I am not a big New Years Resolution person, but I often set goals for the coming year. And usually I come up short.
I have two goals for the coming year. One is physical and it will require discipline. I want to weigh under 210 and maintain it. Many years I have been able to stay in a range from 215-220, though I fear if I step on the scales right now it may be closer to 225. This goal is not for vain reasons though most of us want to look better and there is no harm in that. My hope is if I can do this it will be less weight on my troublesome ankle and other ailing body parts. I also hope it would lower my cholesterol back to the good old days of well under 200. I love exercise so that is not a problem but this will require even cleaner eating, less cocktails, and a lot a prayer on my part, which leads me to my second goal which is spiritual.
Recently I have been feeling frustrated and disconnected over my prayer life. The words that came to me and that I shared with Jesus is I want more weight to my prayers. Simply a better prayer life. My thoughts on how to achieve this is to make the quiet time. Turn the machines off and find that place of calm and peace. Begin the day, every day, not with the Internet but with the Bible and prayer. Sometimes I can be pretty good about this but other times not so good. It just seems to reason if God is who is really most important in our lives than we might want to begin each day with him.
Do you notice how often when you read the Bible that words like first, all, and everything emerge? I spent most of my life skipping over those words because I wanted what I wanted, not what God wanted for me. It is so easy to trust our judgment, our plans, then a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...Ephesian 3:20.
I don't know about you but I have a big imagination.
Here are two additional scriptures that have resonated with me lately.
Matt. 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...
Happy New Year to everyone.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
That Perfect Christmas
It is Christmas Eve morning and my son sleeps in his bed and my wife stirs in the next room. Sydny our little Chihuahua mix is happy, his belly full, and well into his first nap of the day. Life is good. Better then ever.
Christmas is always a time of great reflection for me. Most have been consumed by more sadness than joy brought on by my unwise decisions. Even now Christmas retains bittersweet moments mixed in with times past that I treasure. Pretty sure it is that way for most of us.
One thing I have learned is to place little demand on Christmas. Imagine how truly wonderful Christmas could be if families would just turn the pressure valve off? Stop trying to have people conform to what we want them to do. Be where we think they should be.
I was tested last night when plans went awry and my son was pulled in another direction. There was a time I would have been more than just a little sad, and I would have sulked that he did not abide by the original plans. Not now. It is not his fault that he is the product of a long ago divorce. That blames lies solely with his parents.
For many years I have hosted a small gathering before Christmas. We call it Christmas Lasagna. I use to worry about picking the right date where everyone would be free to attend. Now I set the date weeks in advance and God bless everyone that attends as well as those that can't. This might seem like a small thing but it is about letting go. Let go of expectations, the right gifts, the perfect dinner... Breathe and let it go.
This Christmas I have a new gift. I have a new wife who loves me the way I have desired to be loved my entire life. We have our moments as any couple does but we both can go to each other and say, "I am sorry. I was wrong." During the difficult times we try to remember that neither of us are the answer and we press into a loving Father who so desires intimacy with his children.
Let's call this last section the Jim Glasgow influence, my friend first, my minister second. Would it not be a great time to let go of any harsh feelings? It does not matter who is right or wrong. Rarely is the blame solely on one party. This applies regardless of how right you believe yourself to be.
Regardless of the presents that I will open tonight and tomorrow, I have a wonderful gift already and it did not come wrapped in fancy paper. I lay my head down at night and hold offense to no one. I wish harm on no one. Regardless of how they feel about me I want them blessed.
Reaching this point is not because of me. It is because my Father granted me a new heart.
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Merry Christmas Everyone...
Christmas is always a time of great reflection for me. Most have been consumed by more sadness than joy brought on by my unwise decisions. Even now Christmas retains bittersweet moments mixed in with times past that I treasure. Pretty sure it is that way for most of us.
One thing I have learned is to place little demand on Christmas. Imagine how truly wonderful Christmas could be if families would just turn the pressure valve off? Stop trying to have people conform to what we want them to do. Be where we think they should be.
I was tested last night when plans went awry and my son was pulled in another direction. There was a time I would have been more than just a little sad, and I would have sulked that he did not abide by the original plans. Not now. It is not his fault that he is the product of a long ago divorce. That blames lies solely with his parents.
