I was driving to an appointment today and it occurred to me how compartmentalized we’ve become. Our cars are a complete world within itself, each with its own little eco system. We whiz down the road in comfort with air conditioning, a nice stereo for listening to our favorite tunes, lights for driving in darkness, navigation to help us find our way, and Bluetooth connectivity so we can call family and friends with the utterance of a simple command, “call wife.”
It’s the same living with Christ. The life of a Christian is its own little world that sustains itself. Our churches are the eco systems that help make our lives comfortable. The Bible helps us navigate our way through life, even in darkness. Through bad weather we are protected by His grace and mercy. We even have our own form of Bluetooth, the prayer, which gives us direct connectivity to God, who unlike my family and friends, always answers the call.
Before Christ was in my life, I felt as if I was traveling in an old jalopy, ready to break down at any moment leaving me on the side of the road, with no insurance.
Now I feel protected as I whiz down the road of life, knowing that no matter what comes my way I have the best AAA program there is.
What are you driving?
“God, thank you for your presence in my life, and for protecting and guiding me through this lifetime. Tell your son thanks for paying for the ride before I ever started driving. Amen.”
June 27, 2008
June 22, 2008
Finding a new normal
My wife and I went to the theater tonight to see Spamalot. It’s an interesting show because it’s a spoof on a movie that was a spoof on the story of King Arthur. It was hilarious from start to finish. Well worth seeing.
On our way home I saw a billboard advertising a local radio station. There wasn’t a lot of info on it, just the logo of the radio station and several names of bands that the station plays. Simple, effective communication.
But at the bottom, in very big letters it said “Go _ _ ck yourself!” It didn’t spell it out; it actually has the two blank spaces on the sign.
The funny thing is that at first I didn’t know what the letters were that went in the blanks. Seriously, it probably took 20-30 seconds to realize that it was the “f” word!
I have to tell you that this was an interesting turn of events because I spent 21 years in the military, 14 of those years as a mechanic! The “f” word was used as a comma in every sentence I spoke for many years. So it was weird that it took me so long to fill in the blanks.
What I’ve realized though, is that since I gave my life to Christ I have a new normal. No, I’m not perfect and sometimes I say dumb things, but it’s not normal any longer to know that the “f” word is the first response.
I have no idea what the point of the billboard was by telling passersby to go have sex with themselves. I realize that in our secular world that kind of statement is normal. Shocking people is “cool” and saying the crudest thing possible is considered hip.
I see more and more as Christ sets up shop in my heart that the normal behaviors of this world are no longer mine. The cool thing is that it's not me trying to make myself into a different person, Christ is changing me from the inside out in ways I never thought possible.
I think I like my new normal. What’s yours?
“God, thank you so much for saving me and living in my heart. Life is so much clearer now, and I love that my normal is so different than it used to be. Thanks!”
On our way home I saw a billboard advertising a local radio station. There wasn’t a lot of info on it, just the logo of the radio station and several names of bands that the station plays. Simple, effective communication.
But at the bottom, in very big letters it said “Go _ _ ck yourself!” It didn’t spell it out; it actually has the two blank spaces on the sign.
The funny thing is that at first I didn’t know what the letters were that went in the blanks. Seriously, it probably took 20-30 seconds to realize that it was the “f” word!
I have to tell you that this was an interesting turn of events because I spent 21 years in the military, 14 of those years as a mechanic! The “f” word was used as a comma in every sentence I spoke for many years. So it was weird that it took me so long to fill in the blanks.
What I’ve realized though, is that since I gave my life to Christ I have a new normal. No, I’m not perfect and sometimes I say dumb things, but it’s not normal any longer to know that the “f” word is the first response.
I have no idea what the point of the billboard was by telling passersby to go have sex with themselves. I realize that in our secular world that kind of statement is normal. Shocking people is “cool” and saying the crudest thing possible is considered hip.
I see more and more as Christ sets up shop in my heart that the normal behaviors of this world are no longer mine. The cool thing is that it's not me trying to make myself into a different person, Christ is changing me from the inside out in ways I never thought possible.
I think I like my new normal. What’s yours?
“God, thank you so much for saving me and living in my heart. Life is so much clearer now, and I love that my normal is so different than it used to be. Thanks!”
June 13, 2008
Why we have bad days
Have you ever noticed that during the times you are about to do something for God that your life seems to be the worst?
I have a friend who once told me that the biggest fights he ever had with his wife were on their way to church.
It’s true; the enemy attacks you the most when you have an opportunity to do God’s work. The problem is that a lot of us don’t identify that it’s an attack.
People don’t realize that the enemy has control of this earth, and can directly affect events around you. I always notice that on the days I have band rehearsal at church I seem to be in a bad mood before I go, but afterwards I feel blessed. It’s because Satan doesn’t want me to do anything that has to do with God, so he takes advantage of everything he can to manipulate my environment to keep me away from God.
