What Is Discernment?

Discernment. That word, these days, causes much strife and grief, especially among church folk. The question is then: "Should it?" As I begin this series I have my own opinion, but I am going to practice a little discernment off the bat and not interject my opinion at this point.

This series will reflect the biblical definition(s) of discernment, when we should practice it, when we shouldn't, how to practice it and other aspects. My plan is to have this be an ongoing lesson, hopefully with input from anyone who may happen onto this series. I have become increasingly frustrated with a call to not practice discernment, to just accept everything that adds the name "Jesus" or "Christian" to it as being orthodox. So many these days get upset, angry, that someone or something is pointed out as being in opposition to God's Word. That just shouldn't be. Why? We shall find out together.

I have no definite timetable or definite path that this series will run, only to be as biblically focused as possible. I cannot say that my personal viewpoints will not be seen and I actually think that they will be seen in detail. I have some very stern views, at this point, on discernment, but with the exploration within the series I am praying that I will be led of God to accurately divide what His Word says and apply it to myself and learn.

You are cordially invited to come along on this journey with me. To a destination of understanding and a pursuit of what God says about this topic.

Who better to start the series off with than Charles Spurgeon:

Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.

The Scope Of Your Influence

God has graced me with, what I think is, a good job with a good benefits package that includes vacation time. This week is vacation time with the first 2 days were spent watching our sick grandson instead of sending him to daycare which was a great time. Yesterday and today have been chore days, which makes me think this is not really a vacation after all, but it is good to not be bogged down with “work”.

This morning, before venturing into chore mode, I came across a video of Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty/ Duck Commander fame. I was first introduced to Phil and his family via the Duck Dynasty TV series and first heard of the show in my Sunday School class. One of the teens in there said they were watching it and said that they were Christians, so I had to check it out. Now, let me be upfront, I have never been duck hunting in my life and only been any kind of hunting one time, for rabbit, which I felt bad afterward and never went again. I have the luxury of not having the need to hunt, but would and will if the need ever arises, so I do not think hunting is “wrong” and is actually quite “right”. If you watch the video series I post at the end of this posting you will hear just how God designed us as hunters.

During the video I heard a little about hunting, which is to be expected, but then heard a LOT about God. It was awesome and I soon began to realize that God had given these men favor, through hunting, to preach the Gospel. Their scope of influence is broad now, thanks to a love for hunting and God's working in their lives to put them in the a large scope of influence. This got me thinking about my scope of influence.

While my “world' is not as broad as the Robertson family has been given, my task is the same – Preach the Gospel to everyone I come into contact with. This means my job, when I go shopping, to my neighbor, to the mailman, the UPS man, the counter person at McDonalds and in my own home. Just because these men have been given a larger “audience” doesn't mean that we are to have a large audience to proclaim the Gospel. Everyone's audience is given by God for specific reasons. My audience could never be the same as Phil or Jase Robertson as I know nothing about hunting, but not a single Robertson can have my audience or your audience. And please don't misunderstand my use of the word “audience”, which is not meant in an entertainment since, but in a “who God puts in my life who hears my voice and who I can tell about Him”.

So I ask anyone who may happen across this posting, who God has put in my scope of influence, to look around you. Look at the opportunities that God places in your life everyday to tell of His glory. You don't have to keep asking “God please give me the opportunity to....” because He already does, they are already there. Turn that prayer into “God please allow me eyes to see the opportunities you have already given to me, to share your Gospel, to share your love”. I guarantee you He will and while you may never get a reality TV show you will be partaking in the Great Commission of making disciples.

I encourage each of you to watch these videos and see how God has placed hunting in their lives in order to share the Gospel. If you are a Christian you will be greatly encouraged. As you watch pray and ask God to show you the opportunities that you may have to do this same thing, in the scope of influence He has placed before you.  

Phil

(6 videos, about 10 minutes each)

Jase

(Almost and hour long, but great)

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Day 366, My Final Day, in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Well, it's over. A full year, plus one day that I have posted a picture or three on this blog. It started off as fun, then turned into a challenge, but I believe that it was a good exercise for me and hopefully gave some insight into a little piece of my life. Yeah, not very exciting most of the time, huh? Today's picture? The neighbors thought they would celebrate my birthday with a fireworks show. Actually, I'm sure they were shooting them off for Independence Day, but I can pretend.

What I really hope to have had accomplished was sharing the love of God, that He has bestowed on me and my household. A lot of times it came easy to transition from my picture of the day into a testimony of God's goodness and grace in my life. Admittedly, some days it was a struggle and I know whose struggle it was, mine, as God is always good - even when we feel otherwise.

Many changes have come to pass through this year. The most recent and most life altering was the addition of baby Elliott. Just last evening Matt and Emily got engaged and today I became one year older. I've gained many gray hairs and I have lost several pounds. I have made new friends and I have had the opportunity to pray with and for a lot of people through the "Prayer Request Station" through Oak Grove's prayer ministry. I have seen God work in my church family's lives. I have seen the devastation that a flood can cause on one hand and see the miracles through the same flood. Through it all God has been there. Through each post God was active in my life and around my life. Sometimes I didn't see Him, sometimes He was quite apparent, but He was there.

