pressing on

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14 (New International Version )

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Sometimes we forget that goals are things even Jesus and Paul needed - So why would it be any different for us? Obviously, they had some very specific goals that they worked towards their whole life, like dying on the cross, and getting to heaven.

As I approach 40, I'm feeling the need for some very specific goals as well, and not just ones that I can have tommorow. Here are some I'd like to attain before I end my 40th year here on earth:

1. Help another seattle couple become christians
2. See my kids start desiring their own relationship with God (praying and quiet times)
3. Complete an Ironman race
4. Climb Mt Rainier
5. Climb Notchtop Mountain's Spiral Route in winter
6. Reach my goal weight (170)
7. Traverse Olympic National Park by Foot

We'll see how many we get done - maybe there will be others?

Point is, goals are good, and you need to strive to attain them, or they wouldn't be goals...

as iron sharpens...

As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another. *

It was great to have my buddy Craig give me a call last night. It reminded me how easy it is to get off track and try to do everything on your own. A few friends of mine (including Craig) had a standing appointment on Thursday nights to meet at a coffee shop and discuss how things were going spiritually.

When we met, we usually had a great time, and it presented a great opportunity to get some discipling and input into our lives. The problem is, and has happened at other times in the past, out of site, out of mind, right? Over time, we started meeting less and less, until the point that I can't remember the last time I went over and had coffee with them.

God's word is full of warnings and encouragement about brothers helping each other spiritually, and yet it's our nature to want to do it all ourselves.



Thanks Craig, for the reminder - and I'll see you Thursday !

* Proverbs 27:17 New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

that old time religion

Whatever happend to those zealous college students I went to school with? That was the definition of 'Old Time Religion' as far as I'm concerned. I'm not sure exactly what happend...we grew up, I guess.

I think we still have those fires in our hearts. We still love God, we still love the fellowship, and though we might not admit it, I think we still love the commitment. I think what we can fail to realize is that commitment is a matter of the heart, not just the body.

' Although he did not remove the high places, Asa's heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life. ' - Kings 15:14

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Asa could have done more... and yet God saw that his heart was fully committed, and that's what God looks at. I suppose that's why we need to gaurd our hearts above a things, because in the end, I want God to be able to say the same about me as he did about Asa - commited to the Lord all his life....

i can only imagine...

I was listening to 105.3 this morning and that song came on. It is interesting to think about what it might be like to meet God face to face. A little scary, a little exciting... who knows?

I always thought it was a little dorky when people would say they 'felt' God's presence, or felt God move... always seemed a little to non-scientific for me. I suppose though, I enjoy praying in the early morning before the hustle and bustle of city life starts up, or when it's snowing, or when I'm out in the woods... because I 'feel' closer to God. It's quiet, it's just me, maybe this is what they are talking about?

I suppose I hope it will be like that when I meet God. Peaceful; maybe on a mountain top, or a trail through the woods, quite and serene - just walking with God. That's how I picture Enoch being taken up -

"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."

Genesis 5:24 (New International Version)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

crouching at your door...

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." - Genesis 4:7

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

It seems so easy to go back to old ways. For me, it's even easier after I've made a commitment to really change something. That really seems to be the ideal time for the powers of darkness to get a good hold. The more I look back at times that I've repeated sins I've thought that I've conquered, the more I realize they happen after big decisions or turning points I've made.

Not surprising that I had troubles last night and this morning keeping my thoughts spiritual - even failed to have my quiet time this morning - the day after I decided I was going to turn it all around :(

Hopefully I'll be watching a little more for what's crouching at my door tomorrow...