Most things Don't Endure

We live in a culture where so many people seem to be wanting and screaming, "More! More!" It's as if what they have is just never enough. Sometimes this can be a good thing, and other times it isn't. But really, have you ever had one of those moments where you just wished you had a little more? Perhaps it was in a bathroom that had no more toilet paper. Or maybe it was a hot day and you just finished your ice cold Coke and needed one more sip. All natural things in life eventually run out and obviously don't last forever. However, don't worry because there are some incredible things which do last forever. And as you'll notice with each of these things, they all describe some aspect or attribute of God. The Bible is full of examples such as these I've given and by no means is this an exhaustive list. But here are some that I think are significant in the fact that they last forever. There is His mercy (1 Chronicles 16:34); the Lord Himself (Psalm 9:7); His goodness (Psalm 52:1); His name (Psalm 72:17); His truth (Psalm 100:5); His glory (Psalm 104:31); His righteousness (Psalm 111:3); His praise (Psalm 111:10); His faithfulness (Psalm 119:90); His righteous judgments (Psalm 119:160); His dominion (Psalm 145:13); His love (Jeremiah 31:3); and His word (1 Peter 1:25). What an amazing God! Although most things will and do pass away, it's such a comfort knowing that God and these things will always last and endure forever :)

I Can't Get Enough of This

If you asked me, "What is something special I love doing?" One of the first things out of my mouth would be, "Going on dates with my girls and doing special things with my son." I know that today's younger generation loves hanging out with their friends, sitting in front of a TV or game console, being preoccupied with their cellphone, and many other things. The relational disconnect between kids and parents continues to increase. But when it comes down to it, my kids need quality time with me. Time where we can talk, play and connect :) I did this a few nights ago with my youngest daughter. We went to her favorite Starbucks, and not because of the coffee, but because they have the best furniture. I got her favorite drink (a blended juice), then we played cards and talked on her favorite chaise, for the next 45 minutes. I must admit she did crush me in cards, but I wouldn't trade our time together for the world. I needed to talk with my daughter and she needed to talk with me. It was such a wonderful "daddy date." I realize that we all have very busy schedules with a lot going on in our lives. However, there aren't very many things that come before being a parent. I must make time to do things like this. It must be a priority. Being a parent takes time and hard work, but it's well worth it. Dads, I especially challenge you. Go and do something with your kids. Let them know how you love them and how much they mean to you. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Make it a priority because before you know it, they'll be all grown up.

Seeing the Obvious

Several people have talked with me this week about their need to develop and strengthen their personal prayer and devotion life with the Lord. As Christians our most vital relationship must be the one we have with the Lord. We are simply sinners who are in need of God's grace on a daily basis. I don't want to be like so many others who are wise in their own eyes or rely simply on their own strength. I know precisely what I am and who I need. Each day I spend time with the Lord and it's there that I ask for His strength, His wisdom, His grace, His mercy and His forgiveness. I'd be a fool to think I could go a day in my own strength or abilities. I'd be crazy to say that I have it all under control and don't really need Him. Yet this is how so many people live. Their need for Him only arises when there's a need. Two of my favorite verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 which tell us in the Amplified, "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. ⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." Their is so much wisdom found in these verses if only we'd do what they say. Today, recognize your great need of the Lord. Don't try to make it through on your own strength or without Him. Live in His strength, receive His grace and follow His leading. It's as simple as surrendering your day to Him :)

Let Them Live and Be Loved

I realize there's a huge debate going on right now in the Idaho Statehouse about whether or not a mother should need to have an ultrasound prior to having an abortion. In fact it's a very heated debate and at times downright nasty (well nasty from the side that's anti-life). I believe that a every child has the right to live life, which includes those in the womb. The Bible clearly states in Psalm 127:3, "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." Recently I've had a first hand opportunity to watch a young mother do what God has called her to do and that's to love her baby. I've seen her cherish, nurture and watch over her little gift from God. This is something that all parents are called to do. Every baby desperately needs love. Unfortunately in our culture, babies can often be seen as inconvenient, a burden and even a mistake. How could anyone even think that? When you look at the intricate handiwork of God that's seen in a baby's face, hands, feet and the rest of their body, how could you not cherish these little bundles of life and energy. There really is something amazing about life. Having the opportunity to hold life in your hands and see it grow and blossom. I take my hat off to every parent who values a child's life and sees a children as gift from God. Being a parent is one of the most incredible responsibilities someone could ever have, and at the same time it's one of the most rewarding. Today I challenge every parent to see their child as a gift from God, and to love their precious little ones just as the Lord does :)

