God Opposes the Proud…That Means Me
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7
How many times have I read passages on humility and pride and thought, “I’m doing ok in this area.” And then I go about my day. There have been other times that I have stared at the word “humility” trying to understand what it really means. Read more
Exercise and Learning Discipline
I’ve never been one for exercise. I was on the track team in high school but I was a discus thrower. We tried to avoid running whenever possible. I’d have spurts in college where I’d lift weights and ride the exercise bike but nothing that serious. Also I never considered what I ate. Read more
Changes and Cliches
I’ve been flying below the radar for the last few months. After a month of looking for a job and coming up empty, I fell into a couple of contract positions. I have the freedom to work from home and when I want. But I also live with the fear that at any moment these contracts could end and I would be back at square one. Read more
In these troubled times…
I have been on an emotional roller coaster the last few months. I had been frustrated with my job and was working through issues. Then in December, a friend of mine died suddenly. Everything came to a head and I found myself in a depressed state for over a month. I would fall asleep by 9pm and wake up late. Some nights I didn’t even eat, I had no energy. Read more
Seminary: A Crucible of Faith
So about a year and a half ago, I got around to responding to a friend’s question of how had seminary affected my faith. Over the last few weeks, I have come back to this question. Some of those things I am still struggling with. The difference now is, my classes this semester seem particularly timely. They are forcing me to take a deeper look at myself. Read more
Jars of Clay
I went to a men’s conference this weekend. The focus was on discipleship. There were musicians leading in worship and speakers compelling us to form relationships with other men in order to disciple them. There were also stirring dramas and videos demonstrating characteristics that we should seek to have in our lives. Read more
How it all began…
Over the Labor Day weekend, my mother, brother and I rented a car and drove from Louisiana to northern Missouri to attend a family reunion. I enjoyed it because I got to meet family I had never met before. As is the case with every reunion, there was good food. There was the occasional comment about how there weren’t going to any grandchildren on my side of the family. And also there were the stories of our family roots. Where our family came from. How they ended up where they were. There was also the common lament that as a family we had not done a good job of documenting our history. We are slowly losing the oldest generation of our family and with them a clearer understanding of our family’s legacy. Read more
When a solution presents itself
“I find, that if I just sit down to think… the solution presents itself!” – Henry Jones, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
A thought occurred to me today as I was walking around. Many of my coding roadblocks are overcome after one of my walks. These walks initially began out of boredom, frustration, or sitting for too long. But as I continued the practice, more often than not, a solution would come to me as I wandered around. Each time another roadblock appears now, I am much more likely to get up and go for a walk.
It’s wonderful when I have been beating my head against a wall for several hours and a quick lap brings clarity. This phenomenon also occurs when I’m trying to go to sleep but usually, I simply lie awake thinking through the problem with no solution appearing. Other times, I might be in the shower getting ready for work and an answer will pop into my head.
There have been times where my frustrations have led me to cry out to God for a solution. This should be my first reaction. I could point to psychology or mental tricks but through these experiences I am reminded of where the answers really come from. The ability to reason is an ability given to man by God. God has commanded each of us to work. So who better to ask for wisdom about the job I have than the One who is Wisdom and has commanded me to work.
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
30 Years in Review
I turned 30 yesterday. In light of this milestone, it caused me to reflect on the last 30 years. I have lived in six states. I have lost my father and two grandparents. I have traveled to four different continents. I started a business and watched it fail. I graduated college and now I am in seminary. I have been a janitor, pizza delivery driver, roofer, entrepreneur, and computer programmer. I have experienced the joy of great friends gathered in fellowship. I have experienced the bitterness of watching my life fall apart and being impotent to do anything about it.
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Belief in the face of disbelief
Her hacking cough woke him. He had fallen asleep at his daughter’s bedside. His cheeks were streaked from the rivers of tears he had shed. He was unsure how much longer his little girl would live. He was impotent to doing anything for her except comfort her and pour out his heart to God. When his strength wained, the vicious thoughts would flood in. “The judgment for my sins is being poured out on my daughter.” He would try his best to move those thoughts out of his mind. Her breathing became more shallow and her entire body trembled from fever. “Lord, please, I cannot bear the thought of losing my daughter. I remember the day she was born. And to lose her so soon. No, Lord, do not let this happen.”
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