Thursday, June 25, 2009

Commitment to Press On


My amazing 12-year old daughter, Shelby, has followed the TV show Jon and Kate Plus 8 since its inception. Our DVR is full of old episodes. For those of you that are not familiar with this show, it documents the day to day highlights and struggles of a family with two sets of multiple births--a set of twins, and a set of sextuplets. They have opened their lives like few people would want to.


Recently, she has been praying for the parents, Jon and Kate. Shelby's heart has been truly heavy since she heard that they were experiencing trials in their marriage. Now this week, they announced, on the show, that they are separating. Shelby was visibly upset about this. As a dad, I tried to console and comfort her. I hurt for her.


Daily, we hear of marriages that are falling or have fallen apart. But, it was truly sad to see such direct evidence of a marriage that is crumbling. I asked myself--why is it so easy today to just give up on a marriage. Why have we lost the desire to stand by the vows that were spoken at some earlier, happier point?


Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that marriage still matters. It is not something that you just through out when times get challenging. It is a commitment made to each other and before God that many find so easy to break. I ask you to not run from it. It is worth a fight to keep this commitment.


I love my wife. Next to my relationship with Jesus Christ, she is my priority. But, do we have challenging valleys in our marriage?--Yes, we do. We have found these challenging times make the sweet times that much sweeter. She is my best friend. The one I want to spend times with.


But, it does take work. Not our work, but the work of the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, our words, and our outlook. Our job is to allow Him to have center stage. And, really isn't that the spot reserved for God? How many times do we want center stage? But, that is not our spot! God cares deeply about your marriage. Why not give Him a shot to make your marriage what He intended it to be. What do you have to lose?


Your marriage is worth it. It is worth fighting for.

Friday, June 19, 2009

The Challenge of Credibility


How are you at keeping your word? Today, the man who truly keeps his word is rare. Failure to keep one's word puts a definite (and potentially permanent) strain on your capability of being believed or trusted. This capability is the true definition of credibility. When you make a promise to your wife, does she have to worry whether you will follow through? Do your kids trust you when you say you will meet them at such and such a time? When you reply to concern of someone with, "Yes, I'll pray for you"--do you? When you obligate yourself to pay a debt on time--do you? No one's perfect--but your consistent failure in this regard, puts a tarnish on your credibility.


God's guidance through the written word of Paul provides that "each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor." (Ephesians 4:25 NIV). Let me ask you this--what long-term gain do you see by not keeping your word. Maybe it will be less painful for you right now, but at what expense? And really, it's not all about you, is it?


So, when you mess up, what do you do? I encourage you to admit your failure to the person you promised something to and refuse to rationalize it away. You will be amazed at what you will gain by this.


Stay Strong.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Sin of Pride

Think of the sin of all sins--it is the sin of pride. It was this sin that first transformed Lucifer into the father of lies, the deceiver, and for whom hell itself was created. This sin also tripped up Eve. And, who do you think it was that engineered Eve's deception? It was the devil.

Pride is the devil's number 1 means of bringing us down. "For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:16). Pride has a way of sneaking into our life and crippling us. So, how do you know if pride is sneaking into your life? The first step is to always look at your motives. Ask yourself questions like, "why am I doing this"; and "who am I trying to impress". If your true and heartfelt answers revolve around personal motivations, then you may be suffering under the sin of pride.

Please know you do not have to stay under this suffering. God offers a way out. To find this way, you have to believe in the truth of who and whose you are. Remember--He lives in you. You and He are one. God is working in each of us, teaching us to allow Him to meet life for us as He lives through us.

I encourage you to set aside your own agenda and allow God full reign in your life to live out His agenda through you. His peace, which is beyond our undertanding, will overtake your desire to focus on yourself. This is the beginning of living a life relying not upon your self-effort but upon His grace.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Praise You in This Storm


All dads want to be praised and respected by his child(ren). I try to make it easy for our kids to praise me. But there are times when I have to just say no--and most children don't like to hear no. In those times, it is tougher for them to give me their praise and respect.


In my relation with my heavenly Father, I realize I am a lot like that. It is easier for me to praise God when things are going "my"way. But try this one: what dad would not really appreciate it if his kids still praised, loved, and respected him even when given the "no" answer. Such praise is not based upon whether the child gets "his" way. This is the type of praise that our Abba Father wants from us.


This is called a "sacrifice of praise." Hebrews 13:15 says, "[t]hrough Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." (emphasis mine). This sacrifice of praise illustrates our true desire to praise God in all circumstances.


No doubt, it is easy to praise Him when things are well within your life--you have a loving family, you have a comfortable home, you have a job. But, what happens if those things are taken away from you like they were for Job. Do you truly believe that God always acts for your best good?


By praising Him in and for all of your circumstances, you open up your mind for God's alternatives: (1) God could change the circumstance; or (2) He could give you so much grace that you'll actually have the strength to get through the challenging spot.


I know through all of this that God completely, unequivocally, and unconditionally loves you.


Stay Strong.