Looking forward to the next 365 days and to my next birthday I can't help but wonder what God has in store for me and those around me. I wonder what He will do through Real Truth Matters, Oak Grove, my brothers and sisters at church, my family, my job and just life in general. My prayer lately has been to be able to perceive God along my path, because sometimes we do not have the eyes to see. We must ask for those eyes to see Him, ask for the ears to hear Him and watch expectantly for His work to be manifest so that we may praise His Name. I pray that I can be used in ways that makes it evident it is God doing the work through me. Who knows, quiet and introverted Jeff may be pulled from His comfort zone through the next 12 months. I have a new willingness to be out of my comfort zone, which is definitely not me making that step on my own.

Whatever happens I want to be able to raise the Name of Christ high and mighty. I want to praise Him through the valleys and high on the mountain tops and everywhere in between. Will you join me in that prayer for myself and for your own self? May we all be able to strengthen and edify one another. I know it a struggle sometimes to get along with me and agree with me, but I hope all the readers (all 3 of you) know that I just want the truth of scripture to be magnified. Sometimes I get a little over zealous, but mean well, and actually take rebuke quite well when I am wrong.

Who knows, I may even carry on this series. Of course there will be some major changes. Maybe a "Year In My Life through Pictures:Weekly Edition" as I told a brother yesterday. But thank whoever has read this little slice of the blogosphere. I have never been a writer, which is self evident, but I have learned some things along the way. Hopefully one day I might even be able to write a blog post that is planned out, instead of my normal way of doing them.

Officially A Year

Day 365 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Well, the official 365th day of my series is upon me. Tomorrow will be the official last day of my series as I was going Birthday to Birthday, but days wise it is a year today.

Through this year I have posted over 365 pictures of things I have found interesting in my day. Some times I have scrambled to take a picture and once I even missed midnight while working on a project and decided to skip that day. So I guess in all actuality tomorrow will be my 365th post in the series, so it worked out good.

I am actually happy that it is over, but have gotten accustomed to posting every day. Hopefully this will encourage me to post more frequently than I did before this series began. I was sporadic, at best, and inconsistent as the norm. I have realized that I never have had a real game plan for the blog past its initial inception over 3 years ago. This blog actually started for me to chronicle my search for a new church home after God opened my eyes to the very man centered messages that we were being given. It did not take God long to place us within a wonderful body that actually is a body. We love our church family very much and can't think of being anywhere else.

It is amazing to look back over a year and see how God has worked in my life. I am going to skim back over all of my posts within this series tomorrow to be reminded of everything I attempted to write about. As I look ahead to the next year I excitedly anticipate what God is going to do around me and prayerfully using me. The Real Truth Matters ministry that I volunteer with is about to get some national exposure and is in the final stages of releasing "The History Of The Modern Gospel" series on DVD, which is very exciting. God has allowed me to be a small part of this and I am very humbled to see how God is using the ministry and equally excited with the direction He is taking it. Only time will reveal to us where He is taking it and only He will reveal to us in Heaven what impacts have been made for the Kingdom through this ministry.

Praise God for allowing us to be part of His work. Not just in a ministry setting, but individually as He allows us to witness to His goodness each day of our lives.

Everything Is Better With Bacon

Day 353 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Mmmmmmm bacon. I purchased this behemoth bag from, you guessed it, Sam's Club today. It is a much better deal than I have been paying at Kroger, as I have been consuming my fair share of Bacon these days. It happens to be one of the enjoyable things that I can have on my diet. I know it doesn't seem right to be eating bacon on a diet, but a low/ no carb diet is one that allows for it.

I found the other picture on the internet a long time ago. It mixes two of my favorite things, bacon and Diet Coke. I'm not sure that I would actually like this, but I'd give it a shot. Sadly this is just a parody product. but there are many other bacon products out there. Wendy's has the Baconator burger, which has a pile of bacon on a cheeseburger. Then here recently a restaurant had a bacon promotion and even had a bacon milkshake. I've also heard of chocolate covered bacon, which actually sounds kind of good to me, mixing the saltiness of the bacon with the sweetness of the chocolate. But, then again, I have weird tastes anyway.

Nothing really monumental in my life today. I have recently started praying for folks I know through the day, at least more than I have been of late. I occasionally had someone cross my mind and I would say a quick prayer, but I am working on actually purposefully bringing people to mind and praying for specific things in their life. It is hard to do at work a lot of the time because my mind is preoccupied with thinking about work stuff, but I do get moments where I just go through motions and am then able to recall specific things that I need to be praying for. God delights in our prayers, not that He needs them, but He wants us to bring our requests to Him. I do often, but not nearly often enough. Hopefully He has been working on me and this is not something I am manufacturing, in praying for my brothers and sisters and my family. I also hope that they are praying for me, which may be the way God is working on me.

Can I Get A Witness?

Day 302 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses today in my front yard. It was an experience that I will definitely use to grow in my understanding of scriptures. These two guys were semi-well versed in the JW apologetics department, but still I gave them the gospel and what a true follower of Christ is.

