Second Best

With 20 years in the construction industry , there is no doubt that every facet of the work is grueling . From the seemingly mundane task of “rolling out” the tools at the beginning of the day to “rolling em’ up” at the end , to the stress of trying to both please the client while maintain affordability to promote future business ..and of course, lets not forget the pure physical exhaustion that comes from doing all day what most do at the gym for an hour( I’ve always said that you gotta be a fool to pay for cross fit training when you can can come work for me and get PAID while you TRAIN!…but I digress) – It’s beyond tiring …beyond exhausting…its draining , in every way.

My wife often said earlier in our marriage that “The world gets the BEST of you , and we get the REST “…And for a long time she was right… sometimes , she still is. In the last few years I have focused on whats REALLY important , what I’m REALLY working for – Our family. The bible says ” If a man wont work  , let him not eat”(2 Thes.3:10) and I believe that to be true ,like the rest of the Bible…But when work is put before family , then the family suffers – and I fail not only as a Husband and Father ,but as the Spiritual leader of my home… I made a decision several years ago to not make my family “Second Best” ,but rather give them “My Best” , and not “The Rest”…but even like this , like many of us – I still fail….

How?

Because If I put My family first and work Second – WHERE DO I FIT GOD INTO THE EQUATION?

Does my God deserve any LESS than FIRST in my life ?Did he HOLD anything back from me? Did he not give us HIS BEST?

Give my God “3rd Best” in my life? – God FORBID…

This however , is where many of us end up..Trying to fit God in…. in our “ EXTRA “ time…and its a DISGRACE. ….Ok , so the answer is moving God into “Second Place”...right?

Second Best looks like it ought to work ,but it never does. Second Best feels warm and comfortable ,but leaves us cold and unfulfilled. If we settle for Second Best ,we will never TRULY be satisfied – with Second Best we are destined for failure.

In so many ways we have accepted “Second Best” as an acceptable shelf to sit God on and only come to him when its convenient for us… and this also is a DISGRACE.

You see , the TRUTH is – when I put God FIRST before EVERYTHING ELSE – it gives both a proper order to my life as well as PRIORITY…How So?…

Example 1 – As I have already stated , the line of work that I chose often leaves me with a lackluster attitude to bring home to say the LEAST…but , if I love God MORE than my wife and kids – I will dig down deep to find the guy they NEED me to be for them when I get home… Not because I want to – but because GOD SAID TO! Colossians 3 :19 tells me to “Love my wife and not be harsh with her” and in 1st Peter 3:7 it says
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an UNDERSTANDING way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”…. These are commands because they are NOT easy.

Example 2 – Knowing that I will not always be able to uphold the commands above because of my own weakness , there is an understanding on my wife’s part…. You see – if she loves God MORE than me ,then the days that I can’t uphold these simple commands , the days that
I let her down , the days that I am SIMPLY UNLOVABLE – not only will she love me anyway..but she will STAY WITH ME…(Titus 2:4-5)

With divorce so common in our country today  , its evident that many don’t follow this principle ,but that will be a different post

The Truth IS – when I put God FIRST – then my family is NOT “Second Best” ,but rather an extension of me , and I in them….united in the love of Christ and service to our Creator..

While the road to this point in our lives has not been so black and white , it never the less continues down this path – focused on him and by extension each other..Learning ,growing ,forgiving and loving… It has been a difficult path at times ,but the best paths are…

As we plan to leave the construction industry behind us to focus on working for the cause of Christ – I cant help but think that these past 20 years will only aid us with the lessons we learned along the way about putting our priorities in line and leaving “Second Best “, where it ought to be….behind us.

Baggage

Baggage....

Problems = Opportunities
Obstacles = Challenges
Struggles = Strength
Weakness = Patience.

Most people run at the first sign of difficulty...I'm not most people. As long as people gather in one place , there will be problems. For me , a problem is simply an opportunity to teach.. an obstacle simply becomes a challenge , and through these challenges and struggles that are rooted in weakness ,comes patience and strength... and then understanding....and ultimately Glory to God for his purpose has been accomplished.

Its not about THIS life , it's about being EFFECTIVE in this life...

Mathew 28:19 says - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"..

He doesn't say "Preacher Go"... he simply says - "Go"... that's me , and you..

That's ALL of us.

In "going" , we will encounter people with more baggage than Samsonite and more excuses than the desert has sand.. We will also encounter people within the fold who have issues and are either in denial , or ignorant.... There will be kids that have parents with issues , and Parents whose kids have issues and every other imaginable combination of issues ,problems and baggage - BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS IT...

Put that baggage down...and walk away from it...

