They Were Right

It's been a long time since I have written a blog or Plog as I refer to it after a suggestion from Dr. Rev. Bishop Jonathon McNeese. But sitting on a bus for 7 hours will make you want to do something.

I started out this past Tuesday like any other day on Monday night getting my things ready for work. As I was getting ready I started thinking about all that needed to be done at work. What we had planned things that needed to be done. I thought why am I thinking about this now? So I get up Tuesday morning, get dressed, make my lunch and head out the door. I start out every day of work the same way. Put my stuff in my office, hit the coffee pot and go to the morning meeting.

So we finish the meeting and I get in my truck and head to the range. It was a nice bright sunny morning. I look in my mirror and there it is. A bunch of silver hairs shining in the sun. My first thought was there are the years of wisdom shining through. Although I have gotten wiser over the years its not enough to warrant gray hair. Then I thought it's probably just from stress. Then it hit me. I'm just getting old. I mean here I am waking up every morning, going to work, going to meetings, drinking coffee. Some how over the last 10 years I have become a responsible adult. All my life people told me enjoy life because before you know it you'll be old. Enjoy your kids because they grow up so fast. And they're right.

Life is becoming exactly what the Bible says it is. A vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. I'm actually finishing this up a month or so after I started this. And in this past month it seems like I have read about a lot of deaths from different friends of mine. I sat tonight and played the remember when game. Remember when you were young and you thought you knew it all? Remember when all you had to worry about is what you and your buddies were going to do Friday night? Remember when you were a kid and you didn't have a care in the world? I could hear my kids in the other room and thought, I remember that. Running to the door when dad got home. Getting excited over the smallest things but yet I couldn't help but think, enjoy it boys because you grow up fast.

It's hard to believe I have four boys and the oldest will be 8 in a month. Time truly does fly. And eventually when you take time to sit back and just watch you can't help but wonder where its all gone. That baby that seems like we were just bringing home will be 8. It will make you search your life and put into perspective what is really important. Sometimes I look back and I know there are things I could have done differently. Better ways I could have reacted. And it hit me tonight, in the middle of doing the things I wanted to do one of the boys wanted me to hold them. I had been pushing them off and I thought, the things I do today will be memories tomorrow. Will they be memories that say dad always made time for us or dad fit us in when he could?

So enjoy your life. Sure it will be stressful at times but that's what makes it life. Because after all. They were right. Before you know it, it's all memories.

Top 10 Things That Drive Me Nuts

Every body has something that drives them nuts.  I have a few things that really bug me.  If you do any of the following things please stop.

1.  Slurping: what are the benefits of making that noise?  Let gravity do it's job.  Don't make yourself work harder than you need to.

2.  2 people driving the exact same speed on a four lane road: I'm not sure if it is a pride thing.  Maybe you don't want to be a follower.  But somebody needs to get out of the way so I can get by.  High blood pressure is a bad thing.  And where I am heading is more important than where you are going.

3.  People that don't use the proper spelling of a word in their FB postings:  It's really not that hard.  If you want to say they are going then you write they're.  Not there.  If you want to say we are going you write we're.  Not were.

4.  Spider webs:  Mr. Spider, thanks for making me look like an idiot.

5.  Liars:  You don't have to make up crazy stories to be my friend.  Just because somebody has an awesome story doesn't mean you have to try to top it.

6.  People that try to make me eat new foods (Faith): I'm 31 years old.  If I don't want to try something new I should not be forced to do so.

7.  Car Salesmen: Self explanatory

8.  Telemarketers:  Honestly, they aren't as bad as they use to be.  I find it more amusing to actually talk to them.  It gives me time to practice my voices.

9.  Dogs that feel it is necessary to relieve themselves in my yard: I guess your one acre lot is not good enough?

10.  The Call: Some of you men can relate.  You've worked all day long and you are just ready to get home and see the family and relax and then it happens.  Your cell phone rings, you're hesitant to answer but you know that if you don't the rest of your night can be kind of cold  "Can you stop at the store on the way home?"  And we all respond the same way, I was just there yesterday.  Of course you never say that to her.  Just say yes, it will be so much better for you.

