Lately...

My girlfriend and I have started a devotional together, appropriately named, Devotions for Dating Couples.  I love that she wants to be join me in sharing God's Word together.  It has been beneficial for both of us.  We just finished a week on simplicity, which is never long enough.  The week before that was on God's Word.  Every time I read about the need for abiding in God's word I long for his presence.  His word strikes my heart in areas that I just go with flow of life, contrary to His word and His will.  I always get confronted with these questions that are always answered when I intentionally involve myself in the word.

First, how do I know God's will?  His will is found in the word. Through scripture, prayer, and wise counsel, we can know what God desires for our lives.  In the 66 books of the bible, we can know that his will for us is to immerse ourselves in His Word.

Second, what are benefits of being in the Word?  The list is so exhaustive, but here are some of those benefits:  Food.  Rest.  Comfort and Confidence (John 14); Satisfaction (Psalm 37:4).  So many things.

Third, some of this stuff hurts, how do I get through it?  It is a fact that God's word is powerful, and it does cut like a surgeon's scalpel.  (Hebrews 4:12-14) But the benefit though, is found in the same chapter, where we have a high priest who has been through what we have, and he can help us navigate through life with mercy and grace.  AMEN!

So, how do you get started?  Pick a good bible. Ask your pastor or group leader (Sunday School or small group leader) about a good translation.  There some really good devotional materials on the internet.  Some really good ones are at youversion.com  They have reading plans that are easy to navigate and they keep up to date for you.  What happens if you miss a day?  What do you when you fall down?  Get back up!  Same thing here.  Just because you miss a moment doesn't mean you're condemned forever.  Just stay in touch with our friend (John 15:13) regularly.  Isn't that how you maintain friendships with folks you attend church now, right?  It's the same principle.  Lastly, commit to memorizing scripture.  You will find benefits that last lifetimes--right, I said LIFETIMES.  What a legacy to leave your children!  Read Psalm 119 and look at the benefits for the Psalmist.  It's amazing.

Thank you for indulging me, Dear Reader.  I hope I've been able to share something that will help you in your walk.

I really liked this prayer from  the book, Devotions for Dating Couples:


Dear God,


You are strong and mighty.  You are holy and pure.  There are no other gods above you. You know when I sit down and when I rise.  You know every word I speak before I even utter a sound.  You have planned every day of my life before I was born.  You are everywhere present.


God, you are so gracious to give us the Bible, which is the only true story of who You are and how You have provided a way for us to know You through Your son, Jesus Christ.  Thank You for the promises and power I receive when I study and apply Your Word to my life.  Teach me on a daily basis what the Bible is saying and how to make that a reality in my job and relationships.  Help me to hide Your Truth in my heart and strengthen me during times of temptation.


Give me the diligence to read Your Word consistently, and may I seek to discover Your will for my life as I turn the pages.  I affirm that Your Word is right, true, and pure. May my mind be transformed by the power of the Spirit as I soak in the Scriptures.  I pray that I will learn to feed on the promises found in the Bible, so Your words will truly be my bread.


In the name of Jesus.  AMEN

"I gotta keep singing, gotta keep praising your name". These words from MercyMe struck a chord today. After watching a story on the History Channel about a choir at Cook County Hospital, I am reminded that, like the old hymn, there is a song that rings in my heart. That song is Jesus. I was reminded that this song can, at times be loud and strong, or it can be soft and comforting. A song can build up a life. It may tear one down. Yet the song that God put my heart should not be contained. It is a song of joy, a song of grace, and a song of abundant life.

There have been times that I "sing" rightly. There have been times that song in my heart has been quiet because I've chosen a different and selfish song.

No matter what, I've got to learn to sing the right song in the right key daily. Mark 8:32-34 challenges me to live intentionally and learn the right "song".

God is good. I've got to keep singing.

Keeping Score

Dear Reader:

Today has had an interesting start.  As I drove into work this morning, my interest piqued when I listed to MLB Radio.  The hosts were talking about the decline of baseball.  They talked about how younger kids aren't playing any more.  One of the big reasons they gave was that kids like to keep score, and these early times kids play don't keep score.  I can remember one of my cousins, who is younger, asking what the score in his baseball game was.

It seems like we don't want to keep score in ballgames because we want to protect the children.  Yet, sometimes, keeping score is what we need to do.  Why?  So we can learn from the experiences.  There are times when the score says you lost.  Yet, even in losing, one can learn.

However, what about not keeping score in other things in life?  Like when your spouse does something that offends you. Do you keep score?  Is there a mental tally?  When do you discuss this ledger of wrongs? Why keep one at all?

