One could conclude by virtue of my blog tag name...I like food. If one pie is good, then two pies are better. Having this type of love affair with all things edible has made my once rock hard (yeah, right!) body...well, let's just say I'm a bit softer than I was in my 20's and 30's. Anyway, I have been on a quest to get into better shape and use the time that I walk and workout to talk to God. I am so blessed that God answers us.
As I hit the road this morning I was going to God with a particular issue that I have currently in my life...the issue of doubt. Now, the issue is not one of me doubting God per se, but of me doubting myself and the place where He has me at this point of my life. I often find myself asking God, "Am I doing it right?" and "Are you sure I'm in the right place, Lord?" and, " Are you sure you have the right guy, Lord? 'Cause I sure don't see anything happening!" Such was the case this morning. Doubt was eating me up and I was, once again questioning God's wisdom. Needless to say...God didn't answer me...right then.
I returned home, showered and just before leaving for the office I decided to check my email. In my inbox was a email from a co-worker with various bits of information on it. The final sentence was a thank you to those people that had helped in the many different events that are going on at my church. It was the last sentence that God chose to use to speak to me. The sentence said, " Your true reward will only be revealed in Heaven". I stopped reading...God had gotten my attention.
Remember when we were kids and we would pluck someone on the ear? (Maybe you were the pluckee rather than the plucker!) Well, God plucked me!
God's Holy Spirit brought to remembrance a certain scripture...1 Corinthians 3:5-9 that reads:
5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. (NLT)
God uses whatever He wants to get us to see exactly what He needs us to see. In this case He used a email to get me around to where He wanted me.
You see, it's all about just doing whatever it is God created you to do. Often times we get so caught up in seeing results that we miss the fact that sometimes the things we do right now will not show any results at all until much, much later. Not only that, but things we go through, good and bad, are sometimes meant for someone other than ourselves. I had been so focused on seeing something happen in the ministry where God has placed me that I lost sight of the fact that it is God that grows not TwoPieMike!
We are gardeners. Gardeners do what they do...they garden...planting seeds, watering soil...but the sun is what produces growth. Ever see a plant that received only water and no sunlight? Did it grow into a healthy, lush plant? Bet it was more sickly if it even grew at all!
We are God's gardeners...we plant seeds (God's word), water the soil (preach, teach and encourage) but, it is the Son that produces growth. No matter how much we want growth...none will occur until God's Son shines down and gives the growth producing Light. Any growth that takes place after the planting and watering is due to God and only God. The fruit that is produced is not for us or our glory...but, for God. What we have to look forward to is a jeweled crown that we are able to lay at our Father's feet.
Like I said, I am so thankful that God speaks to us when we talk to him...and when I think about it...I like being a gardener. No doubt about it...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
A renewed passion
I saw my 19 year old son today. He has been in Georgia for the past week or so...visiting his mother and other relatives...getting prepared to leave for Marine Corps recruit training very soon. It absolutely blows me away when I look at him and realize what he is on the verge of doing. I was talking to him...the usual father-son advice conversation. I was telling him that he needed to be consistent in his physical training preparation so that he will have one less thing to worry about when he gets to Parris Island, SC. As I was sharing with him I was struck by the fact that I suddenly felt so very old. I mean...I used to be the one my sons looked to when they wanted to see a strong, virile, able bodied man...I used to be the one that set the physical fitness example for them...now, here I was...8 years retired and I was telling my middle son that I wished I could get out and run with him. As the thought hit me I was (and still am) immediately humbled. It was at this point that I made a vow to my son...I promised him that when he comes home from boot camp after his graduation I would run with him. I guess watching him go through all of this preparation, getting a new glimpse made me long to get closer to him...what better way than to run along side of him.
