Can you Dig it?

The story is told of a young man who began to dig a hole. For no apparent reason that anyone could figure out he was just determined that he was going to dig a hole. He dug for days and as people passed him, they asked him, “What are you doing? Why are you digging this hole?” He just replied in frustration and anger and said, “Listen…I know what I’m doing!!!” Day after day he continued to dig, until the hole was so deep around him, that he could no longer climb out.

Now he is stuck. He is stuck in hole that he dug for himself.

As he realizes his hopeless state, he humbles himself and cries out for help. “Somebody please help me!!! Help!!! Help!!!”

Imagine now that you are one of those people that passed him every day and tried to warn him about the eventual dilemma that he would face if he continued with carrying out his mission to dig that hole. Would you scold him? Would you ask him how he eventually got stuck in that hole or would you reach out your hand without passing judgment to help him at the time when he needed it most?



Galatians 6:1-5 speaks to this situation:



1 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. 2 Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. 3 If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. 4 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. 5 Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. (The Message Bible)

What is the cost of your help? Does your help come with self- righteous/demeaning criticism or life giving encouragement? When people are hurting or find themselves in a seemingly “hopeless hole” the last thing that they need is to be broken down even more. They need LOVE. Love doesn’t mean that we encourage others to continue to do the wrong thing, just to say that we support them. Love reaches out a hand to the fallen and offers to share their burden and partner with them as they walk the path of restoration and redemption.

We must also remember that we are not called to pull everybody out of their pits. Sometimes our friends and family need to stay in the pit until they realize that they need God, are called for a higher state of living and are willing to come out of their darkness and into the light of the Love of God. Too many times we waste our time, talent and treasure trying to help those who just want to get out of a situation without addressing the reasons and choices that they made that resulted in the situation. That is like helping that guy out of the hole, just so that he can begin to dig a bigger one right next to it. We aren’t helping…we are hindering God’s work.

We all need help and we all need to be willing to help others…without passing judgment and without a sense of self-righteousness. If not for the grace of God, we would be the one’s crying out from our self-made “holes of life”, so let us all be sensitive to the struggles of others and ask for wisdom and love to be the guiding forces that lead us to help those that are crying out.

Who is crying out for your help today?

Be Blessed,

B

Going Camping!!!

“Let’s leave the luxuries of home behind, pack our bags and go camping!!!” These are words that I have never uttered nor will I probably ever do so (smiles). I appreciate the outdoors, but I’m not big on creepy bugs or sneaky snakes. On top of that, I have a funny suspicion that a bear or a pack of wolves might “stumble upon” me in the middle of the night, so I would probably find it hard to sleep. I’m a “city man”. “The Great Outdoors” is a great place to visit, but I won’t be setting up camp there. I would feel out of place…uncomfortable…awkward. It would never feel like “home”.

I must also remind myself that I am not “home” in this world. I’m just a visitor camping out for a short part of eternity. I was not created to be “comfortable” with my current state of existence nor with the dominant messages within the world’s culture. My life’s mission is not to amass as many material possessions or as much worldly esteem as possible. That would leave my life both empty and meaningless. Too many have already compromised their souls, their families, their marriages, etc. in their relentless pursuit of wealth, power and fame.

We can’t get cozy with thoughts, images and actions that are in direct conflict with righteousness, truth and love. God put in us “uneasiness” about life, a desire to make a difference, a desire to complete a mission. In order to complete our mission, we can’t get caught up in the initiatives of the world at the expense of our souls and to the detriment of one day hearing “mission complete”.

Comfort can be the enemy of action. When we are comfortable, we accept things as they are and we are not moved to act. When we are too comfortable, we tend to be self-centered and are not compelled to commit action with compassion. As children of the Most High, we must recognize that in a world where so many people are not comfortable in their life situations (jobs, marriages, relationships etc.), our “comfort/coziness” makes us numb to the struggles of others and actually pushes them away from pursuing a relationship with God.

In my experience, what attracts people to God as the best option is the love that they have experienced from Him through His Children. This Love is a Love that is identified by our actions.

Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (The Message Bible)

Take a look at your life. Are you so entrenched in the world that you have made the “ways of the world” your home? Are you so comfortable that you are not pursuing your purpose? Does your life reflect Love of God in how you actively participate in the lives of those who are hurting and feel rejected?

