Day 182 - Half the Year is Gone

No quote today. Just thoughts from last year. I was looking at what I did last year and had some thoughts to share. Hence the name of the blog. Moving on.

At my wedding, just days away from fourteen years ago at the time I write this, our flower girl was my wife's best friend's niece...you tracking? That little flower girl, one year ago today, was getting ready for her wedding. I guess that is what happens when you have been married fourteen years, your flower girl gets married. I know some of my older readers are thinking I better get ready for this or that but just let me have a little crisis here and I'll be okay when I wake up tomorrow.

Except that tomorrow means that half the year is gone. Can that be right?! It has to be because tomorrow is the mid-point of the year. (Unless you are reading this tomorrow in which case it would be today.)

When I embarked on this project I couldn't have imagined what it would do to me. It has grown my writing abilities and has pushed me into a discipline that has been healthy for me. It has also allowed me to process life in a new way. What I didn't expect was the perspective it would give me. Hindsight is 20/20 and objects in mirror are closer than they appear!

If you set out with a goal in mind this year and haven't started yet this is your time. Do it before the rest of the year gets away from you. Do it before the flower girl from your wedding sends you an invitation to her wedding. Below is a slew of questions, I don't expect you to post answers to them unless you want to. Really they are just there to get your thought processes going and ultimately to get you going. Half the year is gone but you also have half the year ahead to accomplish your goals.

Do you remember what you said this year would be like? What were your goals for the year? Have you accomplished them yet? Why or why not? What obstacles need to be overcome to get started? What would your first steps be?

Day 181 - The Proper Order of Things

"I had some prayer and Bible study time and then went down for breakfast."

If only every day could start this way. In a perfect world we would be able to set our life in order and have the right priorities in their place. 

The reality is that our spouse may have been up earlier than we were and has something on their mind to tell us when we wake up. Or we woke up late and our prayers are said in the shower. Sound familiar yet? 

Life happens at a rate that we have to fight for our priorities. We have to know what is important and keep it at the forefront of our lives. Not only does life happen but the devil doesn't want us to keep our priorities either. That fact makes it all the more important to stay after our prayers and studies. 

Fight the good fight. Keep the faith and finish your race. 

How do you keep a regular prayer and study time? How do you fight against the distractions that war against your time with God? 

Day 180 - Lazy Bones

"I did not want to get out of bed this morning. It was really comfortable. Thankfully my inner man is stronger than the flesh and I was able to get up and get ready."

Apply those words to anything. The lazy bone will show up at work, at play, any time, anywhere. It could be more than just getting out of bed. Maybe it is getting out of debt. Or maybe it is getting out of sin. The natural tendency is to want to lay there because it is so comfortable. 

What makes the difference is the inner man. If you have been renewed in your inner man then you no longer are a slave to sin. You don't have to be ruled by the flesh. You just have to get your soul and spirit working together against the flesh. When your mind links up with your flesh they will overpower your spirit. But when you get mind and spirit together they will overpower the flesh and you will get out of bed, debt, sin, or whatever else. 

We can get comfortable with the bed we are lying in. It is time to roust ourselves from sleep and get going on God's will! 

How can we strengthen the inner man? What scriptures show how to deal with the flesh? 

Day 179 - When the Bride Walks In

"I did a wedding today and when the bride walked in everyone applauded. It was a first for the weddings I have done."

I remember this day because I had to iron my shirt for the wedding which made me right on time. You never want the bride or the minister late. I rushed to my spot to officiate and after the whole procession came in they opened the back doors to the chapel and here came the bride. She was dressed in white with a flowing train behind her dress. Her flowers were beautifully arranged and she held them perfectly for everyone to admire. All that was second to her smile as she entered the room looking around at her friends and family and finally resting her gaze on the groom. 

Of coarse he was smiling and a bit teary eyed. To be honest I have had more grooms cry than brides. And his gaze was set set the moment she walked in. 

It was such a pleasant surprise when everyone saw her and started to applaud. It was like the rush of wind through the trees that when you hear it commands your attention and makes you take notice. 

I wonder if Heaven will be like that. When Jesus calls us home and we arrive at the gates. The bride adorned for the groom. The gates swing open and we enter in. All around us are sights we have only imagined as we read from the Bible. The golden streets, the crystal sea, the living creatures...and then we see Him. He is there on the throne waiting for us. All of Heaven erupts with shouts of joy and triumph. We are with Him forever. 

