The Narrow Way.... Is It Really That Narrow?

Just a thought that I want to develop.... I hope I get back to it eventually.... 

But it seems that the life I have in Christ is not narrow at all.   There is a lot of liberty. 

The thought of man.... taking dominion.. that is a lot of territory. 

I had a discussion the other day while hiking with a buddy... about how much is God really concerned with our day to day activities.  I mean.... not to make God out to be a noncaring Being.. but  I look at my adult kids... I mean... I love them..  I want the best for them.  But I do not make their second by second... minute by minute decisions for them.   I love to hear their stories.  I am ready and willing to listen to them anytime they want to talk.. I will be glad to give them advice if they want it.. But.. part of the joy of raising kids.. is to see them grow up and live their own lives.. and make their own decisions..   

Does that make sense?

But...  i diverted... The main thing I mean to express in this post is this.. . 
Yes... when I first came to Christ.. perhaps i did have to give up some things.  and yes.. as I walk with Christ there are many things that I will not do because I follow Christ.  But it seems that the things that I get to enjoy and have... far out weigh the things that I have had to give up in order to follow Him. The peace, joy and contentment alone is worth anything that I have had to give up.    Knowing that God has it all figured out.  Knowing that He has a wonderful plan for my life takes the worry out of this life.   Wow.. what a trade off!

More Than A Conqueror???? Naw...... Not Me!

I am almost convinced that we will never "arrive". That we will always be working on something in our lives. We all have our "stuff". So... be gentle with others... and be gentle with yourself.

Romans 8:37 says we are more than conquerors. ....... I guess that is in our makeup. I have always thought it was a choice... to conquer or just roll over, cover my head until it's over. Hmmm.... perhaps that the same test keeps coming back around.

We were created to conquer. We have to. Perhaps that is why all these tests and trials come our way.... not for punishment. Not because we are not loved.... but because we, as humans are born conquerors! How can you conquer unless......... yep.... that's right.... unless we have something to conquer. Ok, give me my t-shirt.... Kevin The Conqueror!!!

So easy to say.. yet... harder to work out in my every day life.

I am going to try to relax and enjoy the ride!

The Battle Rages On

The Battle Rages On

You might not be aware of it.... but there is a battle going on all around you.  I dare to say that the battle even crosses over the boarder of your skin and there are skirmishes right inside your own personal space.  

Now.. I would dare to say that most of us don't deal with the "big" battles of darkness such as stealing, killing, drugs, sex to name a few.  But we are still being assaulted from every angle just the same.  We just might not recognize it as an assault.  

Paul told us what the domain of God was.. in Romans 14:17.  He said it was righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.   Wherever the Kingdom of God is in control.. this is what it looks like.

So... let me ask you this.  What is reigning in your life?  If it is not righteousness (that is right relationship with God), peace and joy. then you my friend are under attack.. and I might say... under seige.

Webster defines seige as: a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside.


Hmmmmm. sound or FEEL familiar?

So, it is probably safe to say that you are involved in an outright war.  Still you might say.. but.. it is only a small thing.... nothing like the BIG battles of stealing, killing, etc.. but our enemy is sly..  He knows that...... if he can wear you down from these small little battles.. and separate you from the Father.... and then separate you from your brothers and sisters.. that THEN..... he can then start battling you on the BIGGER fronts.... and ultimately destroy your life.

A worry here..... a doubt there..... not dealt with... will cause a separation in your heart towards God and His church.  Then.. from there...hatred, bitterness, addiction, anxiety.... and the battles are endless.

How do I know?  Well.... I would like to say that I have seen it in so many other people.... BUT!!!!!  I have experienced it first hand.  Many years I suffered assault from the enemy with THE BIG BATTLES.   But, looking back... it started with the small assaults.

Don't ignore the small little assaults and insults from the enemy.  A small doubt...  a little grudge.  don't put up with it!!!!  Get rid of it.

I could write pages on methods of warfare.. but the #1 way to combat this?  A frequent conversation with God.  I know that this is difficult.....   We have to discipline ourselves to do this.  Set your watch, phone, timer.. to go off every hour to remind us to have a conversation with God. After months of practicing that.. then set the timer for every 30 minutes.    

1 Peter 5:8 says Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Let me paraphrase... Hey!!! Wake up!!! Watch out!!! Set your alarm on your phone to remind yourself to do this. because.. your enemy is studying you and trying to figure out anyway he can to destroy you... He does not rest.  

Set that alarm.  Keep a constant conversation going with God.  If you feel fear.  If you feel anxiety.... realize that the enemy is up to his trickery again! 

Peace Forfeited No More

This hymn comes to my mind this morning.... Oh what peace we often forfeit.  Oh what needless pain we bear.

I think our concept of prayer needs updated.  My default picture of prayer is one of the old saints on their knees kneeling at an altar and just crying out and moaning their requests over and over as if God was deaf.  

My practical application of prayer is..... me.... sitting in my sling back chair in my bathroom so as not to disturb my wife and casually spending time with the God Who loves me.  Conversing back and forth.  Sometimes quiet sometimes not.  To me... this is prayer.

Back to the hymn.... last night going to bed.. .there was some unrest in my soul.  For what reason?  Who knows?  But I fell off to sleep.  Woke up this morning still experiencing this unrest.  Listening to several youtube messages from some of my favorite Bible teachers... Still the unrest remains.

Finally, I get up and go to my quiet place (the bathroom) and open up my laptop to start journaling my conversations with God (I use this technique a lot in my quiet time.. for me, it is greatly effective). Within minutes... the peace comes.  The unrest is washed away.........    and the words to this hymn waft through my mind and soul........"All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer".

My Favorite Christmas Gift

My favorite gift this Christmas? It is a gift that my Father gave me. That gift is faith. This gift causes me to believe in the grace of God that causes me to walk in a wonderful life.

The Father offers this free gift to everyone. Some don't ever open it... in fact they snub their nose at the Giver. Some open it and toss it aside because there think there are better things out there. Some open it and enjoy it for awhile and are grateful but then listen to others when they say there are so much more better gifts out there. Then there are those who open that gift.... not totally understanding it... but they continue to explore it. It never ceases to amaze them as they explore... it becomes more vast. They realize that this gift is a mystery that can't be explained... it has to be experienced.

I have been in every stage of this gift receiving. But as I have walked down the paths that these decisions have led me, and began to experience the consequences of my decisions... I saw the destruction that was coming my way. I quickly ran back and looked for that gift of faith and began to explore it again only to realize that what it offers is what I truly want and need.

Today, as I have some time alone to spend in the Father's presence. I realize this...

You will show me the path of life: In Your presence is fullness of joy and at Your right hand pleasures for evermore. Ps 16:11