Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)
Alicia and I were recently presented an opportunity that we both have had to prayerfully turn completely over to God to show us the way. (Believe me, I can count the times on one hand that I have honestly taken that approaching the past, rather than make a major decision based on impulse or selfish ambition.) This time, without going into specific detail, I have been seeking God daily, even though the answers have not been clear and I have had to wait patiently for God's direction.
Eventually, after continue to dig deeper, I know that I will come to the point of hearing God answer my question with a "Yes, this is what is you need to do" or "No, you need to avoid this."
The only way we can achieve this kind of dependence on God's guidance is by staying in constant communication with Him through prayer and remaining grounded in His Word.
He wants what is good for us, but we truely have no way of knowing unless we move closer to Him to discern what His will for our life is.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Fall on Me
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
I was blessed to hear one of the passengers/survivors from the "Miracle on the Hudson" speak at a business luncheon earlier this week. During the outstanding presentation, I kept thinking to myself how helpless that all of the flight crew and other 150 passengers must have felt as the US Airways jetliner hit a flock of geese and began to crash only minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. The story had a miraculous ending as everyone on board survived and the plane made a perfect landing in the frigid Hudson River.
Living the Spirit-filled life begins with the realization that we are absolutely helpless and hopeless without the power of the Holy Spirit. Until we have an understanding that God is in total control of our lives and everything in the universe, we will never experience the true power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within each believer.
When we don't draw our strength from the Holy Spirit, we work in vein and only use our strength. It may not take walking away from a near disasterous plane crash for us to realize that God is in control and we are helpless, but God is an expert at creating circumstances so that we find ourselves completely dependent on Him.
I was blessed to hear one of the passengers/survivors from the "Miracle on the Hudson" speak at a business luncheon earlier this week. During the outstanding presentation, I kept thinking to myself how helpless that all of the flight crew and other 150 passengers must have felt as the US Airways jetliner hit a flock of geese and began to crash only minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. The story had a miraculous ending as everyone on board survived and the plane made a perfect landing in the frigid Hudson River.
Living the Spirit-filled life begins with the realization that we are absolutely helpless and hopeless without the power of the Holy Spirit. Until we have an understanding that God is in total control of our lives and everything in the universe, we will never experience the true power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within each believer.
When we don't draw our strength from the Holy Spirit, we work in vein and only use our strength. It may not take walking away from a near disasterous plane crash for us to realize that God is in control and we are helpless, but God is an expert at creating circumstances so that we find ourselves completely dependent on Him.
Belong
"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on the account of the Son of Man!" -Jesus Christ (Luke 22:6)
I get a kick out of dropping my boys off at day care in the mornings. Elliott is in a class with about eight other wild and crazy three year-old boys and only one girl. (Poor thing!) Many mornings when I drop Elliott off, some of the other boys have already been playing together and I enjoy watching Elliott work his way into the group. If you think about it, even as adults, we all have the same longing to fit in, be accepted, and be a part of a group. It's difficult to be considered an "outsider" and people will go to great lengths to work their way into belonging.
Look at the stickers on the cars you see on the road and most are little reminders of that driver being a part of some type of group. Tri-Atheletes, swimmers, soccer players, tennis fanatics, golfers, Disney freaks, Repulicans, Democrats, churches, bands, etc.-people like being accepted and finding their identity with others.
Jesus knew about rejection all too well. In fact, He considered it a blessing to be an "outsider" and feels that we should do the same. We will recieve God's eternal blessings in heaven for the ridicule and rejection we endure today. As Christians, we know that this earth is not our final destination; our true home will be in heaven. Other believers are outsiders too and their friendship and companionship can help with accountability when times are tough trying to remain faithful to God's will for your life.
We are simply passing through and we will one day be called back "home" and be blessed for the hardships we endured as believers while we were on this earth.
I get a kick out of dropping my boys off at day care in the mornings. Elliott is in a class with about eight other wild and crazy three year-old boys and only one girl. (Poor thing!) Many mornings when I drop Elliott off, some of the other boys have already been playing together and I enjoy watching Elliott work his way into the group. If you think about it, even as adults, we all have the same longing to fit in, be accepted, and be a part of a group. It's difficult to be considered an "outsider" and people will go to great lengths to work their way into belonging.
Look at the stickers on the cars you see on the road and most are little reminders of that driver being a part of some type of group. Tri-Atheletes, swimmers, soccer players, tennis fanatics, golfers, Disney freaks, Repulicans, Democrats, churches, bands, etc.-people like being accepted and finding their identity with others.
