First Position

I first discovered Stovall Weems when I read his book, Awakening, and was challenged in

unexpected ways. When I found out that he had written another book I was eager to read it and hoped to be pushed spiritually and mentally once again. After finishing, I can easily say that I was not disappointed by his latest book, The God First Life. I found myself underlining multiple passages and writing notes in the margins as his words stirred my thoughts and spirit. Stovall has a way of writing that presents things that I already know to be true, but they are phrased in a way that often causes me to murmur in verbal agreement as I read. It's a solid, spirit-filled presentation of fundamental truths that reminded me of where my focus should be centered-on God alone.

Stovall begins his book by adding two simple words to a common phrase, "your life, God's way." It's the addition of these words that challenges our allegiance and directs our hearts to seek God above all else. These flow out of Matthew 6:33 and the command from Jesus to seek the kingdom of God before we seek anything else. This is the most essential directive from Christ and the foundation of the book-nothing should be in the highest priority except for God himself.

The book proceeds to take the reader through the fundamental parts of the life of a devoted Christ-follower. Stovall carefully takes the reader through a pathway of deeper devotion and discipleship that is all centered on God. It all makes sense and yet is presented in a way that stimulates thought in new ways. None of this is a brand-new revelation, yet it still pushes me to think carefully about my own pathway of growth in Christ.

I would feel extremely comfortable recommending this book to new believers as well as the more seasoned Christ follower. It's an excellent guide for initial discovery and an impetus for mid-faith growth and refocus. We all need the reminder to make sure that each part of our faith is centered on seeking God above all other things. 

Stick with It

After making a lot of progress in the health & wellness department in the first half of last year, I found myself fading away from the good disciplines I had started. Needless to say it left me feeling quite unhealthy by the end of 2011 and like most people I entered 2012 with a renewed commitment to regaining a healthy status.

I have discovered (not that it wasn't previously obvious) that there is no quick fix. It is painful & difficult at the beginning of the health-gaining process. The food choices you make require more discipline and the exercise regimen is not easy as muscles protest. Even though I may not want to do some of these things, I know that I feel better about making the right choice when it's over. I am looking forward to the time when these habits are simply part of my normal routine-a choice that I make that requires less discipline because it is simply part of who I am.

The same thing applies to us spiritually. It is easy to let ourselves drift away from an intentional relationship with God. Our schedules can get busy, the demands of life increase, and we just get lazy in our attention and devotion  to God. For us to succeed we need to see that we want to be in better spiritual shape than we are right now, and then commit to making the daily choices that will lead us there. It won't be easy at the beginning, but over time we will find that it simply becomes part of who we are.

Journey of the Spirit

I just returned from another trip to Florida and was blessed in so many incredible ways. I truly can't even begin to describe what a powerfully rewarding trip it was for me (and I feel safe to say-for others too). A lengthy paragraph-style blog won't cut it so we'll bust out the bullets for highlights:

• Connor & Cameron Barie running to greet me after having to wait an extra day to see that I was actually there
• Late nights talking with Glenn & Kathy-Jo
• The many divine appointments-from unexpected hugs in Starbucks, to walking out of a building as someone walks by to seeing a Milledgeville college student in front of a restaurant. It was a God-guided trip!
• Walking into my old barber shop and sitting down to discuss Gator football-some things never change!
• Having lunch at the best pizza place I know (Sorrento's-shameless plug!) with a really good friend-I miss Eddie Corns & his family tremendously
• Having the chance to meet Pastor Bill Collins face-to-face and preach at The Attic. I have an immense amount of respect for him and the work that God is doing in & through him. It was an honor for me to speak there.
• The joy of hugs (and even tears) as about 60 old friends showed up at The Attic that night-several of them that I didn't know were coming that brought a huge smile to my face!
• Spending about 5 hours at Mainland High School. So many people there that have been my family for over 20 years. I love them dearly and I am glad that I can be the unofficial campus pastor for them.
• 40 oz. Angel Food smoothie from Smoothie King. 'Nuff said.
• Graduation party for Brittany Johnson-she waited for me to be in town to have it! Got to spend 3 hours laughing & talking with people that I miss connecting with!
• Wedding rehearsal & dinner for Ashlee & Ryan (the true motivation behind the planning of the trip)
• Two hours of conversation with Adam Bruno at the dinner-convo that we haven't had in a really long time. I miss getting to see him regularly!
• Breakfast with my brother/friend Mike Roberts-so much history & time serving together-every time we get together it's like we were never apart
• Coffee with Bill, Paula & Ashley Anderson-one of my very favorite families!
• A lunch with four young adults that are very special to me-a surprise for three of them that I was going to be there-even now I tear up thinking about it!
• Praying with a group of college students (including one from GCSU!) as God brought us all together at just the right moment
• Spending time at the DOC with Ray & Susan Kelley. I have so much respect & love for them and what God is doing in their lives. They mean more to me than they probably know (and had a surprise stop-in from Katlin too!)
• Coffee with an old friend that was good for both of us.
• A last minute-decision to stop at the Herbruck home that led to an impromptu jam session with Sam & Jesse. I don't think you could have painted bigger smiles on all three of our faces when we got done.
• A night hanging out at the Presswood home-great friends & conversation, good food & a blast playing in the pool with their kids & the Barie children-can't put a price tag on the night!
• A beautiful wedding in Sugar Mill gardens-the love of Ashlee & Ryan is so evident and it brought me great joy that they wanted me to be part of their day
• A home to return to with a gorgeous wife, three daughters & a church family that I don't deserve.

There will be further unpacking of the impact of this trip, but those highlights (and many, many others) will be with me for a long time. Thanks God for giving me the past four days.