What do you like about weddings? What do you imagine when you think of Heaven? 

Day 178 - And You Thought You Had It Bad

"Joseph. Persecuted by his brothers. He was sold as a slave to Potiphar. There he became ruler of the house. Just when things were getting better the lady of the house lied on him and now he goes to the prison. Once again Joseph takes a step down in life but in heart steps up and becomes ruler of the prison. Until one day he steps out of the prison into the palace. He gives a plan which opens the door for him to be given a position. The plan was a process that required pain and patience to get progress and the promise which included prosperity (children and family together, lives are saved). In the end he realizes his God given purpose."

The story of Joseph is one of my favorites in the Bible. I think he is to be admired and we could all benefit by learning from his life. I can't even read the account let alone watch "Joseph, Prince of Dreams" without tearing up. (For those of you not familiar with Joseph, Prince of Dreams it was the second movie after the more popular Prince of Egypt movie... so yes, I am crying while watching a cartoon. Don't judge.) 

Looking over the mouthful I wrote last year I think it gives a great synopsis of the story while also showing practical steps for us to follow. Just look at all the words that start with the letter 'p'. 

Persecuted, Prison, Palace, Plan, Position, Process, Pain, Patience, Progress, Promise, Prosperity, Purpose. 

That is a whole lot but so is the story of Joseph. Sermons have been preached and volumes could be written on the life of Joseph. We all should look into and learn from his life. The take away is that if you think you have it bad just take a look at his life. He was betrayed by those who should have protected him, lied about and cast into the lowest place. Yet after all is said and done he recognizes the hand of God through it all and forgives and blesses those who hurt him the most. 

Will we do the same? No matter how hard life gets I know that if Joseph, and Jesus, could endure what they did and extend forgiveness then we can too. It may not be easy but it will be the greatest thing we do. The volumes written in Heaven will record the amazing stories that will come from the perseverance of people like you and me. 

What do you admire most from the life of Joseph? How can we endure and forgive like he did?

Day 177 - My Baby Is All Growed Up

"I walked the kids to class. My youngest moved up into the big kids class. I felt a bit helpless like I was letting my baby walk in the street."

Letting go is always tough. I was so thankful that my nephew was in the class and saw my son that day. At least there was some familiarity. It is tough as a parent to release your children to learn and grow. I wish I could deep freeze my kids at certain ages. 

I wonder if God is like that with us. Probably not because He is all knowing and declares the end from the beginning. But I do know that in God's wisdom He does release us. To learn and grow. One of the pictures of God in the Bible is that of an eagle stirring the nest. It does this so that the young Eagles will be uncomfortable and get out to fly. 

In life we are going to encounter those uncomfortable moments but we have to trust that God knows what He is doing. He will lead us and when we follow after His way we will soar like the eagle. 

How did you (or are you)deal with the stages of your children growing up? How do we trust God to get out of the nest?

Day 176 - The Rock of Offense

"From the Word: Romans 9:33 Jesus is the stumbling stone and a Rock of offense. Both terms to any person is negative. No one wants to stumble or be offended. Yet the Jews stumbled because they found Him immovable and they were offended at Him. The next part though transitions us from the negative to the positive, if we trust in Him, believe, we will not be put to shame. He is the immovable Rock!"

You can base your life on a lot of things. Base it on the political system and the system will eventually change or fail. Base it on the Education systems and they will learn more and have to change as they get more light. Base it on the economy and...well, just like we all know from the recent years the economy will shake and shake you with it. 

Jesus is the Rock. He is immovable. He is unchanging. He is sturdy and steady. He is able to weather the storms and shifting sands of time and life. You can build your life on Him. When you do you are safe and don't need to worry about the floods or the winds. 

How has Jesus helped you through a tough time? Are there other aspects of Him being the Rock that you can describe?

Day 175 - Spending and being spent

"Sometimes you just have to spend more and go the extra mile to make sure you don't lose the heart of a person."

It is sad to hear of Christians who are not financially responsible. I personally have had people who call themselves Christians skip out on paying money they have owed me. Not only because I am a pastor but also because I will stand before God and give an account of my life I have strived to live with integrity. 

I love how Paul tells the Corinthians how much he worked, spent, and how he went the extra mile to not be a burden to them. It shows me the example he was setting for leadership and the heart behind the message he was speaking and living before them. 