Jesus knew about rejection all too well. In fact, He considered it a blessing to be an "outsider" and feels that we should do the same. We will recieve God's eternal blessings in heaven for the ridicule and rejection we endure today. As Christians, we know that this earth is not our final destination; our true home will be in heaven. Other believers are outsiders too and their friendship and companionship can help with accountability when times are tough trying to remain faithful to God's will for your life.
We are simply passing through and we will one day be called back "home" and be blessed for the hardships we endured as believers while we were on this earth.
Beautiful Day
There is no fear in love; but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)
Have you ever began to step out in faith and do something new or go some place that was foreign or make a new commitment, but the thought of actually going through with it caused you to be gripped with fear? There have been numerous occasions during my life that I can recall being scared out of my mind about taking a leap of faith. One of the biggest leaps of faith that any man or woman can take is marriage-it's a lifelong commitment and covenant with God. Another huge leap of faith is becoming a parent and having children. What about taking a role with a new company and moving to a new city where you don't know anyone or have any family nearby? I can say that Alicia and I basically decided that facing only one major lifestyle change was not enough, she became pregnant with Elliott only after a few months of marriage and I left the company I was working for in Atlanta to take a new career path in Knoxville, TN. There were many moments of doubt and unabashed fear during the first years of our marriage, but God was faithful and has been by our side every single step of the way.
If we trust God is He who He says He is, shouldn't we have nothing to fear? Sure, but that's easier said than done. Satan is the master of creating doubt in our minds so that you become fearful of trusting God and then paralyzed in our efforts to make progress or go through with something.
Our best defense is reading His Word. There is much power in reading God's story of love and faithfulness to His people. God's promises that He "will not fail you or forsake you" in Deuteronomy 31:6. So the next time Satan tries to discourage you or scare you to take a leap of faith, find your power in His Word. He is good to His people and will NEVER break His promise to deliver you....
Have you ever began to step out in faith and do something new or go some place that was foreign or make a new commitment, but the thought of actually going through with it caused you to be gripped with fear? There have been numerous occasions during my life that I can recall being scared out of my mind about taking a leap of faith. One of the biggest leaps of faith that any man or woman can take is marriage-it's a lifelong commitment and covenant with God. Another huge leap of faith is becoming a parent and having children. What about taking a role with a new company and moving to a new city where you don't know anyone or have any family nearby? I can say that Alicia and I basically decided that facing only one major lifestyle change was not enough, she became pregnant with Elliott only after a few months of marriage and I left the company I was working for in Atlanta to take a new career path in Knoxville, TN. There were many moments of doubt and unabashed fear during the first years of our marriage, but God was faithful and has been by our side every single step of the way.
If we trust God is He who He says He is, shouldn't we have nothing to fear? Sure, but that's easier said than done. Satan is the master of creating doubt in our minds so that you become fearful of trusting God and then paralyzed in our efforts to make progress or go through with something.
Our best defense is reading His Word. There is much power in reading God's story of love and faithfulness to His people. God's promises that He "will not fail you or forsake you" in Deuteronomy 31:6. So the next time Satan tries to discourage you or scare you to take a leap of faith, find your power in His Word. He is good to His people and will NEVER break His promise to deliver you....
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Quiet
When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)
Moments of peace and quiet are a few and far between with two young boys. If it's not toys or screaming and singing or playing, there is almost always some kind of noise coming from our home. Finding a quiet time to pray requires some planning and waking up extra early in the mornings for me.
Jesus often retreated to pray in solitude after speaking to large crowds, teaching His disciples or performing miracles. He knew the value of spending those quiet moments in conversation with His Father.
Regardless of how hectic and busy our lives are, we must always save some time to be still and quiet so that we may hear God's voice. Even if it's a few quick seconds a day in the car or even in the bathroom, find the time to enjoy His presence every day...He promises to hear you and will reward you!
Moments of peace and quiet are a few and far between with two young boys. If it's not toys or screaming and singing or playing, there is almost always some kind of noise coming from our home. Finding a quiet time to pray requires some planning and waking up extra early in the mornings for me.
Jesus often retreated to pray in solitude after speaking to large crowds, teaching His disciples or performing miracles. He knew the value of spending those quiet moments in conversation with His Father.
Regardless of how hectic and busy our lives are, we must always save some time to be still and quiet so that we may hear God's voice. Even if it's a few quick seconds a day in the car or even in the bathroom, find the time to enjoy His presence every day...He promises to hear you and will reward you!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Real Love
Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39)
I sure have been blessed with wonderful neighbors in the places I have lived. Many of those neighbors also have become lifelong friends in whom I treasure. It's always made it hard when life happens and I have had to move to another part of town or different city/state. We have really been blessed with with some special neighbors here in Knoxville and absolutely love our neighbors!
