Happy New Year

A new year is upon us and I approach this one differently than any in the past - with more desire than ever to seek God's will in my life and to be willing to fulfill his desires for me.

My hope for you is that you will find God's blessings in the sunshine and the storms, in the ups and downs of life. He is always there. He never turns away. He is faithful to his promise to you and to me.

Grace and peace to you.

Let It Snow

Happy Birthday LeBron. Happy Birthday Tiger.

One of my darling children was texting me last night to find out when I was coming home from work. When I talked to the darling child, he asked if I wanted to play his new video game when I got home. Sure! Great! As I pulled up in the driveway, 2 darling children were hiding in the trees with snowballs at the ready. Sneaky kids.

The snow was beautiful yesterday. I didn't like driving in the ice too much last Thursday but loved seeing the snow on the ground this week. Being that we are in Texas, it's already melting away from yesterday very quickly.

2010 is a couple of days away. I am wondering what the next year will bring more than I ever have and I am praying that my resolution will be lived out each day. LORD, reign in me.

Grace and peace to you.

More on the Battle

As I talk to people about the spiritual battle I have come to see, I often get bobbing head syndrome where I think they are agreeing with me so I won't say anymore or they just don't want to say they think the elevator has quit hitting the top floor. I'm OK with that because I was in the same boat for a number of years and it took a blow to my heart for my eyes to be opened. Today, I found the following from John Eldredge:

Let me say this again: the story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it. I hope you are beginning to see that more clearly now. Otherwise, much of the Bible will not make sense to you. Much of your life will not make sense to you.

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isa. 45:2–3)

Doesn’t the language of the Bible sometimes sound . . . overblown? Really now—God is going to level mountains for us? We’d be happy if he just helped us get through the week. What’s all that about breaking down gates of bronze and cutting through bars of iron? I mean, it sounds heroic, but, well, who’s really in need of that? This isn’t ancient Samaria. We’d settle for a parking place at the mall.

If we are in an epic battle, then the language of the Bible fits perfectly. Things are not what they seem. We are at war. That war is against your heart, your glory. Once more, look at Isaiah 61:1:

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.

We are in a battle. Our lives are not the result of what anyone has done to us but a result of our heart relationship with our Creator. It's not the absent father's fault or the drug addicted mother. It's not spoiled child's fault or the lack of education. (How can we celebrate "success stories" from these conditions and turn around and blame them for the person who doesn't rise above it?) It's a battle for the heart and soul and mind from forces that are far stronger and far more shrewd than the people we are around daily.

I pray God will continue to open my eyes to who the fight is with and prepare me for battle to his glory.

Grace and peace to you.

362 More Days Til Christmas

The Cowboys are 2-0 since Jerry took a picture with my son. Coincidence?
____________________________________________________

This is always a crazy week for me. It's the end of the year so I'm trying to remember all the things we need to wrap up for year end and it's time for some great high school hoops action that I always want to go see. It looks like I'll be working more and seeing less basketball than I would like but that's the way the ball bounces sometimes.
____________________________________________________

As I end 2009, I look back at some rough seas and plenty of storms but I can only leave the year hope-filled because of the miles I have traveled getting closer to my Lord. He is patient, he is faithful, he is loving and merciful. He has held his arms open waiting for me to come to him. I am humbled that he never turned away, that he never gave up on me. Through my lifetime, there have been plenty of opportunities for God to see me as a lost cause but his love and concern for me is so overwhelming that he waited patiently for me to give him my heart. I pray that 2010 will continue to find me emptying myself of my desire and control by dark forces and living in submission to the Lord's will for my life. I pray that he will use me to his glory. It's a scary prayer because I know I might have to go places that aren't in my regular rounds but I also believe that being a disciple means I will find comfort in the uncomfortable because he is with me.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...

Grace and peace to you.

Christmas Present

My dad got his first hole-in-one yesterday. He sounded like a kid on Christmas morning when he called to tell me about it...and he should. That's a cool pre-Christmas present. Way to go, Dad!

The Whataburger basketball tournament cranks up next week. One of my favorite things to do every year is spend some time watching some great teams and college bound players hoop it up.

Christmas Day is around the corner. For me, it can easily become a time of constant tension because of the pace at work and all the activity that surrounds this time of year. I'm wanting to take some time this Christmas Day to talk to God and thank him for the birth of a savior, a gift to me and to the world who has changed the course of history (or maybe I should say eternity), who took on evil, who lived and loved and showed me what I can be and who I should be, who forgave all sin - even putting him to death on a cross.

Merry Christmas!

Grace and peace to you.

Travel Problems?

Did you know there could be some travel problems over the next few days? The news is reporting on it diligently and I'm just wondering who is so new to this country that they don't remember this happens every year. I can't help but be bored and laugh at all the news reports at this time every year, during an ice storm, the malls the day after Thanksgiving and a few others I am likely forgetting. Anyway, if you plan to fly over the next few days, it's going to be tough. Good luck.
__________________________________________________

The Cowboys cut their kicker yesterday. What a brutal job. Little recognition when you are accurate, dumped when you're not. At least you don't get hit by very large people on a regular basis.
__________________________________________________

The Shack may become one of my favorite all-time books simply because of a connection I finally made while reading it - God always sees me as his child and places a high value on me regardless of what I am doing to ruin the relationship; he never turns away. Through tough times, this understanding of my relationship with God has been something I have held tightly and it has done as much or more than anything to give me strength for the spiritual battle for my heart and soul. I shared this concept with someone yesterday who was not feeling good about their life and I hope it helps them take a step closer to God today.

I do not have the words to describe my love for God. I pray I will continue to draw closer to him every moment of every day. Through my new relationship with him, I have found the peace that transcends understanding.

Grace and peace to you.

Unattributed Quote

In our poverty, we finally find our capacity for God.

Grace and peace to you.

God is Great

I have experienced the work of God over and over in my life and continue to be amazed at his faithfulness and goodness to me. I have found it hard to believe how much he loves me and how much he forgives me because I have not always been completely loving and forgiving. I hope, day by day, to become more like God in how I see people and how I treat them. While a long way off from perfection, I can feel a pull to him in my heart that allows me to know that I'm getting a little closer all the time. I still fall down at times but knowing God the way I know him now, I am getting back up and remaining focused on the rest of the journey.

Grace and peace to you.

Things Aren't Always As They Seem

We all hear stories only to find out later that there is more to the story. It's something I seem to continually run across in my life. Here's such a story.

A young girl was told she would have a very special child even while she remained a virgin. While traveling, she gave birth to a baby in the poorest physical conditions. Fast forward and we celebrate another Christmas in 2009, a time when much of the world hears the story of the Christ again.

But there's more to the story. It can be reframed to see it just a bit differently.

A virgin gave birth to a warrior in a barn. That's the story of an incredible God who can do anything. He chose a young girl, an unlikely choice to raise a warrior, to bring the Redeemer into the world. He chose a virgin, a girl who was pure and holy and, in all reality, unable to bear a child as she was, to show the impossible is possible with God. And - maybe the part I like the most in this version - he delivered a sweet baby, who would become the greatest warrior known to man, to the world. A baby who would grow into a warrior that would fight the greatest fight we can imagine, the battle that saves us from hell, a battle that gives us eternal life, a battle that will lead us to the presence of God.

I appreciate the celebration of Jesus' birth. I am overwhelmed by the way God brought him into the world to battle the powers of evil on my behalf. I am thankful today, more than ever, that a warrior was born who would and continues to fight for me.

Things aren't always what they seem, are they?

Grace and peace to you.

Engaged

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Grace and peace to you.

It's Beginning to Feel...

...cold outside. 27 degrees when I got in my truck this morning.
_________________________________________________________

Can you imagine what it was like to be Job? To endure losing everything, endure friends telling you all sorts of things about how God feels about you, endure pain and suffering most people can never imagine? Job stood firm and never took his eyes off God. What a wonderful story for us. It's a story of faith and a challenge to remain completely faithful and trusting that God is in control and that this life is only a journey to better things. If we are honest, how much can we suffer that is worse than what Job went through? How much can we suffer that is worse than what Christ went through for each one of us?

