Category Archives: Seriously

Buddies

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2016 is here, ready or not. With the new year most of us want to make improvements in our lives. For many that includes a renewed focus on fitness and health. When beginning a new exercise routine, most will struggle with consistency. Research shows that if you begin your “program” with someone, you are more likely to be consistent. Therefore, why not team up with your wife for your fitness goals? Have you ever regularly exercised together? (If your wife cannot join you for some reason, consider your children.) You will not only be consistent in getting exercise but your hearts will be drawn together with more in common.

Teri and I have walked together most days through the years. It is a wonderful time of talking while getting fresh air and exercise. Almost ten years ago Teri learned that weight training is very good for preventing osteoporosis, so we added strength training several days a week. For those who are curious, our strength program of choice uses kettle bells. They are inexpensive, improve agility, require very little room, and can demand a high amount of energy per minute to burn calories and tone muscles. 

Don’t be like the couple who said they don’t spend much time together because they have different interests. Sadly, they believe that being apart is better for their relationship than being together.

Each saved couple has the Lord in common, and that bond alone is beyond exciting. In addition, the great amount of time and prayer the two of you expend together while discipling the children will draw your hearts together. Having things in common is a choice not a matter of “luck.”

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)

Steve

What Could be Worse?

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There are bad days and then there are unbelievably horrible days. What does one do?

What could have been worse for Abraham than to hear his God tell him to sacrifice his only beloved son—his longed-for son, the one he delighted in? What would he do? Would he rebel, sink into despair, languish in self-pity, or all of the above? What do you do when faced with insurmountably bad news? May we look to Abraham, our father in the faith (Galatians 3:7) as an example of how to respond.

The very next morning after God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, Abraham got up early and set out to obey. He could have said, “I’d better pray about this and make sure this is exactly what God wants me to do.” So often “we” choose to pray about things only as a stall tactic, to wait until the conviction passes. Abraham obeyed immediately. I expect that while en route, Abraham prayed seeking the Lord’s strength, but he obeyed.

Then when they arrived at Mt. Moriah, where God instructed him to go, what was Abraham’s attitude when his servant asked what he was doing? Did he pour out all his woes to evoke sympathy so that the servant would “pray” for him? No. Abraham said he was going to “worship.” His focus was not on himself or his troubles but on his God. When in trouble, we must get our eyes off of ourselves, obey, and worship. Try it!

“And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” (Genesis 22:5)

This is our confidence: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) 

Steve

To Do or Not To Do

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In business your “Not-To-Do List” is more important than your “To-Do List.” Knowing what not to spend your time on is critical for ensuring you have time available for the things that are wildly important. Today a myriad of things are clamoring for our time, and most are not beneficial compared to what they are displacing.

Here are some suggestions you might consider for your “Not-To-Do List”

  • News
  • Web Surfing
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Spectator Sports
  • Fill in the blank _____

Here are some fantastic things for your “To-Do List” now that you have freed up some time:

  • Family Bible time. This is not optional if you love your family. (Challenge them spiritually.)
  • Walk and/or workout with your wife. (Benefits include health and unity.)
  • Exercise with the children. (Wear them out physically. Good for health and hearts.)
  • Minister and serve with your family. (Teaching them to have servants’ hearts while practically doing God’s work now.)
  • Learn something with the children. (Challenge them mentally and prepare them vocationally.)
  • Build, repair, or renovate something with the children. (They develop real skills and you save money.)
  • Learn something that will help your occupation. Consider audio books if you commute. (Never stop learning.)

May each be a wise builder of his family.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” (Matthew 7:24

One Nation

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I’m sure you are aware of this phrase in the Pledge that says, “One nation under God, indivisible.” Indivisible? What about:

Value of babies in the womb–divided.
Value of children–divided.
Normal family–divided.
Legalization of drugs–divided.
Value of the elderly–divided.
Value of family time–divided.
= One nation under God–divided.

As the person, so the family, so the church and so the nation. Each must evaluate his heart via the Word before our God. Then we repent and conform to God’s Word.

