in my studies today i have been doing a word study on "abounding". it basically mean to show up big. show up big for God! be where you are - i mean like really be there. be there in heart, mind, soul and strength. 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58

Hard Words and Encouragement

There are times when I feel God leading me to share some hard words with our faith family. Yesterday, was one of those days. In our raising three children we would have family meetings. Anytime I would call a “family meeting” everyone knew it was something that I thought was serious and needed everyone’s attention. There are times when hard words are encouragement. I want to encourage our faith family to make a difference. Be what God desires for you to be. Allow Him to use you. It may never be easy but it will be worth it. The faith walk is one that is filled with challenges and opportunities, but know that the adversary will seek to get you distracted. He will set other things before your eyes that will tempt with momentary fulfillment. The Bible is true. God is God. Jesus died for you and overcame death and the grave. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. You are part of Christ body – the Church. God created you for a specific purpose. Live in it. 

Converge

It is my observation in my life as well as those around me that what we say we believe and how we live our lives often do not converge. 


Conv-verg - \kən-ˈvərj\
1: to tend or move toward one point or one another : come together : meet <converging paths>

2: to come together and unite in a common interest or focus

I think it was Elizabeth Elliot who said, "When the will of God and the will of man meet someone has to die". So often we refuse to die. We refuse to take up our cross. The church should be so engaged in the ways and work of God that the enemy fears our waking up. However, we have backed down. This world has become more important than the next. It was Jim Elliot who said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Give what you cannot keep. You cannot keep time. It is passing. You can't stop it or slow it so give it. Jim Elliot also said, "I may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not." 

I do not doubt what I say I believe, but is it really a belief if I choose not to live by it? It might be as Josh McDowell wrote, "We must move from belief to conviction" (paraphrased). 

May there be a convergence in my life and yours today. 

Book Review - William F. Buckley by Jeremy Lott

There are people in history that have a larger impact than most people can see or comprehend. William F. Buckley was one of those people. His impact on the conservative movement across America was huge. It is really amazing that a figure that might not be familiar to the average American has influenced the public arena in which they live so much.  Buckley's life as presented by Lott is compelling and revealing. This work in very enlightening and encouraging. One man can make a difference and going with the flow is not always the best direction.  Anyone who is interested in history and especially the conservative movement of the last fifty years would enjoy this work. 


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Gray Areas

Last week I took the opportunity to view The Nines. One of the speakers made an interesting observation. As a leader we find ourselves navigating the gray areas. It is in the areas that do not have quick answers or solutions that people need real leadership. It is when they do not understand God that they need leadership. It is when the right answer is hard to find. It appears that most of the time people live in the gray. It is not in the black or white. It is seeking to choose great over good, excellence over average that leadership is needed. Don't get frustrated with people in the gray because that is why we need you as a leader. 


P.S. We all are in the gray sometimes!

Every Road Leads Somewhere

PICK THE RIGHT ROAD

This morning on my way in to the office I heard a commercial that had the tag line, "Every road leads somewhere". That is an obviously true statement, so why do we sometimes end up in places and are surprised at where our lives have taken us? If I get on a road that I do not know where it leads I am usually lost or confused. We all pick which road we will take today and every day. Each day brings new opportunities, barriers and roadblocks. Some will even have some long straight ways. But know that the road you are on is your decision. It will lead you to a certain destination. Where are the decisions of your life taking you? Which road are you on? In His love, God is continually seeking to have you on the right road. Choose wise which path to take. 

SALT

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Know what you are then be what you are. Jesus makes it clear that His disciples are to be the salt of the earth.

EARTH

Earth is filled with evil, sin, then desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

SALT

Salt when the proximity is right can make a difference in the earth. Salt is no good if it loses it flavor/effect. Stay strong in the Lord by staying close to Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Demonstrate your saltiness today. Have courage, show kindness, speak boldly, speak and live truth.

When we are trampled under the feet of men we know that we have lost our saltiness.

Are you SALT or a rock?