If you have “made yourself at home” on the campgrounds of ungodliness and selfishness, it is time to decamp. Pack up and relocate to an area that God directs you to so that your life can be an instrument that He can use to enhance the Kingdom. Ask Him to lead you as you take inventory and make decisions about who and what you should take along with you for the journey.

Are you ready to go camping?

Be Blessed!

B

WHO IS BEHIND THE WHEEL???

Have you every stopped for a moment and wondered…




• How in the world did I get here?

• Where am I going?

• What a “mess” my situation is?



As we navigate through life’s ups and downs, winding roads, detours, roadblocks, exit ramps, road hazards etc., we occasionally have moments of clarity where we look up through the traffic jams of life and wonder how we arrived at the point which we find ourselves. Some of us are lost…Some of us are pretending to be on track when we really have no idea where to go…Some of us think that if we keep heading in the direction we are going eventually “things will work out”…Some us are headed full speed down the road totally ignoring the “Bridge is Out” signs along the way. Where do you find yourself?



Many of us are in a mess and we have never stopped to think about where it all started. I have found that when I’m “lost” on the road of life and I find myself discombobulated, it is usually because I released the wheel and allowed myself to be led by people with “no sense of direction” or allowed circumstances to dictate my destiny. Letting go of the wheel is a choice. The more we get comfortable allowing “others” to drive, the farther we will drift from the road that we should be on.



God has provided us with the power and the wisdom to navigate our journey, but we must follow his roadmap when it comes to making decisions concerning our relationship with Him and concerning how we interact with each other. Nobody can steer you wrong unless you willingly give up your wheel (will). We are off course by choice, so to get back on course it requires a choice.



• Stop and ask God for Direction.

• Don’t ignore the signs along the way.

• Take back the “Wheel”

• Consult with those who have travelled the same road that you are supposed to be on.



Isaiah 30:20-21”…Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: "This is the right road. Walk down this road." Message Bible.



God takes no pleasure in seeing us wondering around lost. Take back the “wheel” (your will) from whomever you have allowed to lead and guide you along the wrong path. Listen to God’s voice. Stop and take a full assessment of where you are and how you got to where you are. If you find that you are lost, this is the perfect time to allow God, the Ultimate Navigator, to “re-route” you.



Be Blessed,

B

Lost in the Crowd

As a child, I was taught that there is safety in numbers. In case of an emergency or if you are in an unfamiliar place, stay with the crowd and you’ll be safe. I used this strategy for survival during many times. There was a sense of safety and security at times. There has also been a sense of chaos as sometimes a crowd can change into a mob. A crowd can become deadly when a threat surfaces and the crowd disburses. At times, the crowd can be a dangerous place to “hide”.

The whole idea of safety in the crowd came to mind as I was watching the Discovery Channel recently. It was the “Big Cat” series and this particular segment that I caught was about how lions hunt. It amazes me every time I get a chance to watch lions because they are very skilled in their attacks. From a distance, a small group of lions sits and observes a large group/pack of their prey. Out of a “crowd” of thousands of animals, the lions can pick out the “easiest” prey (the wounded, the famished, the very young and the very old). Once they lock in on the most vulnerable, they, ignoring the crowd, attack for full force.

It amazes me that while the prey far outnumber the predator, the crowd rarely works together to protect those who need it the most. Those that are weak get lost in the crowd and instead of finding safety, they are “sacrificed”.

As it is in nature, so it is in life. Our enemy is described as a hungry lion. 1 Peter 5:8 Amplified Bible says,” Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour."



Just as the lions we see in nature, I believe that he looks out into our “crowds” and seeks out those who are weak, unaware, and comfortable… in other words “hiding their weakness in the crowd”. Our enemy is a master hunter, so the crowds won’t save you. You must be on guard at all times and find strength as a result of the power of God that is within you. In the midst of the crowd, you can’t be aware of the external enemies that are preparing to “pounce” on you and you must understand that when the attack comes, the crowd no matter how large, WILL scatter.

What crowd are you hiding in? Is it the crowd of religion? Is it the crowd of finances? Is it the crowd of “friends” and associates? What crowd are you hiding in that has allowed you to get comfortable? In addition, are you doing what is required of you to protect and to assist those in the “crowd” who are weak?

Comfort leads to complacency and complacency leads to death, because if you are not growing, then you are dying. We must live in a cautious and vigilant manner.

