Much More

Today was a reminder once again of how greatly I am blessed. I spent the afternoon with some much needed daddy & daughters time while my wife enjoyed some quiet hours at home alone. My girls & I laughed and told stories over lunch at Chili's and then read and laughed more over Starbucks. Even the tedious task of grocery shopping was made better having my three beauties along with me. I place great value on all three of them and how uniquely beautiful, intelligent, and hilarious they are.

As much as I reveled in the afternoon with my lovelies, I was eager to get back home to my wife. We have always been close, but God is working in both of us and drawing us closer in the process. She is the sexiest woman I know, but she impresses me even more with her intellect and her increasing devotion to God. She is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and is the best companion I could imagine traveling through life with. As cheesy as it sounds, she makes me complete in every way.

My four ladies are powerful daily reminders of being blessed beyond what I deserve. I don't ever take it for granted.

No Conditions

God didn't choose me because of anything I am capable of doing. In fact, Scripture says there there was almost nothing to me. In spite of that He has positioned me and saved me simply because He loves me. I think that I gain a glimpse of this as I love my children & my wife. It is the notion of loving someone simply because of who they are and the relationship we share.

Unfortunately this is in contrast to most of the other relationships in our life that are based on performance and recent history. Even within the church it can become about the most recent thing we have done-tithing, serving, kind words-that determine the level of love we receive from other people. It is difficult to replicate, but it is that unconditional love from God that is shown to us that we are called to extend to others. That begins to happen (in our own flawed fashion) when we recognize the value that God has for each of us. Seeing what God does in us and then transferring that compassion to others is one of the worthiest endeavors we can engage in.


GOD wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important--the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love...   Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Behind You

Our present circumstances are a result of our past decisions. There is no way to plausibly deny the influence of our history on our relationships, spiritual state, finances, career, and emotional health. The impact of the past can range from a golden childhood & journey into adulthood to something worthy of a bad TNT movie or after school special. The non-negotiable factor is that we are here today as a result of the combination of choices made by us and those that we come into contact with.

Far too many people stop at this point and quit. They look at their life situation and give up instead of surrendering to a God that can redeem that past. Even followers of Christ can be defeated by thoughts of past sin and wrong choices. This isn't the truth that God wants us to live by and He tells us that while our history has helped to shape & form us it doesn't have to define us. When we choose to commit our lives to Him, He lovingly stands in the gap of our sinful past. He takes our repentance and boldly shines a light on the pathway of restoration & redemption. The cross shouts out in affirmation of His forgiveness, "Behold! I have made all things new!"

Be grateful for the lessons we have learned from the past, but let yourself be defined by the newness of life offered by Christ. The old life no longer holds power over you. Your Father above has released you from it forever and we are no longer sinful, broken creatures, but healed sons and daughters of the King.

Better Today

A French psychologist named Emile Coue was a proponent of a self-improvement theory that he called "optimistic autosuggestion." His belief was based upon the need to repeat a mantra each day to facilitate positive growth and self-esteem through influencing our unconscious thoughts. The repeated phrase was, "Each day, in every way, I'm getting better and better." Through practiced repetition this is intended to influence thought and promote holistic health gains.

I believe in the concept of getting better each day and in fact, relish the thought. While positive self-talk can make a difference in your attitude, just saying it doesn't create change. True daily growth requires discipline-even if it is revealed in small steps of faith and obedience. It is an understanding in God's ability to sanctify us and improve who we are as Christ-followers one day at a time.

I believe that tomorrow will be better than today and that I will be a better man as well. This isn't a new-age concept, but simple confidence in God's ability to transform and my willingness to see it happen.

Safe House

In practical terms a safe house is a place you can go to that provides rest and refuge. It is a simple location that allows you to get away from threats, recuperate from stressful living, and focus on your next action steps.

Regardless of what trials we are enduring in life our ultimate safety is found in God. It doesn't always mean that things will be easy, but it gives us confidence in knowing that He does not leave us. Taking refuge in who God is through prayer, Scripture, and meditation will give us a chance to catch our breath and let Him shelter us from the threats of our enemy. There will be a time when we will need to step back into the current of earthly life. We are able to do that with confidence-knowing that our security is found in God alone and that in refuge He prepares us to take action through His strength.

For You've been a safe place for me, a good place to hide. Strong God, I'm watching You do it. 

I can always count on You-God, my dependable love.  Psalm 59:16-17 (The Message)

Impact

We are in Savannah, GA at the Next Level conference at Savannah Christian Church with our staff & some of our elders this week. It's always a challenging & uplifting time for us and is a powerful way of proving Mark Batterson's axiom correct: Change of place + change of pace = change of perspective.

A question that has been mentioned several times today & rolling around in my head is this: if our church would disappear from our city, would it affect our community? In asking this question I am not discounting the power of God to continue His work no matter what the earthly circumstances are. It is more of a focus on making sure that God's church is fulfilling all that we are called to be in our community. We should be such a beacon of hope, grace, mercy, love, and salvation that our absence would create a void. It is the same impact we should seek to make with our individual lives-not for our own name's sake, but so that we would be powerfully effective for the advancement of God's Kingdom. 

New Title

The voice of satan whispers in our ears and reminds us of our past sins. They are lies that attempt to negate the power of forgiveness that has been given to us. If we allow that to dominate our thoughts it can spiritually paralyze us and cause disruption in our mission as Christ-followers. It is a constant in counseling and unfortunately a battle that I face as well.

Even while I torment myself over past sins & the reminders that satan throws in my face, God continues to use me. I need to firmly grasp onto the forgiveness that I have already received and stop doubting. Even if I feel low & disqualified because of sin, the truth is that God has redeemed me.

I cannot surprise God-He knew how I would fall and how much I would need Him. In spite of that, He has positioned me in ministry and put a fire in my heart to serve Him & His Kingdom. He would not have done so if I was no longer able to fulfill His purpose in me.

We all need these reminders of His grace for us. We cannot talk about it or experience it enough and as we share forgiveness and redemption in our own lives, we will see others start to believe in the gift that God offers.

While satan wants us to view ourselves through the lenses of sin and mistakes, God looks at the whole picture of our lives and re-titles it "Grace."