It is amazing how their religion takes scripture and twists it, even changes words and adds words to make them fit into their belief structure. Although they (the Jehovah's Witnesses) are similar to the Mormon religion, they do have some very strong distinctiveness. I have been in contact with a Mormon for about 2 years now and I think I know a lot of their beliefs, but the JWs today did catch me off guard with a few questions and thought processes. I actually thought at some points they were trying to confuse me to get my footing off so they could pour their false doctrines down my throat. I was in prayer the whole 2 hour conversation as king for God to direct me through the conversation. And He did.

One point they were trying to hound into me was there was no hell. I couldn't help but think of Rob Bell, even though the JWs and Bell have different thoughts to dissuade people from believing. They kept speaking of destruction in the sense of obliteration, the second death as just being totally destroyed. We did go to the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 and I think that got them thinking a little bit harder. They did have an "answer", albeit a flimsy one that they didn't seem to confident in. The just of it was that "Abraham's Bosom" was just an analogy to the Kingdom, so speaking of eternal torment was also just an analogy. We did come back to this story a time or two through the conversation and they kept saying they would have to "study" it more, which I took as "take back to someone higher up that can tell me how to refute this".

They left after standing outside for 2 hours, sometimes with small rain showers coming down, so they were at least dedicated to the conversation and I was dedicated to not asking them inside my home. I had my MacArthur Study Bible in hand as I wanted to show them the differences in their NWT and a different one that they are not allowed to read from. I did get the more outspoken one's phone # with the agreement I would call him to set up another meeting, with the caveat that I would give him a topic for discussion as well. The other young man was really the one that I sensed was questioning some things in his own head, he nodded some as I was refuting some of their claims and said on more than one occasion that he would "look into it".

I know God is able to pull any of these deceived people from this false religion, He pulled me from a false religion that I was perfectly content in believing as well. Deception is a wicked thing and those embroiled in it do not realize they are deceived, they simply follow along and believe everything that is pumped into them. God can change that though and that is why I am not fretting over the "I should have said ...." and relying on Him to work in these two young men as He sees fit. I do ask that you pray for Andrew and Nick that they will be exposed to some true theology in places other than my house. Pray that any seeds sown today may take root and sprout into fruit that God will use to break these guys from their bondage. I have the highest faith that God can do this, just as I know that He can save my children and the lost friends and family members I have, even the ones that profess Christ but do not know the True Christ.

Old Man River - Flood Of 2011

Day 298 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

We drove down to the river this evening to see history being made for our area. The flood of 2011 has been predicted to be "catastrophic" and "epic" by national news outlets. As of right now I would guess that the level is still pre-1997 magnitude, but it is raining right now and raining hard at times. We are also being predicted to receive more rain in the coming days. I'm sure the timing means a lot to flooding vs. adequate time to drain and I am praying that there is enough time between rain and drain to keep the waters at bay at my moms house and several friends houses.

In my pictures you will see the concrete flood wall that protects our fair city from the Ohio River. This flood wall was put into place after the 1937 Flood that ravaged many communities and did over $22,000,000 worth of damage to Paducah, which in 21st Century dollars would be in the billions. You can read about the 12.2 mile system here. I also failed to mention that some of the system is earthen and actually starts right down the street from our house. I think the natural topography of this area serves as a barrier also because we are kind of up on a small hill. Our house is actually a little over 100 ft higher than my workplace is, according to my wife's new GPS unit that tell your elevation.

Seeing this much water this close to the flood wall system is truly amazing. I see the river and its raw power and it amazes me. The same water that gives life to us can also take that same life away in an instant. I never underestimate any of God's creation and the power that He puts behind it. If, when you look at His creation, you are not awestruck. Think of the power that a lot of people cower to like storms and catastrophes, but yet never acknowledge the God that created these forces and the laws that govern them. So many people fear nature more than they do our God. How is that? How can you fear something that at most can kill your physical body, but yet not fear the One that can destroy both body and soul in hell? Matthew 10:28

So many people are deceived these days and it shows through their lifestyle. Many people profess to know God, but how can they if they live like they do not know Him? Titus 1:16 lays this out for us, rather bluntly. This single verse reputes 90% of the folks that claim to be Christians in this world (my guesstimation, not scientific). These people are the same ones that are mentioned in Matthew 7:23 when Jesus tells the false professing Christians to depart from Him on Judgment Day. Notice too that these same people cast out demons and healed people. How many people have you healed and how many demons have you cast out? For me that would be a big zero.

I pray that many are awakened to the Truth of Scripture and repent of their self centered religion that is dragging them to hell. Millions of people will end up in hell because of false teachers. This is one of the reasons we must stand up against the heresy that comes forth in the Name of Christ. Be diligent, fight the good fight and keep praying for these poor souls.

Calm Between The Storms

Day 297 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

It's a little calm right now outside. That is actually kind of eerie because I have always heard the saying "the calm before the storm" and this is it.

It seems like my area is caught in a cycle of storms, with a little break between each. The stage is being set for "catastrophic" flooding, which is only one aspect of the damage happening in this area. We are seeing a high likelihood of tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds in tandem. Many people that I know are taking steps to prepare for the flooding, including my mother and several of our church family and some co-workers. As of right now the threats at my house are from the immediate weather systems that have us in their sights.