I gladly give large tips, spend more time with people than I probably should and smile and say hello to everyone (that last one is bigger than we think). It may cost more than I like but it is worth every cent if someone knows a Christian isn't cheap and backs up what they preach. 

What do you think? Are there more ways to express this heart to others?

Day 174 - The Best Woman I Know

"She is the only person I know who keeps a hair appointment with bronchitis."

The best woman I know is my wife. She is passionate, caring, loving, fun, and on and on and on. I try to tell her multiple times a day from the moment we first see each other in the morning until our last talk at night how much I love her and it is still not enough. 

She is a breakthrough personality too. I don't know too many people who push through bronchitis and go to a hair appointment or one of the million other things she did while she was sick because she just couldn't stand being still any longer. 

It may sound cliche but she completes me. Opposites do attract and even though we are like opposite poles of a magnet drawn together we are both magnets and the same in many ways. Only God can bring people together like that. I am so thankful to know and to love her. 

Truly when the Bible says that the man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor with the Lord it was talking about me! 

Do you or someone you know have a personality like this? For those of you that are married what qualities do you love about your spouse? 

Day 173 - Same Same

"What else is new?"

To answer the question: nothing. There is nothing new under the sun. We would like to think we are so smart and so cool that we are the first, the original and the best. Really all that we are doing isn't new. It may be a spin off of something that was already there but it certainly isn't new. 

Take a moment and think about the evolution of social media. Everyone was all excited about MySpace for the longest time. But I remember that AOL had pretty much the same thing in a different platform years before. But it was 'new'. Then Facebook and Twitter and Foursquare, Vine and Instagram and now Periscope. New? It is the same thing only a different emphasis. Boil it all down and it becomes a way of sharing snippets of your life with others. 

When we see this playing out it directs us to love and honor the one who created it all. Rather than getting caught up in the world's latest and greatest let's go the The Great One who alone is worthy of being in awe over. God is the only one who has had an original thought. And, by the way, He is the best!

How do you feel about all the 'new' stuff that is out there? What moves you to wonder and awe when you think about God?

Day 172 - Going Back to Basics

"It felt good to walk and have the warm sun on my back."

After a long day or a long week it is good to get back to the basics. For me a walk or something simple can clear away the thoughts and feeling of the day. Playing with my kids has actually been therapeutic at times. 

There is also something about warmth that is relaxing. A hot bath or shower, hot sun on your back or a heat pad can melt away tense feelings. It may be a simple pleasure but I love the warm sun on my back. 

There is also a basic stress relief found in the Bible. It is called casting your cares. It is so simple and relieves us of the stress. You simply take your burden to God in prayer and cast your care on Him. He can handle it. 

If you haven't done this in a while I would encourage you to take a walk with the Lord, cast your cares on Him and let the brightness of His glory warm your life and melt away the cares. God cares for you. 

What do you do to relieve stress after a tough day or week? What other scriptures help you to take your burdens to the Lord? 

Day 171 - The Disciplines

"I find a need to preach on the disciplines."

Such a necessary word is also such a lost and hated word in our society...discipline. It has sparked debates and caused division. We need it. Desperately. 

I wrote this after talking with people who are Christians and yet still don't have the basic disciplines down in their lives. How life would be different if we not only knew the abc's of our faith but were disciplined to apply them to our lives. 

The difference between good a great is discipline. The difference between average and excellent is discipline. It makes a difference in life. 

We kick against it because it isn't easy. Lazy is easy. Lazy feels nice. We can even justify lazy if we want to. I'm too busy or need a break. I have too much discipline and doesn't Christ set me free? All excuses that won't make us any better. 

Let's stop it. Let's say no to lazy and get after the disciplines (faith, prayer, study of the Bible, Church attendance, praise and consecration to name a few). 

Are there any disciplines you know of that I didn't list? How have the disciplines helped you? 

Day 170 - Money Is Annoying

"Money is an annoyance right now. Worry would try to creep in but I know better. To trust in The Lord is a safer and better option."

Have you ever felt like wherever you turn there is a problem that the only solution is money? I can tell you from my own experience that there are times when it is so consistent with money needs that I almost want to run out of my office and home screaming. 

I have also noticed that as time goes on and as I have been graciously allowed to prosper that what I was concerned about in the past financially is no big deal today. On the opposite side of that last sentence though is that what is a big deal today is a big deal today. The needs have only grown and the amounts that I have to believe God for have too. 

