I just spent a weekend on a retreat with 170 men from my church. Our focus was on a verse from 2 Timothy 1:6-8 (For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.)
What a tremendous weekend to rest and reflect on where I am today and where I see that God wants me to go. A major revelation came to me over the weekend on how I focus myself. It is really important to me that those around me have a favorable opinion of me. Now keep in mind that it is not everyone but those whom I respect, I also seek their respect of me. People that have a Godly character I long to have them say 'good job' or 'well done'.
That in and of itself is not bad but this weekend I came to the realization that I was placing this before seeking to please God. Now if I'm seeking approval from Godly people isn't that the same? NO WAY! Even the pharisees did that in Jesus' time. They paraded around seeking the approval of man but could care less for God and His approval of their thoughts or actions.
Starting this weekend all of that is changing... I am seeking GOD's approval first. I know that He is right beside me (even now) and His Holy Spirit dwells within me.
It reminds me of a scripture verse...
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
Showing posts with label Men. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Men. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
I Just Got An Integrity 'Check' From My Wife!
I got a call yesterday that lifted my spirits. The leader of the Men's Minsitry at my church has asked me to be a group leader on a men's retreat that will be held in November. I immediately said 'sure, I'd love too' to the offer.
Excited to spread the news to my wife, I told her of the conversation when she got home from running some errands. Her response was not what I was looking for BUT her response was a conduit from God. She replied, "Great. Did you tell him that you would pray about it?"
Oh man... caught in making a rash decision without God's input again. I have learned that the offer may be Godly, it may be an opportunity to help His kingdom. The offer ALSO may not be God's direction for me. I know it, I know it, I know it.
During these next few days, I will be praying about this offer and will try to be open to God's leading. Please also include this in your prayers. I WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING! I WANT TO BE ALWAYS IN THE WILL OF GOD. We need to always keep our pride in check with God's will and purpose for us. Just because it is a 'good thing to do', that doesn't mean that it is God's will for me. He will use the mistakes in judgement for His glory but how much better is it when my decision is in keeping with His will to begin with!
1 Kings 22:5 '... first seek the counsel of the Lord.'
Excited to spread the news to my wife, I told her of the conversation when she got home from running some errands. Her response was not what I was looking for BUT her response was a conduit from God. She replied, "Great. Did you tell him that you would pray about it?"
Oh man... caught in making a rash decision without God's input again. I have learned that the offer may be Godly, it may be an opportunity to help His kingdom. The offer ALSO may not be God's direction for me. I know it, I know it, I know it.
During these next few days, I will be praying about this offer and will try to be open to God's leading. Please also include this in your prayers. I WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING! I WANT TO BE ALWAYS IN THE WILL OF GOD. We need to always keep our pride in check with God's will and purpose for us. Just because it is a 'good thing to do', that doesn't mean that it is God's will for me. He will use the mistakes in judgement for His glory but how much better is it when my decision is in keeping with His will to begin with!
1 Kings 22:5 '... first seek the counsel of the Lord.'
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Remember K.I.S.S?
I remember that acronym from years back when working with computers. K.I.S.S. stands for 'Keep it simple, Stupid'. I don't particularly like the stupid part but the keep it simple has some merit.
Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth the religious leaders of the day had turned the 10 commandments from Moses day to 613 rules and commands that one must obey to be 'upright' in God's eyes. Basically impossible to all including the Pharisees who came up with the additional commands.
When they tried to corner Jesus by asking Him the most important commandment, His reply was simple... Love the Lord your God with all heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:38). That to me is 'keeping it simple'.
I find as I strive toward integrity that this simple response is vital to my striving towards integrity. It is a constant battle between my selfish thoughts and desires and those that I would honor God with. If I love God with all my heart, soul and mind, there are things that I just will not entertain in my heart. Selfishness, jealousy, lust, among others.
Jesus' simple commandment is all I need. You see to love God in such a way, I will keep all of the Ten Commandments and my walk will be upright and steadfast. Will I ever achieve this here on earth. No, only one could have done that and His name is Jesus. Is that reason to give up and throw in the towel? By no means!
I want to constantly strive towards that goal... to love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind. I want to throw off and immediately turn away from any thought or action that may lead me otherwise. It is a constant battle but isn't that why its called spiritual warfare? Life is not easy, its hard and the battlefield is no place for wimps.
God, help me be a spiritual warrior for you today. I put on your armor and I confidently go into battle knowing that you will provide the victory.
Use me today...
Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth the religious leaders of the day had turned the 10 commandments from Moses day to 613 rules and commands that one must obey to be 'upright' in God's eyes. Basically impossible to all including the Pharisees who came up with the additional commands.
When they tried to corner Jesus by asking Him the most important commandment, His reply was simple... Love the Lord your God with all heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:38). That to me is 'keeping it simple'.
I find as I strive toward integrity that this simple response is vital to my striving towards integrity. It is a constant battle between my selfish thoughts and desires and those that I would honor God with. If I love God with all my heart, soul and mind, there are things that I just will not entertain in my heart. Selfishness, jealousy, lust, among others.