Jesus said that loving your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment, after loving God with all of your heart. That must make neighborly love pretty important, right?
We all have a natural and fleshly instinct to look after ourselves first, but it's when we look to meet the needs of others like it's ourselves that we begin to fulfill Jesus' commandment.
This world is in desperate need of love. This can't be overstated enough. Love directed inward is useless, but love directed outward can help change this world one person at a time!
I sure have been blessed with wonderful neighbors in the places I have lived. Many of those neighbors also have become lifelong friends in whom I treasure. It's always made it hard when life happens and I have had to move to another part of town or different city/state. We have really been blessed with with some special neighbors here in Knoxville and absolutely love our neighbors!
Jesus said that loving your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment, after loving God with all of your heart. That must make neighborly love pretty important, right?
We all have a natural and fleshly instinct to look after ourselves first, but it's when we look to meet the needs of others like it's ourselves that we begin to fulfill Jesus' commandment.
This world is in desperate need of love. This can't be overstated enough. Love directed inward is useless, but love directed outward can help change this world one person at a time!
Under A Mountain
Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:7-8)
What a blessing and liberating feeling I had this week as I cut a check to Ford Credit and paid off the outstanding debt owed on my car! As hard as it was not to splurge, Alicia and I used every bit of our income tax returns to pay off my car just as we had done the prior year for her Honda Pilot. No car payment next month! Other than our mortgage and monthly expenses Alicia and I are virtually debt-free. It's taken us the better part of five years to dig ourselves out of financial disaster, but I am pretty excited to say the least.
You must understand that it wasn't too long ago that I carried five different credit cards with a total debt owed around $65,000. Yes, you read that correctly, $65,000. I must give credit to where credit is due-my lovely wife, Alicia, is very conservative and fiscally responsible when it comes to money. On the other hand, I am the big spender who used to live by the philosophy "of spend it all while you are alive because you can't take any money with you when you leave this earth." My mom and dad have bailed me out of debt too many times to count and God has blessed me with a wonderful support group of friends and family that have encouraged me along the way.
The problem with my immature way of thinking was that it wasn't my money to begin with. I had borrowed money from my "buddies" over at Visa, Master Card and American Express and was barely able to make the minimum monthly payments. I had no way to pay it back because at the time, I was just finishing school at Auburn and owed way more than I earned. Debt is a huge problem for the average American. Not paying back what you owe is, by Biblical standards, wrong.
God wants us to be free in all areas of our life, including our finances. When we withhold what is rightfully due or owed, we are guilty of stealing, which is sin. It may seem like an impossible task to accomplish, but with God's help, there is no mountain of debt that is beyond His realm to help you repay. His help won't be a quick fix, as many of God's blessings come in His perfect timing in accordance to His perfect will, but He always takes care of His beloved children. We must learn to trust Him with everything, especially our finances.
What a blessing and liberating feeling I had this week as I cut a check to Ford Credit and paid off the outstanding debt owed on my car! As hard as it was not to splurge, Alicia and I used every bit of our income tax returns to pay off my car just as we had done the prior year for her Honda Pilot. No car payment next month! Other than our mortgage and monthly expenses Alicia and I are virtually debt-free. It's taken us the better part of five years to dig ourselves out of financial disaster, but I am pretty excited to say the least.
You must understand that it wasn't too long ago that I carried five different credit cards with a total debt owed around $65,000. Yes, you read that correctly, $65,000. I must give credit to where credit is due-my lovely wife, Alicia, is very conservative and fiscally responsible when it comes to money. On the other hand, I am the big spender who used to live by the philosophy "of spend it all while you are alive because you can't take any money with you when you leave this earth." My mom and dad have bailed me out of debt too many times to count and God has blessed me with a wonderful support group of friends and family that have encouraged me along the way.
The problem with my immature way of thinking was that it wasn't my money to begin with. I had borrowed money from my "buddies" over at Visa, Master Card and American Express and was barely able to make the minimum monthly payments. I had no way to pay it back because at the time, I was just finishing school at Auburn and owed way more than I earned. Debt is a huge problem for the average American. Not paying back what you owe is, by Biblical standards, wrong.
God wants us to be free in all areas of our life, including our finances. When we withhold what is rightfully due or owed, we are guilty of stealing, which is sin. It may seem like an impossible task to accomplish, but with God's help, there is no mountain of debt that is beyond His realm to help you repay. His help won't be a quick fix, as many of God's blessings come in His perfect timing in accordance to His perfect will, but He always takes care of His beloved children. We must learn to trust Him with everything, especially our finances.
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