I throw myself into what I believe is a large group that deserves suffering but God gives mercy and has a plan for me, if I remain faithful to him, that will eclipse any suffering I can imagine with joy beyond comprehension on this earth. I want to remain true to him. I want to fight the battle, to suffer the wounds, to endure the pain if it means I get to spend an eternity with him. I continue to stumble and fall off the path but I want to keep finding my way back to God because I know he is patiently waiting for me with arms wide open.

I heard the question asked, "what do you think will be heavenly about heaven?" My response would have to be 'just being there.'

Grace and peace to you.

Sports and Such

Colt McCoy didn't win the Heisman and I wasn't totally surprised but I also lost a little more respect for the sports voting process at the same time. In the end, Colt has won plenty of awards and received plenty of accolades and will go on to be very successful without the Heisman but what a great opportunity to recognize a young man who appears to be very special in many ways.
______________________________________________________

The Cowboys lost yesterday. I can't help but laugh. I still don't think the problem lies with the talent on the field. Even so, I do get a twisted enjoyment out of watching Jerry in these situations.
______________________________________________________

Saturday - Texas Longhorns vs. North Carolina Tar Heels hooping it up at JerryWorld. Yes, I will be there and as much as I respect, enjoy and cheer for the Tar Heels, I will be wearing burnt orange and yelling "Hook 'em Horns!"
______________________________________________________

Our small groups discussed the passage in Luke 20 where Jesus tells the smart-alecks to render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's and it reminded me how much my thinking on government has changed in the past few years. Where I once stood proclaiming government should put prayer back in schools and reflect our Christian heritage, I now simply see government as a tool to support infrastructure of the country and do it's best to protect it's citizens. Government has no business regulating prayer or matters of faith because that is my responsibility and the responsibility of all who call themselves Christians. I am thankful for leaders of this country who place God at the very top of their priorities but I expect them to live out that commitment, not regulate the country with it.

I was able to spend part of Saturday with a group of teenagers who hung lights on homes of people who couldn't do it for themselves. That speaks louder than any prayer in school or printing God's name on a coin. It's a little thing to hang Christmas lights but a major shift of the heart to take their time to do something for someone else who can't.

They reminded me once again that I need to be sure I am highlighting the CHRIST in CHRISTian.

Grace and peace to you.

Sports Break

The Heisman is awarded this Saturday. I would love to see Colt win it but his play this year hasn't earned it for him. However, I don't know that the other candidates have significantly better years. One person I talked to said they hoped Colt would get it based on what he has done for 4 years. While that's not the purpose of the Heisman, it would be a fitting way to send Colt out.

That said, I'm not sure that Suh from Nebraska shouldn't get it. He's a beast.

I hear the Cowboys play on Sunday. Go Chargers!

The Rangers are wheeling and dealing at the winter meetings. They traded Kevin Millwood and his $12 million salary to Baltimore for a reliever and some cash. With the money they are saving, they are signing Rich Harden who has been a stud but struggled with the Cubs last year. If he gets back on track...watch out. I hear they are also trading Max Ramirez (catching prospect) for Mike Lowell and Boston will pick up most of Lowell's salary. He's a solid batter and will make a good backup at 3rd or possibly 1st. It's a bad deal for him I suppose but good for Texas. I hear they are trying to pick up Vlad Guerrero too. The guy can barely move it seems but he hits the ball so stinking hard that he still gets lots of doubles and home runs.
______________________________________________

Peter, the fisherman from the Bible, was in our class last night. I never pictured him wearing a fishing vest with leaders and a snippet on the front but there he was looking like he was ready to go fly-fishing. I like Peter even better now!
______________________________________________

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Grace and peace to you.

I Am Not John Doe

I took my son to meet a guy named Deon Hunter last night. Deon is a basketball coach/trainer working with kids to improve their skills and he played for the Dallas Mavericks at one point in his career. He's a neat guy, very positive and incorporates his faith in what he does. He spends almost as much time talking about the mental aspects of the game as he does the physical, always in a a way to build the child up and give them confidence.

One of his comments about confidence last night got me thinking about my relationship with God. Deon approached it from basketball skills telling my son "if you know you have the ability to do something and someone walks by and calls you "John Doe", you can stand firm and say no, I'm _________ (state your name). Confidence allows you to be who you are, not who someone else says you are." His words apply as much to my Christian walk as it does to basketball.

People can call me all sorts of things, say all sorts of things about me, but I'm confident in my relationship with my Lord and I can say "no, I'm Jeff, a child of God's. I am his and he is mine. Through Christ my future is secure and nothing you say or do to me can take that away. I am confident in my standing in his kingdom."

Confidence gives us security, whether it be on the basketball court, in the battles of daily life or in our standing for eternity. I am confident my God loves me and has a place prepared for me. I can stand firm in his overwhelming love for me (Romans 5:8) and I can use that confidently to withstand any attack, any battle, any challenge.

Grace and peace to you.

Videos

Another day, another link to a video.

Over the past several months, I have found myself listening to several sermon podcasts. I listened while mowing through the summer, able to catch a couple of them in one session. It's more difficult now but I still listen while driving and when I have a little downtime. I have found a few preachers that consistently bring strong messages from the word of God. Rick Ross, I listen to the sermons I miss and several I have already heard before to catch everything I missed the first time. Rob Bell, always great things to say straight from the word mixed with some great humor about the human condition. Matt Chandler, a local guy who delivers the message with power (he refers to it as shouting sometimes but it's pure urgent passion). There are others, some sharing the church of Christ heritage with me, others not but they share a passion for Christ that I have come to cling to with much more fervor than ever before. I can live with our doctrinal differences because I know from these men's words that they are for the cause of Christ. (I'm a strong believer in Mark 9:40-41.)

Matt Chandler preaches at the Highland Village Church in Flower Mound. His words have been an encouragement to me at times, a challenge at times and a comfort from the Lord often. He found out right around Thanksgiving that he has a brain tumor and recently had surgery. Here is his video message before the surgery.

http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/

My prayers go to Matt and his family and also that I will have the strength to serve God no matter what the trials are, no matter what fears they might cause because I know that God is with me always, loves me always and has prepared a place for me beyond imagination.

Grace and peace to you.

In Need of Levity

I need a little levity this morning so I bring you this video. It's 5 minutes + but it takes that time to first introduce this father-son duo and get a feel for the judges skepticism to really enjoy the ending. I hope it entertains you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg
_______________________________________________

We have been studying spiritual warfare in our Sunday morning Bible class. I have begun to understand spiritual warfare over the past few years and while I have miles to go in learning, appreciate what God has opened my eyes to. It's so much easier to deal with things in life when you understand who satan is and what he is doing to tear us away from God. It's also become much easier to understand full submission to God and the peace that is available there. In the darkest and most trying times, I can now find peace where I once only saw destruction and I can now engage in the battle knowing I have the spirit of God with me to help me and to lead me.

I was struck by the idea of how important submission to God is in seeing the battle and surviving the battle. God gives me the gift of his spirit to take care of me if I submit to God. I can make choices that are in opposition to God and the spirit won't stop me but when I seek God, the spirit will lead me in the right direction.

One of the beautiful traits of God is that you can seek him and submit to him and he will love you (as he always as) regardless of what your past has been like and regardless of how much more you need to "clean up". By living in submission to him, God takes care of the cleaning through his spirit, his love and his mercy.

Grace and peace to you.

Focus

Where's your focus? Too often, mine is only on today, on what I want now, on how I feel now, on what I want to say now. Saying that, I understand I need to live in the moment but I believe to live in the moment, I must see the bigger picture. For me to have clarity in the moment, I believe I must have a solid focus on what lies ahead of me for eternity. I wish I had better words to explain what I'm thinking or maybe I just haven't thought through it enough to verbalize it well but in my life, I see that my focus has often been on how I feel or what I want today. I want to be happy today. I want to feel good about myself today. I get caught up in today and forget the bigger picture and forget what God has planned for me. When I can stay focused on eternity with God, I can see today much more clearly, I can fight the battles much easier, I can rejoice in the victory with excitement and joy.

Christ didn't come to earth and die so that we might have happiness, health, prosperity, a good family, close friends. Christ came to die so we could spend an eternity with God and all the rewards that come with it. Christ didn't come to make today better for us, he came to give us the keys to eternity. I want to live every moment knowing that my eternity is secure, that all that really matters has already been taken care of for me. Knowing that, I can live in today with confidence and peace.
_______________________________________________________

I'm ending Friday with a little social commentary/humor. I wonder how Rick will deal with this one?