Gross Yet True

One of the most obvious compare and contrast topics the Bible makes is between the fool and the wise. There are literally hundreds of them. In our culture being foolish often seems to be fun and normal. But as you take a closer look in the Bible, being called or known as a fool is not complimentary at all. In fact it indicates many negative things. I've challenged many people to spend a month in proverbs, listing all the characteristics of the wise man and wisdom, as well as the characteristics of a fool and folly. It's quite a remarkable and yet opposing list. One of the most interesting verses dealing with the fool is Proverbs 26:11 which says, "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness." I know this is pretty gross but I want you to get a picture of how gross this really is. For many of you who own dogs, you're well aware that when a dog vomits, often it will eat its own vomit, and sometimes even the vomit of another dog. This clear picture is how a fool is described as they repeat their folly. They're foolish and the result is foolishness, but it doesn't stop there. Once they've been foolish, they return to it and play in it some more. It's like they can't stop their foolishness. It's as if they take pleasure in being a fool. Yet this isn't God's desire for us. His desire is for his people is for them to be wise. If there's no reference to foolishness when it comes to God, His character or His nature, why would anyone desire to be foolish? All of us have opportunities to choose wisdom or foolishness throughout our day. Your choices will indicate whether you're choosing wisdom or eating vomit :)

Small Things That Get Under Your Skin

Have you ever noticed how sometimes the smallest things can frustrate us? Maybe it's the long line at Starbucks, a slow internet connection, the driver going under the speed limit, or the stapler that's empty of staples. No really, we allow these things to get under our skin, irritating, agitating and bugging us. I guess it's partly due to our wrong thinking where we expect everything to be perfect, especially when it comes to what we want or when we need it. Have you ever gone throughout your day being agitated? Or maybe frustrated at something? It's easy for us to say that when it comes to our day, it's really not about us, but others. However, upon closer examination we can see that so much of what frustrates us actually stems from us not getting our way or in our timing. In all honesty, things bug us! Things frustrate us! Is the long line at Starbucks, the slow internet connection, a slow driver or an empty stapler, really deserving of stealing our peace and joy? Absolutely not! Romans 15:13 tells us, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." This is also my desire. That we'd be filled completely with joy and peace as we trust God and overflowing with hope. When things don't go just how you expected or in the timing you wanted, think about the peace and joy that fills you because of Christ. Don't allow irritation, frustration, agitation, anger or rage gain a foothold in your day. It's really not worth it because of everything Christ did for you.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover...

One of the biggest mistakes a person could make is to judge a book by its cover. I've done it before and I'm sure I'm not the only one. The same thing can easily happen when it comes to people. Some of my closest and most loyal friends are those that I would never have expected. If I were to only look on the outside, I would have missed the precious gold that was in them. Judging people by the way they look on the outside is done frequently in our culture, and couldn't be a bigger mistake. I'm thankful God doesn't base everything on what He sees on the outside of us. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us this plainly and what the Lord does, "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I remember watching a TV story about two individuals, who at different times entered "Britain's Got Talent", the show "America's Got Talent" was modeled after. Both of these eventual winners shocked the judges the first time they sang. Just looking on the outside, both were laughed at and not much was expected from them. But as soon as they began singing something powerful happened. It's like what was on the inside was released. As you go about your day, don't just pass by people because of what they look like. Why you may ask? Because you might be completely missing the gold right before your eyes. Check out their clips at the following links and enjoy :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9whxWNI7bE and also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&feature=related  These links have over 6 million and 90 million hits respectively. Why? Because they were truly gold that was found. Enjoy!