Monday, June 30, 2008

Confrontation

Yesterday I took my blood pressure twice, and it was really high. I commented about it to my wife and her response was, "You know what you need to do." I replied, "Yes, it's stress-related and I need to quit my job." We bantered back and forth about it. By the way, that's not the problem, but it was better than admitting the real problem.

It dawned on me today that we do that a lot with God. When things are not going well His Spirit says, "You know what you need to do." Our reply is similar to mine. We offer God all kinds of things we think will fix the problem or answers we know are no solutions at all. Doing God's will seems too painful. It means giving up bad habits and letting God take control.

Yes, I really know what I need to do to deal with my blood pressure. Most of us, when we get to the point of bantering back and forth with the Spirit also know what we need to do. We're just resistant to doing it. Don't you think we should just surrender and do it?

Oh, by the way. Today I started exercising again. And, I'm working on cutting back on the sweets. It won't be easy. I think I'm busy and it seems like a waste of time to exercise. And I love chocolate way to much for it ever to be healthy to give in to my addiction. But it's time to bit the bullet, exercise, and reduce my sweet intake.

Maybe it's time for you to bite the bullet and surrender to God's will for your life.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Family

Recent events in my life gave me cause to think about the blessing of family. I was blessed to be born in a Christian home with loving parents. As my family expanded through marriage, children, and grandchildren I have experienced more love than one deserves.

On May 28 our second granddaughter, Liza Madden Davis, was born. There were a couple of moments of concern after she was born, but God is good and Liza is now home with her parents and big sister. As I returned home and thought about the experience several thoughts came to mind.

Family is precious. Everyone is born into one, but some are not as blessed as others. To have a family that loves each other and wants the best for each other is a blessing not all have. God has blessed me with a loving family.

One can do well in his/her chosen profession. You can distinguish yourself academically. You may have the biggest house on the block or the finest car money can buy. However, all of those things pale in comparison to family. My greatest desire is to worship and serve my heavenly Father. My next priority is to be the husband and father my family needs. That means they need to be able to see my Lord in all my life.

Father, thank you for parents who love me unconditionally. You allowed me to grow up in a Christian home where you were loved. Thank you for a godly wife who's worth more than rubies (Proverbs 31:10). Thank you for children, including our daughter-in-law, who love you. And thank you for two beautiful granddaughters.

Father, I love you and ask you to guide me so that I can be a godly example for my family.