One of my favorite quotes says " And the day came when the risk to stay the same was MORE painful than the risk to CHANGE"

...but make no mistake -

It WILL be ugly ,because SIN is UGLY...It WILL be dirty , because SIN is DIRTY...it WILL be difficult , because SIN makes EVERYTHING DIFFICULT... It may even be PAINFUL ,because sometimes CHANGING IS PAINFUL....

Because when you invite the Devil to a fight - He - SHOWS - UP..

..and he will make it DIFFICULT.

BUT..

... If we have faith..and hope... and LOVE - These problems become opportunities ....and through PATIENCE - We gain our brothers and sisters..!!
We can help each other carry that baggage to a place where it can be set down and forgotten(Galatians 6:2)..
We are able to help mend the broken hearts with the Love of God , and with that SAME love create bonds with each other that are stronger than STEEL...and the fight will have been WORTH IT..

....I have been called ....and I will answer... I WILL FIGHT....
Study the bible with me! The invitation is STILL open.. ;)
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Knowing the Difference

Knowing ABOUT God and KNOWING God are two entirely different things...KNOWING the difference is the key...

The Psalmist tells us how he delights ,meditates and loves Gods precepts all though out Psalm 119..
In verses 15 -18 he says " I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.. Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.."

And then again in verses 159-160 he says " See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal."

David here is pining... nearly begging for God to give him instruction... begging for him to be constant in his life...and DELIGHTING in it..

Do WE do that? Are we THANKFUL for God's teaching , or do we despise it?

Be honest with yourself....but if the answer is the latter , we are in trouble.

We give our kids RULES or TEACHING because WE KNOW WHATS BEST FOR THEM ....not to be mean or unjust ,but the exact opposite. We give them teaching and boundaries because we LOVE them and we KNOW whats over there where they "aren't allowed"...and we want to spare them the pain of it... and in return we know that they love us back by obedience to our teachings.

Although they may not understand them at the time , if our kids follow our rules they come to KNOW us and our LOVE for them in a much deeper and meaningful sense... and when they have grown and have their own kids - THEN  see what we saw -  THEN  they will understand and KNOW our love for them was stronger than imaginable, and that the "rules" were a pure expression of love...maybe the purest!

So,where do you think this pattern came from?

Gods teachings aren't burdensome...they are a PURE  expression of HIS love for US....and our response should be nothing less than total obedience.
David KNEW the difference in KNOWING God and knowing ABOUT him... and it convicts me to try harder.

How bout you?

Study the bible with me...

The invitation to Study the Bible is still open.... ;)

Poor King Ozymandias

Ozymandias
by Percy Bysshe Shelley

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:

`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'

Nothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,The lone and level sands stretch far away".

Humble yourself ...or the God  that created  you WILL... No matter how great ,or talented or powerful you may believe you are , trust - its all fleeting even as you read this.

In the book of Ecclesiastes  King Solomon the wisest of ALL Earthly Kings penned "Vanity of Vanities ,all is Vanity" because he knew full well that accumulating wealth and power is futile.... He knew that within  3 generations , most of us will be forgotten .. We are from dust , and to dust we return leaving, behind all of our "Great works" to only decay after us....

However much we may believe it to be true - We are not Eternal...not yet... But one day we will face eternity and the legacy we have left behind us will tell the story of where we spend it.

Either we will hear - 

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."(Mathew 25:21) 

Or we will hear -

‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Mathew 7:23)

Which will YOU hear?.... that's completely up to YOU.

I believe the worst part of Hell will be having the knowledge that you had choice ...

There is nothing that this life has to offer - no pleasure , nor power ,nor even Kingdom  ,that is worth trading your soul for.. NOTHING.

Study the Bible with me.... The invitation is STILL open...    ;)

Vox Populi

Vox Populi  is a Latin term .Simply translated it  means” Voice of the people”. This term is from a song of the same name by a popular band called 30 Seconds to Mars , and while I’m not a fan of their political and religious views , I do love this song… It talks of  a “Call to Arms” and “A time to go to war” which is exactly where we are right here in our very own country. Not a physical war ,but a war being waged none the less..A battle being brought by the morally bankrupt in America who by the delusion of unearned entitlements and rights , look to  destroy  all that is righteous and good… So this is My call to war – will you answer?

The latest poles suggest that the voice of the people of America has not been heard ,but has in fact fallen on deaf ear. 52% of America polled said that they disapprove of the controversial “Obamacare” issue that today , was made law…

I am part of that 52% , and I have not been heard…. So how should I respond?

It may not be what you think…

You see , I am a Conservative ,but not a Republican…not anymore. I don’t believe that with what has been demonstrated by politicians of EITHER party , that EITHER party has it right..not for a long time.However –  before I am a Conservative  , before I am an American ,  before I am ANYTHING …I am a Christian , a subject to the King of Kings and under the rule HIS Benevolent Monarchy. So  rather than rest on MY thoughts on the topic – I will cling to God and what HE says FIRST…because I am Second…so it’s not MY voice that’s really important here..