The flood of 1937 is largest in recorded history (other than the THE flood recorded in the bible) that caused over $22,000,000 in damage. I wouldn't even care to imagine how much that would be in today's dollars, but I'm sure it would be at least the billions, if not trillions. The flooding that they are calling for this time is supposed to be almost as high as it was then, by the river height. The flood waters from the Ohio River will not make it out to our house, but the back wash and the disabling of the streams into the river could cause some issues. I have seen several streets flooded on my normal commutes, so my immediate area is not without flood issues.

My prayers right now are that there be no tornadoes, the "damaging" winds they are forecasting will not materialize and that the flood waters are kept at bay. Will you join me in prayer for these things and lift the residents of Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri up for safety and for protection? I know that God's will is going to take place, but I also know that He allows us to be part of it through our prayers for whatever reason He designed it that way for. So pray at every remembrance of this post and of every news cast you see or every time you see water throughout your day, but please join us in prayer.

Resurrection Day 2011

Day 296 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Resurrection Day 2011, which some call Easter. I think that Resurrection Day is a more appropriate term anyway, after all it is the day that Christians celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. Without His resurrection Christianity would be just another religion among the others, but Christ arose from the grave and sits at the right hand of the Father and He is coming again. He is coming back one day (looks like soon) for those that trust in Him, not only with lip service but truly trust in Him for everything.

So, it was also an exciting day at church too. Chandra and I were baptized, which has been in the makings for about 2 years. As a child I said the prayer, walked the aisle and was submersed in water, which was just me getting wet. I was not actually converted then and lived like the world until God really showed me who and what I was and who He is. That is when I saw that for 30 years I had relied on my profession of faith as a child, always pointed back to then and was indeed a false convert. I knew I wanted to be baptized, but I didn't want to in the same church I was in, which was also my childhood church. God had been dealing with me about that place anyway, with the man centered messages, the back slapping, buddy system and the sin that ran rampant because most were also false converts. I needed a strong biblical church home and I wasn't getting baptized until I found one.

It didn't take long and God put us at Oak Grove. We started the new members class and through it I remembered that I had never been biblically/ scripturally baptized. With that we agreed, along with the pastor, that Chandra and I would both be baptized with the next baptism service. Well, to make a long story short, Chandra had some health issues at the time set for the first baptism, she was in the hospital, so we weren't able to. Fast forward to the next time and again, she was in the hospital. Today happened to be the next baptismal service set and I told Chandra that there was no way she was going in the hospital this weekend. It worked out well and I got to share about 30 seconds of what I just shared here.

It was a great day indeed. God was good today to us, as always, even though I continually defy Him He keeps loving me. What an awesome God He is and I praise Him for loving me as sinful and dirty as I am. He has done a work in me and continues to do so daily. The closer I get to Him, the more He exposes, the more I see my need to trust Him more and more and turn loose of my flesh. Only by His grace am I where I am and only by His grace do I continue my walk.

Oh, the picture is of one of my favorite hymns that we happened to sing today - "Great Is They Faithfulness"

April Showers

Day 295 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

We had a great day today at Matt and Emily's co-ed baby shower. There was a great turnout and baby Elliott made away with a big haul. Not only was it a fun filled time, it was also a temptation filled time. There was Missy cake there, the best cake that one can possibly put in their mouth, and I had to refrain because of my diet. That's OK, because I'm going to bribe her to make me a "coming off of my diet" cake when I reach my goal. It will be my first hoorah, instead of a last hoorah. It may be my only hoorah, because I might go into a sugar comma.

It will be only 2 more months until I am officially a grandpa. One thing I'm not sure on is what for Elliott to call me when he gets old enough to talk. Of course we have to figure something out, because everyone will be calling me that for him to associate the name with me. If anyone has any cool grandpa names let me know. All I can think of that is non-traditional is "Pap" or maybe just "Jeff" will do. The names "grandfather", "grandaddy" and "papaw" don't really feel right to me for some reason.

On a more serious note, I would ask the readers of this post to pray for Matt, Emily and baby Elliott. Also please pray for both sides of the family as we are joined as one family, that we will always hold Elliott's interests in the forefront. I have seen many families have divisions wedged between them for whatever reason and I really don't want to do that, at all. Ever. Also pray that Elliott will be raised to know who God is and to know the price that He paid for him and that he will come to know Him early in life.

Larger Than Life

Day 244 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

I'm sure you have seen trucks like this before, just not in this form as a pickup truck. The more common variety would be as a dump truck, garbage truck, tank truck or any other types of commercial vehicles, but as a pickup it is not that common. It took me a while of searching to find out how much one of these trucks costs. According to the ad on this page they list for $97,600 or about the list price of my car times almost 5. Oh yeah, it is a Ford F650 by the way.

I have had dealings through my job with the owner of this truck. He owns a local scrap yard and is as down to earth as any well off person could be. The difference is he has money and he likes to spend it. His bank account is big which makes his toys bigger than the average fellow. Not saying he's a bad person for spending his money at all, just that he has a higher budget of disposable funding than most people.

