The Simple Truth

Scariest Blog Post Ever

This is undoubtedly the scariest blog post I've ever written. Why? In a word, ACCOUNTABILITY! Yep, I'm putting myself out there and making myself accountable to all my blog readers (all two of you).

For years now the Lord has been bugging me about writing more. I've dabbled in it off and on and even had some articles published. However, I've sensed the need to do more, to go bigger.  I've tried to ignore these promptings. I've squashed them at every turn. I've come up with every excuse imaginable (usually centered around time) for why I can't make writing a larger part of my life / routine. Finally, at the beginning of 2012 I made a commitment to write more regularly. Upon returning from India at the end of January I put my plan into action.  Here's how I'm incorporating writing into my weekly routine...

Several years ago (it feels like a lifetime ago) I actually ran a marathon (26.2 miles). The race was of course grueling, but the training was the hardest part. While training for a marathon your life revolves around when you are going to fit in your runs, especially the long runs. You rearrange, re-prioritize, and get creative to make it happen. That's what I'm doing with writing. I actually got one of Hal Higdon's marathon training schedules which details how far you are supposed to run each day.  Instead of running, I'm writing - it's much easier on the knees.  I write for the amount of time it would take me to run the distance listed in the training program - believe me when I say this is a big commitment, because I run really slow.  I've been at it for a couple of weeks now and so far so good.  We'll see how it goes as the distance / time starts to climb into the teen and twenty mile range.

I hope to share more with you as I progress through this journey. I also hope to share some of the finished product with you once its suitable for reading. Until then, keep me in your prayers and don't be afraid to hold me accountable to my plan. 

I Want it NOW!

My favorite character in the classic movie, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is not Charlie, or Willy Wonka; it's Veruca Salt.  Remember her? She was the spoiled little brat who wanted everything the world had to offer and she wanted it NOW!  My love for her character stems from the truth she demonstrates about the human condition.  We want what we want and we want it NOW!

As Christians we know this world is not our home and yet we consistently fall prey to Veruca Salt syndrome.  Our inheritance is not in the terrestrial realm but in the celestial.  We think what the world has to offer looks grand, but it cannot compare to what awaits. Sadly, we often exchange an inheritance in the here and now for one in the hereafter.

I was reminded of this fact this morning while reading in the book of Numbers 32:1-5.  The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh asked for an inheritance just outside the promised land because the land was good for cattle.  They looked around and determined that what the promised land offered couldn't be any better than what was before them. They were sadly mistaken!  God accommodated their request and they got their inheritance outside of the promised land (Numbers 34:14-15).  I reminded of the passage in Matthew 6:19-21 where Jesus tells his follows to lay up treasure in heaven where no one can take it, and it cannot be corrupted.  Right before that passage he talks about a group of people who are overly concerned about earthly rewards and notoriety - he says they have their reward.  Meaning, they wanted the things of this world and they received what they sought. However, they will miss out on what the Father truly wanted to give them - an eternal inheritance.

The two and half tribes of Israel missed out on what God had for them because they made a decision based upon what they saw instead of what God asked of them.  Their hearts where on the treasures of this world rather than on God. I'm sure they had very nice cattle ranches in Gilead but they couldn't compare for what awaited them in Canaan.  The materials of the world are attractive, but don't be fooled, they cannot compare to the inheritance that awaits those who faithfully follow Jesus. 

Unplugging from the Matrix

 Tomorrow after church I'll be unplugging from the Matrix for a week and heading to OBX with the family. I'm looking forward to a vacation that involves a lot of sitting on the beach, swimming in the ocean, reading fiction books, eating good food, and sleeping way too much.  Catch you on the flip side!

Hurry Sickness

Matthew 14:23 “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” 

 

Right in the middle of an unbelievably busy day, Jesus removes himself from the crowd, and his disciples, and gets alone with God for some prayer time.  Jesus did this often during his earthly ministry (probably daily).  He understood the importance of time alone with God.  If Jesus needed to do this, it stands to reason that we need to do this as well.  In a world driven by busyness, it is imperative that the believer spend daily quiet time with God. 

 

Busyness is the greatest enemy of quality quiet time.  Our culture feeds this enemy in us.  We are peppered with sound bites and little clips of noise.  Generally we don’t like silence.  And yet prayer invites us to be still, to be quiet, to concentrate – but our body rebels against it, as our adrenaline just keeps pumping.  We are addicted to stress.  At first, being still and opening our hearts to God may ravage us with painful withdrawal symptoms.  Everything in us will scream, “get moving again!”  Because of our inactivity we tend to view prayer as wasted time.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Nothing is more important than our daily connection with God. 

