I was confronted today by someone wanting the absolute truth about a situation involving them... their words were along the lines of 'You'd tell me the truth wouldn't you, even if you knew it would hurt me?' It made me think about how much I will skirt around issues sometimes instead of dealing up front with whomever, or whatever. Isn't it amazing how careful and sensitive we have become with people, and with issues we know in our hearts that will ultimately come crashing down. Somehow I've grown accustom with picking up the pieces of broken lives after a fall...
Today I began a couple of weeks worth of reading on prayers of the Bible. The first was from Genesis 18. The whole chapter deals with persons that hemmed and hawed around instead of telling God what was really on their hearts. The first part dealt with Sarah... she laughed as she listened to the Lord tell her husband Abraham that she would give birth in her old age. When confronted by the Lord about why she laughed she denied it, although in her heart she was loud and clear. Funny isn't it... how we can contemplate in our hearts and minds, yet somehow believe God doesn't know it unless we say it out loud.
The other part of the chapter deals with Abraham seemingly dealing with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham begins by requesting the cities be spared from destruction if God would find fifty righteous people there. God says 'okay.' But then Abraham keeps going back until he's down to sparing the cities if only ten righteous people are found. God says 'okay.' I believe if Abraham had started out with the request of ten the response would have been the same. Yet, even in my own life, I tend to want to bargain with God... uncertain of either my request, or (even deeper) my belief in how effective my prayer is anyways.
I believe God is calling me to a greater confidence... in coming before Him in prayer, and in dealing with others. The confidence is in His truth, administered through His love.

"Lets see if you're in this for the long haul." This is the little voice inside my head that always speaks up once I've begun something new or different. I've had an attitude adjustment (more of a change of heart) over recent days to "be" different; not just "do" things different. I believe this is simply a by-product of God's continuing work in my life. There are some things that just take time... and I'm one of them. I am glad that God does not give up!
Today has been a good day; largely due to an increased awareness on my part of how I affect situations with my attitude. My reading took me to 2 Peter, chapter 1 today. In this chapter Peter writes about adding to my faith certain qualities in "increasing measure" in order to remain effective and productive in my knowledge of Christ. "What knowledge is he talking about?", I asked. The knowledge that Jesus is worthy... worthy of receiving glory from my life. I live my life for Him and becuase of Him. Not to receive His blessings or to be 'happy,' but because He laid down His life for mine. Jesus is worthy of me being a great husband, father, pastor, friend,... (the list can go on). And that's not all... to ensure He receives proper glory, Jesus even equips me with the tools and help through the Holy Spirit to be all I can be for His glory. With God's help I will carry on for the long haul... because He is worthy.

I believe I was under attack this morning. I had been debating in my mind for an entire week of whether or not I would attend a prayer summit that had been scheduled weeks in advance. It was being held at a church very close to Bay City, MI which meant I had about an 1 1/2 hour drive (one way). I couldn't sleep very well last night... not certain the reason why... I just kept waking up. Finally as I lay in my bed waiting for the alarm clock to go off I had the strangest sensation come over me that I really find it difficult to put into words. I got up and began getting ready, but had this sense that something bad was going to happen. I've got to admit that I almost changed my mind about going to the prayer summit. I prayed for God's protection for my family and for my travel there and back. I found myself making sure everything was "in order" before I left the house just in case something did happen... like making sure I put the insurance payment in the mail box. Strange huh...
The journey there (and back) was an adventure as the roads were icy much of the way and I saw many accidents. But still I pressed onward believing that I needed to be at the prayer summit. I'm glad I went! It was a great time with many other pastor's from across the state spending time in prayer, fasting, and worship. My personal devotion time took me to 1 Peter chapters 1 & 2. I prayed these chapters over and over by inserting my name, or simply "me" to make it very personal. For example: 1 Peter 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade - kept in heaven for me,..."
I feel encouraged and strengthened to bring God the glory He is worthy of through my life, word and deed. I guess the enemy really didn't want me to go this morning!

Yesterday and today were good days with the family. My wife, Angela, and I took our kids on a mini-vaction... nothing much, just an over-night to a hotel with an indoor pool. We had a great time. Over the past few months I've heard, and have been reminded, about the importance of "being" rather than "doing." This little get-a-way was a time I practiced "being"... being a husband and a father. I was present with my wife and kids in a way that is all to rare at times. I played and was able to give them my full attention. I am thankful to God for this time... and I will seek to give more time like this even in the business of life.
My reading took me to Ephesisans, chapter 2. I believe one of the themes of the whole chapter deals with priorities... God's priorities. You see, before we can have peace in our lives we must have peace with our God. Peace comes through the Prince of Peace... Jesus Christ. GRACE can be remembered as God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Because of this GRACE all our activity can come in line with God's purpose and priority for our lives. The final verse of chapter 2 reads, "And in [Christ] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." (NIV). I pray I continue to get my priorities straight.