Stop hiding in the crowds, strengthen yourself through the power of God that He has deposited within you so that you will not be an “easy meal” for the starving lion. There is no safety in the crowd unless you are surrounded by the very power and presence of God.

It’s time for a little crowd control…Who is in your crowd?

Be Blessed,

B

Beware of the Dog!!!

It was one of those archetypal spring mornings. The sky was clear and powdery blue. The birds were performing their customary Spring Morning Concert and God turned the Sun on “pre-heat”, to begin to heat up the Earth. Life was good. What a great start to a blessing filled day. I went through my usual routine and then headed out to work.

As I began my drive to work, I lowered the windows to let in the fresh air. Traffic was light so I was able to observe my surroundings a little more than usual. Suddenly I began to hear what sounded like a huge dog belting out in a very deep, consistent and constant barking. It was the kind of barking that seemed to convey, that whoever came near him, would be in for the fight of his/her lives. It was a “Cujoesque” bark. It was almost hellish in its sound and intensity.

As I got closer, my curiosity grew because I wanted to see what this dog, that was making such a fuss, looked like. From a distance I was finally able to see the canine and it was HUGE. He stood at the top of a hill on “his lawn”. His apparent rage was triggered, by a man who had come to a complete halt on the walkway that ran in front of the dog’s unfenced yard. I saw the man’s fear as he looked up at the dog as it seemingly taunted him and dared him to come closer. The dog circled, jumped and kicked in anticipation of a face off. As a result, the man “backtracked” in an effort to avoid the perceived threat. As I got closer and drove pass to dog, I was able to see something that the man could not see from where he was standing. This vicious dog was securely chained to a large tree in the yard and while it appeared that he was free to attack at will, he was bound by a thick steel chain.

As we journey along the “walkways” of life, we will face many intimidating circumstances, people and schemes of the enemy. We may even have goals and dreams that are intimidating. We must always remember that God has promised to provide and to protect those who are walking in His will. When speaking of those with the heart of God, Psalms 41:2 says, ”The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.”

From a human perspective, many times what initially appears to be a “dangerous” “out of control” challenge in our lives is just opportunity for God to demonstrate His Sovereignty. It does however take faith and the audacity to take God at His Word. God has all power, all wisdom and His will is just and is fulfilled through Love.

We must walk in faith in order to see the enemy for who the enemy ultimately is….a defeated foe. We must walk in confidence past those who stand between us and our dreams and God’s plans for us. We must be aware of the “dangers” around us but not allow those challenges to “turn us around” and return to the “safe comfortable and familiar places” where we came from.

Too many people run at the first sign of danger or challenge and revert to what is comfortable. GROWTH NEVER OCCURS IN THE COMFORT ZONE!!! When I think over my life, the times I grew were times when I had to exercise my faith and trust God’s Sovereignty over my life and my circumstances. In my comfort zone, I’m comfortable and my tendency is to rely on myself. Life was never meant to be lived in a permanent comfort zone. We must face our “Big Barking Dogs”, and walk just long enough and allow God to elevate us enough so that we can see that the “Big Dog” that we feared is being restrained by the Power of the Most High.

Don’t allow your fears, your circumstances or your challenges to turn you around on the “walkway of life” on which God has placed you. Ask God to open your eyes and to give you His perspective so that you can see that the enemy can not harm you because God is your ultimate protector and He is the author and sustainer of your life.

Don’t Turn Back!!! Keep Walking!!!

Be Blessed,

B

My Walk #1

Today’s Themes

• Personal-Presenting myself as a Living Sacrifice

• Spousal-Specific acts of service to my wife are a way of serving God

• Parental-A loving attitude coupled with compassion will lead them to God

Scripture Reference:

Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified) 1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

My Thoughts:

Personal-I was bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:19-20). My body is the Temple of God. Any act that I commit is committed in the very presence of God’s esteemed dwelling place (the Holy of Holies). If I wouldn’t commit the act in the sanctuary of God, I should not participate in the act at all. My Body doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to God. This World (the present Age) wants to enslave me be means of its way of thinking (self-centered). God has freed me so that I can serve Him by humbling myself. Conforming to this age is when my outward actions don’t jive with my inward change. Transformation is allowing my outward appearance to reflect the inward workings of the Holy Spirit. This occurs by my relentless pursuit of moral perfection as I attempt to become a perfect sacrifice to God. It is only logical that I dedicate a life of service to Him as a result of the price that He paid to usher me into redemption. My redemption is holistic (mind, body, soul, heart and spirit). The only evidence of an inward change is outward action. Self-Control and Acts of Service are evidence of God’s residence within me.