 

In his book, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted,” John Ortberg calls our addiction to busyness “hurry sickness.”  He mentions two primary symptoms of hurry sickness – insensitivity toward God and insensitivity toward other people.  In essence it limits our ability to love!  Love requires time and we don’t have any more of that to spare.  If we hope to have a thriving, vibrant relationship with God and others we must make time to be still before God in prayer.  Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God:” Find a place and a time when you withdraw from all the distractions of life and get alone with God.  Schedule it into your day and make it a non-negotiable appointment.  Remember, Jesus did it and we need to do it as well.

 

Book Recommendation

This past Sunday we discussed the two alternatives the Bible offers for the afterlife - heaven and hell. We have so many unscriptural misconceptions about both destinations.  We just stratched the surface of this topic during Sunday's sermon and so I wanted to post a book recommendation on the topic.  Obviously we start with scripture and what the Bible has to say about eternity.  But beyond the Bible I would recommend the book "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn.  As you can probably guess from the title the majority of this book deals with the subject of heaven, but he does offer some insights into hell.  This is not a light read.  You'll need your Bible in hand as you go through this book.  You'll want to take your time and really digest what he is saying.  Most of all you want to read it with an open mind and heart.  Don't allow your preconceived notions about heaven and hell to cloud the truth of scripture.  By the way, Randy Alcorn has written a number of books - I've enjoyed all the one's I've read.

What Are You Reading?

I love to read. There are so many good books and so little time. Lately most of my reading has centered around preparing for the Tough Questions series.  Not exactly light reading, but it has been enjoyable. I'm looking forward to diving back into my reading list.  Here are a few of the titles I'm looking forward to diving into in the very near future...

• "Longing for God" by Richard Foster
• "Eat this Book" by Eugene Peterson
• "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
• "It" by Craig Groeschel
• "Crucial Conversations" by Kerry Patterson
• "Where Men Win Glory" by Jon Krakauer

What about you?  What good books are you reading or planning to ready?  I'm always looking for more good titles to add to my Amazon Wish List.

On a related topic - any Kindle users out there?  I'm intrigued by the Kindle and the possibility of going digital with my book reading.  Let me know what you think.

Once an Arafat Man

I recently finished the book, "Once an Arafat Man" by Tass Saada. It is an account of his journey from PLO sniper (Fatah member) to faith in Christ. It is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.  I was moved by Tass' faith and willingness to follow Christ no matter the cost. I have the utmost respect for his ministry in the Middle East (Seeds of Hope).

Check out the YouTube video of Tass on CBN.

Small Thought / Huge Principle

Right at the end of his book, "Uncommon", Tony Dungy makes the following statement...

"God has not called us to be successful, but to be faithful."

A very small sentence (12 simple words), but a HUGE life principle.  Don't worry about success (that's God's business) - just be faithful to what God has called you to do.  I've got nothing more to say.  I'm just going to let that sink in for a few days.

The Treasure Principle

Wanted to let you know about a tremendous book on the topic of giving.  The book is "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn.  It is absolutely amazing!  The thing I like best about the book is how Randy actually practices what he preaches.  He's got an amazing story and is living out the principles he puts forth in the book.

It's a short read, just 120 pages, but is truly life altering.  No book on giving has impacted me the way this one has.  God truly used this book to reshape my attitude on money and possessions.  If you are interested in purchasing the book you can do so on the Random House site - check out the link below.

The publisher was gracious enough to provide me with one give-away copy. I'll give away the copy to the first person to post a comment and request it from me.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590525081

Inspecting Gadgets

Most of you know I'm a gadget guy.  I love the latest and greatest gadgets that hit the market.  Just this week I came across one gadget and one web tool that caught my eye.  I thought I'd share them with you...

First, let's talk about the new web tool.  It's called YouVersionand it's a new online Bible reading site.  That, in and of itself, isn't all that new and cool, but this site has some pretty cool features.  It offers three pretty unique and interesting features...

• Community - you can share your thoughts on a particular passage and also read others postings as well.  It makes the Bible reading experience more interactive and communal.
• Content- you can highlight and make notes online within the Bible text that you are studyi
• Journaling- this site also allows you to keep an online journal as well.

Similar to Facebook you can invite friends to join you on Youversion and choose to share your content with them or keep it private.  Pretty cool!  You should check it out.  It's a Beta sight so it will be ng.  Just like writing notes in the margin of your study Bible. interesting to see what modifications they make in the months to come.

The second item is a gadget which isn't new but is being updated.  It's the Kindle 2.0 from Amazon.  The first version of this didn't really interest me but this one has me curious.  One of the reasons I wasn't interested previously is because I love to mark up my books - I never read without a highlighter and pen in hand.  But evidently you can do this digitally with the Kindle.  You can also read papers, periodicals, and blogs via the Kindle.  Does anyone have one of these?  If so, what do you think?  It's a little pricey - about $350, but the books you buy appear to be cheaper.

What cool gadgets or web tools have you come across lately?