It happens most when we have a chance to volunteer. We suddenly think we’re too busy, or it’s not a fun thing to do, or we’re too tired, etc. The enemy will do things in your life to create a mindset that you don’t want to do God’s work, but if you identify these attacks and tell yourself that you’re going to do it no matter what, you’ll feel blessed when you’re done.
Now I know that when ever I’m going to do God’s work I’m going to be attacked. I brace for it because I know it’s coming, and no matter what happens to keep me away from God, I just tell myself that it’s the enemy working and I go and do it, and I always feel great afterwards.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you’re a believer that Satan can’t get to you. He hates you, and will do anything to remove you from God’s presence. So don’t let the enemy get a victory by taking you away from God’s work. Fight the good fight, and you will always be blessed in the end.
“God, the enemy tramples all that is good and holy, but you always bless us and make it all worth the trials we face. Thanks for loving us. Amen.”
I have a friend who once told me that the biggest fights he ever had with his wife were on their way to church.
It’s true; the enemy attacks you the most when you have an opportunity to do God’s work. The problem is that a lot of us don’t identify that it’s an attack.
People don’t realize that the enemy has control of this earth, and can directly affect events around you. I always notice that on the days I have band rehearsal at church I seem to be in a bad mood before I go, but afterwards I feel blessed. It’s because Satan doesn’t want me to do anything that has to do with God, so he takes advantage of everything he can to manipulate my environment to keep me away from God.
It happens most when we have a chance to volunteer. We suddenly think we’re too busy, or it’s not a fun thing to do, or we’re too tired, etc. The enemy will do things in your life to create a mindset that you don’t want to do God’s work, but if you identify these attacks and tell yourself that you’re going to do it no matter what, you’ll feel blessed when you’re done.
Now I know that when ever I’m going to do God’s work I’m going to be attacked. I brace for it because I know it’s coming, and no matter what happens to keep me away from God, I just tell myself that it’s the enemy working and I go and do it, and I always feel great afterwards.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you’re a believer that Satan can’t get to you. He hates you, and will do anything to remove you from God’s presence. So don’t let the enemy get a victory by taking you away from God’s work. Fight the good fight, and you will always be blessed in the end.
“God, the enemy tramples all that is good and holy, but you always bless us and make it all worth the trials we face. Thanks for loving us. Amen.”
Renewed
My wife and I went to a wedding yesterday. It’s the first wedding we’ve been to since we exchanged vows 4 years ago. It was a truly renewing experience watching the bride and groom beam at each other and listening to them talk about how they will love, honor, and cherish each other until death separates them. It really brought back the memories of when I got married.
We talk about “marriage maintenance” at church all the time. We have ministries specifically geared to help help couples keep their marriages focused and alive. My wife and I serve in these ministries, and they’re important and very helpful, but I have to say that nothing was more impactful than sitting in church watching this couple get married.
I left with a greater sense of renewal and commitment than I’ve felt after any of the seminars or marriage retreats I’ve ever been to. There is no substitute for the real thing.
Marriage is a journey of three people: you, your spouse, and God. It can be difficult at times, but I think that if everyone went to a wedding at least once a year there would be less divorce and more focus on the joy of being married.
So the next time you get a wedding invitation, don’t mail in a wedding card with a check, go and be blessed by the union that you will witness, and let that joyous occasion live in your marriage every day.
“God, thank you for my wife and for your gift of marriage. Don’t ever let me forget what a wondrous thing it is to be in this holy union. Amen.”
We talk about “marriage maintenance” at church all the time. We have ministries specifically geared to help help couples keep their marriages focused and alive. My wife and I serve in these ministries, and they’re important and very helpful, but I have to say that nothing was more impactful than sitting in church watching this couple get married.
I left with a greater sense of renewal and commitment than I’ve felt after any of the seminars or marriage retreats I’ve ever been to. There is no substitute for the real thing.
Marriage is a journey of three people: you, your spouse, and God. It can be difficult at times, but I think that if everyone went to a wedding at least once a year there would be less divorce and more focus on the joy of being married.
So the next time you get a wedding invitation, don’t mail in a wedding card with a check, go and be blessed by the union that you will witness, and let that joyous occasion live in your marriage every day.
“God, thank you for my wife and for your gift of marriage. Don’t ever let me forget what a wondrous thing it is to be in this holy union. Amen.”
June 9, 2008
in all the world
in all the world, I found You
years of searching, You were there
i was not
blind to see, never wanting to see
prayers only spoken in secret
hoping no one looked
days of nothing, nights forever
darkness filled my eyes
my life blind
today I stand, new hope
saving me, how could it be
blessed savior, why me
new life, sunlight
no more worry, I know what’s next
spared
in all the world, You found me
years of searching, You were there
i was not
blind to see, never wanting to see
prayers only spoken in secret
hoping no one looked
days of nothing, nights forever
darkness filled my eyes
my life blind
today I stand, new hope
saving me, how could it be
blessed savior, why me
new life, sunlight
no more worry, I know what’s next
spared
in all the world, You found me
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