Number 6 and 10 might get me in trouble so if you don't hear from me in the next week somebody should check on me.

If Bible Characters Had Facebook (An Idea Borrowed From Chad)

Way back in October my bro-in-law Chad posed this question on his facebook status. If Bible characters had FB, what would their status be? Turned out to be a big hit so I'm borrowing stealing the idea and a few of the comments he came up with. Here are a few of mine to start.

Isaac: Dad makes me walk all the way up the mountain, ties me up and then almost kills me. Thank God for rams.

Bartimaeus: 2 minutes ago I couldn't see

Lazarus (the beggar): Oh man, who let the dogs out?

John the Baptist: Come on in boys, the water's fine

Prodigal Son: Headed home

Wall Post: Abraham to Sarah: I'm getting to old for this

Here are a few from Chad

Samson: Ripped a lion in half, killing some Philistines later.....cells on, text it

Jonah: It sure is dark in here

Little Boy with lunch:  You don't see that every day

Elijah: Go Ravens

Bartimaeus: Didn't see that one coming

Give me some comments and let me know if you have any to add.

What's Your Problem?

Ever had somebody ask you this question? Or have you ever asked somebody that question? If so you have just opened yourself to a whole new world of getting to know somebody. In fact I have compiled a list of people that I will not ask how they are doing just to avoid a five hour story of the most depressing facts in the world. Those people can ruin your day. Not trying to be mean. I realize that everybody is going to face problems in their lives and believe me I have had my share of hard times. But not everybody needs to know or wants to know that you have bunions on your feet nor do they want to see them.

On a more serious note it is a fact that we are going to face heartache. We are going to have problems that we need help with and it is an awesome fact to know that we have friends and family that we can turn to for help. Galatians 6:2 says Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. There will be times when you feel you can't even pray but you can be comforted to know that somebody is praying for you. But more importantly the Holy Spirit is praying for you. Sometimes it feels like the valley you are in will never end and the sun may never shine but don't give up praying. (YouTube Mike Bowling song No Stranger to this Valley) The woman with the issue of blood for twelve years spent all she had and could have easily given up hope but she pressed on. We face a problem that might last a week and we're ready to give up. Instead let's give those problems to God. 1 Peter 5:7 says Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Next time instead of worrying yourself sick cast it on God and let his will be done. Trust God to meet your needs.

He Called My Name

The other night me and dad got the chance to go to a Dailey and Vincent concert. Right off the bat I have lost most of you. But one of the coolest things happened to me. I had sent Jamie Dailey a message on Facebook and requested a song. He wrote back and said they would do it. Well, I was excited. We went to the concert, it was awesome. They sang their last song, said goodnight and walked off. Dad said, did they sing the song you wanted? I said no I guess they didn't have time. By now everybody was standing and clapping. The group came back out and said we have time for a few more. Then Jamie says, there was a guy on Facebook named Paul. Where are you Paul? You wanted to hear I Believe right? I said yes. And they sang it. I sat there and thought man how cool is that, that Jamie Dailey just called my name from on stage? As popular as they are he remembered my request and he granted it.

Well, that got me to thinking. As awesome as that was and how it made me feel, how much greater it is to know that God has called my name. And not only did he call my name but he knows me like nobody else. He knows my every need, he knows when I'm feeling down, he knows when I need comfort, in fact Psalm 40:17 says But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me. What a great comfort to know that we are on his mind. Next time you feel helpless and that nobody wants anything to do with you remember that God is thinking about you. As big as God is and of all the things he's created he still takes time to hear and answer our prayers. What a joy to know that He called my name.

What Am I Doing Here?