Sadly , this will not be the decision of most . Especially conservatives…even ones who “call” themselves Christians…They will lash out ,with empty words of anger just further fueling the fire for those who seek to tear us down. This is demonstrated over and over by over zealous “Pseudo-Christians” that use Gods words to promote an agenda that has nothing to do with God ,but rather fear or doubt.

You see , when we lash out over the politics of men ,we prove just how much we don’t trust in our God.

Mathew 6 :25-34

²⁵  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

So where is YOUR  trust ? Where is YOUR  faith? … I can only answer for me ,but if you call yourself Christian – it’s not found in uproar …its not found in protest..

Its found in obedience.

The Book of Romans  says in chapter 13 verse 1  says“ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God”.

Also in 1 Peter 2:13-17 it says “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood….. Fear God. Honor the emperor.“

So though my voice was not heard today along with 52% of the people of America , I will NOT lash out.. I will not protest …I WILL be subject to the laws of the land…

And when the law goes into effect , I will OBEY…not because it’s what I want ..but it’s what I should do as a Christian man who is desperately fighting a battle ..A battle that is fueled by trust and faith that my God is in control and NO MATTER THE OUTCOME …

…Because the outcome could be bad…but maybe  ,just maybe this is what we have ASKED for?

Hmmmmm…Back to the war…

You see , until this country stops blaming “the other guy” for all of our woes, and starts taking PERSONAL accountability for our OWN choices we will continue to erode as a nation …The fact that God IS in control should instill in us a reverent fear and awe of him , because we have become a Godless country that has taken him out of nearly everything… Maybe , things are what they are because we have ASKED for it….

The movement to remove God and his statues has been in motion a lot longer than you and me have been around.. As the saying goes ,an elephant can’t be eaten in one bite, but over time it can be eaten one bite at a time… The morally bankrupt of this nation have been eating at it for years and have finally consumed most of it by demanding undeserved entitlements and rights …

Because this is” America” were tolerance is preached by the immoral majority, but preaching of the moral is no longer tolerated …  So this is My Call to Arms -

Rise up… 

Rise up Christian men and lead your families and communities in SPITE of harsh opposition we will face(1 Thessalonians 2:1-2)..

Speak boldly the things of God(Ephesians 6:20) ,but speak them with kindness and love so that we may show people who God REALLY is(1 Corinthians 13:1).

Lead by being obedient to the laws of the land and show God that your faith is in HIM and not men..(Mathew 6:25-34)

Lead by NOT lashing out at our liberal friends but rather be an example of what a TRUE Soldier of Christ is - A  humble SERVANT (Philippians 2:5)

Together – our voice WILL be heard…but not through the roar of anger ,but through the love of Christ … Because actions are ALWAYS louder than words… ALWAYS.

Vox Populi

This is a call to arms, gather soldiers
Time to go to war
This is a battle song, brothers and sisters
Time to go to war

Did you ever believe?
Were you ever a dreamer?
Ever imagine heart open and free?
Did you ever deny?
Were you ever a traitor?
Ever in love with your blood lust and need?  * -(has this not been all of us at some point?)

This is a call to arms, gather soldiers
Time to go to war
This is a battle song, brothers and sisters
Time to go to war

Ever want to be free?
Do you even remember?
Want to be God and devil like me? * (this too has been all of us at some point)
Ever want to just stop?
Do you want to surrender?
Or fight for victory?

Here we are at the start, I can feel the beating of our
hearts
Here we are at the start…

Darkness falls, here comes the rain to wash away the
past and the names
Darkness falls, here comes the rain to end it all, the
blood and the game

Far, far away in a land that time can’t change
Long, long ago in a place of hearts and ghosts

This is a call to arms, gather soldiers
Time to go to war (Far, far away…)
This is a battle song, brothers and sisters
Time to go to war (Long, long ago…)
This is a call to arms, gather soldiers
Time to go to war (Far, far away…)
This is a battle song, brothers and sisters
Time to go to war

This is a call to arms, This is a battle song,

Draw your own conclusions..I have drawn mine… and with that , a line in the sand.