For many years I have hosted a small gathering before Christmas. We call it Christmas Lasagna. I use to worry about picking the right date where everyone would be free to attend. Now I set the date weeks in advance and God bless everyone that attends as well as those that can't. This might seem like a small thing but it is about letting go. Let go of expectations, the right gifts, the perfect dinner... Breathe and let it go.
This Christmas I have a new gift. I have a new wife who loves me the way I have desired to be loved my entire life. We have our moments as any couple does but we both can go to each other and say, "I am sorry. I was wrong." During the difficult times we try to remember that neither of us are the answer and we press into a loving Father who so desires intimacy with his children.
Let's call this last section the Jim Glasgow influence, my friend first, my minister second. Would it not be a great time to let go of any harsh feelings? It does not matter who is right or wrong. Rarely is the blame solely on one party. This applies regardless of how right you believe yourself to be.
Regardless of the presents that I will open tonight and tomorrow, I have a wonderful gift already and it did not come wrapped in fancy paper. I lay my head down at night and hold offense to no one. I wish harm on no one. Regardless of how they feel about me I want them blessed.
Reaching this point is not because of me. It is because my Father granted me a new heart.
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Merry Christmas Everyone...
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Duck Dynasty & My Solution
We can spend our time arguing about what is sin and which sin is greater than another. We can just resort to name calling if anyone dares to disagree with us. It is obvious to see how successful that is by just looking at the Duck Dynasty saga that is currently being played out.
I am a simple humble man and the only thing really unique about me is that I know Jesus Christ on an intimate basis. That is not a boast. There are enough people in the Christian/Religious community with egos so large that it would appear they don't think God can get the job done without them.
There are ministers screaming out making one sin greater than another while ignoring their sins and there are ministers who soft peddle the gospel conveniently changing it to the times in which we live. Both feel like religious behavior to me. Yuck.
I have a simple solution to all this ugliness for those that claim relationship with Jesus Christ. Each day of our life we press into the intimacy the Father desires for us and we pray...
"Father whatever it is that I believe I need in my life. Particularly the things I place in front of you. I ask you to show me and remove that idol from my life. Help me to focus on my walk and what I can do to love more, be kinder, be way less judgmental. Let my walk encourage rather than discourage those that do not know you."
And let it begin with me. Leaving the solution in the Father's more than capable hands.
“Christians get very angry toward other Christians who sin differently than they do.”
Author Unknown..
I am a simple humble man and the only thing really unique about me is that I know Jesus Christ on an intimate basis. That is not a boast. There are enough people in the Christian/Religious community with egos so large that it would appear they don't think God can get the job done without them.
There are ministers screaming out making one sin greater than another while ignoring their sins and there are ministers who soft peddle the gospel conveniently changing it to the times in which we live. Both feel like religious behavior to me. Yuck.
I have a simple solution to all this ugliness for those that claim relationship with Jesus Christ. Each day of our life we press into the intimacy the Father desires for us and we pray...
"Father whatever it is that I believe I need in my life. Particularly the things I place in front of you. I ask you to show me and remove that idol from my life. Help me to focus on my walk and what I can do to love more, be kinder, be way less judgmental. Let my walk encourage rather than discourage those that do not know you."
And let it begin with me. Leaving the solution in the Father's more than capable hands.
“Christians get very angry toward other Christians who sin differently than they do.”
Author Unknown..
Monday, December 9, 2013
So This Is Christmas
The disappointments of life never seem so magnified as they are at Christmas. There were so many where I was angry, hurt, and though surrounded by people I felt as if I were living on a one man island.
Each year hoping the next one I would have the right things in my life to be happy. You know that picture of the perfect Christmas we want. It would actually be a Christmas where I did not want to just throw a bag in the car and drive to a place of isolation.
I must have emerged from Mom's womb angry at God for daring to include me in what I perceived as His great mistake of creation. As a kid I created an imaginary world to escape too. During my teen age years I turned to drugs and lived the party life full tilt. I could have easily died several times and some of those from that time did.
Through it all I knew there was a God and nearly every night I spoke to Him and more times than not in anger.
The king of darkness aided my fury and prohibited me from seeing a loving Father. I have had two great callings on my life. The urging of the spirit. The details of which I can only see in hindsight.
My blinding Damascus Road when I was 19 and a more gentle, but just as powerful calling in my 50's. I began to realize my anger was dissipating. I don't know if it is this way for everyone but deep down I knew that for me He was waiting for me to seek Him first and would settle for nothing less.