Grace and peace to you.

Tiger vs. Satan

NEWSFLASH - Tiger is human. What a shock, huh? Tiger is a great golfer and his competition finds him hard to defeat but there is a bigger competition Tiger is participating in and he has gotten knocked down a few times in that one. So how do we respond? Run out to buy the latest issue of US or National Enquirer or share photoshopped pictures and email jokes about the man? Enjoy the fact that the big and rich and famous can fall so publicly?

Tiger is no different than me...or you. He is a human being created in the image of God but fighting a spiritual battle for his soul. I can't speak to Tiger's relationship with God but his battle is just like my battle and your battle whether we recognize it or not. People fail. Tiger failed. I have failed too but God continues to love us so why would we want to spread gossip and be entertained by the pain of someone else? Whether it is arrogance or denial, none of us should be happy or concerned with Tiger's sins but instead offering a prayer that we all win the battle against satan, that we all represent kingdom living, that we all spend our time lifting each other up.

May God give me the strength to always remember we are all his children, that we are all made in his image, that we are all engaged in a battle against evil forces that want to rip us away from God and destroy us - whether that person is someone I don't know or someone I know well, whether I am not involved in the situation or if the situation affects me directly.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:10-13

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Grace and peace to you.

Starbucks

It's Tuesday night and I'm sitting in a Starbucks bumming wireless Internet. It's an interesting mix of people and sounds. I'm thinking of my friend Rick Ross while "Little Drummer Boy" is playing from the speakers overhead. Two ladies nearby are discussing "men problems", the table next to them is comprised of a middle aged couple in animated discussion. I'm guessing the man is a doctor, the woman is in a wheelchair. Around us are several college kids working on homework and projects, a cop and a guy who looks homeless except for the Mac laptop and the iPhone he's talking on.

We live in a world full of many different people dealing with many different issues, problems, expectations, joys, crushing blows and all with different methods of dealing with whatever they are going through. Yet, for all of us sitting here, there is one answer we all need, one way to get where we should all want to go, one source for peace and true joy. My prayer tonight is that God touches each person in this room and that all of our hearts will be open to his love and his power.

Grace and peace to you.

Overstuffed Monday

I ate less than I thought I would but it was the sweets where I had trouble slowing down.

What's up with Tiger Woods? His hiding will raise questions and take a little shine off his image.

I saw The Blind Side this weekend. Great story that I think anyone would enjoy. It's not a football movie - the guy just happens to play football.
_________________________________________________

Our youth group was singing a song a few weeks ago that was new to me but one they know and it has been floating in my head and I found it on iTunes last week and have loved playing it over and over. It addresses where God is in my life, when I'm doing stupid things I shouldn't do, when I'm walking close to him - all the time - God never lets go. I can pull away but he is always faithful, always there for me.

Never Let Go by Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Chorus: (2x’s)

He never lets go.

Grace and peace to you.

Bono

I don't know as much about Bono and his religious beliefs as I might should before posting a video of him speaking at the NAACP awards but, for me, his words speak loudly and directly to my heart.



I used to dabble with the idea that God might bring a disease on someone for their sin. Today, I shudder at the idea that I would think that. I read about what Jesus did with lepers, the crippled, the blind...he LOVED those people, he TOUCHED those people. I feel more sure today than ever that were Jesus walking the streets today, he would be in the midst of people afflicted by AIDS and he would LOVE those people and he would TOUCH those people.

Again, I repeat, I am writing this for my benefit and the only finger I am pointing is aimed at the guy in the mirror.

I love the Lord and I pray that my words, my thoughts and my actions will reflect that more and more in the days to come.

Grace and peace to you.

Wally World

I've never been a big fan of Wal-Mart but today was a good Wal-Mart day. On the way to the office, I hit something in the road that sliced the inside of one of my tires open. Wal-Mart being just up the road, I limped in before it was completely flat and let them work on it. They don't carry my tire so they put the spare on and I can head to the big city to get the other one replaced.

Today is declared Wal-Mart Day on the Way Out Wise blog!
________________________________________________________

I traveled to Burkburnett last night to watch my son and his team play basketball. It's neat watching a bunch of kids I coached at one time growing up and still playing ball. I think I've coached at least half the boys on my sons team at one time or another. Great memories and more to be made.
________________________________________________________

Thanksgiving is Thursday and I have so much to be thankful for - nothing more than a Savior who loves me, who has given his life for me and who has prepared an eternity for me that I can barely begin to imagine.

There's a song we sing at church with a line that says "count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done." I've never stopped to count them one by one because it would take a long, long time but it is a good exercise to embark on often.

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with thanks for the good times and the difficult times. God is with us every step of the way.
_______________________________________________________

I'm planning to be on a blogging vacation until after the holiday weekend.

Grace and peace to you.

Sent Out

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

I had an interesting conversation yesterday with someone who always says something that leaves me thinking. We were talking about Jesus and fellowship and where we see and don't see Jesus fellowshipping and what that might tell us today. We talked about discipleship and what that might mean for our world today. I went away still convinced of two things. First, I still want to better understand God's desire for me and how I need to live out the scriptures above. Second, I still think a return to the Christianity exhibited by a close reading of Christ's life is coming from a younger generation who will live in a different world than I have grown up in.

I am called to be a disciple; not a church-goer, not a good person, not a finger pointer - nothing but a disciple of Jesus. What should that look like in my life? in my words? my actions? my thoughts? It is a question and a path I am working on seeing more clearly and understanding better.

I do know this, the process of taking this journey has pulled me closer to God and given me peace I didn't know existed at one time. While I can wish I had made different decisions in the past, I cannot change history but only blaze new trails going forward and I am praying that the road I take leads me directly to the throne-room of God.

Grace and peace to you.

Friday!

Today's excerpt from Crazy Love may be the one that struck me the hardest and sent chills down my back.

Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this week's schedule and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Regarding this, C.S. Lewis writes, "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one." Crazy Love p. 75

Several events have intersected in my life that have opened my eyes to who God is and brought clarity to so many things I have wrestled with in my life. Some months back, Rick Ross did a series on heaven that reached my ears at just the time I was most open to hearing it and has helped me put much more focus on eternity and not this present world. It's not that I don't get caught up in today's to-do list at times but I see my shifting focus on eternity as one of the most prominent drivers in my new relationship with my Lord. (You can get the podcasts of those lessons on iTunes.)

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col. 3:2)

Grace and peace to you.

Thursday

I love easy blog titles.
I got to watch the Longhorns playing basketball last night on ESPNU. It was a good night.
Elvis Andrus came in 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting for the American League. Proof that the voting is biased and/or rigged.
Reports yesterday suggested Roger Staubach and Nolan Ryan were going to join Tom Hicks ownership group. I'd prefer Staubach and Ryan buying out Tom Hicks but you can't win 'em all.
_________________________________________________

Two posts from Crazy Love by Francis Chan today:

Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. They are quick to point out, "Jesus never said money is the root of all evil, only that the 'love' of money is." Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel "called" to minister to the rich, very few feel "called" to minister to the poor. Crazy Love p. 75

Ouch.

Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be 'good enough' without it requiring too much of them.

They ask "How far can I go before it's considered a sin?" instead of "How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit."

They ask, "How do I have to give?" instead of "How much can I give?"

They ask, "How much time should I spend praying and reading my Bible?" instead of "I wish I didn't have to go to work so I could sit here and read longer." Crazy Love p. 76

These thoughts speak to me. They make me look inside and examine my heart. Sometimes I find answers that I believe God is pleased with. Sometimes I find answers that encourage me to change my heart and mind. All in all, I believe I have spent many years as a lukewarm Christian but I don't feel I will be satisfied with that level any longer. I pray that my heart will continue to open wider to God's purpose for me. I pray that for you too.

Grace and peace to you.

Wednesday

I've always thought Wednesday was spelled funny.
I missed a Tuesday post. Wow, what a busy day.
I both enjoy and can't stand athletic practices that start early in the morning.
Did anyone see the pictures of Bud Adams, the Titans owner, shooting the middle finger at the Buffalo crowd over the weekend? I wonder what was going through his mind.
It's basketball season. I went to a middle school game Monday and high school game on Tuesday. Fun stuff.
__________________________________________________

I'm still in Crazy Love but have the chapter on Lukewarm Christians floating around in my head. It's good stuff to think about and makes for a great self-exam. I'm sharing parts of it here that speak to me because of the road I have traveled through life. I'm talking to myself in what I write here but I hope it might help someone else who is or was captured with a misguided focus on what's important for today.