A Lesson Worth Reading

Below is the lesson that was taught at Men's Fraternity this morning. Everyone should take time to study it.

Some giant life lessons

1 Samuel 17 (read the whole chapter)

Goliath taunted the Israelites for forty days. God was setting the stage for a legendary victory.

David was just a boy and Goliath. had been in the army since he was a boy. (17:33)

Israel had become a nation dominated by fear. 

LESSONS FROM GOLIATH (He felt no need to go to Men's Fraternity.)

1. Self-confidence alone is a flawed philosophy. It is the thought that you don't need anybody. You don't need Men's Fraternity, church, godly friendships, or a deeper walk with God. Everyone loses sometimes. It cost G. his life. 

2. Pride will always lead to disaster. Prov 16:18 pride comes before destruction, Rom 12:3 

3. False god's will fail us. Goliath. cursed David by his god. Goliath. was spiritually blind. Be careful where you put your trust. 

4. Tunnel vision sets us up for deception. Goliath. only knew one way to fight and live. 

LESSONS FROM DAVID

1. God's reputation must always be first. David was pissed off because the armies of the living God was being taunted. It was not his national pride but his spiritual commitment. In David's mind to attack Israel was to attack God. 1 Cor 10:31 

2. Confidence in God leads to success/victory. (17:37, 45-46). Psalm 20:7 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God". 

3. Balance is the key. David also brought his sling. The armor of Saul did not fit. He could not win trying to be something he was not. So he fought the fight in a shepherd boys attire instead of a warrior. BE WHO YOU ARE. remember John 15:5, "without Me you can do nothing". 

4. Opportunities come when we are prepared. Be prepared for all God brings your way. David had been practicing with his sling for years. Judges 20:16 is a story of snipers who used the slingshot. David had no idea he would be in a fight that day when he got out of bed and headed on his journey, BUT HE WAS PREPARED JUST IN CASE. 

Long Live Passion

Passion is something that money cannot buy. You either have it or you don't. Passion is strong and in many ways unstoppable. One interesting note on passion is how other people respond to it. In worship passion can be misunderstood. Some will say that a person is putting on a show when they worship with great passion. David's wife told him he was making a fool of himself as his passion overflowed into dancing. Passion is powerful and people will either love it or hate it. Don't let the haters stop the passion. Surrender to the passionate love of God and then you will find a passionate love for God. 

Expectancy

Do we really expect God to do anything big? When I think of expecting a pregnant lady comes to mind. The minute she finds out she is pregnant she begins planning for delivery day. The nursery has to be prepared. She begins to buy clothes. Other people begin to have showers with many gifts. No one ever doubts there is a baby coming. Why? She is expecting. What are you expecting God to do? In your life? Your family? Your church? Your finance? Believe the promises of God.


Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.


Go ahead and plan for God to do His perfect will. Expect it.

I'm A Drifter

Sometimes a song is more than a song. I ran across one of those this past week while listen to Rick and Bubba. They had Decemberadio in the studio and they sang the song “Drifter”. Sometimes I think we all can really identify with it. Here are the lyrics and a link to listen to it.

I used to have a home

a place I started from

a place to call my own

bright lights and late nights

the devil took me on a midnight ride

left me out in the desert on my own

Now I feel alone

I need a hand to help me find my way back home

I'm a drifter out on a dead end road

trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to you

lord I've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belong

and I've got to get back home to you

Sometimes I think about the past

the road that I was on

the one that lead me home

I'll walk on another day

I may wonder but I never stray

cause I found out the hard way sin don't pay

Now I feel alone

I need a hand to help me find my way back home

I'm a drifter out on a dead end road

trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to you

lord I've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belong

and I've got to get back home to you

and when I feel the night is closing in

and I can barely breathe the air

I just remember that I've got a friend

who really cares

oh who really cares

I'm a drifter out on a dead end road

trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to you

lord I've been gone for far too long headed to places I don't belong

and I've got to get back home to you.

Listen to the song here and weep if you need to, rejoice if you need to, mourn if you need to, but maybe today you can begin to find your way back home.