Work Hard

Side Thought:
The most dangerous thing today appears to be living a life of mediocrity. In physical health, mental health, and spiritual health.

Okay, I was getting frustrated this week because it appears some people work harder than others. Feeling treated unfairly, I couldn't help thinking of the parable of the man who complains that his pay should be more since he worked all day and others are getting paid the same amount for working just the afternoon. The story is commenting on heavenly rewards, but can be applied practically. I glorify God with my work. Working hard isn't for me, my boss, or my company. I work hard to out of gratefulness of God's blessings in my life. Solomon said it was good for man to work hard. It is pleasing to God when I work hard. I struggle often when I think that life is hard/unfair and I "deserve better". Society/advertising/culture is wrong. I deserve less and am blessed richly.

Personally Important things in a church

1. Beliefs/Teaching
2. Attitude of members
3. Worship - style, depth, and traditions
4. Outreach 
5. Church Government
6. Age Distribution

I made this list last sunday, while visiting my wife's home church in Jackson. Nikki and I have been searching for a church home in Starkville but can't seem to find one that fits. I made this list to try to quantify something that is very much a non-quantifiable decision. 

Teaching and beliefs are the foundation of a church. I cannot go to a Muslim church to learn about Christ. Ensuring that the church is teaching from the Bible in a manner that is comprehensive is critical in our decision.

The attitude of the members is also important to me. I often feel that if a church is closed minded to anything outside of its historical traditions then it leaves God little room to work. It's almost as if the church is hiding from God and trying to box Him into a controllable container that is always comfortable and safe. The God of the Bible, from what I have read, is neither of those things. His disciples died because of their faith, tortured after living lives of hardship. 

Worship is usually a good indicator of the health of a church. By worship I mean songs, prayer, recitations, etc. done as a congregational body. I come from a church that was going through the motions of worship, trying to put on a show/act instead of being real. I left because I was afraid I would fall into the trap of thinking that that was normal and ok. I want to see the heart of a church as it worships the Lord.

Outreach of the church reveals if the church is inward or outward focused. Facilities and staff are good if they are being used to reach out to the communities and beyond. 

I recently learned a bit about the differences in church government. I have a preference in how I desire church to make decisions and I would like to attend a church that operates in this manner.

Lastly, a good distribution of young and old people would be awesome. The passion of the young can be good but the wisdom of the old needs to be present as well. The presence of both is very desirable in a church.  

Hopefully this isn't sinful to think about all of these things as we choose a church. Obviously, we can't have it all. There is no perfect church because the church is full of sinners saved by grace. That's good. I will fit right in. Please pray for us in this decision...

Purpose of God's Church

My next few posts will be my delving into the Bible on what the purpose is of God's church. For a long time, I've felt that we aren't getting it, what church is, and what it was intended for. I'm looking forward to discovering God's intentions for establishing the church...

God...help!!!

I'm not sure if I'm cut out for this. It is only by the grace of God that I will ever survive. It feels like there are a million different things I need to do, need to be, will I ever get it all done? Will it work out?

James says that trials are good because they provide steadfastness. I feel like I am preparing to be the most steadfast man in the entire world. I just am going to be anchored to God, I must be anchored to God. That's it. That's the lesson I'm learning now.

Lady, Bella, Buttercup...Dog

This was one of those things that I feel men are called to do and we hate doing it. I mean, who wants to be responsible? Nikki and I were offered this cute puppy while on a date and after Nikki held it and fell in love I just couldn't say no. I mean, who could turn down 2 adorable ladies at once? However, after staying up for 2 nights keeping the cute thing happy (aka keeping it quiet) we decided it was too much to handle right now. I can only imagine how a baby is going to be...

But I think that circumstances like this are monumental in our lives. As men, we are definitely called to lead, to make the tough decisions, and to listen to those we are leading. The decision to give the puppy to the animal shelter was definitely difficult, I kept waiting on tears from Nikki...but it was really beautiful seeing how my future bride and I made a difficult decision together and we were in unity. No fighting or anger was present. No resentment. I know we will have to make many tough decisions in life and I can only pray they will be as beautiful as this one was. We acted as one, we acted like we were on the same team. I listened to her and she listened to me. And it was awesome to see each of us submitting to the other. I can't wait to be married to this woman!

Lyrics and Such

Surely We Can Change - David Crowder Band

And the problem is this
We were bought with a kiss
But the cheek still turned
Even when it wasn’t hit

And I don’t know
What to do with a love like that
And I don’t know
How to be a love like that

When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do

Where there is pain
Let there be grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Help them be brave
Where there is misery
Bring expectancy
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Something

And the problem it seems
Is with you and me
Not the Love who came
To repair everything

And I don’t know
What to do with a love like that
And I don’t know
How to be a love like that

When all the love in the world
Is right here among us
And hatred too
And so we must choose
What our hands will do

Where there is pain
Let us bring grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Let us be brave
Where there is misery
Let us bring them relief
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Oh surely we can change
Something

Respect, Honor, Integrity, and Character

It has been wedding season for a while now with my friends. I do not understand how so many people blow off special occasions such as a wedding. I must admit, I have been one of those people for a good deal of my life. But I have realized that I've been making mistakes. There are certain events that only happen once in a lifetime. Or should, maybe the idea of marriage is becoming so casual that it is no longer a special occasion. Maybe we're just so dang busy that we don't have time to celebrate with anyone other than our close group of friends, and only those that entertain us. I mean what is a friend? Is it someone that is entertaining, someone we can use, and discard when we're bored? I don't think so.

I am close friends with a few guys, and that number has significantly decreased since graduating high school and college. I realized a lot of people I thought were close, weren't really as close as I had hoped. It really kind of sucks. I think its more than just people being thoughtless, I think we're just getting too busy to have relationships. I mean, right now I'm working 12 hour days, 8 at work, 4 for studying for the FE. Who has time? I'm not sure when it happened but I suddenly got amazingly busy. And I hear its only going to get busier. Maybe I just need to be more efficient with time. 

I worry sometimes about not being able to slow down. Not being able to relax. I see symptoms now and I think it's unhealthy. BUT I want to work hard. I want to come home exhausted. That is good and right and what God expects of us. This is obviously a period of my life that is going to test me, refine me, and prepare me for later in life. If you are reading this, please pray for me as I have begun the journey of adulthood. I both love it and hate it.