Even with all that I know better than to worry. If God can take care of the universe He can certainly take care of my financial needs. When worry, doubt or fear tries to come in I give myself a little pep talk and remind myself of two things: God's word and God's faithfulness. 

God's word is true and His faithfulness proves it. Money might be annoying, fear might be creeping, but God isn't moving on either of those. He is moving on our faith in Him to provide. 

Has money ever been annoying to you? Do you ever give yourself a pep talk? Why or why not?

Day 169 - The Greatest Tool For Raising Kids

"Praise God we have such good kids."

The greatest tool for raising kids is not discipline even though discipline is necessary. The greatest tool is not care even though care is essential. The greatest tool for raising kids is faith. 

If not for God I don't think I would be sane when it comes to my kids. I would worry and fret about every decision. Should I get shots or not? Public or private school? How do I discipline? 

With God all the worry and fear have no place. My faith in God and His Word answers every parenting question I could ever have. Through the Bible and prayer I never need to wonder how to raise children. The best Father has already given me what I need. 

Ultimately they are not my kids, they are His. If I truly trust God then I trust His ability to raise my children is better than mine. I am here as a parent to give the children the direction to God and His ways. He will take care of them through all the trials of life. 

How does your relationship with God affect your parenting? What scriptures talk about child raising? 

Day 168 - Biting the Bullet

"Today I had the most expensive snack I think I have ever bought."

Even though we hate it there are times you just have to bite the bullet. I have been in gas stations in the middle of nowhere that you had to pay an arm and a leg for gas. Then there are the snack stations at amusement parks that the kids can't help but see and want something from. The worst has to be the store that you have to walk through in order to exit a ride. 

The great thing about life and money is that it keeps going. Like the cycle of water that evaporates from the ocean, which forms clouds hat rain on the land forming the rivers that go into the oceans. I just read today that roughly 1% of the world's water is the freshwater used by animals, and specifically humans, to drink. With such a margin you would think we would all be freaking out about how we are going to make it. Yet I would venture to say that even the Californians in the midst of the drought weren't worried about the world's drinking water supply today. 

Don't worry if you have to spend more than you want to. God supplies our drinking water, feeds the birds...worldwide, and even has every star numbered and the hairs of your head numbered. He can take care of your needs. You will also make more money. Believe me, my shockingly expensive snack didn't bankrupt Heaven or end my financial supply. 

What are some other things you have to bite the bullet on? Is there another example of a replenishable resource God gives us? 

Day 167 - The Maiden Voyage

"...the maiden voyage..."

The idea of something new is often fun and exciting until you take the maiden voyage. I was writing about an experience with a kayak last year. The idea of it was great until that initial ride. My friends who took the first ride had a hard time getting in and out, steering was tough and the person in front kept getting the person in back all wet.

Thankfully when we get past that first try things get easier and we get better at it. Now whenever we go out on the kayak we are able to turn and have more fun with the kids than that first time.

The excitement of something new can overwhelm at times. I remember going snorkeling for the first time and felt as though the entire world was closing in on me when I put on the mask and got in the water. I actually had a moment of panic. Thankfully I prayed and calmed myself down and was able to overcome the fear. Now I love to go snorkeling and look forward to going.

We all encounter these experiences and have the "maiden voyage" of things like a new job, relocating and moving into a new place, meeting people for the first time and many other life experiences. The most memorable of these being the day of salvation, the wedding day and the day your children are born. Talk about launching into new adventures!

Life is a lot of fun and there are experiences waiting for us each day. The 'firsts that we encounter may bring with them fears and uncertainty. Let's meet those fears with faith and as we experience new things enjoy the ride of the maiden voyage.

What are some memorable 'firsts' you have had in life? Can you prepare for a new experience?

Day 166 - All Over the World

"Thousands of people were in church today."

I wrote this about our church in awe and wonder of the grace God has generously given us to be entrusted with the care of so many people. It is a honor and privilege. 

Yet when I take a step back and think about the believers world wide it blows me away. There are multiple millions all over the world in every country who are all worshipping Jesus. It must please the Father so much when His children gather to specifically praise Him, connect with and hear from Him. 

There is a corporate anointing that happens when we get together as Christians. Jesus said it only takes two or more. On a global scale there is definitely more! God also says He inhabits the praise of His people. So we know when we go to church we are going to encounter God. 

Let's gather each week, as many times as we can, and bless the heart of God. 