Distractions

I have had an incredibly great day.. Nothing spectacular as far as events go – but just focused. Today was spent 100% with my wife and kids and some much-needed time together – A day swimming and enjoying the summer weather and then a great dinner out tonight. While we were at dinner I had one of those moments when everything around you stops and you have the unique opportunity to just take it all in… Knowing that even though there was no special  reason , this day would be memorable above others..
My son had just made us all laugh (no surprise there) when I noticed a woman sitting caddy corner a cross from us with her family. She as well as her family were very well dressed and clearly well taken care of… They were what nearly anyone would consider “Happy” by the worlds standards based on their appearance alone . I noticed her because she was watching what was happening at our table , not that she was rudely staring – but she seemed to be admiring the “moment” that we were having. Judging by the look on her face ,she may have even been admiring all the previous moments because as I have already said – Today was one of those days. Whatever the circumstance , she seemed to be enjoying watching us enjoy ourselves…
After our food came and we were all involved in our meal , I looked back up only to notice her with a much different look on her face. While she was watching us , she was smiling pleasantly as if she could just imagine what we were laughing about – but now she seemed to be lost in her beverage… and it dawned on me why. As I looked at her table , I noticed that her husband and 2 out of her 3 children were all fully engaged in their mobile devices and certainly not engaged with one another. Noticing this prompted me to then look around the restaurant only to realize the sad truth that almost every table had at LEAST one family member sucked in to their phone and COMPLETELY disconnected from the rest of the table….
Distracted and Disinterested = DISCONNECTED
The truth is , no matter how sad and true this is – I have also been guilty of this..  and I was wrong…
How many “moments” have I lost due to distraction? How many moments have I been RIGHT THERE and yet  a million miles away? ..too many to count I’m sure – but how lucky am I to realize it  now and make sure that I DON’T lose any more?
The connection that we have with our families is a direct reflection of our connection with God.
If we are willing to forsake the time with our Spouses and Children who we claim to be the “Loves of our lives” , how much more have we forsaken to our God the REAL love of our life? I mean , if we can completely ignore the most important people in our lives with them sitting RIGHT next to us , how much more have we neglected time spent with our Creator?  I can only look back in wonder at how many opportunities I have missed to spend with my God in prayer , or have many opportunities I have missed to honor him with my example because I was distracted when I should have been attentive – and a host of other missed moments… The bottom line is  that I have not made the best use of the time given and I myself MUST DO BETTER..
Ephesians 5:16 says”Make  the best use of the time, because the days are evil”… It is my prayer tonight that we ALL  do so. We are not promised tomorrow , much less the next minute.. I hope that we all recognize the value in each moment that passes enough to not let them become regrets ,but rather  memories.
I have heard it said that “Each passing moment is another opportunity to turn it all around” …Such a powerful saying that  not only embodies the urgency for seizing the moment ,but for starting fresh when we realize we have let too many slip from us… Don’t let the devil take another on from you.
Psalm 103:15-19
15“As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17  But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18  to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19  The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

The invitation to study the bible is STILL open to all…. 

If you invite the Devil to a fight...

… He’s gonna show up.
A good friend told me this a couple of weeks ago as I was in the midst of the worst week of one of the best months of this year so far. As I read that back , it sounds absolutely ridiculous ,but its also absolutely true.
Today is April the 30th . In the last 30 days I have had the opportunity to preach the Gospel 4 times at 3 different congregations in 2 different states and heard 1 outstanding sermon from a young Christian as I visited 1 another congregation just last night. While most would agree that the preacher is the one doing the encouraging, I have been encouraged more than I can express by the audience at each place. In addition to these moments I also was approached by a willing heart looking for truth in the scriptures and have a study with him later this week… Spiritually speaking - this month has been incredible . In losing myself in service to God , I found in myself both Strength and Peace.. This service no doubt was an invitation to the enemy to fight… and he showed up.
And although I have never been a materialistic person , its amazing the stress that losing or paralyzing the “necessities” of life can bring in to your life. As much as I wish it wasn’t , money is a necessity  , it is  - and the Devil knows this. Financial hits aside , I was also involved in a wreck  that not only cost me additional money -but also a week of work… again more loss of wages. I think anyone can identify with the stress that unexpected financial surprises can cause in every facet of your life ,and I like everyone else am not immune to the pressures of these…
But the devil didn’t win.. he threw me the punches and through trust in my God , prayer and the generosity of others  - I was able to roll with them…
Keith -1  / Satan -0
So for now - I have made it though and look forward to the beginning of a new month and look forward to both it’s challenges AND rewards. We are only affected by what we allow to affect us , and I for one have been showed grace ,mercy,generosity and favor and affect by ALL of them.
The most important things to take away from this best worst month is the lessons that God allowed me to learn - that being a Good Steward is MORE than just being frugal ,that being a Good Servant is MORE than serving,but allowing yourself to ALSO be served , and first and foremost that TRUSTING HIM is more important than all of these. Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, THEN I am strong.”…
…and so AM I.
read 1 Peter 5:8 and 1 Corinthians 10:13
Have a great one people   ;)