16!!!!

Today the twins turn 16 years old. Time flies when your having fun!

You'd Better Watch Out

You'd better watch out. You'd better not cry. You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why... Because you never know who's watching you! The other morning I was getting a French Vanilla Capp and just as I turned away from the cashier to leave, I saw a familiar face. A young Christian brother had spotted me pulling into the store's parking lot and had walked across the street to see me. It was great to see him and catch up a little while standing out in the cold.

This event got me thinking. We may not know when we are being watched by a person that knows us; however God sees us at all times. In my life, though I do not nearly always succeed, I try to please God. Still, I don't ever want to do anything that would cause another Christian to stumble or bring dishonor to the name of Jesus.

I'll be honest, I'm so glad that there wasn't someone in front of me at the cashier's line who was buying lottery tickets. The look on my face and my body language may not have been a pleasant display for this brother to see. I was reminded of the importance of having the right thoughts and attitude, because, out of our those things, come our actions.

In Spite of Us

I've been thinking about God's blessings and favor. Yesterday, as I do on most Wednesdays, I spent the day with my lead pastor. In addition to taking care of business, it gives us a chance to pray together, think together and dream together.

During one 30 minute portion of the afternoon, we witnessed God's blessings and favor as God miraculously provided for our church. It was amazing. I use to think that I had to earn God's favor - that it was contingent on what I did and/or refrained from doing. I've come to realize that while I'm being transformed into the image of God's Son, while there is still elements of my human nature on display in my life, God loves me so much that he chooses to bless me. He does this even when all I am doing is trying.

Yesterday's blessings really shouldn't have come as a surprise. God does things like that for all of us. Beyond and more important than finances, provision and blessings is, as Peter put it, "The goal of our Faith, the salvation of our souls. Romans 5:8 says that "God showed his love for us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". We didn't earn it and we didn't deserve it. But God is always faithful!

It's easy to get caught up in our human efforts. These will always disappoint. God's favor will never disappoint.

I Ate A Banana Today!

I Ate A Banana Today

Yep, you read that correctly. I ate a banana today. No doubt you're reading this and thinking, "so what? Eating a banana is a big deal for me, I seldom, if ever, eat fruit. So, why the change?I've been in a class this semester called Authentic Christianity and it is challenging me to lead a more disciplined life.

One might imagine that a class with a title like that, would most readily apply to one's spiritual life. Indeed it does, and does it very well. However, I have been thinking that if I can't be disciplined in my physical body, how can I be disciplined in the spiritual realm?

This week in my devotions, I'm looking closely at those few days of Jesus' trial, death and resurrection. When I came to Matt 26:41 I read were Jesus told the disciples to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing , but the body is weak." NIV

This verse got me thinking. "OK, what if the body is stronger?" I'm not talking about our fleshly nature, but the strength of our physical bodies. What would it do for my spiritual man if I had more energy, more focus and more stamina. Might I be able to pray more, read more of God's Word, think more, love more, and do more?

I also was thinking about the growing churches that I have been watching. Coincidentally most of those churches have leadership teams consisting of health and fitness "nuts" (I use that term in a most loving way). I wonder if they have known something that I'm just beginning to realize?

So today, before lunch, I got hungry and instead of the Star Crunch or Fudge Round (named for the shape that eating them regularly will make you), I opted for a banana. I have not eaten a banana since I was a child.

You're probably thinking, "It's just one banana on one day, what's that going to do?" Granted, one banana instead of a sweet treat, will not do much, but it is a start. Hey, one prayer on one day probably isn't going to make God's glory fall either, but one prayer is a start.

Maybe later I'll try eating a grape.

Rethinking Some Things Once Thunked

I had to admit something to myself today. It's something that the few of you who read this blog probably knew years ago. Ready? I've finally admitted that I'm not superman. I've always been a very driven person. Recently; however, I have been dragging. Our car accident in October and the subsequent aches and pains, I'm sure, have been contributing factors. I've really been looking at my priorities and have realized that I need to make some adjustments.

There have been times when I allowed my pursuits to get in the way of my family and then there were times when I let my family get in the way of God. Point is, I want to be a godly man, a loving and considerate husband, a caring and present father and a responsible and committed pastor. What does that leave to back away from. The answer hit me today, like a truck. School!

Now before you begin to think that I'm quitting school, please be assured that I am not. But I realized something important. The cost of a degree is far more than tuition, fees and books. My kids pay a price in the fact that time waits for no one - they grow up all too fast. The degree will always be out there, but the childhood of my children will not be. Priority check number one.

I also have become increasingly aware of my need for more of God. I need to move to the next level. A level that sees more of Christ's power evident in my life. Part of being that godly man that I desire to be, is becoming more of a praying man. I'm purposing in my heart to make 2009 a year of some firsts for me, spiritually. Somebody close to me recently asked me to go on a fast with him in January. Of course I'm praying about it and if the Lord so leads, I'm going to take him up on his request.

Priority check number two. Time to step up Dave!

Confession of a YESaholic

Hi, I'm Dave and I'm a YESaholic.

I've been mulling over the location of the definitive line between having a servant's heart and not being able to say "no".

On one hand scripture gives a mandate - IE: "Do not grow weary in doing good".
On the other hand, scripture also mandates rest.

I've come to one conclusion, when I get to the point in which I begin to do whatever it is I do poorly, than I must begin to say no to some things. I enjoy being busy and I never want to slight anyone who needs help; however, when I begin to stress over every minute of everyday for numerous days on end, then something has to change.

I like how Psalm 46:10 starts. "Be still, and know that I am God. There are some days ahead during which I will do just that.

Playing Games

Our Son, Alex has been saving his birthday, allowance and other gifts of money in order to buy a Nintendo Wii. He finally had enough cash saved this past week and my wife went to the game store and bought his Wii. He loves it. Although I'm not much of a gamer, I do like playing the bowling, golf , boxing (I'm told I'm hilarious to watch with that one) and baseball games.
Alex is getting quite good at bowling. Just a few minutes ago, he scored 214.

Even though playing games is fun and gives us opportunities to spend time together as a family, too much game playing would bring negative results. Picture this. A child is so involved in a game that there is drool running out of the corners of his mouth. Sound ridiculous? I've seen it!

There is good game playing and then there is playing games. We, all too often, play games with people, ourselves and, yes, even God. In my devo's today, I was reading the account of Jesus and Judas in the Upper Room. The message paraphrase has Jesus, telling Judas, "Don't play games with me." It made me think. Am I serious about my relationship with Jesus? In what areas of my life am I still playing games with God?

We've been entrusted with too great a message and too little time to spread it to be playing games.