What do you enjoy about church? How can we guard against drifting away from church? 

Day 165 - Not Even Close

"From the Word: Romans 8:18 is so poetic and powerful. I don't even consider the present sufferings to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. Suffering can't even be compared with glory. It's not even close."

So if it is not even close then why do I continue to compare? It's like someone from a distance holding up their finger and sizing up a mountain. "Look how big my problems are!" No, put your little finger at the base of that mountain and see how insignificant the suffering is compared to the massive glory waiting for us. 

Being in church for most of my life I have been in meetings that have gotten away from the leaders. Some jokingly have called it "Top that testimony". People have shared from platforms on microphones with a captive audience things that never should be shared. I remember one time in a meeting a young lady shared her sufferings with no resolve and it was like the breaking of a dam. Soon followed story after story of sadness and brokenness. Thankfully one of the leaders put an end to it but the damage was already done. Wounds were open and people were hurting. 

The only way to heal from the hurt is to look to the Healer. When we get focused on our goal (His name is Jesus) then the light ahead of us outshines the darkness all around us. 

Did you have a dad who wasn't there or who was but did the wrong things? Look to your eternal Father. Have people used and abused you and then left you high and dry? Look to the one who stays closer than a brother in Whom is true rest. Have you gone through pain and agony that no one should endure? Look to the one Who endured the cross that we should have carried and died on. 

It doesn't compare. Look up, your future is bright! 

How does having an eternal perspective change your view of suffering and pain? Are there other scriptures that talk about this? 

Day 164 - Made Up Words

"It was promotion day for the kids. My son went to his class party for the Jello. He is such a cute and funny kid. He says 'amn't'. As in 'I amn't gonna do that!'"

My family has a way of making up words. My wife made up a word for buying something in the past tense pronounced 'boughten'. You could use it in a sentence by saying 'I haven't boughten them yet'. Of coarse like any good fact checking husband I told her she was using too many syllables and could say the same thing without the 'en' on the word bought and achieve the same result. What is funny about it is that we have heard very educated people use the word in everyday speech as well. I guess she proved me wrong. 

Have you ever made up any words? Could you use it in a sentence? 

Day 163 - Contrasts

"Quite a contrast."

Life is full of contrasts. Life and death. Light and dark. Joy and sadness. Adventure and boredom. I enjoy contrasts. It would be quite monochromatic without them. 

I enjoy photography and part of a good composition is contrast. Think about the best picture you have seen in black and white. I would bet it wasn't blurry and hard to see the edges. The contrast made it interesting and kept your eye moving or focused it into a certain part of the picture. 

Life's contrasts will do that as well. You may not remember the blurry days filled with activity and much of the same. You do however remember the extremes. You remember the anger, the sadness, the joys and the peaks. 

I think that is why it has been a good thing for me to journal every night. This process of looking at last year and seeing the contrast has given me a perspective I wouldn't have had otherwise. I see the growth and the changes of life. I see how we overcame in times of trial and how God's hand was working behind the scenes. They say hindsight is 20/20. Yes, sometimes it is. Sometimes you need a bit of contrast to show you where the focus was. 

Do you enjoy contrast in life? How can we get a greater perspective?

Day 162 - Saying Thank You

"The interns said thank you to the staff at prayer and blessed us with a special video that touched our hearts."

One of the simplest ways of blessing someone else is simply by saying thank you. The fact that someone would take the time to come back after an event of a gift or something else to say thank you is a blessing. I know when someone expresses gratitude to me I appreciate it. I also know when someone is ungrateful it is disappointing. 

There are lots of ways to express gratitude. The simplest is with our words. A note, card, gift or act of kindness can be great ways to say thank you. As long as it is heartfelt it will be well received. 

I know I have been working at expressing my gratitude more and more. I have the verbal expression down. I try to follow back with a call or text. I fall short in the note and card department. I love the idea but haven't yet got it down. (Like Christmas cards, I would love to send those out but never do!) 

Let's all work on this together. The most compelling reason we should is that God commands us numerous times to be grateful. So... thank you for reading!

Did you ever have someone say thank you in a memorable way? What are some other ways to say thank you?

Day 161 - God's Business

"We had an estimate for our blinds to be repaired on the back door. It seemed like we got taken because the lady gave us a price we thought included installation but then she added $99 for installation. We just went ahead with it and I prayed that if it was the wrong price The Lord would reveal it."

