Not Ourselves

Not Ourselves

I will not ever apologize for expressing my beliefs and thoughts. I will, however, clarify the motivation and intent behind those expressions of thought.I have strong beliefs, built upon observations, study and pretty reasonable (IMHO) inferences of the world cultures, history, and the world around us. And yet those beliefs are not intended to be separating and dividing walls, but a means to communicate the very concepts and ideas that should be connecting and unifying us. Almost all of them boil down to these two ideals:

1) We are here to bring honor and glory to the one we worship, NOT ourselves.
2) We ARE here to serve others, NOT ourselves.

For example, for some, what you worship is an ideal. Whether that ideal … Click to Continue

When words are not enough…

I had a pretty important exchange with my boy today.

It was prompted by an evening spent in frustration, the night before, as he tried to cram a weeks worth of homework into a four hour span. This, despite my warnings during the week. He and I had discussed and agreed that this work was to be completed before bedtime Friday evening (10:30 this particular Friday, since there wasn’t anywhere to be in the morning). We looked at how much work he had left from his summer break and he determined he definitely had enough time in the next 5 days to complete it all. He gave his word that it would be completed or that he would not have a … Click to Continue

Caleb Strong Men’s Challenge: Love on your families.

This is my anniversary weekend. I am a blessed man, but I am only blessed because of Jesus’s example and Peter’s challenge to us. ‎1 Peter 3:7 – … husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman …, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV)  

Over 20 years ago, I met my wife and fell in love. I asked get to marry me back then and she told me to ask again later. It took 15 + years to ask again. She finally said yes. Four years together, and we have faced many challenges and adventures together, including a move across the … Click to Continue

Who is in control?

In my morning quiet time, I came upon this passage.

Then Job answered the LORD and said,  “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge ?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Hear, now, and I will speak ; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear ; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”- Job 42:1-6

As I read these words, they spoke to me and I fealt compelled to remind all … Click to Continue