We all have our extravagance items. You may not think of them as that, but they are. A truck like the one I pictured may seem over the top for most people, but I know that he uses it for business too and not only as a driver for himself. Most of our extravagant items cost less, but they are the ones that are not really needed in every day life, but have become habits to us. Instead of water we drink soda or $5 a cup coffee. Instead of a square meal prepared at home we drive our nice cars, with their climate controls, listening to the CD player or watching a DVD in the back seat to dine at a restaurant where we know no one else or the ones preparing our meal. Our meal price includes a piece of the wait staff's salary, the dishwasher salary, the manager's salary, the operational costs of the building and finally the cost of the food. So, we pay 10 times what the meal would cost at our home. That is a little extravagant as well. Or is it? Our culture thinks nothing of going out to eat or going to a movie theater and spending $50 for a family of 4 to see a movie. Or how about the cost of a sporting event? How extravagant is that?

How do all of the things that we indulge in compare to what we give to the church and to godly things? This is pointed at myself too, so I am preaching to me too. We think nothing about overpaying for a "nice" dinner, but that same $50 would pay for a months worth of food in a foreign country for a family. No guilt trips, just facts. We have grown accustomed to pampering ourselves instead of offering a cup of water to the least of these. We are so wrapped up in our own wants and "needs" that we have forgotten about the mercy a Christian should feel toward others. We clinch tight to our wallets on Sunday morning, but the night before were out with a group of friends throwing money around like it was nothing - in the name of fun and fellowship. Not that there is anything wrong with fun and fellowship, but if it is looked at in a higher context than things of God, then we have a problem.

I need to seriously repent in this area and get hold of my priorities. I am guilty of a lot of what I mentioned, but thank God He has shown me that. If it didn't bother I would have a problem. Now I have another "reason" to seek God, to show me where my priorities should be and to be a better steward of the money He has entrusted to my family. May He be glorified in my life and may I seek Him more each day.

See You At The Mall, Y'all

Day 224 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Had a wonderful time with JT and Joseph at the mall tonight. No, we didn't go to hang out or go shopping. We were there with the Oak Grove Prayer Request Station. This is the first time we have set up inside the mall and to be honest it has to be a God thing. Normally the mall is not the nicest to church groups. But, since this is a community service and we do not solicit anything they allowed us to set up. We have a few other dates on the schedule over the next few months as well. This is a great place for us to set up during the winter months.

We also have set up at the yearly BBQ On The River event that is held here in Paducah. Each time we were able to pray with those in need and be the ears they needed, the shoulders they can lean on and also have the privileged in praying for their need right there with them. We also have a prayer group at church that takes the requests and prays over them on a regular basis.

This community outreach is a very non-confrontational way to share the gospel with people. They actually approach you instead of passing a tract or knocking on a door (and I am not knocking either one of those things). It is just a different setting for evangelism. Our main goal is that God will be glorified in this, followed by helping out folks in need and sharing the gospel with as many people as we can. We want to see prayers answered and we want to make disciples.

If you see us out and about in the Paducah area please stop by and say "Hey". We would be honored to pray for you about anything, no matter how large or small the request may seem to you, we will be blessed to pray with you for it. God answers prayers.

Snowbody Knows

Day 220 in my "Yea In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Well, it finally snowed a substantial amount here in Paducah. Thing is, this time they weren't forecasting this much. We were told that it would be a inch or two covering the grass and higher areas, but nothing would stick to the roads. HA!

I woke up at 5:30, as usual, to nothing but a drizzle of rain. By the time I left at 6:45 the grass was, indeed, covered with snow and the driveway had some patches of snow sticking. It was a very thick, heavy, wet snow and it was coming down fairly hard. The streets were getting covered quickly, but I thought, "The weather guys know what they are talking about". They didn't and we ended up with almost 7 inches of snow, slush covered roads and school buses and snow plows in ditches. My wife's office was closed down for the day and 75% of the people at my job left at first break.

The good thing about people leaving was that I got to work on the line. When I get to work on the line it takes me from my normal work load that can be mentally taxing at times to a physical, yet monotonous work environment that I can set to cruise control and listen to some great Christian music. I commune with the Lord the majority of the time, praying, talking, praising and just spending time with Him. So, I am thankful when days like today happen. Even though I don't really understand why people would leave without pay after they were already there. But, oh well, I had a good day.

They are calling for snow again Wednesday, so it will be a wait and see for what the Lord has planned. I should have learned by now that they can predict whatever they want, but when God wants to do something different they must conform and not Him.

This Diet Is Driving Me Nuts

Day 213 in my "A Year In My Life Through Pictures" series. (also it's my 333 blog post)

So, I've been semi-dieting for about 4 days now and I am already wanting to bury my face in a bowl full of Reese's Cups. I am having a hard time trying to find adequate snack foods that will not hinder my weight loss goals. I was kind of certain that my "convenience factor" for eating and snacking would be one of the difficult hurdles to overcome. Thing is that I have no idea what would be okay for me to snack on.

In the past I have always snacked on things like dry cereal, candy bars, Little Debbie cakes, brownies, etc. This is not just because I liked the flavors, but also because it is very simple to open a box and partake of the sugary goodness in a box of Cinnabon Cereal. The only thing I am about 55% certain on for the type of diet I am heading towards will be nuts. Even then, nuts will need to be eaten in moderation. I did purchase a jar of unsalted roasted Mr.Peanut peanuts tonight. So, I am attempting to clean up my bad dining habits.

