Persevere

Paul was once the man named Saul who in legalistic fervor persecuted Christians. Upon meeting our Lord on the road to Damascus he submitted his life to God and became the man who authored a large portion of the New Testament. I find it interesting in 2 Corinthians to read about what Paul went through to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts captures some of his struggles, but to read Paul's words in 2 Corinthians echoes in me. In the United States, we go through trials, but Christians in other countries around the world die every day for their belief in Christ. Paul was flogged, imprisoned, stoned, and shipwrecked in the name of Jesus. People like Paul persevere. Alot of the time spent in this blog has been about my desire to be an unshakable man of God, but it's also been a place where I've talked about the loss of God's gift to me...my wife. I've had to persevere, but it's been no where near the struggle that other men and women face in the name of Christ through out the world. With this in mind, take your trials to the Lord in whatever situation you are in, and persevere. Just tie a rope and hand on. If these amazing Christians around the world can do it, so can we. Just give it to him, and allow him to walk with you through your trial.

What a Difference a Year Makes!

A year ago on Easter weekend my wife and I went home to Youngstown, Ohio to spend time with family and friends. I spent that Saturday night with my brother watching Mixed-Martial Arts, and my wife went out to spend time with her friends. The next morning we got up and drove home to Columbus instead of staying for Easter service. That's right...my priorities were so messed up that I didn't make sure my wife and I were in church on Resurrection Sunday. A year later, my wife and I are separated and living separate lives. This year...I was in church, and not just for the first service...nor just the second...but also for a third. I actually laid the dissolution papers that were sent to me at the altar, but wait there is more. You see this year, I was actually serving in our church, as an usher for all three of our services. This isn't to brag about myself or about my deeds, but it is to brag about where my Lord has taken me. I'm so thankful that he's restored truth in my life. I'm so thankful that he's built priorities in my life. I'm so thankful that I have a father I can run to at the altar, even on his day, and trust him with my deepest burden. Thank you Jesus. I'm smiling again...

Some Days...

Some days it's harder to maintain...and push forward.
Like today when I get the news to expect dissolution papers within a couple days.
However, if we are to be unshakable we MUST trust God. We must put complete faith in him regardless of the situation. How often do we do things without trusting him? How often do we run on impulse to make a decision without fully understanding that God probably has a better idea?
I'm choosing to trust God and his perfect will. I'm choosing to believe in his plan for my life. I believe that God is going before me and will never leave me. I believe in his will for my life, which includes my wife. Yes, I believe this marriage will be and is being healed as I write this. Why? Because I believe in a God who has ordained this marriage...I believe in a God who knows exactly how to communicate with my wife. It's about faith. I've had numerous Christians tell me to give up on my wife. They've told me its hopeless...they've told me that it's too far lost. My question is HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD? My God sees what is dead and makes it alive. If he can save the fallen race of men, he can save a marriage.
Some days it looks hopeless, but our hope is in the Lord and he never fails.

He Holds My Tears...

When my wife and I first separated there wasn't a day that went by where I didn't cry. I wailed before God. My friend Isaac told me I had this dark aura about me. Everyone knew there was something wrong with me even when I said nothing. It's now been approximately 4 months, and while I still think about my wife at least once every 5 minutes...and even though I still occasionally cry over her... I'm okay. The Lord has grabbed every tear in his hand...he's guided my footsteps...he's restored joy in my heart. Casting Crown's song "Praise You in this Storm," exemplifies my feelings on this. I will keep praising him. I understand that every time he's held my tears in one hand, he's made a way with his other hand. As I look at my life now, everything has been provided for...a job, a solid church, a supportive friends base, etc. Wow...he really did hold onto my tears.

Faith Declarations

When you get the chance pick up the book "Seven Declarations For an Unshakable Life," by Frank Damazio. It goes through Psalms 27 and finds 7 specific faith declarations David made in becoming an unshakable man of God. Here today I claim the 7 declarations found in the book:

- I will live life strong
- I will love God's House. (Go C3 Church!!)
- I will hold my head high.
- I will have an overflowing heart
- I will turn to God at all times.
- I will walk on a level path.
- I will not lose heart.

I will live my life for the Lord, and even as I believe my marriage will be restored, I know that even if it were not to happen, I will serve and love the Lord.

Look Deeper

Here's hoping that this post doesn't pop out in small letters like my last one. I'm still trying to figure that one out. But anywho...question for ya: Are you afraid to look deeper into yourself? Are you afraid of what you'll find? I had the sobering experience this weekend of understanding some of the core issues I've faced in the past. It hurts for a few...but when I think about how much I hurt my wife and others because of my lack of introspection, I realize I have to let that hurt go quickly and give my feelings to God. God has his ways of forcing us to see our shortcomings...and alot of times its not fun. I guess the question I have is why can't we just look deeper into our hearts before God has to put us in a position where we HAVE to face what's inside? Is it our egos? Are we afraid? Do we think we'll look weak? I look back not and realize if I'd been open and taken the time to allow God to work on the deeper issues of the heart I probably wouldn't be walking through the trial I'm in now. I urge you to have the courage to ask God to show you where you need work...and to accept what HE HAS FOR YOU. He who began a good work in you will complete it, but how you allow him to complete it is entirely up to you.

Prayer

"…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

These words from James 5 exhibit the power found in prayer. Just a couple questions to think about: What do you think would happen if every Christian in the United States were to fast and pray for the upcoming elections? What do you think would happen if every Christian in the world would unite to fast and pray for the unsaved? For a more personal example, what do you think would happen if every Christian in my family would band together to fast and pray for my wife and I?

What gets in our way? Life does...if we let it. I don't ask these questions to judge anyone. I ask them because I want your imagination to soar at the idea of what would happen if we actually could pray and fast in these situations. Life does get in the way sometimes, but when you get the chance...please pray for your country and for those that are unsaved or in need. We believe in a big God and that big God can solve any problem.

Salvation or Self-Help or Both?

As a child I remember seeing my church as a place that sought to reach the lost, but also as a place where we sought self-help by DOING all the things that are supposed to make us grow. DOING is a strong word...it seems workmanlike, and in truth, it is. Now as I'm older, I'm seeing some churches actually turning away from seeking to reach the lost, and focusing on things that are really self-help sometimes even with the guy with the funky smile saying "You can do it!". Let's not forget Matthew 28 and Christ's commission for us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's also remember that the Body of Christ isn't just supposed to be about keeping ourselves in-line through self-help tactics, but to help others grow. We must...I repeat...we must...lock arms and care for each other is we want to be unshakable. It's about God...and his glory...not about ourselves.