on vacation. I’ll focus on this part: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Ps 103:2, emphasis added) I want to take this time and remember his benefits over the last year.
Work related: I’m grateful for the job that I’ve been praying to get for the last few years. I’m grateful for the recognition I’ve received from my peers for the work I’ve done. I’m grateful to be able to pursue some of the things I have a passion for- even though that hos so far been fruitless. And I’m grateful that have the opportunity, and the trust from my boss, to pursue them.
Family related: I’m grateful for my son’s improvement in every possible area- his discipline, his speech, his writing. I’m grateful for his interest in God and Jesus. I’m grateful for his health after his struggles breathing and sleeping. I’m grateful for my daughter growing up too fast and being too smart. I’m grateful for the relationship she has with her brother. I’m grateful for the joy she shows me ever day when I come home from work. I’m grateful for my wife finishing her teaching credential and having new opportunities at work. I’m grateful for her active attitude to always be out running and the friends she’s made (or friends she’s grown deeper with) doing so. I’m grateful for our relationship and that despite a 4 and a 2 year old, we still are able to have quality time. I’m grateful for my mom’s move and the extra chances I’ve had to visit her because of it. I’m grateful for my sister and her encouragement and support.
Ministry related: I’m grateful God still considers me worth of leading others to deeper relationships with Christ- after two small groups dissolved, somehow I’m still at it. I’m grateful for my recovery ministry keeping me grounded and my continued sobriety. I’m grateful for the families we’ve grown closer to through our small groups and the battles we’ve fought together. I’m grateful for the continued inspiration through God’s word to instruct and encourage. I’m grateful for the writer’s conference I went to where I met Peter and the encouragement to pursue writing. I’m grateful for others that I’ve met blogging and the fresh insight they all provide. I’m grateful for the teen I mentor- his patience with me and his open heart for God. And I’m grateful for the leadership of my church, the relationship I have with our Evangelist, and the men in my life that call me higher.
None of these things would be possible without God. Without him, I wouldn’t have the character to have these blessings in my job. Without him, I wouldn’t have the good relationship with my children or my wife. And without him, I would have no purpose with an eternal significance.
I am often asked why I have the faith I do. These are just some of the reasons. There are more, but those will have to wait until after I finish the turkey leftovers.
Inspired by the most recent Coffee Break from Living on the Edge that referenced Psalm 103 and a desire to get at least one post up while on vacation. I’ll focus on this part: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Ps 103:2, emphasis added) I want to take this time and remember his benefits over the last year.
Work related: I’m grateful for the job that I’ve been praying to get for the last few years. I’m grateful for the recognition I’ve received from my peers for the work I’ve done. I’m grateful to be able to pursue some of the things I have a passion for- even though that hos so far been fruitless. And I’m grateful that have the opportunity, and the trust from my boss, to pursue them.
Family related: I’m grateful for my son’s improvement in every possible area- his discipline, his speech, his writing. I’m grateful for his interest in God and Jesus. I’m grateful for his health after his struggles breathing and sleeping. I’m grateful for my daughter growing up too fast and being too smart. I’m grateful for the relationship she has with her brother. I’m grateful for the joy she shows me ever day when I come home from work. I’m grateful for my wife finishing her teaching credential and having new opportunities at work. I’m grateful for her active attitude to always be out running and the friends she’s made (or friends she’s grown deeper with) doing so. I’m grateful for our relationship and that despite a 4 and a 2 year old, we still are able to have quality time. I’m grateful for my mom’s move and the extra chances I’ve had to visit her because of it. I’m grateful for my sister and her encouragement and support.
Ministry related: I’m grateful God still considers me worth of leading others to deeper relationships with Christ- after two small groups dissolved, somehow I’m still at it. I’m grateful for my recovery ministry keeping me grounded and my continued sobriety. I’m grateful for the families we’ve grown closer to through our small groups and the battles we’ve fought together. I’m grateful for the continued inspiration through God’s word to instruct and encourage. I’m grateful for the writer’s conference I went to where I met Peter and the encouragement to pursue writing. I’m grateful for others that I’ve met blogging and the fresh insight they all provide. I’m grateful for the teen I mentor- his patience with me and his open heart for God. And I’m grateful for the leadership of my church, the relationship I have with our Evangelist, and the men in my life that call me higher.
None of these things would be possible without God. Without him, I wouldn’t have the character to have these blessings in my job. Without him, I wouldn’t have the good relationship with my children or my wife. And without him, I would have no purpose with an eternal significance.
I am often asked why I have the faith I do. These are just some of the reasons. There are more, but those will have to wait until after I finish the turkey leftovers.