I think we all could say that at one time or another we have been taken on a business deal or in a purchase. It makes you angry doesn't it? 

As a Christian it makes it even harder to be a shrewd business man or woman. There is an expectation that we are to turn the other cheek and let people wrong us without any recourse. Additionally you have a witness to uphold. If you misuse or abuse people in business they won't want to have anything to do with your God. 

So often it feels like you are a sheep being sent out among wolves. But isn't that what Jesus said anyway? If that is the way it is in our Christian walk then why would it be different in business. I can't tell you how many times I have been mistreated or had to turn the other cheek in business or purchases. God has always taken care of me. He is the best business partner you could ever have. 

After all the extra money I have spent to maintain my witness and keep my integrity I have lacked for nothing. God always makes up the difference. We have lived tight from time to time but we have never lacked. You can trust Him. Your good name is worth more than an extra $99. 

Have you ever had to pay more because you were keeping your Christian witness or upholding your word? Are there any other principles of business this could apply to?

Day 160 - Truly Letting Go

"We prayed and released everything to God and chose to forgive regardless of reciprocation."

True forgiveness let's go and releases regardless of response or reciprocation. True forgiveness has already decided what it will do well before it speaks. True forgiveness starts in the heart, works its way through the mouth and out into the actions. 

I often think of offenses as sharp tacks. The one offending may willingly or unwillingly hurt someone else and the tack is placed in the had of the one offended. U forgiveness closes its fingers around that tack and won't let go. The only problem with that is that no one is hurting except the one holding the tack. It doesn't punish the offender and doesn't relieve the pain of the offended. 

Forgiveness opens the hand, removes the tack and tosses it into the sea of forgetfulness. Why? Shouldn't we stay angry? What of justice? If you believe in the forgiveness of God at the cross and have received that same forgiveness then you are under obligation to give that same forgiveness. In fact we are commanded to forgive others just like God forgave us in and through Jesus Christ. 

That is the only way we can forgive. True forgiveness is in the likeness of the One who alone is the truth Himself. When we let go of the pain and the offense and forgive we are now operating in the supernatural power of God. His love never fails. 

Have you been holding on to pain and unforgiveness? It is time to release it to God in prayer. What scriptures in the Bible help us to forgive? 

Day 159 - The Song of Heaven

Last year on this day I preached in the Spanish speaking church services at our church through an interpreter. From that experience I wrote the following:

"At the last song we were singing together, the congregation in Spanish and me in English, I got a picture of heaven where all tribes and tongues would be singing the songs of heaven in their own language. It was beautiful."

There will be a day, sooner than we know, when every tribe, every nation, every tongue will sing the song of Heaven. It will be in unison and will be glorious. All are welcome, many are called, few are chosen. But the faithful will be there. They will be robed in white and the praise of God will be their song. 

I look forward to that day and I pray for a worldwide outpouring of the Spirit that people would be saved. I pray that people from all over, from different cultures and diverse social and economic backgrounds would be reached. From the urbanized to the third world to the huts in the most remote jungle I pray they hear and respond to the gospel message. 

I long to see all the nations united by one blood, the blood of Jesus, singing the song of Heaven to His glory, honor and praise! 

What excites you about Heaven? How can we reach more people with the message of Jesus? 

Day 158 - New Levels

"We are going to a new level."

Life is a journey. Sometimes it is uphill and you go to a new level. Sometimes you backslide and it brings you down. There are also plateaus where you feel like nothing much is happening. 

The goal is to go onward and upward. It comes by choice. You decide your direction and destination. Don't be afraid to tell people your intent. Pray and commit it to God. Agree on it with your spouse. Involve your friends and family in it. There is accountability to what you have spoken. 

It also comes by consistency. You have to stay focused on your direction and continue in it. If you abandon your goals you won't make it there by accident. You have to keep at your course until you make it. 

A year after writing this statement I believe it has come to pass. We made the choice and stayed consistent. We are lifting our sights for the next year to come. We are going to a new level. 

Why is it hard to choose life direction sometimes? What keeps us from being consistent?

Day 157 - Missed Opportunities

"I took all the kids home and then prepared for the wedding I had tonight. The wedding was at a golf course. The groom was a nice guy. While we were waiting to go to the lakeside for the ceremony he saw a golfer he knew that was a doctor. The doctor asked him why he was there and he replied it was for his wedding. The doctors response was “Thanks for the invite!” All I could think was that it was a missed opportunity."