The "Rebuild Your Temple/ Hope For Hope" health program I am embarking on is not yet in full swing. We have half of the information and will receive the other half at our next meeting. Of course the second half is the nutritional information and hopefully will include a list of snacks that will be acceptable. Too bad it's going to be another week until the meeting, so I am left on my own to pull from past dieting failures and to scour the internet for other ideas. I do believe that the nutritional portion will be similar to the South Beach diet, but not exactly. So, I suppose that I can just model my choices from it for now.

There is just more at stake than me losing weight in this though, so I want to be successful at this. It has been decided that the money from sponsors will be used towards a new building for my church. So, this will be used to further the Kingdom and to glorify God. I am constantly reminded of 1 Cor. 10:31 in this: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. So this is a direct following of that verse.

Please pray for me when I cross your mind. I need all the support that I can get. I have failed miserably in the past at diets, so I need this to be different. I need this to keep a godly focus and I need to constantly looking towards Christ. I need Him more than ever, not just for a diet but for everything that I am.

Day 200: Creature Of Habit

I have been realizing that I have some habit issues. Not the smoking and drinking kind, but the kind where I do the exact same things, in the exact same way, at the exact same time every day. It is most apparent on work days as I roll out of bed (literally) and follow the same steps each and every day. There may be some wavering to my schedule, but overall I am a creature of habit.

I set my clothes out the night before. I take my vitamin, low dose aspirin and glucosamine in the same way, taking out the bottles and putting them back in the cabinet the exact same way. I fix my PB&J sandwich the same way every morning. I pack my lunch the same way. I get ready the same way. Etc. Etc. Etc. I've just been realizing lately that my habits extend further than my daily routines.

My habits extend to the way I treat my family, the way I react to issues, the way I interact with other people. Everything is a habit for me. I am basically the same, plain fella every day and only my surroundings change. Not that I want to lead a James Bond kind of life or anything, but I am too comfortable with my life as it is. My comfort zone is very narrow and I stay within that zone 99% of the time.

I am praying that God uses me for something that will allow me to break free of my zone. I need a big ol' push through a door to plop me right down in a God designed area that He can use me in. Don't get me wrong, I am not in "need" in order to feel any certain way or that I feel unused, but that I know I am not doing as I should. I am praying for a breakthrough where I know God has placed me in something and it doesn't have to be in a primary role. A sub role is fine with me, but then again, that is the role I normally take. So, I should probably be ready to be thrust in a more prominent role.

I am also fine if God doesn't use me, but I need to make myself available. For what? I have no idea, but when God is behind it I am fairly certain that I will be able to tell. He has a way of letting one know that He is active. I just want to serve my Lord in the manner He needs me to, whatever capacity that is. I get nervous thinking about what He might have me to do, but I just look back at Moses and his anxieties about being used of God and see how God worked through Him.

Being available is the biggest part of our struggle. So, I am set at defeating that great first obstacle. But once again my strength comes from the Lord and I will be leaning on Him for strength and guidance in whatever role He gives me.

Day 197: Play Me a Song

I purchased this piano a few years ago for a little of nothing. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but since has really proven to be not so good of an idea. It is very heavy and fairly large and has set in the area between our front door and living room ever since it was brought in. Did I mention it is heavy?

Since I have a truck now we will probably be making a donation to a nice home for this piano. Also, if it is ever replaced with a piano it will be an electronic one that can be stashed in a closet when need be. But, you live and you learn. Lesson in this - Do not buy a piano.

Some things aren't so cut and dry though. Some seem like they are right and there is no conviction against them, but should our personal feelings be what guides us? After all we are fallen creatures that live by the flesh. I mean, if I let my flesh lead what I do I would be overweight and sitting in front a computer right now. Oh, yeah, that's is what I am doing right now.

But my point is there are things that are cut and dry in the Word of God. These things do not require a personal feeling or conviction - we have been commanded first hand by God to do and not to do certain things. So, why do we continue to do them? I am not talking about the "big" things like stealing, cheating on your spouse or killing someone. I am speaking about things we do every day and think nothing about. Why, if we are children of God, can we participate in things that are in violation of His Word and not be concerned about it?

Even though I am commanded to follow the speed limit in Romans 13:1-2 and 1Peter 2:13-17 I still push it past the limit by about 4 MPH. I've broken the law at that point and it really doesn't bother me that much a lot of the time. Sometimes it does and I will not go over by any, but the only thing that's changed is my "feelings" about breaking the law. The law has not changed and my command to follow the law has not changed. But things like this we justify and make excuses for with the rationalization that "everyone does it" or "it's only a few MPH over the speed limit".

So, at this point I "feel" conviction about things I do and partake in. It is my conscience searing into my soul that there are certain things I should not be doing. They are not really gray areas either and I don't really think that the "feelings" are going to pass. I think this is conviction as I am brought closer to God and see things better as they are exposed by His light. It is time to start shedding aspects of life that are not glorifying to God and time to start putting on the new man just as Colossians 3 commands us to do. These are things that we are told to do for ourselves, things to "put off" and "put to death" and others that we are to "put on".