Lukewarm people feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican or live in America. Just as the prophets of the Old Testament warned Israel that they were not safe just because they lived in the land of Israel, so we are not safe just because we wear the label "Christian" or because some people persist in calling us a "Christian nation." Crazy Love p. 78

Amen, brother. I'm inundated by emails supporting the notion that our founding fathers were Christians. Well, great, but what are the people of this country doing today to be Christ-like? A history lesson is great but it doesn't reach the lost, it doesn't clothe the naked or feed the hungry or take care of the sick. I think the danger of calling our land a Christian nation is that we become just like the Jews who thought Jesus was there for a physical revolution. Does my effort to be Christ-like depend on what country I live in?

The new thing I'm starting to see are the protests of Obama or whoever the target of the day is taking Christ out of Christmas. Right or wrong, I'm more concerned about taking Christ out of Christian. I don't remember the Jesus that complained about the government or the school district or other entities. I do read about the Jesus that spent his time and efforts on building the kingdom of God one lost soul at a time.

I pray my life begins to look more like his.

Grace and peace to you.

Monday

I was glad to see the Colts beat the Patriots. I was kind of glad to see the Packers shut down the Cowboys. I'm ready for college basketball.

I think the cold front is here.
_______________________________________________________

I've been reading a book titled "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and it is painfully convicting in places, very illuminating in others. This week, I'm going to be posting some excerpts from the book that speak to me.

I've been on a journey that has caused me to explore who I am and who I should be as a Christian. There have been parts of the journey that I have enjoyed and found things I believe are pleasing to God and there have been parts where I see some holes that need to be plugged. By and large, I feel what I have grown up believing to be Christ-like living and what I believe today that I am called to be leaves a wide chasm that I need to cross. I have come to view much of my Christian life lived in safety and comfort - doing the "right things" but, looking back, not really doing what Christ did. I'll dive deeper in later posts on what I think I am called to and the distance I need to travel to get there but for now an excerpt from the book about lukewarm Christians.

Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don't have to trust God if something unexpected happens - they have their savings account. The don't need God to help them - they have their retirement plan in place. They don't genuinely seek out what life God would have them live - the have life figured and mapped out. They don't depend on God on a daily basis - their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God. Crazy Love, p. 78

The last sentence makes a great question for me to answer.

Grace and peace to you.

Out and About

I've been on a bit of a blogging break while out of town this week. I was in Atlanta to welcome remnants of Hurricane Ida as rain fell and fell and fell for two days. I'm getting a little tired of rain.
____________________________________________________

Three people on the first night I was here said "don't walk around downtown after dark." I didn't.
____________________________________________________

I'm not going to say much about the Ft. Hood incident since it is well reported but I can't quit wondering when people will turn the "hate button" off and turn the "love-each-other button" on. I find it very confusing to hear people talk about what a compassionate country we have while wanting to go to war and put to death people who do things we don't agree with.
____________________________________________________

The end of the world isn't the worst thing I can imagine. Muslims taking over the world and eradicating everyone who doesn't agree with them isn't even the worst thing I can imagine.

Not going to heaven...the worst thing I can imagine.

Grace and peace to you.

How Rich Are You?

The Yankees bought another World Series. I think it comes as no surprise that I don't care for the Yankees organization but I do enjoy Mariano Rivera when he comes to the mound to pitch. His demeanor and his results always impress me.
____________________________________________________

I heard a very thought provoking (and toe stepping-on) message from Rob Bell last night. How rich are you? Did you know that only 8% of the world's population owns a car? Did you know that around 1 billion people don't have clean drinking water? Did you know that nearly 800 million people go hungry each day? How about the fact that 300 million of those going hungry are kids?

I'm guilty of looking at the guy up the street and around the corner with the newer car, the bigger house with the pool, a bigger flat panel TV and thinking - now that's rich. I'm guilty of thinking it would be OK if I had 2 or 3 cars to drive depending on my mood, guilty of thinking a second vacation home is normal. Don't mishear me because I am not condemning anyone who has those things but questioning my desire to have so much more when others are starving.

1 Timothy 6:17-20 (NIV) - Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Is God pleased when I write my check to the cause-of-the-month and continue my pursuit of a bigger TV? Does he want more from me? Does he want my heart to be in helping the millions and billions of people - some who live very near me - or is he happy when I send my check and go on my way? How much is enough for me? for you?I added the boldness to a couple of phrases that I need to remember. It's more than writing a check or praying - I need to DO good and I need to remember that this life isn't the important one - there is one coming that will provide me with more than I could ever earn or deserve.

Bell also commented on the phrase "God Bless America." God has blessed America. What will America do with those blessings?

Grace and peace to you.

Why Is It?

Why is it that some things, some events, some conversations make no sense? I'm amazed at times by the way things can be seen and interpreted so differently. It seemingly happens all the time, at home, at work, at church, on the athletic field, in the band hall, reading a book...two or more people looking at the same thing with very different views of what they are seeing; what they are processing; what they are thinking.

It's pretty neat when you can experience two divergent views come to a middle ground of understanding. One of Covey's 7 Habits is "seek first to understand and then be understood." It's one of my favorites and one I continually try to put into practice. On the other hand, when one or both parties sees things differently and refuses to seek understanding, it can be maddening.

I get frustrated/mad/disappointed/upset/emotional when I can't reach understanding with someone. I can spend days thinking and worrying about it.

I wonder how God feels. He had one book written and it has been interpreted hundreds of different ways with people fighting over what it says. I wonder how frustrated/mad/disappointed/upset/emotional God gets as we sit here and argue over various points and wordings while people are suffering, hurting, killing and dying. (Make no mistake, I am talking to myself here.)

I can't help but wonder how God would have used me if my focus had been simply on the scriptures below.

Luke 10:26-28 (New International Version) ²⁶"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" ²⁷He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"²⁸"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

John 21:17 (New International Version) ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

I wonder how God will use me in the future as I try to keep my focus on loving God and feeding his sheep.

Grace and peace to you.

How It Works

The Phillies got back in it last night. The Yankees are up 3-2 so the Phillies have to win 2 to hang on but the Yankees either made a great move or killed themselves with pitching. They are throwing their starters on 3 days rest when they usually need 4-5 days of rest between starts. CC Sabathia can handle it but AJ Burnett couldn't last night and the Yanks throw Andy Pettite next. He's a great pitcher but getting older and how he responds can shift the whole thing to the Phillies favor.
__________________________________________________________

The theme for the youth retreat was built around discipleship. Are you a disciple of Christ every day in every situation? I'm not but continually hoping and working on my heart so that I can change my answer one day.
__________________________________________________________

I've said this before but feel compelled to say it again...our Youth Minister and his wife are simply awesome. They challenge our kids to be Christ-like in such loving and caring ways. They are good examples of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Thank you Jacob and Heather.

I would accidentally leave some others out if I start naming names but there are some other adults at our church that have an immense love for our youth and are such a blessing to our kids. I am thankful for them.
__________________________________________________________

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Grace and peace to you.

On the Mountain Top

I spent the weekend in the woods of East Texas with 50-60 youth from our church. I slept on a piece of plywood with a piece of covered foam on it. I shared a bathhouse with 20-30 7th-12th graders, ate camp meals and didn't have a diet Dr. Pepper or diet Coke for the better part of 2 days and it was one of the best weekends I've ever experienced. It was my 3rd retreat with our youth group and everyone of them has been similar to a mountain top experience for me - a spiritual high where I feel the presence of God ever so close.

Along with some great kids, we have some very loving and caring adults who have a burning desire to bring these kids closer to God. I know some of them are getting it now and others will take longer but all of them are being filled with the knowledge of who God is and what kind of relationship he wants with everyone of us.

One of the kids made the comment that they wish they could just stay there because of how it helps them respond to God. I know the feeling and wonder if some of those monks haven't figured it out. Good or bad, we are back to the real world and the regular obstacles of life that work to pull us away from God. I am praying that we have a new level of strength to defend ourselves from the evil that is lurking - waiting on us to fall.