It was this time two years ago that I felt compelled to write "The Journey." It was a paper about the changes in my life. This was before a blog was even an idea.
I believe that God wanted me to document where I had been just before He took me on this great ride that began December 30, 2011. Standing in the fellowship hall listening to Peter Mattis and his friends play music. "I will make you young again." The voice so clear that I looked around to see if someone near me had said it.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Now those are pretty words aren't they? But I lived my life seeking what I wanted first. And there are many days now where I fall back to the same pattern. But my Father knows it to be truth when I say, "I want to walk hand in hand with you on the path and any door regardless of how much I desire it please close it if we are not walking through it together."
So this is Christmas and I am humbled by my God. I am a writer so I can really dream. My wife, Julie exceeds any dream I ever had in a wife... lover... friend. And next year maybe my book is under someones Christmas tree. Wow.
There are many people all around us that will feel about Christmas the way I did for so long. Let's remember them and show kindness. I have shared many of past Holidays with the Olivolo family who God placed in my life. They never let me be alone and I could not feel closer to them if they were my own flesh and blood. I was the baby with three older sisters and now I have a younger brother and two little sisters. Tell me God does not have a magnificent sense of humor..
Each year hoping the next one I would have the right things in my life to be happy. You know that picture of the perfect Christmas we want. It would actually be a Christmas where I did not want to just throw a bag in the car and drive to a place of isolation.
I must have emerged from Mom's womb angry at God for daring to include me in what I perceived as His great mistake of creation. As a kid I created an imaginary world to escape too. During my teen age years I turned to drugs and lived the party life full tilt. I could have easily died several times and some of those from that time did.
Through it all I knew there was a God and nearly every night I spoke to Him and more times than not in anger.
The king of darkness aided my fury and prohibited me from seeing a loving Father. I have had two great callings on my life. The urging of the spirit. The details of which I can only see in hindsight.
My blinding Damascus Road when I was 19 and a more gentle, but just as powerful calling in my 50's. I began to realize my anger was dissipating. I don't know if it is this way for everyone but deep down I knew that for me He was waiting for me to seek Him first and would settle for nothing less.
It was this time two years ago that I felt compelled to write "The Journey." It was a paper about the changes in my life. This was before a blog was even an idea.
I believe that God wanted me to document where I had been just before He took me on this great ride that began December 30, 2011. Standing in the fellowship hall listening to Peter Mattis and his friends play music. "I will make you young again." The voice so clear that I looked around to see if someone near me had said it.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Now those are pretty words aren't they? But I lived my life seeking what I wanted first. And there are many days now where I fall back to the same pattern. But my Father knows it to be truth when I say, "I want to walk hand in hand with you on the path and any door regardless of how much I desire it please close it if we are not walking through it together."
So this is Christmas and I am humbled by my God. I am a writer so I can really dream. My wife, Julie exceeds any dream I ever had in a wife... lover... friend. And next year maybe my book is under someones Christmas tree. Wow.
There are many people all around us that will feel about Christmas the way I did for so long. Let's remember them and show kindness. I have shared many of past Holidays with the Olivolo family who God placed in my life. They never let me be alone and I could not feel closer to them if they were my own flesh and blood. I was the baby with three older sisters and now I have a younger brother and two little sisters. Tell me God does not have a magnificent sense of humor..
MERRY CHRISTMAS, & LET'S BE KIND TO EACH OTHER.
EVEN IF WE DISAGREE
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
10 Moments of Thanksgiving
Most of us will think at this time of year what we are thankful for. I chose for purposes of this simple blog to select ten moments that have occurred this year that I am grateful for. It is not by any means the top ten most important. Obviously I could write dozens for Julie and my wedding day alone. Mom slipped through the veil in July and God gave me a hundred moments I could share.
1. My last conversation with Mom when she was already one foot on the other side. I believe God allowed her to hear my every animated word. But my last words that I am grateful I could share was to say to her with all the pride I possess, "I am my mother's child."
2.The day I was emailed a publishing contract for my novel, "The River Hideaway."
3.Todd Osborne and part of the following Facebook post he wrote in October.
Let me tell you something. When someone sees potential in you as a 10 - year old, and continues to believe in you and encourage you when you're almost 39, and that person isn't blood-related, words cannot even convey how that feels. The best coach I ever played for, hands-down, both on and off the court, still makes an impact on me to this day. Coach Billy Beasley I love you my friend! Thanks for your encouraging words and telling me what I need to hear, not always what I want to hear.