Ain't it funny how our earthly life sometimes parallels our spiritual life? Often times during our walk with Christ we get out of shape spiritually. We slow down in our exercising (reading scripture, prayer time, fellowship, worship) or in some cases we stop altogether. But we, just like any young man or woman getting ready for boot camp, must be consistent in our training. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." How much more important is our spiritual training? We are called to be in spiritual shape so we can help others. Do we hit the spiritual gym with gusto? Or do we fall back into bad habits and become spiritual couch potatoes?
But then something wonderful happens...God loves us so much that he gives us a glimpse of His glory...His magnificence...and that vision serves to reignite the fire in our own soul and makes us long to get back into shape so that we may run along side of our master.
So, today, right now I sit here with a renewed passion for fitness...I have a renewed longing to get back into shape...physically...for my son...and spiritually...for the love of my Father....care to run with me?
Ain't it funny how our earthly life sometimes parallels our spiritual life? Often times during our walk with Christ we get out of shape spiritually. We slow down in our exercising (reading scripture, prayer time, fellowship, worship) or in some cases we stop altogether. But we, just like any young man or woman getting ready for boot camp, must be consistent in our training. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." How much more important is our spiritual training? We are called to be in spiritual shape so we can help others. Do we hit the spiritual gym with gusto? Or do we fall back into bad habits and become spiritual couch potatoes?
But then something wonderful happens...God loves us so much that he gives us a glimpse of His glory...His magnificence...and that vision serves to reignite the fire in our own soul and makes us long to get back into shape so that we may run along side of our master.
So, today, right now I sit here with a renewed passion for fitness...I have a renewed longing to get back into shape...physically...for my son...and spiritually...for the love of my Father....care to run with me?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Location, location, location
Been doing a study with some great young people for the past month or so. It's called, "Red Revolution" and it deals with how we as Christ followers have for far too long looked at the world through tinted lenses rather than through the same lens as Jesus. Well, recently while pondering some of the comments and discussions that have come from this study, God laid it on my heart that our lives are based on 4 locations...up, out, here and there.
Jesus called us all to do something...and what He called us to do is more important than anything else...love God with everything in us (Matt 22:37-38). Then we have to do something else that Christ said is equally as important...love each other (Matt 22:39). He said that everything is hinged on these two locales...up and out. Later, Jesus gives us a job to do. He tells us that we have to go out into our neighborhoods and to all nations and preach the Gospel to everybody no matter who or what they are (Matt 28:18-20). We are to do this on His authority...authority that is given to Him from His Father. We are to go, make, baptize, teach and remember...here and there.
Now, I don't know where you are at in your walk with God...but, I do know where our focus should be...up, out, here and there....so, where are you at?
Jesus called us all to do something...and what He called us to do is more important than anything else...love God with everything in us (Matt 22:37-38). Then we have to do something else that Christ said is equally as important...love each other (Matt 22:39). He said that everything is hinged on these two locales...up and out. Later, Jesus gives us a job to do. He tells us that we have to go out into our neighborhoods and to all nations and preach the Gospel to everybody no matter who or what they are (Matt 28:18-20). We are to do this on His authority...authority that is given to Him from His Father. We are to go, make, baptize, teach and remember...here and there.
Now, I don't know where you are at in your walk with God...but, I do know where our focus should be...up, out, here and there....so, where are you at?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Is it just me?
I had a very...unique experience in a local store yesterday. Now I won't mention the name of the store but it rhymes with "Balsmart". Anyway...I had to go into this particular store to get some cold and flu remedies for members of the family. Of course I, like most men, go into a store and get into full hunter mode. I know what prey I am after (in this case...Tylenol, Motrin, orange juice and Gatorade). I quickly stalk my prey (shop), kill my prey (put stuff into cart), and then I am ready to drag my prey away to my lair (pay for stuff and take home).
Now being that I had only a few items, I chose to get into one of the "speedy" 20 items or less lines. There were a few ahead of me but, since I am continuously asking God for increased patience, I figured that the wait would be good for me. While I stood waiting to be cashed out I couldn't help overhearing the lady in front of me converse with some other people that she obviously knew. I gathered through the conversation that the woman was a school teacher. Now here is the rub...