Grace and peace to you.

Crazy

What would you think if someone walked up and handed you a check for $1,000,000 today? What if they drove you up to a beautiful house and handed you the keys? What if they led you out the front door and presented you with a brand new Corvette? How about a coupon that will allow you and anyone you want to take to travel anywhere in the world whenever you want to go? How would you feel? I think I would have to wonder what I did to get such a gift for free and why they would give me something so expensive just because they wanted to. I'm not sure I would have the words to express how grateful I was. Even more, what if they gave me something more valuable than the check, the house, the car, the travel or anything else you can think of? What if they gave you a gift that is impossible for anyone else to give you? How would you feel then?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Grace and peace to you.

The End

What do you think of when you think about "the end?"

I was reading an article recently discussing the end of life from two perspectives. One was that the end of life was full of sorrow and depression. Time lost, things not done, life not fulfilled. The other perspective was one of excitement and newness. Claiming the reward, joy and rejoicing.

I won't pretend to know all the answers but people who lose themselves in alcoholism, drug addiction, hedonism, over-eating/spending/indulging, lost in depression...surely they do not comprehend the love God has for them. I have to imagine their vision is very short-sighted and they do not see or understand or believe where the end of this life can lead them.

I have been one of those people, knowing there was a heaven but not understanding my claim to it, certainly not grasping God's feelings for me but now that I do, I'm willing to live out this life trying to follow God's will but I truly look forward to the end of this life because of what has and will be given to me by the Father.

This world, this life, is not as good as it gets...not even close. I will wait but I continue to look forward to my eternity with excitement.

Grace and peace to you.

More Randomness

Crazy days in Afghanistan and Pakistan. I certainly don't understand the mind of a suicide bomber.

Hypothetically speaking...a suicide bomber heads to his target thinking he will end up in a place surrounded by a bunch of virgins or something like that. The bomb explodes and then he wakes up and is greeted by more fire and a guy with horns and a tail (remember, this is hypothetical). What do you think goes through his mind then?

I wonder if President Obama is finding his promise of more dialogue and negotiation with these warring nations much harder than he thought. He won the Nobel Prize but I think that only impresses the intellectuals, not the street fighters. I'm not criticizing him, just wondering if it is tougher getting things done than he imagined.

I heard someone talking about where God was leading him and then talking about how he would kill someone who broke into his house. I still haven't reconciled those two topics.

I'm reading two books right now. One is about God's crazy love for us. The other is about a CIA operative is knocking off all the terrorists. I'm not sure I've reconciled my reading habits yet. :)

The first one, titled Crazy Love, has a chapter about lukewarm Christians and how to tell if you are one. One word came to mind as I read it...OUCH! The upside was most of the points that hurt are points I have been seeing and working on in myself.

I spent most of the evening listening to a missionary who wants the world to be saved...today. I love his passion and desire to share the good news with everyone. He encourages me and reminds me that I am also sent out - everyday - to work in the mission field. I'm trying to remind him that he couldn't do everything, at least he can't do it all at once. I'm not sure I'll do much to dissuade him from giving it a try.

I love people who love and live for God on a daily basis. They lift me up. I thank God for the people who are in my life who model this lifestyle for me.

Grace and peace to you.

Random Thoughts Day

I would like to be in a cabin in Colorado today.

I have mixed emotions about the people who received tickets for not speaking English in Dallas. If someone is going to drive and be subject to our laws, doesn't it seem important to speak the language of the laws in the event of an accident? On the other hand, I think I understood the ticket they received is not a law so I don't see how they can get a ticket for it.

I wonder what will happen with the Rangers next year. I wonder if Jim Zorn will stick it out all year in Washington. I wonder what it's like to make a lot of money but have little free time to enjoy it. I wonder what it's like to make a lot of money.

I wonder what it's like to live in poverty, to have spent a life with little or no support and little or no opportunity. I wonder why I was born in a land of opportunity while someone not so different from me was born in Darfur. I wonder what my responsibility at a kingdom level is to that guy.

Grace and peace to you.

Off The Road Again

I'm suggesting a new song title to Willie. I got plenty of driving in last week and I don't want anymore right now...especially in a pouring rain through road construction on I-35.

All the driving gave me time to pray and think. I did enjoy that time. It got my mind started on my 3rd book idea. Too many ideas, too little time. I might bang through some of the thoughts here in a few days but I'm weighing the comments I think it might illicit with my propensity to respond and then think about what I want to say.

My dad had some surgery last week. It's amazing what technology affords us these days but having surgery at 7:30 and being home at 12:30 still doesn't seem right. He's doing well and I cannot begin to express my thanksgiving for all the prayers lifted up for him and my family during this time. I had some people tell me they had friends in different towns who don't know us praying for dad. That is special.

Keep praying. Dad will get the pathology report back this week to find out what the next step is.

I watched a quarter of the Cowboys game yesterday and saw Romo's elusive move to get away from 4 defenders and still make a great play. The guy is a good QB but I think he's still rushing things. It looks like he is often throwing off his front foot. (Did I mention I'm a football analyst for the ACQBTV network - that's Armchair Quarterback for those of you not familiar with the station.)

I like Miles Austin so far. His expressions give me the impression he loves to play football just for the fun of it.

That's all for today.

Grace and peace to you.

Wandering Wondering

I posted a blog a few days ago about the Israelites wandering around for 40 years often questioning or forgetting who God is and what he had done for them. I get it. I wander around wondering what is going on and forget that God is sovereign, forgetting that he will lead me if I will let him, forgetting what he has done for me in the past because I'm thinking about what I want right now, forgetting about the promise that is ahead of me and losing focus on what is most important because I get focused on me.

It's so easy to get distracted. The Israelites didn't have easy access to TV, movies, sports, computers, cars, food and a million other things that might distract us today but they still got distracted. Maybe it was the lack of anything like that leaving too much time to think about themselves where I just dive into something that will take my mind off in a different direction from where it needs to be set.

Jeremy Camp sings a song that goes something like this - give me Jesus, give me Jesus. In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. In the day when I'm all alone, give me Jesus. In the end, when I die, give me Jesus.

Grace and peace to you.

Peaceful Rain

I woke up to hear it raining and immediately my mood went south. I had a day planned with things to do this morning that required the rain to come in later like the weather guy told me it would yesterday morning. On top of that, I'm just kind of tired of the rain and would like a little more sunshine. My mood changed completely while taking my son to school. "I love the rain" was his comment so I asked why. "It just makes all the bad stuff in the world seem not so bad and makes me feel peaceful."

You know, this rain really makes me feel peaceful too.

Grace and peace to you.

Balloon Boy Hoax

The Longhorns won but not convincingly. I'm thinking national title hopes are shaky at best. I hated to see Sam Bradford go down and think Texas won based on that event alone. I hope he recovers and this injury doesn't affect his opportunity to play in the NFL one day.
____________________________________________________

Reports today are that the balloon boy incident was all a hoax; a story crafted by his parents to get attention and publicity for them, both trained actors. How crazy is it to put your kids in that situation?

Then again, how crazy is it that many of us do a lot of things we do? I've heard the term "me addiction" recently and realize that is how I have often lived my life. What do I want? How do I feel? It seems our society is filled with thoughts of making ourselves happy in what we have/do/want. I'm certainly guilty of falling in the trap.

I appreciate the organizations that are springing up trying to put our focus back where it should be. I Am Second (www.iamsecond.com) and What's In It For Him (www.whatsinitforhim.com) or just a couple and I know more exist. It's encouraging to see an effort to remind people that there is a higher power and a higher calling we need to focus on.

God is so good.

Grace and peace to you.

Go Dodgers!

I want to see a Dodger/Yankee match-up in the World Series. Torre against the Yankees. Manny back in New York. Philadelphia seems to have some thoughts on preventing that. No one called me to ask what I wanted either. Surprise, surprise.

The only, really, truly important sporting event of the year occurs tomorrow. Texas vs. Zero U. Hook 'em Horns! That said, I can be a fan of Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy because of where their hearts seem to be. Check it out: www.whoissecond.com

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

The meditations of my heart? How many of you are like me with plenty of "words of my mouth" but far too little "meditation of my heart"?

I can't get Exodus 14:14 out of my mind the past few days.

Be still.