The old saying that hindsight is 20/20 is true. We all could look back and see missed opportunities. I know I have wished I would have dove into an opportunity or a deal. I have regretted staying silent when I could have spoken or wished I would have shut up instead of talking too much. 

Whatever the case may be how do we deal with missed opportunities? Are they final?

To some degree we have to accept that a missed opportunity is just that; missed. Oh well. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. But we can't sit and cry over spilled milk. We have to be mature about it and move forward. But now we have wisdom. 

Learn from the mistake. Looks or opportunities. Be in tune with the Holy Spirit and listen for His voice. Part of His job description is that He will show you things to come. If that is the case then you never have to miss another opportunity again. All you have to do is listen and do what He says. 

Have you missed an opportunity? How can we take advantage of when opportunity comes our way? 

Day 156 - God's Desire

"God desires faith in us." 

There is no other way to enter into relationship with God than by faith. There is no other way to please God than by faith. There is no other way to get things done on the earth than by faith.

God not only desires it in us He requires it of us. Right in the middle of a talk about eating vegetables or eating meat in the book of Romans the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle to write a small sentence with huge impact. He says "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23b)

Far be it from me to sin against God. That means that if I want to stay out of sin I must stay in faith. It may seem cruel because believing doesn't always come naturally to us so why require it? Here is why, sin comes natural to us. Doubt, fear and unbelief come naturally.

So how we start is how we will sustain and also how we will finish; in faith. God desires it.

How can we build faith? What are you believing God for right now?

Day 155 - Mess Ups

"I blew it this morning from the time I woke up."

I actually record in my journal two times I had to patch things up after an argument with my wife, one in front of our children. I also had to work with someone else on their issues and then that night preach in the pulpit. My message was called "Stop complaining". I was obviously preaching to myself. 

What is funny is that after the message it was confession time. I almost could've had a line and people taking a number. I didn't mind though because our confession is healthy for us. If we confess then God can work with us. Once we say "God I messed up, forgive me please!" His grace and mercy do the work of forgiving us and cleansing us. 

Don't try and hide or be prideful and never admit guilt. We are all mess ups and need the blood of Jesus to blot out our sin. Confess it to God, repent and make it right and then resist the temptation and the devil in the future. 

Have you ever had a day where you just seemed to be messing up all the time? What scriptures do we have to lean on for days like these? 

Day 154 - The Dinner Course

"Jess made an omelet this morning for me that was delicious. Then for lunch I made fish and salad. Then we had quesadilla and cereal for dinner."

I have noticed that on social media if you want to start a conversation and get people commenting all you have to do is post a picture of your food. People are passionate about food. Some people skip breakfast and some, like me, love breakfast. Some eat to live and some live to eat. 

Whatever your preference you are what you eat. It becomes a part of you and gives you the energy to do life. What you eat can hurt you or heal you. It is important to put good things in!

Similarly our spiritual life is governed by what we put in. Not only that we have to be consistent at it. A good meal in the morning and afternoon with a terrible meal for dinner is not going to cut it. You have to finish what you started. Consistency is what makes the difference. 

Make sure to consistently put in truth (whatever God says), goodness, grace, pure things, beauty, praiseworthy things, and anything healthy. There are multiple lists in the Bible of things that we can feed our souls and strengthen our spirits with. 

Just reading the dinner I had last year makes my stomach turn. We must have been tired or lazy. In any case that is the exception and not the rule. 

What do you like to eat? What spiritual food do you regularly eat? 

Day 153 - An Unprofitable Servant

"Inspired from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional for the day: They laid Jesus penniless in a borrowed grave. He had nothing in death. Friends had to purchase cloth to wrap him and lay him in their grave. How then can we pride ourselves against Him when He would stoop so low for us. Father forgive me for my presumptuous sins. I presume that I am too high and so great in faith that I forget what You gave for me. How rich I am at the expense of Christ! And yet would I hold on to anything?! Here Lord take all for your service. It is my reasonable service and all I have you gave me therefore I am an unprofitable servant. Let me only attend to your needs, wants, desires and pleasures."

Just this morning I was thinking along these lines and echoed King David's prayer: Who am I? And who is my family that You are so kind to us? 

God is so gracious and good that words fail to express how great He is. His goodness requires no less than my all in return, yet even my all is not sufficient for His kindness. 

What emotions come when you think about what God has done for you? How can we express our gratitude to Him?