The woman finished her conversation with her friends because it was her turn to place her items on the checkout belt. I casually watched her doing this and it dawned on me...she had a lot more items than the requisite 20...I mean A LOT MORE! In fact, she had a cart full of stuff! Now, don't ask me why I didn't notice before that she was pushin' a cart that was overflowing. Maybe I was too tired to notice, or maybe my mind was on my ailing family...whatever the case, the fact remained that somehow her 20 had multiplied while sitting in her cart into 60. It was amazing...but, somehow not as amazing as the next thing that I realized...SHE WAS A TEACHER!
You know, it's been a long time since I have been in school, college notwithstanding. However, I do seem to remember that teachers, at least back in my day, ( and I ain't that old!) tried to set the example for others to follow. I also seem to recall that most teachers had the ability to count and follow simple directions!
Now, I am not judging the woman and I never said a word. I waited for her to cash out, was pleasant with the cashier, paid for my stuff and left. I never was really upset at all...but, is it just me that gets frustrated at the wanton inconsiderate attitude that some people have for others? I understand that maybe she was in a hurry...we all are often in a hurry. But, does the fact that she is in a hurry make my time less valuable?
I guess that all I am trying to say is this...we are all here on this big ol' marble and have been appointed by Christ himself to love each other. Showing love for others can be done in many ways...sometimes great big ways like giving a kidney or donating a home...sometimes it's having a kind word or sharing a hug...and sometimes it's something as simple as being considerate of others in the smallest of ways...like getting into the correct line at the store and waiting your proper turn. (Taking the empty shopping cart and putting it back where it was gotten from would be nice too!)
Patience? Yeah, I guess God is still working that particular character trait out in me...but, I'm gettin' better y'all...I am getting better!
Now being that I had only a few items, I chose to get into one of the "speedy" 20 items or less lines. There were a few ahead of me but, since I am continuously asking God for increased patience, I figured that the wait would be good for me. While I stood waiting to be cashed out I couldn't help overhearing the lady in front of me converse with some other people that she obviously knew. I gathered through the conversation that the woman was a school teacher. Now here is the rub...
The woman finished her conversation with her friends because it was her turn to place her items on the checkout belt. I casually watched her doing this and it dawned on me...she had a lot more items than the requisite 20...I mean A LOT MORE! In fact, she had a cart full of stuff! Now, don't ask me why I didn't notice before that she was pushin' a cart that was overflowing. Maybe I was too tired to notice, or maybe my mind was on my ailing family...whatever the case, the fact remained that somehow her 20 had multiplied while sitting in her cart into 60. It was amazing...but, somehow not as amazing as the next thing that I realized...SHE WAS A TEACHER!
You know, it's been a long time since I have been in school, college notwithstanding. However, I do seem to remember that teachers, at least back in my day, ( and I ain't that old!) tried to set the example for others to follow. I also seem to recall that most teachers had the ability to count and follow simple directions!
Now, I am not judging the woman and I never said a word. I waited for her to cash out, was pleasant with the cashier, paid for my stuff and left. I never was really upset at all...but, is it just me that gets frustrated at the wanton inconsiderate attitude that some people have for others? I understand that maybe she was in a hurry...we all are often in a hurry. But, does the fact that she is in a hurry make my time less valuable?
I guess that all I am trying to say is this...we are all here on this big ol' marble and have been appointed by Christ himself to love each other. Showing love for others can be done in many ways...sometimes great big ways like giving a kidney or donating a home...sometimes it's having a kind word or sharing a hug...and sometimes it's something as simple as being considerate of others in the smallest of ways...like getting into the correct line at the store and waiting your proper turn. (Taking the empty shopping cart and putting it back where it was gotten from would be nice too!)
Patience? Yeah, I guess God is still working that particular character trait out in me...but, I'm gettin' better y'all...I am getting better!
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