Grace and peace to you.

Funny Letter

I got a letter from the Republican Party yesterday asking me a series of questions and I really hope they read my responses. While their questions had check boxes for yes or no responses, I used what space I could to give them my whole response. I could sum up all the questions like this: Do you think the Obama/Pelosi administration is going to run this country into the ground? It cracks me up. Personally, I think both political parties are doing a great job running this country into the ground as a nation. I think they are both corrupt and full of evil, self-serving, self-righteousness.

All these Obama-bashers need to wake up and realize that A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY VOTED FOR OBAMA! Think about that for a second. The majority (yes, I know the President isn't elected by popular vote - I'm just using majority as the easiest descriptor of what happened) of the country thinks it was not going well before Obama. That should tell the Republican party something but I don't think they are listening. I think they are whining like a bunch of little kids who don't get there way.

Here's the other problem I see. Christians are to blame too! Anyone think I've hit my head yet? Christians who have acted without compassion and love (anyone notice how many churches treat people who are divorced, lived an "alternative lifestyle", doesn't dress like they do, etc?). Christians who have tried to abdicate their roles to government (if every home had prayer time on a daily basis it might create a better school environment - maybe?). Christians who are more concerned with getting ahead than building up the kingdom (seen some people who give more time to their jobs than family or the kingdom?). Christians who are more willing to spend their money than to step out of their cocoon and help someone (OUCH, I just stepped on my toes).

Here's the solution. Christians being Christ-like. There are bunches of them in this country and I believe this country is in a spot where Christ-likeness will be recognized. Compassion. Forgiveness. Mercy. Love. This country and this world are screaming for those things and those who want to build the kingdom of God are in a great place at a great time. I think a side benefit of building the kingdom is creating a positive living environment in this country but the focus must be God, not the USA. I disagree with the notion that I am blessed to live in the country. I think God put me here for a purpose - I just have to ask myself if I am living up to His purpose for me.

I hope I see it more and more. Even more, I hope I live it every day.

Off the soapbox now.

Grace and peace to you.

A New Picture

You might have noticed I changed the main picture. I thought you all needed to see more of me! Ha. This picture was taken in South Fork on a day my son and I rented a Jeep and drove up into the mountains above Beaver Creek Reservoir. I used to stop at these "waterfalls" when I was a kid and drink what I believed then and now to be the clearest, coldest water I had ever tasted.

On this trip, I was having problems getting good footing as the little pebbles kept sliding out from under me. As I was trying to get my footing for the picture, I was thinking that is how my life works at times - trying to get on solid footing with people or with God but it seems the ground under my feet just slips out from under me and I never feel quite sure of where I stand.

My next book idea has a working title of "I Don't Care What You Say, I Must Be Jewish" based on the idea that I can easily see myself as an Israelite traveling through the wilderness wanting to serve God but lost at times, forgetful at times, wondering if God forgot me and surely spending more time worrying about myself instead of what God wants me to be doing. At one point, the Israelites are complaining and Moses responds with what I need to hear today. From Exodus 14:

¹² Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" ¹³ Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

If only I will be still and let the LORD fight for me.

Grace and peace to you.

What To Say and When To Say It

Do you ever hear someone say something and feel the pain that comes from their words but don't know what to say? Or hear someone say something that you want to respond to but the words don't come? I find myself there every now and again and tonight is one of those times. I was reading what someone was writing on a site I visit and I sense pain for decisions made and pain from the consequences and I know that feeling - maybe not the exact thing they are experiencing but something that is likely similar. I realize I'm in a different place in life but pain is pain whenever you experience it, be it as a teenager, a middle-ager or an old timer. We may process the pain differently at different stages of life but the pain is still pain.

Here's the good news. God is still God. He is the God who loves us no matter what we have done. He is the God who waits for us with arms outstretched when those around us turn their backs and avoid us. He is the God who has mercy when others won't let go and he is the God who shares his grace in abundance. He is the God who will let us make bad decisions and the God who will let us feel the repercussions and he is the God who will let us learn from our mistakes and the God who will fight for us. He is the God who has won the war by sacrificing his son and he is the God who calls us his child. He is the God who allows us to suffer and feel pain and he is the God who gives us peace in storms, who will heal our wounds and who offers us joy in all circumstances.

God is patient, he is kind, he bears all things, endures all things and hopes all things. His forgiveness is abundant. He is Lord and shepherd and through him I have all I need.

I hope if you are reading this and you are suffering, if you are battling guilt or sorrow of decisions made, if it seems like the world is closing in on you - that you will turn to see God and that you will be open to the complete and perfect love he has for you. I have experienced it in my life and I hope you will find the joy and peace I have come to know.

Grace and peace to you.

Bright Lights

I'm back from Las Vegas (Henderson, NV actually) and the bright lights. I'm always amazed by how much electricity and water is used in that town for absolutely nothing. I would think that city would be a beacon to the terrorists.

I did eat really good at a place called Roy's Hawaiian Steakhouse. A connection who lives out there took us to dinner and paid so that was extra nice. Great fish and the first time I ate sushi and wanted more.

I heard the Cowboys won yesterday. Yippee. Overtime with Kansas City though? C'mon.

I watched part of the Rockies/Phillies game last night. Nothing like baseball played with the fans bundled up in parkas. That ain't right.

I've been reading a book that has me thinking more about a Christian perspective of government and politics. I might be writing on some of my thoughts from it later. It is only strengthening my resolve to separate my views of church and state and to put an end to the reference of America as a Christian nation. I think we as Christians as sorely misplacing our focus when we do that.

Grace and peace to you.

Chasing Diamonds

Favre vs. Packers on MNF. I bet the announcers are drooling over this story.
_______________________________________________

I recently was reminded of a story I have heard before (or a version similar) of an African farmer who was successful and had started farming because he enjoyed working the land. He began to hear about people discovering diamonds around the country and he heard how wealthy they were becoming and decided that even though he was good at what he did, it wasn't making him lots of money. He decided to sell his farm and go diamond hunting and spent the rest of his life looking for something he would never find, ending up broke and broken down and took his own life. At the same time, the guy who had bought his farm happened across a beautiful stone in one of the creeks on the property and put it on his mantle at home. A visitor stopped by one day, saw the stone on the mantle and told the owner it was a diamond. They began going over the property and found more and more stones and the farm turned out to be one of the best diamond mines in the country.

It's a good reminder that I need to look more closely at what I have and find the beauty in it instead of seeing what I don't have and losing focus. I know there are those of us who are guilty of not enjoying what we have while imaging things would be so much better with something else.

I'm guilty of taking for granted the beauty God has placed in my life, failing to see the diamonds laying around me. I need to remember to look through God's eyes and not my own, I need to remember to see what he wants me to see, not what I want to look for. I can look and see what I don't have or I can look and see the beauty and wonder God grants me each day.

Grace and peace to you.

Here We Go

I only caught the news snippets but apparently David Letterman admitted to having affairs with staffers on his show last night. OK, let's here it. It's time to point out all of his faults, all of his failings and talk about what a horrible person he is...because he sinned. Yes he did. The heathen. (I hope the sarcasm is dripping through.)

I really wonder how many people who speak well of Josh Hamilton, even after his problem in January, will want to verbally beat up Letterman. I hope self-righteousness doesn't rear it's ugly head but that people will simply pray for Letterman and for all of us who are sinners. I would really - really - like to hear people criticize the evil one and talk about what he is doing among us when referencing Letterman's faults...and their own. I hope to realize Letterman is no different than me - a man, made in God's image, tempted by satan and loved by God.
_____________________________________________

While I'm rambling about what I don't want to hear I'll include all the talk about Obama's trip to the Olympic thingy. If George Bush had gone while he was President the Republicans would be crowing like roosters talking about how wonderful it is he is bringing focus to this great land. The Republican party is beginning to disgust me. What compounds it is that many of these same people hold out their Christian values while running someone down the minute a microphone is in front of them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of the Democrats but it is sad to see what our "leaders" do. I want a politician representing me that represents what politicians should, the best interest of the country, without grandstanding and without finding something negative to say at any moment.
_____________________________________________

Enough griping. Here's something to end the week on...