So, it is our responsibility to do these things and set our affections on Christ so that we can be further conformed to His likeness. If we are His bride then shouldn't we be making ourselves ready for His return? We need to walk in His statutes and hold His Name high and lifted up. I have a long way to go, but I know that through Him, if I do as His Word says then He will take care of me. I trust in Him to do so, not because I do or do not do certain things, but because He said He would. May His grace allow us to walk uprightly in His path and may His peace flood us.

Day 196: Seasons Of Change

Today at work we all received a "goodie bag" of freebies from our company. The recently changed logo and artwork that coincided with the 65th Anniversary of the company. It has been in Paducah for 35 years and earlier this week marked my 15th year of employment. So a few seasons have come and gone through the years.

The 15 years that I have been with the company have been good for me. I know that God has walked me along the way, opened doors and closed some as well. I have seen a lot of faces come and go and I have known a few workers that have passed on since I have worked there. A lot of things have increased for me, responsibilities, pay rate, work level and with my 15th year the amount of vacation days I receive. God has been very gracious to give me a job that I like and that supports the family. I know that my job is just the means that God has given me, He is the source.

One thing that I need to remember is that my workplace is also my witnessing field. Not that I need to pull out the soapbox at break times and preach sermons to my co-workers, but that I need to live the gospel that I say I believe. Admittedly it is not hard to be a light in the darkness a lot of the times. Even the darkness seems to take note and actually, somewhat, not try to be as dark around me. The cussing diminishes, the dirty jokes aren't told and the "guy talk" does not happen very much around me. I pray that it is because they can sense the Lord and feel conviction when I am around them. I do not say that in a boastful way, but pray that I reflect Jesus to everyone there so that He convicts them, not me. Without Him I am the same as any sinner and probably worse than most.

I recently had a conversation with a co-worker while I was working on the production line. He professes Christ, but lives very differently. I question him to get him to think, but my words do not seem to phase him at all sometimes. His mentality is so ingrained in the heretical message that has permeated the landscape of the entire world. He rests his eternity in a prayer as a child. In our conversation I told him that without the grace of God I would be a very bad person. He asked if I have broken any of the 10 Commandments, so I told him that I have broken them all and deserve the judgment of God and hell. Of course this is foreign to him and he brushes my words to the side like a mosquito. I am fairly point blank with him and question his salvation, because he professes Christ as hi Savior, but blasphemes His Holy Name by doing so, in his sinful, rebellious life.

Bottom line is this man needs God. He needs prayer and so do the other men and women that I work with. Most profess to be Christians, but you cannot tell them from anyone that doesn't, other than their profession. They are lost and only God can awaken their standing in His sight. Please join with me in praying for my co-workers salvation. If you want to leave a reply and let me know your prayer request for those around you, please do. I count it joy to be able to petition the Father for my brothers and sisters.

Day 92: An Evening With The Chapmans

Just home from seeing "An Evening With The Chapmans" concert in Murray KY. The Chapmans referenced were Paducah's own Steven Curtis and his family, on tour together, with Caleb opening the show, Steven singing a few songs, wife Mary Beth speaking for a little bit and then Stevie closing out the show. Sons Caleb and Will (the group Caleb) also played with SCC's band through the show. So this was a true family affair.

It was a great night highlighted by the testimonies that God has bestowed to this family that have touched many a heart. A little over 2 years ago the Chapman's daughter, Marie, was accidentally ran over in the driveway of their home resulting in her death. Son, Will, was the one that was driving the vehicle that hot Marie. I can not even begin to imagine the depths this family has been and probably still visit on occasion. What is the true miracle in this, is the testimonies that God has formed in each and every one of the family members. Each have a different testimony and each rely on God for their strength... just as we should.

One of the last songs that they sand was "Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord", which is taken from the book of Job. It is the account of Job saying that God gives and takes at His will and we must realize that He is in control and we need to trust Him in everything. It is very easy to trust and glory in God when things are going good for us, but the true test of faith comes in the valleys of life. The Chapmans lifted God up high throughout this whole process. Hearing their testimonies firsthand of how God worked in their hearts is very edifying and shows me I have a long way to go in my walk. I do pray that God would allow me that kind of grace if and when I face a valley as low as the one the Chapmans have had.

This family still needs our prayers and sadly I have not prayed for them in a long time. The Lord is showing me that my lack of prayer for others is besetting for me. He has been allowing me to realize this over the past few months and although I do pray more for my brothers and sisters - I do not pray enough for them. I will be putting a prayer journal together soon filled with my prayers and those I should be praying for. It will be a tool to use so I am not lax at lifting up my brothers and sisters in prayer. I thank God for the grace He has given me to show me that I should be doing this and I thank Him for testimonies like we heard tonight that teach us all more about His grace - in the good times and in the bad.

Day 86: BBQ On The River - A Day Of Prayer

This week was the 16th Annual Paducah BBQ on the River and mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmm was it as tasty as ever. Chandra and I started the day off eating a BBQ sandwich at one of the booths. It was really good. We then walked the perimeter of the event, about 2 city blocks squared, where Chandra partook of a strawberry shortcake. I just partook of carrying the camera and her drink around while she ate her desert.

