Following God - part 1 of 2

Ruth 1:16 "Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Yesterday I had an appointment to meet someone and rather then jumping in my car to ride along my friend decided to "follow me" to our destination. That's normally a challenge, not only for the person following but also the person leading. And this is especially true when trying to follow me in a car. I drive pretty aggressive, and fast (obeying speed limit laws though ... cough, cough - Lord forgive me for lying!)

I took off in my normal "I'm going for the Gold" fashion and then realized, "oh wait, someone is supposed to be following me, so I better lead in such a way that is possible to follow." (A lot of lessons there I do not have time to unpack!) I slowed down, even had to pull over a couple times to let him catch up ... but he did a pretty good job following me because HE STAYED CLOSE BY! And therein lies the secret to following God, "stay close by" and you stand a better chance of not getting lost!

I will talk more tomorrow about HOW to "stay close" to God!

Going Crazy

Has your life ever felt just crazy busy? Ha ha!

I am sure if your life is anything like mine the answer is "YES!" Well let me encourage you to stay in control, take a deep breath and invite God's presence in to calm things down.

When I am feeling crazy, which is pretty frequent these days, I take a few minutes of my "crazy day" and do something I like. For example I take a bike ride, or read a fiction book, pray, read a Psalm or Proverb, or play a game with the kids, or talk a walk, drink a cup of tea, or even pop in a favorite movie at the end of a long hectic day.

Here is something important to remember; life is a season and this too shall pass!

Rock'em Sock'em

I remember playing the old Rock'em Sock'em Robots game! I loved that game!

I was reminded of the story of Joshua (told in the Old Testament book of Joshua) and how he had to fight for what God had given him. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would occupy the land of Canaan, the Promise Land. And many many years later Joshua stands just outside that land. It didn't just fall in his lap, he had to possess it, take it, fight for it. This reminds me of life. Sometimes in life we must fight for what God has promised us.

We must fight for our spouses, fight for our kids, fight for our jobs, fight for what is right! It's worth it!

I want to encourage you who may be tired and want to give up - Don't give up! Fight the fight of faith! Press onward and upward! God is with you! Ask Him to help you, He will!

Suspicious

sus·pi·cious   /səˈspɪʃəs/
1.tending to cause or excite suspicion.
2.inclined to suspect, esp. inclined to suspect evil; distrustful: a suspicious tyrant.
3.full of or feeling suspicion.
4.expressing or indicating suspicion: a suspicious glance.

Have you ever met people who were suspicious of everyone and everything, even when there wasn't anything for them to be suspicious about? I am sure you have, I have. So, what about you; are you a suspicious person?

Suspicion is really distrust, and it's not a good trait to have. I've always taught, because my Dad taught me, "trust people until they break that trust." We can't base our trust on our past experiences. For example, if you had a bad experience with a Doctor (or whatever) you shouldn't be suspicious of every Doctor now!

I remember the scandal that came on the Catholic church because of some priests who were bad ... most everyone became suspicious of all priests after that, and even of the Catholic church. That was so unfortunate for all the wonderful Priests who were serving in the Catholic church at the time.

I would challenge you to trust, unless there is good reason (not just something in your head)to be suspicious about. And if you have suspicions then you should address those in a healhty God-honoring manner to get clarifty so you can trust.

Is Bigger Better?

There is this thing among pastors called, "Church Envy" and it's all about the bigger your church the better. And we all want a bigger church. And if I am honest I get caught in that trap way too often.

I think for the most part we pastors want our churches to be bigger for a lot of good (even God) reasons; more people to do God's work, more resources to help hurting people, more people means more people reached for God, on and on we go - all great reasons that are sincere and from a heart of love! I know, because those are my reason. But "does size matter?" I don't know, but I would say that it's not the size that matters but what your church does with what it has that matters most.

Of course I am saying this because my church isn't big, right? I hope I'm not "that guy" ... the guy who has a smaller church who's always dawgin on the "big church." I dislike when pastor do that ... always saying bad things about mega-churches, all because we don't have one and wish we did.

I guess I am writing this post just to say that it's okay to want your church to be bigger! What pastor if he/she is really honest wouldn't want that? A weird one, in my opinion. BUT, all that said, there is nothing wrong with a smaller church! I guess that's my main point here! You (pastor) should be content with what ever size church you have while continuing to pursue God's highest and best. Don't settle, keep pressing on, and pressing in to God's plan and purpose for your life and the church (people) you serve and get over the whole "church envy" deal.

I can only give you an example from my own life of having a medium-sized church (small church is less than 100, medium 100 - 300, large 400 - 999, mega 1000 plus) ... I am having the time of my life! I love it! But there was a time that I didn't. Why? Because all I focused on was what I didn't have rather than on what I did! I hope you do the same.

(*The church in the above picture is where I married my sweetheart in 1994)

The Work - Home Balance

I struggle with this whole Work-Home Balance. I am thankful to have a home office so I am around the house a lot, but I am also never far "away" from the office and it's easy to do a little work during family time.