Jesus died for you and me. He loves you and me through our sin and died for us so that we might truly experience his glory. If you read this blog and don't know the true love of Christ, I hope to have the opportunity to visit with you and tell you what I know about the greatest gift I have ever or will ever receive. God is alive. He loves us in ways we may never understand and he wants us to know him.

Grace and peace to you.

What About Me?

I think it's safe to say we live in a society that is suffering from a "me" addiction. What's in it for me? What do I get out of it? What about me? I have been a me-aholic and understand the desire to please self but have come to see it for what it is - a self-defeating endeavor. It's self-defeating because everyone will reach a point where getting all you want can never be enough and it leads to emotional, spiritual and physical pain. It drives people to alcohol and drugs, it destroys marriages, leads to depression, lack of hope and even suicide. It pulls people away from God and opens the door for satan to create shame and doubt. It slowly but surely tears people to shreds. There are very good and sound reasons scripture continually calls us to deny self and to put God first and foremost in every thought and action.

I ran across the website www.whatsinitforhim.com that is dedicated to the idea that we need to overcome our me addiction and start asking "what's in it for God?" The idea is that we need to take our focus off of ourselves and put it on God. It's not the idea that we start bargaining for God like we often do for ourselves but that our actions need to glorify him. The site and ministry is new and evolving but I hope the idea behind it catches on. In my life, are the choices I am making to the benefit of God's glory? That simple thought has the potential to create huge changes. Let us pray it is so.

Grace and peace to you.

Verse of the Day

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” (Philippians 1:9-10)

What if every day was spent making our love abound? What if we were both givers and receivers of abounding love? Imagine satan waking up everyday to find a world filled with abounding love. What a hoot. I can see him jumping into a pig and running off down the hill into the lake and drowning himself because that is what happens to sin in the presence of abounding love.

Dictionary.com defines abounding as to occur or exist in great quantities or numbers. Does your love abound? Mine does...for seconds at a time and then its back to the routine of the day but what if...what if my I shared abounding love in every interaction and action? I think I would look a lot more like Jesus and I think sin would flee from me instead of lurk around trying to take hold of me.

What would happen if the people we have conflicts with were met by our abounding love? What would happen if our enemies were met with abounding love?

I'm asking a lot of "what if" questions because I don't know what it would look like from past experience but I am praying today that I will exhibit that type of love more and more. I want to look more like Jesus and less like my old self. I'm asking a lot of "what if" questions because this blog is written to me and it is something I want to work on in my life.

Grace and peace to you.

A Slow Mental Day

I think I'm just about wiped out. Too little sleep can do that to a person.

The Rangers lost their last home game of the year. I've said it before and will say it again...they did more than anyone expected and have stayed in the hunt until the final games. It's been a fun year. There's nothing like going to a September game and seeing the stadium full and hearing the crowd cheer. I hope there is more of it next year.

The Cowboys play tonight. Go Panthers. OK, I really don't care who wins and I won't be watching. I'm having dinner and catching movie with a great friend.

A cool front (it wasn't cold) was blowing in this morning when I left the house. I love it!

To my golfer friend, I did see Phil-the-Lefty won the tournament this weekend. All is right (or left) with the world!

What's up with Iran? Are they provoking a fight? People are crazy.

That's all I've got today.

Grace and peace to you.

It's Crazy Out There

3 terrorist plots thwarted yesterday. I'm glad the Feds caught up with these guys but I don't believe they can catch all of them. Yesterday's efforts indicate to me that we can expect more carnage and maybe sooner than any of us care to think about.

This is one of those moments where I really wonder what God is thinking. I do believe he will use any situation for his glory but this is one of those deals where I cannot think out-of-the-box enough to imagine how he will use terrorists activities. Just for the record, I'm all for sending a legion of angels down to put a whooping on the terrorists but go back to what I have stated before; I want to worship a God who thinks bigger than me and sees more than me. I've offered my opinions plenty of times and occasionally I was aligned with him enough that I got what I wanted but I think these terrorists issues are going to take a bigger view and mind than what I can offer God. Still, I might mention to him the legion of angels idea...
_________________________________________________

It kills me to see the Rangers lose to the A's. OK, it hasn't killed me but I rather see them close out the year beating teams they should beat. I wonder if they are interested in listening to my ideas?
_________________________________________________

The Cowboys play Monday. My only interest is that Marion Barber is one of my fantasy football running backs. Get well Marion!
_________________________________________________

It's a sports weekend at our house and I can't be in 2 places at once. I hate weekends like this because I don't want to miss either child doing their thing.
_________________________________________________

God is so good. Wednesday night, we sang In Christ Alone, a song I have come to love and cherish. My hope is not in people, not in things but in Christ alone. Anyone/anything else will fail me. Christ will not.

Grace and peace to you.

Taking Up For Tony

What's up with all the Romo bashing? He's got a great win-loss record overall. His stats to date give him the 3rd best QB historical rating. He comes out and plays every week in what has to be one of the most dysfunctional organizations in football. Give him Aikman's offense and I bet he does really well but give him a blindside offensive tackle who has to trip people, receivers who are nutcases or battling to stay off the development squad and coaches who are picked by a non-football guy who wants it to be all about him and I think Romo does well.

Is he a superstar? No. No doubt he has to win in December and January to reach that level but run through the names of the most previous Cowboy quarterbacks and tell me who you want. Quincy Carter? I think he was the last QB to lead them to a playoff game before Romo.

I'll take my chances with Romo until Jerry brings in the next Staubach/Aikman.
_________________________________________________

I taught the youth class last night using the song The Motions by Matthew West as the topic. I love that song and I hope I did a good job sharing what God can do with people who are broken to his will.

I love the line "I don't want to have to spend my whole life asking, what if I had given everything?" I don't do a good job giving God everything every day. I still get caught up focusing on me but I have great joy when I can feel that I am turning my life, my thoughts, my decisions and my actions over to God.

I hope you will listen to the song if you have never heard it. There is power in the breaking and the pain that come with giving yourself over to God and realizing he is all there is, he is all that counts, he is everything you need or should want. The pain isn't always fun but the growing closer to God that comes from it is not just fun, it is pure joy.

Grace and peace to you.

Sometimes Theft Works

Crazy title, huh?

I stole today's post from Beverly Ross' blog.

The more estranged our relationship with God, the greater our emotional expectations of people. The greater our emotional expectations of people, the more difficult life is; the greater emotional pain we live in, the more difficult we are to live with. (by Rod Pruitt)

There's not much I can add to that other to suggest re-reading with a spin of the closer we are to God, the less we rely on people and the greater our joy.

Grace and peace to you.

Earning

Romans 15:7

I heard a comment yesterday that I have come to have a dim view of. "They will have to earn my respect." You can also substitute "trust" for "respect" and I have the same dim view of what that means.

Respect and trust is given, not earned. We have developed this notion that we have to earn respect/trust/money/salvation but God has showed time and time again these things are given.

If respect and the rest are to be earned, what is the standard? The answer is whatever each individual wants the standard to be and all that does is put each individual in the position of being judge and jury. However, if respect and the rest are to be given, what is the standard? Simply to give.

The guy I work for can quit paying me at any time he wants. There is nothing I do to earn my position, my status or my salary. Sure, he may have given me those things because of what I have done but he chooses to give. I think I have worked hard enough to earn a bazillion dollars but he chooses what to give me. There is a parable in the Bible that tells a story similar to what I'm saying. One guy worked all day, another just a short time and they both got paid the same. The owner of the field is the decider of what to give.

I have been guilty of being the judge on what someone needs to do to earn my trust and respect. I hope going forward I will simply accept people as children of God, even when they hurt me in their actions, knowing that there is nothing I can do to earn my forgiveness or to earn my salvation. It was given to me freely. Why should I give less?

Grace and peace to you.

Monday Mish Mash

I hate sinus headaches.

Johnny Knox looks like the real deal. He's the speedster running down the sidelines for the Chicago Bears catching touchdown passes and formerly of ACU.

I don't hate the Cowboys, I just don't care for the Cowboys and it must be Jerry. I like Romo, Roy Williams, Witten, Barber, Felix Jones, Brookings, Ware and Jason Garrett. I thought losing the home opener at JerryWorld was humorous but didn't really care if they lost or won. I don't dislike Jerry (being that I don't know him), I just don't care for some of the decisions I see and it affects how I feel about the team I think.