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of wrongs." (1 Corinthians 13: 4, 5).  So, if I'm to love someone and do what's best, then why do keep score?  Selfishly, I like to insure my status in life moves upward.  To do this, I obsess over flaws in words or dress or actions from someone else.  All of this is done in violation of this chapter.  And the funny thing is that I know this, and I keep doing it.  I end up demanding my own way, and I keep tallying the score in my favor.  How presumptuous is that?

So, what's a guy to do?  First things first--remember that I need to stop being so childish (1 Corinthians 13:11).  Second I need to remember this:  LOVE FORGIVES!  LOVE FORGIVES!  LOVE FORGIVES!

Thinking Out Loud

Dear Reader,

Okay, this is a big moment.  I don't think I've been this self-revelatory...ever.  Let's see how this goes.

Recently, I've started having discussions with folks about discipline.  These discussions have encompassed personal disciple, and how, when I become a parent, how much television my children will watch.  I have friends who don't watch television outside of renting the occasional DVD, and then some have the television on consistently.  Neither way is bad.  I'm just thinking about these things now.

To open myself up a bit, I have battled an addiction to the television (yes, television) my whole life. It's been the fact that I have felt compelled to have it on "for noise" or, in my teenage years, I would have to flip through every station, "just to insure nothing was on that I wanted to watch." It is definitely something that I struggle with.  Not just the fact that it's on, but then you wonder into programs that do not line up with Philippians 4:8.  Whatever the program, it's not edifying--either too violent, too sexually suggestive, or too stupid.  And, being reminded of the command in  Proverbs 4:23, I need to hold fast to my purity, not just physically, but mentally, and emotionally.

So, what's a guy to do?  Well, I am learning to cling to Psalm 37:5.  I love this verse.  It's a challenge in that commitment takes intent.  It is definitely an action verse.  Lay it at God's feet, trust in him, and he will act. Second, I'm going to begin journaling my television viewing habits.  I want to be faithful to log what I watch, when I watch, and the length of time I watch the program.  This is going to be interesting.

Will you pray with me and for me about this?  As always, Dear Reader, feel free to comment.  Encouragement, admonishment, or beseeching will be welcomed.

What If...

Maybe it's because I feel like I have some "down" mental time. Maybe it's because I want to procrastinate. Either way, I just starting wondering about a lot of "What If" questions in life.

What if I studied theology in undergrad?

What if I had pursued an education degree instead of communications?

What if I had not bothered with law school?

What if I am in the wrong profession?

What if I'm in the right place?

What if I hadn't bought my house?

What if I was more humble?

What if I'd passed the bar the first time?

What if this stage in my life isn't what God desires?

What if this isn't my cross to bear? Better yet, what is my cross, God?

What if I'm really not called to the legal profession?

What if I'm called to something else?

What if there's something better?

What if I'm just doing this to procrastinate?

Honestly, I have to be honest with God and honest with myself. Even while I look at my desk and wonder how all of these piles got all over my desk, I am amazed that I am where I am. God has truly brought me to this particular point in time to do the particular things that I am doing for his glory.


“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12,13)

Giving Thanks

We are told in Psalm 118:1, "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" Today, I want to give thanks to the Lord because he is good. There are so many things to share, but I wanted to highlight a couple of friends who have been, to borrow from Ephesians 3:20, "infinitely more than I could dare to ask or hope for." It has been a great week of sharpening by some friends who have lived out Proverbs 27:17 in my life.

First, I wanted to thank one friend who gifted me with an opportunity to enjoy your hospitality. I also reveled in your instruction and genuine concern for me as a friend. Your example of humility and, honestly, love are treasured. Thank you.

Second, I want to express gratitude to another friend whose frankness is always welcome. Your wisdom as a pastor and a professor astound me. Your heart for students and your friends makes me want to be better personally and professionally.

There are many more who I could write about today. But, I have to get back to my day job, Dear Reader. Let me leave you with this: In your life, who do you need to thank today?

Legacy

These past few weeks, my life has been pervaded by the word, "legacy." Last week, particularly, the word "legacy" came to the forefront of my mind because we remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Last week, everyone posted different quotes from Dr. King. I read them, and the quotes caused me to consider what my legacy actually is personally and professionally.

As I read Dr. King's "Letter From Birmingham Jail", I began to reflect on what Dr. King lived through as he wrote this letter. I even looked back at the case, Walker v. City of Birmingham that I studied in law school. It's all pretty amazing. His words are as relevant as they were 50 years ago. The questions I have been asking myself this week were some of the same ones he asked fellow clergymen in his letter: "So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?"

He closes his questions with the scene at Calvary: "In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime--the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth, and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment." It is my hope that my life screams that, if I am labeled as an extremist, you label me a Christ-follower, an extremist for love, truth, and goodness. That's what I want as my legacy.