Be A Man

We sometimes have an inauthentic picture of who men are. God created men with special abilities and responsibilities.
God has called us to represent Him as followers of Christ. Baptist men have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world what it means to be a “Real Man” The Bible gives us several truths we need to heed. Let me focus on two.
1. Real Men Pray - the Bible teaches ( in word and by example that men should and do pray) Prayer is tuning in to the God channel and figuring out what life is all about. We see Abraham, Moses, and a host of other Old Testament characters staying in touch with God through prayer. In the New Testament, Jesus modeled the difference a life of prayer could make. Paul counseled Timothy by saying, I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Try praying rather than fighting.
2. Real Men Love – we are taught in the New Testament that one of the best, if not the best, way to bear witness to Jesus is to love others. Now, I know that men are somewhat reluctant to let their feelings show, but not Jesus. He genuinely loved other people and wanted God’s best for them. He still does. His words in John 13:34-35 tell us that we should do the same. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." While I know that this is not a gender specific verse we men need to hear it again.

“Man Up” for Jesus.

Silence & Solitude

Shhhh is a universal term for “be quiet” when we hold our index finger to our lips and utter the “be quiet” sound we usually get compliance with our request. But how many times do we say to ourselves, “be quiet?” Do we observe times and seasons of silence?
Then, there’s the issue of solitude. Silence and solitude go hand in hand. It’s hard to be quiet when you’re in the midst of constant noise from others. Donald Whitney writes, “there are moments in our pressure-cooker days when years of escape to some hidden place sounds wistfully compelling to the Christian spirit.”
So how does one practice the disciplines of Silence & Solitude? Here are a few suggestions.

Every Day- set aside 5-10 minutes then find a place (home, office, car) where you can shut out most if not all distractions and noise. Spend time with God there regularly.
Weekly- schedule an hour or so somewhere where you will not be disturbed. Spend this time in prayer, reflection, and meditation on God’s word.
Monthly-calendar a half-day or day when you can be alone. Find an empty room at church, walk in the woods, rent a room at a cabin. During this lengthier time evaluate your life, your goals, your service. Prepare in advance for this time by reading a book on life-change. Set aside longer times quarterly and yearly.
We must plan and calendar these times. If you don’t fill your days, someone else will.

Spiritual Disciplines

Experts say that warming up is one of the most important parts of an fitness regimen. However, many disagree about when the muscles should be stretched. One group advocates stretching the muscles prior to exercise. Another says after exercise is the optimal time. Perhaps doing both would suffice.
The most important part of warming up occurs in the gray matter between our ears. We must stretch ourselves mentally to prepare for dramatic (yet beneficial) life change that comes with starting any fitness program. If we aren’t prepared mentally then usually we don’t reach any sustainable level of fitness.
We’ve entered a new year so it’s time to get fit—spiritually fit that is. Some of us have further to go than others so let’s begin with a warm up. What better way to prepare for spiritual fitness than to explore the classic spiritual disciplines which have proved so effective for hundreds of years.
As we warm up and exercise our spiritual muscles, we will get more spiritually fit through an ongoing effort to allow the life of God to flow through us as we remain in Christ and He remains in us.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

I love snow (well for about 24 hours, then I get cabin fever). Snow always reminds me of God's covering for my sin. The world may get dingy, dirty and bleak but a blanket of snow covers it all up. Isaiah wrote that, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;"(1:18 NIV).

The uniqueness of snow also fascinates me. Every flake has a unique pattern which no other one possesses. Snow's uniqueness reminds me of the creativity of God. Each of us has unique qualities but we're all human. God's desire is to use our unique humanness to bring Him glory.

The third thing about snow that astounds me is its power. One flake can do nothing but when they "stick together" they can paralyze an entire city or state. What an individual flake cannot accomplish a group of flakes can (reminds me of the church since we're all kind of flaky in one way or another).

Well, I'm watching the forecast for the next round of "white stuff" In the meantime I guess I'll try to be a little more a little bit more like snow - pure, unique, and a little flaky (but trying to stick with others to do accomplish great things for God).

Resolution Busters

Well, here we are 8 days into 2008 and all is well. I trust you're still committed to transformation in this new year. Let me share with you the greatest resolution buster of all time - quitting. As long as we're sold out to life change, nothing else matters. So what if you haven't exercised a single day yet. Start tomorrow. Never mind that you kept overeating all the wrong stuff. Start eating right now. Though you said you were going to spend time with God everyday, you haven't. Well, don't quit. Get out your Bible and then get on your knees. Surrender yourself every day and follow God's plan for your life. Follow solid principles of truth to accomplish those things which will make your life better. I think if we don't give up but get up and get going, we'll be amazed how we've changed for the better at the end of this year.

Happy Old Year - Happy New Day!

This funny thing about new years is that they wear out so quickly. The newness wears off after the second day and we seem to lapse back into the same old patterns of thinking, feeling, and living. The old has come the new is gone (seems to be the polar opposite of biblical thought). This year why don't we just celebrate every day that God has given us. Rather than trying to make year-long resolutions that last about a week, why don't we simply live every day to the fullest and make daily decisions that allow God to transform us.

Happy New Day every one!

Happy New Year

I'm hoping God's best for you both in the New Year and forever. I pray for your spiritual growth and kingdom effectiveness so that Christ my be glorified in your life and you can receive and give away God's blessings. Be faithful. Be available. Be teachable. Be a servant.