How many people have ever sat and wondered what is our purpose here?  Why has God placed us in a certain position, job, or circumstance?  Sometimes we forget what the goal of a Christian is.  Have you ever been doing something or going somewhere and get about halfway done and wonder, what was I getting ready to do?  Sometimes we lose focus of our objectives.  And that's where we need a reminder.  We have to be reminded of our goals.  As an employee we wonder why do I have to be here 50 to 60 hours a week?  What is the point of this job?  Then you receive your paycheck and that is your reminder.  Somebody has to work to pay the bills and provide for the family.  And as a Christian many times come that we get so distracted by the things taking place in our personal lives and jobs that our vision gets clouded and we fail to remember that we should be magnifying the Lord.  One of my favorite verses has become Psalm 34:2 Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.  That should be our purpose.  That the Lord would be magnified in our lives.

Why has God placed me in this position?  If you have been called into some sort of ministry (preaching, singing, Sunday school, visitation) there is going to come a time when this question comes across your mind.  You go to a place to share your ministry and things don't go the way you had planned.  Nobody seemed to be blessed, nobody responded, and it seems like all the time we spent preparing was a waste.  But we should be reminded of Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall proper in the thing whereto I sent it.  If you are doing as God has called you, you can be assured that there will be results.  Maybe not as quickly as you want but it will be done in His time.

Finally we get to the question, why does God put me in these circumstances?  We often question why we go through trials and pains.  While we know Romans 8:28 can be a great comfort we still sit and think, how can anything good possibly come out of something that brings us so much pain?  There are many things we can learn from our trials.  Sometimes we struggle to be humbled, to be reminded that we are not running our own life.  Other times we struggle that our faith may increase.  Struggles cause our faith to increase when we depend completely on God to meet our needs.  And we may struggle so that we see the reality of who he is.  Sometimes we have to be reminded that he is God and that he has the ability to provide every need.  But through all the trials of life we can find comfort in the Word of God.  II Corinthians 12:9 says And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  When life starts to get you down and it seems like the valley will never end remember that His grace is sufficient for all our needs. 

So, what are you doing here?

What Do You See?

Have you ever gone to the lumber section in Home Depot?  What do you see when you look?  A lot of people will look and just see a bunch of wood in nice stacks.  Some people walk in and just look at the price and shake their head.  Others look at the condition of the lumber and can't believe that anybody would even put it in with the other boards.

I guess I might be different than other people.  I like to go into Home Depot and just look around.  Usually when I go to the lumber section I like to look at the potential that is in the lumber.  Or what that lumber can become in the right hands.  I see a shed, a deck, a finished basement, cabinetry, or furniture.  I also understand that as I think of what the product could be and how nice it could be that their is a price tag for that.  And I also realize that not every board may be the most desirable for my project but they can all be used for something.  Some need the edges sanded down, some need to be cut down to remove a bad spot.  But the fact is if I don't see the potential in that lumber then I'm not going to invest my time and money into it.

Unfortunately this is how a lot of Christians view sinners.  You look at them but because of their condition and the time it would take you, you pass them by instead of witnessing to them.  In other words, because of their personal appearance, financial condition or over all life style we don't consider giving them the time of day.  These people may be broken inside, forsaken by others and looking for a reason of hope.  And the whole time we have the answer for their need.  But due to our lack of compassion or our desire to do God's will we decide to pass by and let somebody else tell them about Jesus.

Romans 5:8 says But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  We need to understand this verse and take it to heart.  It says while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  God looked ahead in time and saw us in our sin, he saw how we would treat him and how we would use him.  He saw us in our broken condition.  He saw the price it would take to redeem us and despite all that he endured the cross for us.  While the world looked at us as worthless he saw the potential in each one of us.  He knew what we could become in the hands of the master.  And because of his love for us he invested his very best to pay the penalty of sin.

Next time you decide to pass up the chance to witness.  Take a look at the potential in that person.  Look beyond their faults and condition.  Because after all, God did say whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.