Monthly Archives: October 2018

The Lights Are On All Night

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Teri and I were on our early morning walk and as we crested the hill, I could see the bright lights focused on the US Penitentiary a couple of miles off in the distance. Those lights are on so some homesick inmate making an escape attempt might be visible and convinced to stay longer. 

My heart was heavy as I thought of the men locked up behind bars. At some past moment, each inmate made a life-changing decision that cost him a portion of his life. Likely there was something he felt was more important than his future.

No doubt, all rational inmates wish they could have a retake on that moment. Yet when it happened, how many thought about the future cost?  (Also, the “moment” can be defined as more than an instant, but a sum of prior decisions.)

The reality is that each of us face decisions every day that can have far reaching consequences. What good habits do we nurture and bad habits diminish? Are we daily feeding ourself and our children the Word of God in family Bible time? Are you daily spending time with your wife and children? Are we men of gratefulness and kindness?

Answers to questions such as these define our “moment” and our family’s futures. Brothers, regrets hurt and go on hurting. I know and so do you. Might we do the right thing each and every day?

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Steve

Lies People Believe

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  • It’s just a stage and he’ll grow out of it.
  • We can make these payments.
  • It’s a choice, not a child.
  • I can quit anytime.
  • This won’t hurt me.
  • You can’t win if you don’t play.
  • It’s for the children, and it’s just a harmless fun holiday.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
Steve

My Heart Convicted Me

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We were blessed to go to Colorado again this year for family time away. We love being together and experiencing the wonder of God’s creation. One cloudless afternoon, I was overwhelmed with the grandeur and majesty of God’s creation as we walked along the ridge of a mountain. At that moment, the Lord convicted me.

I was awed by the glorious beauty of the creation, but was I breathless over the One Who created it? In reality, the magnificent beauty I was beholding was but rubbish compared to the glory of my God. I desire that my Lord would evoke such deep wonder and emotions at the thought of Him that nothing, absolutely nothing, would compare.

In our flesh, it is easy for us to worship the creation over the Creator. Might we be guilty in a similar way of esteeming other things more highly than the Lord?

Things such as:
Money and what  it buys?
Houses?
Vehicles?
Pleasure?
Entertainment?

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Psalms 19:1-3).

Steve

Gambler, Gamer or Discipler?

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My heart goes out to the hopeful, wanna-be millionaire who just spent his money that could have had much better uses than on a million to one chance. His hope, and anticipation, suddenly shredded, is replaced by disappointment. “Oh well, next time, surely next time.”

I wonder if many a Christian dad isn’t actually a gambler at heart. Instead of throwing away $5 a week, he’s wagering something of immeasurable, okay eternal value – his children. He’s hopeful his children will turn out well. At least then they won’t be a lifelong burden for him. Of course, he believes he loves them, but what influence he has, is likely negative. He sows seeds of worldly appetites via double-mindedness that will yield a harvest of bad habits and a dismal life in Christ, at best. 

I implore you. Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5). Don’t be like that dad I just mentioned. Don’t be average. Don’t base your self-approval rating by comparing yourself to today’s Christian dads. Jesus is to be our Lord, and Scripture our admonishment. Pour out your life into serving your Lord and discipling your children. 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Steve

An Effective Litmus Test

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I study people. If I know you, I’m watching. I want to learn from anyone and everyone, and I compare what I observe to Scripture. There are good and bad examples to learn from. This has nothing to do with being judgmental and everything to do with learning.

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding” (Proverbs 24:30). “Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction” (Proverbs 24:32).

One thing I’ve observed (of many) is that the believer who seeks as much freedom “in Christ,” as he can have, will likely have a dismal and unproductive future because his life is wrapped up in himself. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16)?

If you want a fruitful life in Christ, deny yourself, and take up your cross as you follow Him. Sure doesn’t sound like freedom does it? But it is.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

Steve