“And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24-25)  

Steve

The Best

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I am amazed—well saddened actually—when I observe husbands and dads seeking to give their wife and children a good gift, whether it be for Christmas or a birthday, and yet they pass up giving the best gift they could possibly give. The best gift is free, yet costly. Why give good when you can give the best? It’s not just a great idea but a command of the Spirit.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25)

Jesus Christ gave His life—everything—for His Bride and “children.” We, too, are commanded to give all. Will we? Our families need us.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Merry Christmas!

Steve

A Matter of Perspective

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What would you prefer?

  • To be on the ground wishing to catch a plane somewhere or flying in a plane wishing you were on the ground?
  • On the shore wishing you were out on a boat in the water or out at sea in a boat wishing you were ashore?
  • Single and wishing you were married or married and wishing you were single?
  • Wishing you had children or wishing you had none?
  • Wishing you had a job or wishing you didn’t have the one you have?

Some people will never experience the joy of contentment. It isn’t about what we have or don’t have but about being at peace in the Lord Jesus with “where we are in life.” Paul learned to be abased and to abound. He was God’s man, and yet he suffered greatly. We read more about his trials than about his successes.

May we choose to be content in all things. Notice I said “choose” to be content. It’s a choice we make as we rest in the Lord, walking in His Spirit. All things work together for good—the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12)

Steve

Hairy Teeth

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Have you ever had a time when you haven’t been able to brush your teeth for a while, and they felt grimy, cruddy, or even hairy? If you weren’t in the good habit of brushing your teeth, then having hairy teeth would feel normal. For most of us, however, teeth brushing is due to the diligence of our mother’s training (okay hounding). Good habits don’t come naturally, but when acquired they are a lifelong blessing.   

Over the years many have written and asked if they should require their children to read the Bible daily. Here’s a question for you. In light of eternity, which do you think is a more important habit— brushing your teeth or reading your Bible every day? The answer is ridiculously obvious. Reading one’s Bible every day is critical to our wellbeing and our future.

Scripture shines God’s lamp into our souls and exposes the things that God wants to change or remove and feeds our souls for real life in Christ. Our souls must be so dependent on our daily cleansing and filling via the Word of God that we feel odd and uncomfortable if we haven’t had our time in the Word.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9)

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) 

Steve

Get Used To It

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We are coming into an age when loving the Lord Jesus and living for Him is not cool. That’s okay, life here is very short compared to eternity! Oh, how wonderful to serve the risen Savior!

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Steve

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Not Just a Good Idea

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I have watched my married sons and their wives work patiently with their children to teach them to be grateful. It is amazing what persistence it takes to make progress against the selfishness of the flesh, and oh how delightful it is to hear sweet little “Thank yous.” First we teach a child to be grateful to those around him who bless him. Then he needs to learn to thank God, Who is the giver of all good gifts, and Who cannot be seen.

We all enjoy being around grateful people, but those who are ungrateful tend to weigh us down. Are we dads setting the example for gratitude in the family? Are we looking for things others in the home do so we can share our gratefulness with them? It is one thing to say “thank you” and quite another to express why we are grateful for what they did.

Who would have thought how absolutely foundational being thankful can be even to a person’s eternity? “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.” (Romans 1:21)

Steve

Running in the Dark

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Teri and I have been walking early in the morning when it is still dark. Many mornings we meet an “out and back” runner who on his return runs barefoot on the sidewalk. It is amazing how tough his feet are as evidenced by the pounding we can hear as he approaches us. Running barefoot on pavement in the daylight is one thing but in the dark, quite another.

Over the weekend we noticed several glass bottles had been broken on the sidewalk, likely by partying teenagers desiring to remove “evidence” from their cars. We were quite concerned for our barefoot runner “friend.” If he ran unaware into that broken glass, his “good idea” of running barefoot might be superseded by an unexpected result.

So often what seems like a good idea, maybe even one that is popular with others, is seen later in a different light when over time the fruit of that decision comes to light. (Think of cholesterol, youth groups, debt.) May we make right decisions as we lead our family. May we seek the Lord’s direction in all things and then follow Him obediently. That is the path of no regrets.

“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” (Matthew 11:19)

Steve