Slow process

But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (Jude 1:20, 21 MSG)

The savior is coming! Soon we will receive our gift of eternal life. But, not today! While we wait, we prepare. We study the word of our Lord, we pray for wisdom, and we serve the lost and the needy. We carefully do these things so as not to grow in our own confidence, but in the confidence in our Lord. Our faith needs to grow in a way as to prepare us for the worship and the glory we are to be a part of.

I wish I could say I was always in the center of God's love and his will for my life. I can not. I need help doing that. I need my family, my Chrisitian friends, constant study of God's word and daily communication with Him. I am working at building up my faith and following Gods will. When I am not faithful in my study and prayer, I faulted and move away from the center. It's a slow process. I praise God for his patience with me. Thank you Lord!

Framily!

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

How many friends do you have? I'm not talking Facebook friends, I'm talking about friends that you would do anything for and friends you would do anything for. I have a lot of people in my life that I consider friends. My CMA friends, my coworkers, my neighbors, and my friends from years past. But, My best friend is my wife and next comes my daughters, their husbands, and my grandkids. Yes, that's right! My family is my FRAMILY! Here is the definition of a friend:

1. 1.

   a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

   synonyms:

   companion, soul mate, intimate, confidante, confidant, familiar, alter ego, second self,playmate, playfellow, classmate, schoolmate, workmate;

The definition of a friend excludes family members. I hate to disagree with Webster, but I couldn't disagree more. Look at the synonyms, companion, soul mate, intimate, confidant, are those NOT great descriptors of our families? They specifically describe my wonderful wife.

I love my CMA friends and biker buddies. We spend a lot of time together, but the bulk of my time outside work is spent with my family. We share common interests and we all love The Lord. I am a better friend to those outside my family because of the friendships I have developed within my family. I praise God for the friendship I have with my wife. I praise God for the wonderful gift of my wife and family. I praise God for my wonderful daughters and their families. We have been together through so much in our lives. I enjoy the time we spend together not because we are family but because we are friends. We have made it through life together and I can't imagine a life without you! I love you!

Stop the "post game" analysis!

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7 NIV)

Sometimes I just don't get it. People complain about everything. Mostly people complain about being tired, sick, or they complain about regular aches and pains. Mostly, people complain about other people. Sometimes the teachers lounge is like an NFL post game show. Every student, parent, and fellow teacher is open to "post game" analysis. It's so easy to be critical of others. Here's a piece of advice: STOP IT! We have no idea what people are going through in their lives. I'm not saying we condone some of the actions, but we need to look beyond the faults and mistakes, even the sins, of others. We need to stop the constant analysis and critique of every decision they make.

Do I do the same thing with God? How many times have I questioned God's plan in my life. The most popular question we ask our Lord is, "Why?" How amazing is it that we question, critique and analyze the God of the Universe? Even more amazing is the response of Jesus. God is not offended by our questions and fears. His love overlooks the anger, the stress, and our lack of understanding. But, we need to have faith in our Heavenly Father. He loves us and will not bring harm to us. His plan is greater than our plan and is designed for a life time and not just the moment. Our lives are planned with love and desire for us to draw closer to him. 

Instead of critiquing God, today thank him, praise him, and rest in the thought that you have a loving savior that adores you. Go beyond your circumstances, regardless how difficult they may be, and know that God's plans are perfect!

Representing Christ!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20 NIV)

Stephanie and I will be leaving in just a few weeks on our annual cross country motorcycle trip. This year we are traveling uncharted territory. We are traveling Northeast into Canada, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland/Labrador. I know it's just Canada, but it really is a foreign country. Don't laugh! Many of the areas we are traveling will speak very little English. I can't wait. We have to travel by ship to Newfoundland and have to get a room on the ship to sleep over night. It's another of our many adventures! 

When we travel I act differently than I do when I'm home. This will be even more important when I travel this summer. Americans don't always have the greatest reputations. I want to make sure I am setting a good example. Everyone will be able to tell we're tourists from the USA. I will be more considerate, more friendly, and have a servant attitude everywhere I go. It's just like my Christianity. I am always on display as a Christian. This is definitely true when I travel by motorcycle. I love wearing my faith on the outside. My CMA patch, clothing, and labels put me in a spotlight as a Christian. I have to make sure my walk matches my declaration of faith.

Does my life match my faith walk when I'm not wearing an external label? Can people recognize my love of Christ? I am a Christian 24/7 and I need to make sure I present that faith in a way pleasing to God. I need to do that every day, not just during my vacations across this continent!

STOP THE TEASING!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

Sarcasm is dangerous! I love kidding with students, friends, and family. But, I know for a fact it can go too far. Many times "picking" on someone, teasing, and sarcasm ends with hurt feelings. It always starts out as fun, but continuous, relentless teasing and sarcasm can get old and eventually gets tiresome for the recipient. I cross that line way too often and I need to stop it!

We need to promote peace and building up others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, not tearing them down, even in jest. I will say that I have never been offended, but I know others that have and have even brought it up to me. I would like to tell those people they need to not take it so serious. I would like to say, "lighten up". I don't know anyone who  does this type of teasing that means it for harm, including myself. But, I also understand that after a while it can get old. If all you hear from someone is the verbal jousting, you start wondering if they really mean what they say. You start wondering if your own faith family loves you. Teasing and verbal harassment can tear a group apart, quickly.

It is said you need to say at least three positives to out weigh the just one negative in someone's life. I think this applies to teasing. We need to take time to demonstrate the love of each other. We need to say it, we need to act on it. We need to love each other with our WORDS and deeds.

So, stop the teasing, or at the very least build up more than you tease! Love your brothers and sisters as Christ has loved you! We are members of one body and we are to promote the PEACE OF Christ!