Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
As a parent, I always want what's best for my children. I want them to succeed in all that they do, but when they grow a little older and began to participate in sports, I hope that I do not put pressure on them to be perfect.
I was watching Federer's match at the US Open this evening and was in awe of how many grand slam tournaments he has won-more than any other player in the modern era. I have also seen him lose some matches as well, but he is still one of the greatest players to ever play the game of tennis.
We live in such a competitive world that it is almost expected that we are perfect in all that we do. In college football, a team will not likely play in the BCS title game if they lose one of their regular season games. The past few years, we have had a handful of teams that had perfect seasons.
We cannot live with such an unrealistic expectation of ourselves. If you are living without God, the outcome is even more futile, because you certainly can not be perfect and live an error-free life on your own.
Give it up and give it to God!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Leave A Tender Moment Alone
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Our newborn, Elijah, slept in our arms yesterday during worship services at Cokesbury which prompted many smiles and conversations with people we know. One of the conversations I had was about how fast children grow up and how important it is to enjoy every moment before you turn around and your children are off to college. I couldn't help but ponder, "am I too busy to enjoy the blessings that God has given me in everyday life?" In a way, yes, my life is way too busy that I am missing out on some great things that God has blessed me with.
Later yesterday afternoon, we went to a birthday party for our good friend's daughter who was turning four. As you can imagine, it was pretty loud with children having a blast in the backyard, riding downhill on a 100 foot long "Slip 'n Slide."
My wife and I switched children for a moment, she took our oldest son, Elliott inside for birthday cake as I held Elijah while the party moved inside, leaving just the two of us sitting on a swing in the back yard. What a blessing it was to watch the little guy sleep as the sun shined brightly, reminding me that the true blessing was just spending a few quiet moments alone holding my son while he slept peacefully.
As you go about each day, slow down and look for God's blessings; they are all around you!
Our newborn, Elijah, slept in our arms yesterday during worship services at Cokesbury which prompted many smiles and conversations with people we know. One of the conversations I had was about how fast children grow up and how important it is to enjoy every moment before you turn around and your children are off to college. I couldn't help but ponder, "am I too busy to enjoy the blessings that God has given me in everyday life?" In a way, yes, my life is way too busy that I am missing out on some great things that God has blessed me with.
Later yesterday afternoon, we went to a birthday party for our good friend's daughter who was turning four. As you can imagine, it was pretty loud with children having a blast in the backyard, riding downhill on a 100 foot long "Slip 'n Slide."
My wife and I switched children for a moment, she took our oldest son, Elliott inside for birthday cake as I held Elijah while the party moved inside, leaving just the two of us sitting on a swing in the back yard. What a blessing it was to watch the little guy sleep as the sun shined brightly, reminding me that the true blessing was just spending a few quiet moments alone holding my son while he slept peacefully.
As you go about each day, slow down and look for God's blessings; they are all around you!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Patiently
So after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:15)
There are countless stories in Scripture of how heroes like Abraham waited patiently. We are in fact told, that this same Abraham waited patiently and"did not waver through unbelief." (Romans 4:20)
Being patient is definitely not one of my stronger virtues. No matter how hard I try, which is honestly not that hard at all, I struggle with being patient with God to answer my prayers in His perfect timing.
When I read Scripture, it is encouraging to know that people who waited patiently also struggled to hold on to a promise, wavered, held on for more, questioned and wavered some more, and ended up holding on in the end. Take heart knowing that even if your faith is challenged and it goes through ups and downs that it's still faith.
We must trust that whatever promise we have been waiting on God to fulfill, the payoff is coming. No matter the obstacles, hang on and never let go of what God has promised!
There are countless stories in Scripture of how heroes like Abraham waited patiently. We are in fact told, that this same Abraham waited patiently and"did not waver through unbelief." (Romans 4:20)
Being patient is definitely not one of my stronger virtues. No matter how hard I try, which is honestly not that hard at all, I struggle with being patient with God to answer my prayers in His perfect timing.
When I read Scripture, it is encouraging to know that people who waited patiently also struggled to hold on to a promise, wavered, held on for more, questioned and wavered some more, and ended up holding on in the end. Take heart knowing that even if your faith is challenged and it goes through ups and downs that it's still faith.
We must trust that whatever promise we have been waiting on God to fulfill, the payoff is coming. No matter the obstacles, hang on and never let go of what God has promised!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Build Me Up Buttercup
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thess. 5:1)
I love this time of the year...the weather is beginning to be cool down some, the college football season is just underway and being an avid tennis player/fan, the US Open is being played in NYC.
I was watching a great second round men's match last night between Nadal and Istomin. To put this story in prospective, Nadal is currently the number one ranked player in the world and Istomin currently holds the thirty second spot. This match was like watching a tennis version of David and Goliath.
Nadal quickly won the first set, but Istomin played some great tennis and took the second set to a tie-breaker. The crowd of twenty thousand began to rally behind Istomin during the tie breaker and all of the support was inspiring! The crowd's cheering made me think of how a little encouragement sure goes a long way.
How many times do we offer encouraging words to a friend or co-worker or build up our spouses? Look for an opportunity to lift someone's spirits today!!
I love this time of the year...the weather is beginning to be cool down some, the college football season is just underway and being an avid tennis player/fan, the US Open is being played in NYC.