4.My son Micah giving a loving eulogy about his sainted Mimi.
5.The wedding toasts given by Jack, Todd, Katie, and Micah. Such heartfelt words.
6.The night my new wife got angry at something I said and thought she was going to sleep in the other room. I simply and calmly said, "No, we will not start down this road."
7.The phone call from my sister Ada just before sunrise telling me that Mom was gone and I knew she was at her party with all the saints. My wife holding me as I cried when I put the phone down.
8.During a difficult time when I was exhausted and Julie held me and said firmly, "Billy, you are not broken."
9.Jim Glasgow my friend first, my minister second, when asked about performing our wedding replied, "I would be honored."
10.After Jim pronounced Julie and I husband and wife, and obviously after I kissed her, the sharing of a group hug with Micah and Julie saying to him, "You always have a safe place to come home too with us."
11.I know this is #11. I could write a thousand. The moment captured in this photo when I saw my beautiful wife to be walking toward me on April 6. This is a favorite picture for Julie.
12. Allow me this last addition. My sister Ada read this and spoke of something I shared several times with Mom, including the time written about in #1. Mom never gave up on me. She prayed without ceasing over me, particularly during times so dark I could find no light. That last day with her I told her she could go home and that all her prayers over me had come to fruition. I was heart to heart with our God. Walking humbly, waiting, praying for His direction on all things. That I had a wonderful spiritual woman to share my life with. Thank you Mom once again for never giving up on me. As Micah once so eloquently stated, "Mimi taught me everything about grace that I know." Amen Micah, Mom was the picture of grace.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. MY PRAYER FOR ALL OF US IS THAT WE PUT ASIDE THE THE ENTANGLEMENTS OF THE WORLD AND PRESS EVER CLOSER TO JESUS. HE DESIRES INTIMACY WITH EACH OF US.
1. My last conversation with Mom when she was already one foot on the other side. I believe God allowed her to hear my every animated word. But my last words that I am grateful I could share was to say to her with all the pride I possess, "I am my mother's child."
2.The day I was emailed a publishing contract for my novel, "The River Hideaway."
3.Todd Osborne and part of the following Facebook post he wrote in October.
Let me tell you something. When someone sees potential in you as a 10 - year old, and continues to believe in you and encourage you when you're almost 39, and that person isn't blood-related, words cannot even convey how that feels. The best coach I ever played for, hands-down, both on and off the court, still makes an impact on me to this day. Coach Billy Beasley I love you my friend! Thanks for your encouraging words and telling me what I need to hear, not always what I want to hear.
4.My son Micah giving a loving eulogy about his sainted Mimi.
5.The wedding toasts given by Jack, Todd, Katie, and Micah. Such heartfelt words.
6.The night my new wife got angry at something I said and thought she was going to sleep in the other room. I simply and calmly said, "No, we will not start down this road."
7.The phone call from my sister Ada just before sunrise telling me that Mom was gone and I knew she was at her party with all the saints. My wife holding me as I cried when I put the phone down.
8.During a difficult time when I was exhausted and Julie held me and said firmly, "Billy, you are not broken."
9.Jim Glasgow my friend first, my minister second, when asked about performing our wedding replied, "I would be honored."
10.After Jim pronounced Julie and I husband and wife, and obviously after I kissed her, the sharing of a group hug with Micah and Julie saying to him, "You always have a safe place to come home too with us."
11.I know this is #11. I could write a thousand. The moment captured in this photo when I saw my beautiful wife to be walking toward me on April 6. This is a favorite picture for Julie.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. MY PRAYER FOR ALL OF US IS THAT WE PUT ASIDE THE THE ENTANGLEMENTS OF THE WORLD AND PRESS EVER CLOSER TO JESUS. HE DESIRES INTIMACY WITH EACH OF US.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Billy Graham, Passion 2012 & No turning back
How many of you watched and listened to Billy Graham last night? Many things he shared resonated with me but none more so then when he spoke of what an offense the Cross is to so many.
It made me think of many things. I don't know if Billy was aware of the ugly comments but if so I am confident he did not respond in anything but love and prayer for those that attacked him. He has seen the cross, preached it, lived it. He understands the gift and the sacrifice better than most. But even he said he does not understand it all.
