Be the Man!

Take it like a man!  Be the man!  Act like a man!  These were comments that I often heard growing up.  I remember thinking that being the man in elementary school meant protecting the girls on the playground from bullies. 

Well, my in-laws just gave me Mansfield's Book of Manly Men for Christmas.  I have already read the first ten pages.  I like what I am reading so far.  I would like to memorize one of the verses referenced in the book "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

I also appreciated the authors statement that "we become what we do.  We are a sum of our habits."  He adds that with God's grace, we can break habitual cycles that render us ineffective. 

I think that to be "The Man" means to be able to control appetites and create good habits that allow us to demonstrate goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love.  This is my pursuit.  I hope I am better at this one month from now, one year from now and each following year until I leave this earth.  It is my dream that those who come after me will be better at it and pass on better traits to their kin.  I hope that each generation builds on the prior generation in an effort to help the next generation be stronger than the one before.

Expectations are the enemy

of serenity.  This past spring, I had a nice encounter with a man who had hiked the Appalachian trail.  I was helping at a continuing education event and we were discussing the expectations of the group that would be attending.  He shared the quote, "expectations are the enemy of serenity" with me.  He had met a man on the trail who had shared this quote with him.  Dreams, hopes and expectations. 
Is it bad to have expectations?  What is the difference between dreaming, hoping and expecting?

Under achieve and you will

RECEIVE!  What?  I recall a friend sharing frustration that the basketball team he helped coach had a winning record.  The football team at the same college had a losing record.  However, the football team received all the goodies- extra money, nicer facilities, nicer equipment, etc.  He said, it's the philosophy that if you "under achieve you will receive."  After I heard that, many different circumstances and people came to mind.  For several years, this statement helped me better understand my irritation with injustice.

Today, I had an aha moment.  I was participating in a Sunday morning bible study and we reviewed how great is God's love.  That led to the parable of the prodigal son.  My focus had always been on the son in this story.  Today, my focus was shifted to the brother.  The brother was rightfully upset about his Father's decision to welcome his brother, who made many poor financial and behavioral choices, right back into the family as if nothing had been done.  However, Jesus made clear that we should celebrate this type of incident...as it pertains to the kingdom of God. 

The truth is, from God's perspective, we all underachieve.  I am a big underachiever when it comes to God's view of good deeds.  I need grace.  God's grace is hard to understand.  It doesn't make sense.  It is not fair.  That is the kind of grace I need.

I realized today that when I experience injustice...people receiving what they have not earned... I should be happy for them.  Even more though, I should be reminded of how great grace is... the kind of grace that we all need.  The kind of grace I need.

Was Jesus just a great teacher?

http://www.northpoint.org/messages/brought-to-you-by

Christian Mantras

Not by might, nor by power, but by your spirit
Open the eyes of my heart
Help me see your chariots of fire
Help me see what You want me to see
To know His love that surpasses knoweldge
Be still and know that I am God
Plans to prosper you
Plans to give you hope and a future
Father, how did you make the sun?
If you have faith as small as a mustard seed
To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Power, love and self discipline.
Man cannot live on bread alone.
Out of His glorious riches
Perseverence leads to character and character-hope
Consider it pure joy when you endure trials of many kinds
Lean not on your own understanding
My ways are not your ways
You will destroy the wisdom of the wise
Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
Your hand controls power and might
Everything in the heavens and earth is yours oh Lord and this is your kingdom
It is at your discretion that men are made great and are given strength
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
He would strengthen you with power.
How wide, how long, how wide is the love of Christ.
They will soar on wings like eagles.
Run and not be weary
Walk and not be faint
Whatever is true
Whatever is right
Whatever is pure
Whatever is lovely
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand
He may life you up in do time.
More of you and less of me
More of your thoughts, less of my thoughts
More of your power, less of my power
I can't, but You can
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free
Peace that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
If you made an axe head float then you...
Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf
We need to be uncomfortable with our comfortableness

Stewards of our children's dreams, skills and gifts

As I read Grace Based Parenting, I am reminded that just as I am a steward of the dreams, skills and gifts God has given me, I am also a steward of the dreams, skills and gifts of my children.  My kids are so special.  They are unique.  They are passionate and they love to laugh.  I know God has big plans for all of them.

Past spiritual journal around 2010: Spiritual Training

I like to write what I believe I need to focus on more of in my spiritual growth.  The following are some of those truths:

• The Lord is with us.

• It's not our will but His will that matters.

• I should speak no more words of doubt or fear.

• There is no point in talking about "the yucky stuff."

• The tongue is like a rudder to a ship.

• Who cares if you can anticipate all of the good and bad things that could happen in any circumstance.  God will destroy the wisdom of the wise.  Man plans his way but the Lord directs his path.

• The spirit does live in us and is guiding us.

• Plan on the best happening.

• Cultivate my mind on scripture.  Watch out for idol pointless web surfing.  Don't let it become a habit.

• Relax through it all.  Only use the muscles you absolutely have to use.

• Be strong and courageous...like a lion.

• Don't be greedy.

• How would I act if I was 100% confident God was with me?

• Since I am 100% confident God is with me, am I acting that way?

• Trust the Lord with your heart, but don't trust your heart. 

• Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character and character produces hope.

• Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

• Pray like it depends on God, work like it depends on you.

• Chase the lion.

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.  His good pleasing and perfect will.

Phillipians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

2 Kings 6:16 NIV

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV

Elisha’s servant arose early one morning–and there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." and the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

1 Chronicles 29-11-12

Everything in the heavens and earth is yours oh Lord and this is your kingdom.  We adore you as being in control of everything.  Riches and honor come from you alone and you are the ruler of all mankind.  Your hand controls power and might and it is at your discretion that men are made great and are given strength.  

1Peter 5: 6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

Romans 12:9-12

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.

1 Corinthians 14

1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.[b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.

Prayer:

• Open my eyes.  Open the eyes of my heart. 

• Help me see your chariots of fire.

• Help me see things the way you want me to see them.

• Keep me from having tunnel vision.

• Help me sense your presence and where you want me to go, what you want me to do and how you want me to speak.

• Help me have the discipline to grow.  

• What is true: you created the heavens and earth; you are all knowing, everywhere and were in the beginning and are at the end.  In you we live, move and breathe.  

• What is noble: When people sacrifice for others.  Noble is fighting addiction and forming new behavioral habits to help families grow.