"All successful people have a way of proving their worth every day without having to let everyone know; no boasting-they just get results."

Dear Reader,

Which parts of John 15:1-17 fascinate you? Which parts scare you?

Two In One Day? Why Not?

Sometimes you just have to declare things in a public forum.

I am blessed to have such a wonderful support system. From my family to my friends, I am amazed at how God puts them all in my life. Whether it's an e-mail asking how I'm doing, or one who calls "just because", God moves me to tears of joy and happiness. Today has been certainly infinitely more than I could ask or think of! Paul said it best when he declared his love for the Philippian church as he said, "I thank my God upon my every remembrance of you." (Philippians 1:3).

"When It Don't Come Easy"

Have you ever had one of those weeks that everything seems to explode in your hands? Does it feel like you have had a week of Mondays? That's what it's been like this week for me.

Little things have gnawed at me. I haven't done well enough at work this week to say that money is being made. I have missed quiet times this week. I've been lax about getting things done around my house. My relationships have suffered this week because I've been to wound up in myself.

I got a phone call this week that really sent me into a tailspin. It made me question who I am personally and professionally. In addition to the phone call, I've had a rough time at one of the schools where I teach. I am concerned about both items, because my thoughts and emotions were not grounded in the Word. Ephesians 4:32 was not part of my thought process with either incident.

How do I get through these lapses in relationship? How do I refocus? First, I heard a song on my iPod this morning that really struck home. It's by Patty Griffin. It's called, "When It Don't Come Easy." The chorus reminded me of who God is and that he's always there. The chorus says:

But if you break down,

I'll try to find you,

If you forget my love,

I'll try to remind you,

I'll stay by you,

When it don't come easy

Sometimes I see things crumbling and forget that God is there in the midst of the circumstance, whether good or bad. Even in all of the swirling disappointments and depression this week, the reminder this morning that he'll stand by me when it's not easy uplifted me. Biblically, here's the best reminder:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Reflective Thinking

The last few weeks have been particularly joyous for me. I celebrated a six-month anniversary with my girlfriend, Rachel last Saturday. Facetiously, the date was easy to remember because it coincides with my birthday. I know, I'm a guy. Anything to make things easier in the relationship department, right?

One of the keys that has improved our relationship has been a greater emphasis on bible study and prayer. A few weeks ago, I read in a One-Year devotional about Colossians 1:9-14. The author, Gary Chapman, suggested using this as an intercessory prayer for your loved one (okay, he said spouse, but let's not put the cart before the horse just yet. I'm learning to "walk slow"). So, Rachel and I spent a week praying these verses over each other. What a difference! During that time, we both refocused on scripture. She's begun here winter bible study at First Baptist Shawnee, and I've been involved with some students going through the book of Galatians. Furthermore, I think our "Parade of Churches" is over. At the last church we visited, we heard a sermon about John 15, where Jesus says, "If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you." (John 15:7) While it is not a promise of prosperity, it is a promise about bearing the fruit found in Galatians 5:22-24.

Also, I was challenged to be more an encourager for Rachel. That has also given me a renewed desire to search the scriptures because I've got a goal to find scripture that provides encouragement for Rachel. I find that as I do that for her, it motivates me to set my, "mind on things above and not on earthly things". (Colossians 3:2) It never ceases to amaze me at how faithful God is to his children when we intentionally involve ourselves in scripture.

Lastly, Dear Reader, I invite you to pray Colossians 1:9-14 over someone God brings to mind for you. Do this for a week, and I guarantee that you will see a difference in their life and in your life. Here it is:

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

"We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push us in the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
This we ask in the name of our
Captain, who is Jesus Christ."— Sir Francis Drake