If he can't understand it fully then I surely can't. So I share what I know. It was the greatest victory in all of mankind. Please don't confuse this with religion. I am talking about the supernatural gift of the cross. I do know that well.
Lifting weights with Julie this morning I played the song "No Turning Back," from Passion 2012. I never knew as I was leaving that event how much my life was going to be impacted. I knew I had experienced something wonderful but I had failed so many times that I did not trust myself. But that was okay because I begin to trust God. He has not failed me. I believed that lie for a long time. My anger toward him is gone. Replaced by a peace I can scarcely comprehend.
Thinking of Billy's message of the cross and his prayer for a spiritual awakening in our country reminds me this morning of a simple song. I believe it was the last song played at Passion 2012.
No Turning Back
.....This is my heart cry
Though none go with me
The cross before me
The world behind me
I will follow You
I will follow You....
Yes the cross before me the world behind me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IInEYb3hd_k
USA Today wrote an article about the show on Fox. I could not resist the urge to scroll down and read a few comments. The viscous remarks about a simple man who preached a simple message were of course present. I wrote an earlier blog, "Ugliness in a Fast Paced World." People lashing out from their deep seeded anger and often with no facts or incorrect ones at best. Aw the age of technology at its finest.
It made me think of many things. I don't know if Billy was aware of the ugly comments but if so I am confident he did not respond in anything but love and prayer for those that attacked him. He has seen the cross, preached it, lived it. He understands the gift and the sacrifice better than most. But even he said he does not understand it all.
If he can't understand it fully then I surely can't. So I share what I know. It was the greatest victory in all of mankind. Please don't confuse this with religion. I am talking about the supernatural gift of the cross. I do know that well.
Lifting weights with Julie this morning I played the song "No Turning Back," from Passion 2012. I never knew as I was leaving that event how much my life was going to be impacted. I knew I had experienced something wonderful but I had failed so many times that I did not trust myself. But that was okay because I begin to trust God. He has not failed me. I believed that lie for a long time. My anger toward him is gone. Replaced by a peace I can scarcely comprehend.
Thinking of Billy's message of the cross and his prayer for a spiritual awakening in our country reminds me this morning of a simple song. I believe it was the last song played at Passion 2012.
No Turning Back
.....This is my heart cry
Though none go with me
The cross before me
The world behind me
I will follow You
I will follow You....
Yes the cross before me the world behind me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IInEYb3hd_k
Monday, October 28, 2013
Modern Day Pharisee
A few years ago my friend Jim preached a message that hit pretty close to home. As I was exiting church he stood at the entrance and as I shook his hand I said, "You know if you are going to talk exclusively to me you might as well send the rest of these people home."
I have more faults and shortcomings then this blog or all the blogs of the world could contain. One thing, however, I don't lack is introspection. The ability to be honest not just with others but with myself. On Sunday morning I don't assume that the minister is talking about the person behind me.
One thing among many I enjoy about our church is our ministers often rail about religious behavior. Of course it still exists in our church and I am pretty sure it does in yours as well.
What are the signs of religious behavior for you? Is it judgment of others who are not on a perceived spiritual level? Maybe because they have not missed church in ten years, or never go a day without reading the scriptures. Is it being comfortable with how the service should be conducted? How about when someone puffs up their chest and brags about how many people they have led to the Lord? The list is endless.
What I notice is not what they have it is what they often lack, and that is warmth. I see no benefit in cold religious behavior. Jesus must not have either considering the company he kept. One thing I love about God is the people He chose to do the greatest works through. Flawed people who made big mistakes like David or my favorite Peter. Why did He not choose those who lived an exemplary life? The good religious folks of the day. He knew the scarred, flawed, mistake prone person would realize how much they needed Him on an intimate personal basis. They knew that they could not perform their way to relationship with Him. They knew they were lost without Him.
I have spent most of my life terribly lost but I always respected and appreciated those that radiated God's love. You could just see and feel this warmth inside of them and I knew they possessed something I did not. They had the light of God and with that comes love, caring, compassion, tenderness, and a desire to walk humbly with their Father.
We all have our bad days but if we are not walking with a visible warmth that sets us apart perhaps it is time to reevaluate and realize just maybe the minister's words are not for the person seated behind you.
We all have our bad days but if we are not walking with a visible warmth that sets us apart perhaps it is time to reevaluate and realize just maybe the minister's words are not for the person seated behind you.
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