There was something I kept seeing last night that irritates me. It's nothing new but when defensive players make a tackle and then act like it just saved the game winning score as they go running down the field or dancing around. Guys, you get paid to make tackles! I wish they had to do some walk of shame every time they get beat if they are going to boogie down every time they tackle someone. Or maybe they should have to watch all their little celebrations with the final score flashing in the background. They may be great guys but their actions irritate me when they do that.

The Horns made it a little too close against Tech but still won. Mack kept it in perspective after the game saying he wanted them to play perfect at the end of the season, not the beginning. Still, I bet he wishes they were playing a little closer to perfect. :)

I went to the Rangers game Saturday night after playing catch in the outfield with my son and catching a Mercy Me concert before the game. It was a thrilling ending to a season that is quickly coming to a close. While they aren't mathematically eliminated yet, they lost yesterday and it pretty well put the final nail in the coffin for the year. That said, I've never had more anticipation for next year. The stadium was packed Saturday night and the roar of the crowd when Andrus turned the double play was electric.

I get the privilege of teaching the youth class Wednesday night and I'm using the song "The Motions" by Matthew West as the springboard for the lesson. If you haven't heard the song, go to his web site or YouTube and listen to it. Great stuff.

Grace and peace to you.

This Crazy Place We Live

The Texas Rangers. Need I say more? Offense has never been a problem. It's a problem now.

I'm curious why Michael Vick generates more outrage in our country than the guy in California who kept the girl hostage in his backyard and had 2 kids with her.

I do not condone or have any interest in what Vick was involved in but these animal rights activists are off-the-rails.

I still can't comprehend why we have not apprehended Osama Bin Laden.

I've seen how government funded health care works from the back office and the thought of our government (regardless of who is in office) running health care is disgusting.

I'm ready for the Republicans (and all politicians) to get off their high horse and get to work. If I recall correctly, Bush was in office when the government started handing out money. It was a bad idea then.

I think I met the next U.S. Senator for Texas this week. I had the opportunity to have a face-to-face meeting with Roger Williams who is working to take Kay Bailey Hutchinson's seat when she resigns. I'm still skeptical of anyone running for public office but he's got my vote.

I'm headed back to torture (physical therapy) at the hands of a 4'11" young lady today. I think she likes seeing me grimace.

I was thinking last night about my past propensity to try and craft outcomes instead of allowing God to work in my life. I verbalized it last night this way; I do not want a God that I am an equal with, I want a God who is bigger than me. I do not want a God who can see what I can see. I want a God who can see far more than I can. I do not want a God who can imagine what I can imagine. I want a God who can imagine possibilities I never could. I want to worship a God who can do far more than I ever could and a God who can forgive far more than I ever could and a God who can love far more than I ever could and a God who will give me the strength to do all these things to a greater extent than I ever could on my own. That's the God I want and that is the God I worship today.

Grace and peace to you.

Piece of Clay

Yesterday was interesting. Up early for an FCA breakfast then a meeting with a candidate for U.S. Senate, a little work and then to the beating of the Rangers. Some days are more interesting than others and some certainly end with better results than last night but the time with special people was truly enjoyed.
__________________________________________________

I haven't heard the song yet but there are lyrics I ran across today from a Marvin Gaye song, "Pieces of Clay" and I thought they were so true.

Don't you see that's what wrong
With the world today
Everybody wants somebody
To be their own piece of clay

We are supposed to be the clay. We are supposed to be the one who is being molded by the Creator. I don't know what he is going to make with me. I can't envision the final work but the artist has a plan.

I get caught up wanting to know the plan, interject my desires in the plan, create the path for the plan to follow. I want to be the molder instead of the molded. I think I can see outcomes and what they will be like and I try to control things I can't control.

God, remind me that I am the clay and you are the artist. Remind me that your imagination and your vision is greater than anything I can see or envision. Shape me and help me to remember that your hands create beauty and perfection and if I just allow you to work in me, I will be a part of that beauty and perfection.

Grace and peace to you.

Sports Weekend

I'm dealing with mindless things today because I can't break down what's on my mind for a blog post yet. Just warning you.

How about Kim Clijsters? Off the tennis circuit for a couple of years to have a child and then comes back to win the US Open. Way to go mom!

Was it Venus or Serena (I can't keep up) that went on a verbal tirade against an umpire at the US Open? It's going to cost her some moolah but I wonder if it will hurt her reputation. She was mad, no doubt about that.

I don't understand the Rangers. The beat the Angels and Yankees and fold against the Mariners. Granted they are young. Granted they haven't been in a playoff race before. Granted it rained alot and the winds blew from the east and yada, yada, yada. Pitching is breaking down and as it goes, so goes the playoff hopes.

As much as I want to see the Rangers make it to the World Series, it doesn't look like this is the year but I still repeat what I have said before. Last year, I couldn't give away tickets to a Rangers game in August, much less September. This year, people still want to buy them. It's been a fun year.

Is Romo the greatest QB ever? OK, just kidding. I had the game on yesterday but I'm not sure I watched 10 plays the whole game. I've really lost interest in cheering for the Cowboys and, I guess, pro football in general. The media has as much to do with it as anybody because I get so tired of hearing the writers and announcers griping/chastising/self-righteous rants. I'll realign my cheering to the Chargers and Broncos and maybe the Bears. I like Chicago's coach, middle linebacker and history but their QB is flaky.

I'm playing fantasy football for free with a bunch of people from a random group on the ESPN site. My QB...Jay Cutler, the flaky Chicago QB. Nothing like 4 interceptions to wind up on the bench.

Did you hear Michael Jordan's HOF induction speech? I didn't but read some excerpts and if the tone of his speech was as bad as the reading made it sound, MJ fell several notches in my book.

The rain has been really nice. It means mowing again but that's a small price to pay for a little coolness and moisture.

As I wrap up, something I always thought I would mention and haven't is why I started ending my blog the way I do. I was listening to a sermon podcast one day while mowing and the preacher ended with "grace and peace to you." I can't explain it but felt a calmness come over me as I thought about what he said. So, I end my blog with that refrain not so much for the reader but for the writer. I hope it brings something good into your life. I know it brings something good into mine.

Grace and peace to you.

I Remember

I remember this day 8 years ago. I remember someone coming in saying a plane had flown into one of the towers and thinking how bizarre that was. I remember turning on the TV and watching as another plane flew into the other tower. I remember sitting in a meeting and hearing bits and pieces of information and watching TV that night catching up on all that had happened.

September 11, 2001 was a tragic day. It was a day that will be in our minds forever. It was a day where people lost their loved ones and friends. It was and continues to be a day that pushed this country and others to go into battle.

Not to take anything away from 9/11 but I cannot help but think how incensed people become talking about that day and wondering why more people are not incensed about an innocent man being hung on a cross and the answer slaps me across the face. On 9/11, something was done to us. On the day of Jesus death, something was done for us. One leaves us ready to act, to fight, because someone hates us while the other leaves us able to do nothing because God loves us. One death brought us suffering while the other death was caused by us.

I want to do a better job remembering the debt that was paid for me. I want to honor God through what I do today. I cannot change what happened yesterday or the other days that are gone but I can honor God today.

I pray for the people who lost someone on 9/11, for their wounds and for their hearts and I pray for myself, for my heart and for what I will open it to today.

Grace and peace to you.

And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 is stuck in my head this morning. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (all emphasis mine)

I was called to peace yet much of my life I haven't lived in peace but in turmoil; turmoil created by my desire to do everything and know everything and set everyone else straight. Life events have brought me to the point where I have realized that not only am I incapable of doing everything right but the effort was creating turmoil in my heart and blocking me from hearing God. The peace of Christ didn't come from the fact that he was God or that he was perfect. Instead, it came because he listened to God and sought to do God's will in everything he did. I have started to learn something from that and through what could be tumultuous times, I have found peace.

But it doesn't end there. And be thankful. It is an idea both combined with the previous and stands unto itself. And be thankful. Thankful for the hard times? Thankful for the good times? Thankful for my job, my family, my church? Today, for me, it is simply being thankful for Christ and the peace I can have through him. Thankful that he cleared the path to my relationship with God for eternity. Under the umbrella of that thankfulness I can surely be thankful for everything else in my life but it's God and the Christ that are the pinnacle of what brings me peace and what I am thankful for.

And be thankful.

Grace and peace to you.