Jesus' simple commandment is all I need. You see to love God in such a way, I will keep all of the Ten Commandments and my walk will be upright and steadfast. Will I ever achieve this here on earth. No, only one could have done that and His name is Jesus. Is that reason to give up and throw in the towel? By no means!
I want to constantly strive towards that goal... to love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind. I want to throw off and immediately turn away from any thought or action that may lead me otherwise. It is a constant battle but isn't that why its called spiritual warfare? Life is not easy, its hard and the battlefield is no place for wimps.
God, help me be a spiritual warrior for you today. I put on your armor and I confidently go into battle knowing that you will provide the victory.
Use me today...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Intriging Dream
I had an intriguing dream last night that I'm still trying to figure out. In the Bible in Acts 2:17 it states:
"In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old me will dream dreams."
Hmmm, I guess that this verse puts me in the latter category if we are in 'the last days' which I think that we are.
Anyway... back to the dream. I was speaking with an older women who was excited about her daughter moving to California to become pregnant. No mention of marriage, no mention of a particular soul that she was going to see. I don't know why it was California that she was going too either.
What was interesting about this dream is that she was as excited about this as if her daughter was going to the animal shelter to pick out a dog to bring home. What is disturbing about this dream is that it isn't too far from reality in today's society in the United States.
Families and marriage are both created and ordained by God. It seems like the more we move away from God's Word, the more we take all of this stuff at what ever value that our surrounding society places on it. It thus spirals downward.
I've been reading in Ezekiel lately. In Ezekiel as well as pretty much throughout the Old Testament, God is trying to move His people, the Jews back toward Him. They continually are wandering off and worshiping other gods and idols. Calamity hits and they turn back only to do the same thing all over again.
Where are we today in the United States? Where am I? I fear that God will soon allow (not create or cause but allow) great correction to take place in the United States. I can't change the direction of our country but I can take responsibility for myself today. Today God, I place myself under your authority. Today God, I give myself to you. Use me... I close with one of my favorite verses to provide my direction. "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15... Bold is my own)
What god will you choose today?
"In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old me will dream dreams."
Hmmm, I guess that this verse puts me in the latter category if we are in 'the last days' which I think that we are.
Anyway... back to the dream. I was speaking with an older women who was excited about her daughter moving to California to become pregnant. No mention of marriage, no mention of a particular soul that she was going to see. I don't know why it was California that she was going too either.
What was interesting about this dream is that she was as excited about this as if her daughter was going to the animal shelter to pick out a dog to bring home. What is disturbing about this dream is that it isn't too far from reality in today's society in the United States.
Families and marriage are both created and ordained by God. It seems like the more we move away from God's Word, the more we take all of this stuff at what ever value that our surrounding society places on it. It thus spirals downward.
I've been reading in Ezekiel lately. In Ezekiel as well as pretty much throughout the Old Testament, God is trying to move His people, the Jews back toward Him. They continually are wandering off and worshiping other gods and idols. Calamity hits and they turn back only to do the same thing all over again.
Where are we today in the United States? Where am I? I fear that God will soon allow (not create or cause but allow) great correction to take place in the United States. I can't change the direction of our country but I can take responsibility for myself today. Today God, I place myself under your authority. Today God, I give myself to you. Use me... I close with one of my favorite verses to provide my direction. "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15... Bold is my own)
What god will you choose today?
Friday, August 31, 2007
A Man of Integrity is Hard to Find
As I venture out into the blogging world I do so wanting to speak my heart hoping that it will encourage others of the same mindset. You see I am just a family man who is seeking God's heart in all that I think, say and do. I strive to see the world around me as Jesus would have me see it.
I am a husband of the wife of my youth for 26+ years and I have two grown daughters and one son-in-law. I absolutely consider myself to be the most blessed (I don't like the use the word 'lucky') person alive. I adore my wife and my family more than I could ever possibly express.
I only feel that way though because I daily throw off the things of this world that are considered important and ... well, just the way that guys are. I'm far, far, far from perfect. I have made so many mistakes in my life that I deeply regret. I know that I will probably make more. Yet, I approach today reaching for God's hand, depending on His word (The Bible), and trying my best to please Him.
I pray that you will join me on this journey. A journey to make a difference in the lives of those around me. A journey to stand up for what is right. A journey to be a man the way that God intended. Join me, will you?
I am a husband of the wife of my youth for 26+ years and I have two grown daughters and one son-in-law. I absolutely consider myself to be the most blessed (I don't like the use the word 'lucky') person alive. I adore my wife and my family more than I could ever possibly express.
I only feel that way though because I daily throw off the things of this world that are considered important and ... well, just the way that guys are. I'm far, far, far from perfect. I have made so many mistakes in my life that I deeply regret. I know that I will probably make more. Yet, I approach today reaching for God's hand, depending on His word (The Bible), and trying my best to please Him.
I pray that you will join me on this journey. A journey to make a difference in the lives of those around me. A journey to stand up for what is right. A journey to be a man the way that God intended. Join me, will you?
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