I was watching a great second round men's match last night between Nadal and Istomin. To put this story in prospective, Nadal is currently the number one ranked player in the world and Istomin currently holds the thirty second spot. This match was like watching a tennis version of David and Goliath.
Nadal quickly won the first set, but Istomin played some great tennis and took the second set to a tie-breaker. The crowd of twenty thousand began to rally behind Istomin during the tie breaker and all of the support was inspiring! The crowd's cheering made me think of how a little encouragement sure goes a long way.
How many times do we offer encouraging words to a friend or co-worker or build up our spouses? Look for an opportunity to lift someone's spirits today!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Misunderstanding
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5)
We have all been there before...imagine this: you are hungry and in a hurry so you run by a sandwich shop to grab a bite to eat and without fail, you end up in line behind a customer that appears to be taking their sweet time because it appears that they have never been in this particular restaurant in their life! It gets worse, as the person in line in front of you cannot seem to grasp the concept of ordering their sandwich and having a so-called "sandwich artist" pile all of the ingredients on their sub as they move down the assembly line, so your quick stop ends up being more like a 30 minute water torture event. You are late back to work and your afternoon is thrown off because some clown doesn't understand how they do things down at the local sandwich shop!
How much are we like that poor soul trying to understand and grasp all of God's goodness?? Luckily, for our sake, He is patient with us and not the impatient customer waiting in line behind us as we try to figure things out for ourselves. The key here is that God does NOT want us to attempt to lean on our own understanding and be wise in our own eyes, but TRUST in Him with ALL of our hearts. Sounds simple, but for some strange reason, it's not.
The next time you are in a place in your life where you can't seem to figure things out for yourself, turn it over and place your trust in God!
We have all been there before...imagine this: you are hungry and in a hurry so you run by a sandwich shop to grab a bite to eat and without fail, you end up in line behind a customer that appears to be taking their sweet time because it appears that they have never been in this particular restaurant in their life! It gets worse, as the person in line in front of you cannot seem to grasp the concept of ordering their sandwich and having a so-called "sandwich artist" pile all of the ingredients on their sub as they move down the assembly line, so your quick stop ends up being more like a 30 minute water torture event. You are late back to work and your afternoon is thrown off because some clown doesn't understand how they do things down at the local sandwich shop!
How much are we like that poor soul trying to understand and grasp all of God's goodness?? Luckily, for our sake, He is patient with us and not the impatient customer waiting in line behind us as we try to figure things out for ourselves. The key here is that God does NOT want us to attempt to lean on our own understanding and be wise in our own eyes, but TRUST in Him with ALL of our hearts. Sounds simple, but for some strange reason, it's not.
The next time you are in a place in your life where you can't seem to figure things out for yourself, turn it over and place your trust in God!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Spirit In The Sky
He heals the heartbroken...He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what He knows and does. (Psalm 147:3-5 The Message)
I don't know abbot you, but I feel like I don't even understand myself sometimes; what do I want, how do I feel, what's wrong with me or what should I do about it? We forget that God's understanding has NO limit and He understands us, no matter what we are dealing with. We also forget that God is not some "little brother" that is there to answer our every request and want.
This seems to be a reoccurring theme lately, but it is the truth-God wants us to take our minds off of ourselves and shift our focus to Him. The more we attempt to learn about God and His perfect will for our lives, the more we will begin to understand ourselves.
I don't know abbot you, but I feel like I don't even understand myself sometimes; what do I want, how do I feel, what's wrong with me or what should I do about it? We forget that God's understanding has NO limit and He understands us, no matter what we are dealing with. We also forget that God is not some "little brother" that is there to answer our every request and want.
This seems to be a reoccurring theme lately, but it is the truth-God wants us to take our minds off of ourselves and shift our focus to Him. The more we attempt to learn about God and His perfect will for our lives, the more we will begin to understand ourselves.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Under Pressure
For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the LORD who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
My good friend and neighbor had a pretty rough day last week; an unexpected trip to the doctor's office, a big bill at the auto dealership to repair a broken AC Unit and to finish the day, the fridge was broken when he arrived home from work!! Man, talk about bad things happening in three's.
When I have days like that, I can't help but to wonder if I am under attack and normally begin to feel inadequate about everything I am doing. It could be at home or at work and the feeling sucks!
The enemy wants us to stay distracted throughout the day because our time is precious and when we focus on our problems rather than God, he has achieved his goal for the day.
No matter what is happening in your life at the time, God's love for you is never shaken and will never be removed. The next time things start to take a turn for the worse, take a moment for God...
My good friend and neighbor had a pretty rough day last week; an unexpected trip to the doctor's office, a big bill at the auto dealership to repair a broken AC Unit and to finish the day, the fridge was broken when he arrived home from work!! Man, talk about bad things happening in three's.
When I have days like that, I can't help but to wonder if I am under attack and normally begin to feel inadequate about everything I am doing. It could be at home or at work and the feeling sucks!
The enemy wants us to stay distracted throughout the day because our time is precious and when we focus on our problems rather than God, he has achieved his goal for the day.
No matter what is happening in your life at the time, God's love for you is never shaken and will never be removed. The next time things start to take a turn for the worse, take a moment for God...
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