I have had to create boundaries for myself. For example I shut it all down by 7pm (sometimes earlier, typically, unless I have a wedding) and commit that time to family. We each have to find that balance and make it work. We never want to get out-of-balance and be working our life away, or just spending all our time with family and setting ourselves up to go bankrupt.

One way to find the balance it to talk to your spouse! They'll tell ya, maybe they already have ... are you listening?

Disclaimer: There are seasons to work and home. For me personally being a pastor I am slammed busy during the spring time leading up to Easter (Lent Season) then also around fall Thanksgiving and Christmas (Advent Season,) but in the summer it's slow. So we take vacations in the summer, visit family in the summer, etc. So we are heavy on the family side during that time. Then comes the fall we buckle down for Back to School, Back to Church!

I made a commitment that I would not sacrifice my family on the altar of ministry, and it's a constant battle to keep that in check. I hope for you and your life you are doing the same. Because at the end of life who cares how much money you've made, or what business you've built if you have lost your family/children.

You can do both, and do both well! God bless!

It's Not That Bad

I know this picture is disturbing! It bothers me on so many levels! But it should! If it doesn't bother you, then something is dead inside you.

Pictures, like the one above should remind us that no matter what we are facing, "it's not that bad!"

Finding True Love

Everyone wants true love. Well I guess I can't say everyone since I don't know everyone, but chances are that most everyone does want true love. But the challenge is finding that special someone.

I have several friends right now in search of THE ONE. And they often ask me; "Timmy do you think there is someone out there for me?" My answer is always the same, "Yes, I believe actually there are several "the ones" out there but first you must become the 'right' person in order to meet the 'right' person." I also add that "God will bring several special someones across your path, then you must decide which ONE is the RIGHT one for you."

I truly believe this. Now I believe that God often does this through Dating Services, work, friends, church, and getting out, etc. I do not think you can stay locked up in your Apartment and Mr. or Miss Right will just knock on the door wearing a shirt that reads, "the RIGHT ONE!"

I believe when I was dating around in my 20's I met several wonderful girls who I could have chosen to marry, but the one I chose was the best one, and the one I felt had the qualities I was looking for in a life-long mate. I was not willing to compromise because I do not believe in divorce ... I wanted to marry til death us part. We are only 16 years into it and she has stayed with me, so we are good so far!

I guess my only advice is this:

1) Don't WORRY about it - if you are too worried about it, you become desperate and that's a bad vibe that will actually repel a possible candidate. Just live your life, do what you do, and TRUST GOD! He will take care of you!

2) Don't settle - Just don't do it! If he isn't the right one, then move on! I am telling ya, you will regret it if you settle!

3) Rest in the fact that there is someone out there for you - It's true!

May cupid find you!

Bad Relationship Warning Signs

Why would anyone want to be in a bad relationship for more than a day or two? I see people all the time staying in bad relationships for months and even years! I mean we all want to be in or have GOOD relationships, and it's frustrating, to say the least, when we are in a bad one (or many.)

It seems that we do not see the forest among the trees - meaning we overlook the "warning signs" of a bad relationship for many reason. One big reason is fear. Fear keeps us bound up, unable to make the changes necessary to either turn a bad relationship around or break it off with the person we are dating.

I have come up with just a few "warning signs" that let you know you are in a *bad relationship.

* I am referring to non-marriage relationships here ... if these warning signs are what you see in your marriage I recommend you seek counseling to work through the issues!

1) Extreme Jealously - When the person you are dating is crazy jealous, always checking up on you, calling you, texting you, emailing you, etc. Run, and run fast far away! If he/she gets freaked out when you talk to the opposite sex ... there is a problem.

2) Overly Controlling - when you feel this person is acting more like a parent then a friend, again, run away. If they want to know where you were, when you got there, when you left, and who you talked to while you were there. Run!

3) Friends and Family Avoidance - Ever seen the couple who starts dating and all of a sudden they pull away from family and friends into their own little world? I have, and it's called crazy! That spells trouble with a capital "T".

4) Rude or Disrespectful - if the person you are with is rude or disrespectful to others he/she will eventually be disrespectful to you. I always tell people to watch how he/she treat the waiter at the restaurant, it will tell you a lot about the person. If they are rude and are disrespectful then I would run away.

5) Super Critical - are they super critical of you, or others? If so, this could be a bad problem. Criticism squashes a person self-esteem and that is just what it would do to anyone in relationship with them.

6) No Moral Compass - do they seem to know right from wrong? If not, then this will pose a huge problem when they are faced with choices. They may very well, and most likely chose wrong.

7) God is not a priority - if God is a priority to you then I highly recommend you be in relationship with someone who shares that same priority.

8) Who they are is who they are - I fully believe that people can and do change! But YOU ARE NOT THE ONE TO DO IT! I have seen WAY TOO MANY people date someone thinking hoping and even praying that they'd be able to change them to only find out later, sometimes much later, that they could not. God can, and God may even use you in the process ... but don't be fooled, God can change them without you... you are not the savior - God is!

Thoughts, Ideas or Questions are welcome!

Friends

Life just wouldn't be life without the opportunity of sharing it with friends!