Spousal-God has given me a spouse that He uses to help shape and mold me into the image of His Son. Before I can serve the world, I must be a successful “servant” at home. Holiness begins at home. How I interact with my wife is a clear reflection of my willingness to be transformed into the image of God. Laying down my life as the Son of God did is key. My time, my energy, my dreams, my plans, my talents etc. must include or be offered to my wife as a sacrifice. Love exists in the presence of sacrifice, so I must give “of me” in honor and for the sake of “WE”. It is not about what she does for me. It is about my commitment to God to demonstrate His Love to His precious “daughter”.

Parental-One of the ways God helps me transform into His image is through my interactions with my kids. A loving attitude and compassionate service balanced with discipline are more effective than a stern and critical approach. Children’s first exposure to the nature of God comes from their parental relationships. God’s desire is to be their Father (and Lord) and my relationship with them will help them to grasp that idea. God is also love and is Holy, so I must serve my kids and openly pursue moral perfection in front of them. They must recognize that the world (this age) wants them to conform or make them mask or hide their inner change, but God’s desire is to transform them. My life must be this example to them. My actions must match my words, my commitment and my change.

Be Blessed,

B

The Backroads

My commute to work is generally uneventful. Most of my commute takes me through several “backroads” that span across a wooded park area. I’ve memorized the hills and mastered the curves like the back of my hand and I often pretend as if was “Speed Racer” as I dash through the “natural” track that is produced by the ascents, descents and twists of the landscape the roads rest upon. The backroads are all one lane in either direction. Rarely does anyone pass another commuter on the road because there really aren’t many safe areas to pass, so the car that is in front of you when you enter the “backroads” is generally the same car the is in front of you when you exit the “backroads”.

On this particular day, I entered “the track” behind a late model Black S Class Mercedes. As we trekked though the rollercoaster-like trail, I began to mentally prepare for my day. I rehearsed the tasks, meetings and projects of the day in my mind. I also traveled though my mental archives, to make sure that I had all of the essentials that I needed to survive the day…my wallet, my lunch, my portfolio, my IPOD etc. I visualized myself completing my tasks and I imagined myself dashing back home in the opposite direction on these same “back roads” at the end of the day. My mind was racing faster then I was able to drive.

About 15 minutes passed and as I approached the traffic circle at the end of the “back-roads”, I looked ahead of me in disbelief. “WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED!?!?” No longer was the Black Benz in front of me. There was now a Ford Escort immediately in front of me and the Range Rover was directly in front of the Escort. There were now two vehicles between me and the Benz and I had no idea where they came from. I was so caught-up in thinking about other “things” that I totally missed the fact that two vehicles somehow made their way between me and the car that was entered my journey with. I was driving in a state of unawareness.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (MSG) says, “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

If we are not focused on what is ahead, on our purpose, on God’s plans for our lives and specifically on following the lead of God, we may look up one day or open our eyes from “sleeping at the wheel” and find out that we have allowed other things to come between us and God, between us and our spouses, between us and our ministries, between us and our personal relationships, between us and our ability to love and ultimately between our lives as they currently exist and the state that God desires for them to exist.

As you travel on the “backroads” of your life, take a look at who is in front of you. Is it the “vehicle” that you started with, or have you allowed yourself to become sidetracked and have you let so many “distractions” come between you and the “lead car” that you can no longer even see the “Benz” that you were once tailgating.

We must guard our hearts and focus straight ahead and not allow “evil” to have a foothold in our lives. For where your heart is, your mind and body will eventually follow. GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS!!!!

On the “road of life” God encourages us to “tailgate” as He leads us. Follow Him as closely as possible and make NO ALLOWANCES for distractions along the way.

If you can’t see the “Benz” from your current position because you have “let too many other drivers get over”, it is time to put the pedal to the metal, cut them off and retake your proper position. God has not left you. He is waiting for you to take your proper position (right behind Him).

Who are you following along the “backroads” of your life…The Benz or The Escort???

Be Blessed,

B