Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my household"

I’ve always been partial to Joshua’s advice to the people of Israel when he knew that his days as their leader were coming to a close. “If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) Joshua made it clear to the people that he would not be at the mercy of public opinion. His desire to worship and serve the LORD was firm and not to be cast aside no matter what. Joshua also felt confident enough to speak on behalf of his own household. As a husband and father Joshua ensured that his family knew the LORD too; his family, his responsibility.
Another thing that Joshua is saying here is that his household will continue to serve the LORD no matter what happens in the society around him. Too often we see examples of unbelief in our society and we let it discourage us. Instead of letting anecdotes from the big picture influence us, we should be starting at home, ensuring that our family is raised in the LORD from day one. Beyond that, the troubles that we read about various denominations shouldn’t discourage us from taking the responsibility of guaranteeing that our own church remains true to God and the Gospel. No matter what happens outside these doors, WE will serve the LORD!

What I Learned from Running

There are always a few things that a married couple do not have in common. I've taken Nicole to the Opera, but I certainly don't share that interest. Nicole has taken me to sporting events (the Verlander no-hitter one Anniversary, and Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals {Go Wings!!} this year), but she really isn't interested in sports. Another passion of mine that doesn't make any sense to Nicole is running. Her theory is, if something isn't chasing me, why am I running?

I started running when I was in the 7th grade; I played football in 5th and 6th grade; but I was one of the shortest, and easily the skinniest kid in my grade; naturally, I turned to cross-country. I eventually came to love the idea of competing man vs. man in a test of endurance and will. I know I wasn't the fastest guy on the course, but I also knew that it was entirely up to me how hard I was willing to run, whether or not I was willing to outwork the guy running next to me. There's just something about the purity of that sort of competition that appeals to me.

So why do I run now? After running for Cornerstone University my knees were more or less shot and I've never been able to run enough to compete at a high level since. So why do I keep running? Even without the competition against someone else, there's still the self-discipline that comes from pushing yourself against whatever you can achieve, pushing up that next hill, finishing a run with a solid kick at the end.

I never run in town; lots of people do, but I don't. I run out in nature, on grass or dirt, among the trees; that's another thing that running does for me, let's me reconnect with the peace and quiet that our world lacks these days.

Anyone else see how this applies to my blog on my ministry? That same self-discipline that I need and draw upon when I run is so very necessary in both my private and public life. Marriage is a test of running the race (not sprinting, putting in the miles), it's too easy to take
the easy way out, but that's why we need to discipline ourselves.

Is it any wonder that when Paul was seeking to justify his ministry he said, "I have run the race"; it's time we as Christians started running the race like people who want to win it.

A Moment of Rest

These are pictures of the pond that Nicole and I dug in our front yard about six years ago. The project turned out to be a LOT more work than it seemed when Nicole came up with the idea (not to mention occurring during the hottest and most humid week of the year). I wasn't sure about the idea at first, but since it was put in I've discovered that I really enjoy having this little place of peace right outside my front door. I don't mind the bit of maintenance it takes, it's actually nice to keep something in a "natural state" in good working condition. The real benefit of this pond is the chance it gives both of us to take a few moments when we need them to go and sit by the pond and just listen to the water, watch the fish or the frogs, and let life's troubles and worries be for a while. Perhaps you don't have the chance to get a moment alone in nature, but don't underestimate the healing power of taking a few minutes to just sit and let life go for a while. When you think about it, how worried do those two frogs look anyway?

Those Who Don't Learn from History

The sad lesson of the book of Judges is repeated over and over, "the Israelites once again div evil in the eyes of the LORD." This phrase invariably follows after the death of the latest Judge who saves Israel from oppression and leads the people during the rest of his/her lifetime. When that judge dies, however, the people forget the lesson of being true to God and stray once again into rebellion and sin. Their sin leads to God allowing oppression (because they aren't keeping the Covenant), the people cry out to God in their misery, God raises up a judge to deliver them which he does, and the people have peace until that judge dies. The process repeats itself so many times in Judges that it the lesson we should be learning from this bit of history is inescapable. IF we do not learn from what God has done already, we will be doomed to make the same mistakes as those who came before us. Most of us are confident enough that we don't think that we'll make such mistakes, but we should ask ourselves, do we even KNOW what God has done in the lives of our family before we came along; what did our parents learn about God that we should know, what about our grandparents? What did my church learn in the past that I don't know about? Take the time to have those conversations with those who have LIVED through the ups and downs of life; whatever else, you won't be wasting your time.

Hear Us From Heaven

We sang the iworship song, "Hear Us From Heaven" in church this morning; as I was thinking about the song (and getting the a/v equipment ready to start it), I shared this thought with the congregation, "What do we want God to HEAR from us? What is it that we really want God to know about?" It's the kind of thing that we don't stop to think about very often. Sure, we pray, we talk to God, but how often to we stop to examine what it is that we're saying to God, and what we hope to hear in return? The next time you pray, take a moment to consider what it is that you're hoping God will hear from you (obviously, I know that God knows and hears everything; but the point of praying is for us to speak to God {ultimately, for our benefit, to learn obedience and trust, and also because we're in a relationship with God (as opposed to a cosmic ATM, God is a PERSON)}...If God is going to Hear Us From Heaven (and he will), what are we saying??