There were thousands of people in the downtown area today. I have heard a couple of accounts, from some of the BBQers, that yesterday was busier than previous years. They said that they set sales records. Not sure if it was because they had more customers or if they charged higher prices. Either way several charities brought in some serious cash for this years sales.

After we walked around we headed out to the mall area to take advantage of some great $10 freebie coupons from a couple of places. We then headed back down to the BBQ to meet Bobby and Tina from our church. We serve on the Evangelism team for Oak Grove and used today as the first setup of our Prayer Request Station. We could not set up within the confines of the actual event, so we set it up on the opposite side of the floodwall, in the parking area used by many attenders.

The Prayer Request Station is modeled after the Prayer Stations from YWAM. We took it upon ourselves to get the banner and made all of our own literature, but YWAM also has all of that available of your ministry would like to check into it. We, at Oak Grove, would also be able to assist you in what we have done, so that you may get one of these into ministry within your own community. To say today was a blessing would be a big understatement.

I am normally not a very vocal person when witnessing, but this is a lot different. This is a very non-confrontational was to spread the gospel. Everyone needs prayer and all you are doing is asking to join in prayer with them for whatever needs they may wish to share. We had a wide range of requests today that we prayed together with about 90% of those that stopped by. The other 10% said they just wanted us to pray, but not with them, so those requests will join the others that will be prayed over by our prayer ministry at Oak Grove.

We had requests by parents that had incarcerated children, those that asked for salvation to be granted to their children, others had physical needs, medical concerns for others and various other needs. We do not take any of these needs less serious than the others. We did and will pray over those in financial need just as fervent as we do those in need of a healing touch from the Lord.

We realized that this is going to be a well received ministry to our area very quickly. The Lord blessed us with this and we praise Him for allowing us to join Him in working in and through prayer for these dear souls. Today's "trial" run, or inaugural run as I'd rather state it, was a huge blessing to us all. We all had no idea what the Lord had in store for us, but we were pleasantly surprised as He ministered to us as we ministered to our community. We now see that this is a way to reach out to the people in our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. We are reaching out to those that God places in our paths, to pray with them and to ultimately share the Gospel of Christ with them. The reception to this was overwhelming in a very good way. We only had a very few naysayers that said they were "all prayed up for now" or one young man told us that he was "trying to quit".

I know it is a humbling experience to admit you need prayer, especially to someone you do not know. But God will use this outreach to make an impact. It is His will that we pray for others, saved or not, for whatever needs they have. We believe He will answer, because He delights in our delight in Him. We are not naive to think God will answer our requests in the way we request Him to, but He will answer. We also know that our faith in Him can allow Him to work in non-believers as Jesus did in Matthew 8 with the centurions faith, Matthew, Mark and Luke's accounts of the man let down through the roof to Jesus for healing and Jesus healing the nobleman's son in John 4. These were all because of the faith of others, not those being healed. This is where we get our basis to pray for others, no matter what their spiritual condition. WE should pray for the lost so they can see God working in their lives, so they may come to a saving faith themselves.

It was obvious that not everyone that stopped knew God. But we do and we have access to His throne room to bring our requests and lay them at His feet in belief that He will answer them to glorify Himself. Our hope is not in our prayer or us, but on the One that can work in these peoples lives. What a wonderful thing it is to be able to boldly approach the throne of the living God and ask Him to work in others lives.

Day 84: Canned Fury - Update

If you read the post I did a few days ago I outlined an issue I had with a case of Diet Cokes that I had purchased. About 3/4 of the cans inside the case were damaged, but the carton itself was free of damage. I sent Diet Coke a nice little email outlining the situation, they contacted me with some questions and I responded. Today I received a nice little note stating they were sorry about the issue and also sent me 2 coupons for 2 free 12 packs. Now that is cool. I expected nothing and they apologized via email, a letter and gave a consolation gift of 2 12 packs.

It is nice that the Coca Cola company did this for me, even though I would have still consumed their product if they didn't. I wasn't looking for a freebie and even told them that, I just wanted to let them know that there was an issue and they could look into it if they wanted to. I would want to know if my company were putting a product out that was not of good quality.

It reminds me of me somewhat. I know that I do not always portray Christ to this world. I often act out of the flesh, which means I think more of my opinion than I do about hurting someone else's feelings. I do not go out of my way to offend, but I do and I am in the process of seeking God to show me those moments more quickly so I can correct my outburst. It is a process for me, since I do not really know that I do it at the time, but now within a few seconds I see things I could have handled a little differently and conveyed the same message. I am a work in progress and I pray that one day I will see the error before I commit it and totally avoid it all together. I pray that that then, in turn, turns to not even thinking of the outburst, but that what I see now as the correct reaction to be my first and only reaction.

With God leading me through this I know it will come to pass. It is His will that I am kind to others and show them the love of Christ through my words and actions. This is not saying that I am or will compromise the truths of God's Word, but that I will do it in a more loving manner.

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother[a] abides in death.

1 John 4:7-21 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Seeing God Through Love. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.