My Back 9

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24) Greeting my friends; it’s time to write.   I am moved by so many things at this moment; The Christmas season, the great many blessings in my life, the FB posts from people sharing their years in review, and most of all from a devotional I read this morning. Just about every morning I read from a series of devotionals during my quiet time with God.   There is the “ flowing river ” devotional called Jesus Calling by Sara Young.   The deep and intense daily writings of Oswald Chambers ( My Utmost ).   The old-school Christian writings of the great Charles Spurgeon ( Mornings and Evenings ). And finally, the one that inspired me today, the very practical messages from John Piper ( Solid Joys ).   Some mornings last longer than others depending on the messages I read.   I must confess that my goal is to become more consistent with my time with God each day; but my ki...

  1 Timothy 4:4-5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. Thanksgiving has very special meaning for me this year, particularly because there is so much contrast to the last several years.   As I write this message I am filled with love and thankfulness for all of the blessings in my life.   My relationship with God, my renewed relationships with my kids, my beautiful new girlfriend, my stronger family relationships, my awesome job, and my continue “pursuit” of who God made me to be.   Each morning as I prepare for my day I do my best to spend some quality time with God.   As part of that process I read from a devotional called Jesus Calling ; a beautifully written daily reminder of what really matters in this life.   Almost every day this week the message was about thankfulness.   Being thankful for all things, even the...

Purpose I’m not sure how each of you feel about this topic; but for me; fulfilling my “purpose” while here on this earth is one of the most important components of my life’s work.   There are so many ways to think about this; and Lord knows that I’ve pondered multiple theories over the years.   However, what I’ve settled in on has a direct correlation to this scripture: Psalm 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them . Regardless of what you currently believe; you must admit that it would be really cool to actually believe in this scripture. ...

Fresh at Fifty…….. “Life after Rehab”   Month Four   Resisting Relapse – Tripod Style One of the true blessings in my current life is that due to the fact that I work three days a week in Orlando; I get to attend quite a few group nights at Fresh Start Ministries.   As an executive recruiter I have the distinct privilege of working with top executives in the world of financial services on a daily basis.   This is another blessing; but I must say that attending group night to have an opportunity to press into young men struggling with life altering issues fuels me like nothing else.   I’ve always had an affinity to help others; but spending an entire year learning about the recovery process myself has given me an entirely new perspective. I feel God calling me to help; and it’s crystal clear to me that this is part of my life’s purpose.   It fills my heart with joy to make an impact on some of these young men; just to see the hope in their eyes ...

It occurred to me this morning on my way into work that as soon as you commit your life to Christ; your life takes on new meaning and becomes abundantly more peaceful; but adversity doesn’t go away.   Actually, for many of us; adversity just takes on a new and very purposeful direction; one that dials in directly to your pain points and to your weaknesses.   You see, the enemy of this world is a crafty fellow; a highly intelligent and ambitious chap; and with him you can be sure of one thing.   That he never lets up, and as The Bible tells us; he prowls around like a hungry Lion ready to kill and destroy. There is careful planning and subtlety in his methods; and quite often you don’t even know that it’s him.   Like most recently, when I was confronted with some major adversity with my oldest son who has Autism.   My son is; again; in the Hospital because he has been unable to control the anger issues associated with his disability; and the strain that...

I quite often hear people talk about happiness; and inevitably somewhere in the conversation the term “ success ” gets attached to the dialog.   In my last piece I made reference to the premise that God doesn’t call us to be successful; He calls us to be faithful.   In my view, joy is derived from the pursuit of something pure, something that is actually tied to your legacy and to your eternity.   I’ve studied quite extensively over my many years in business about success; and like most people; my pursuit of happiness was usually tied directly the amount of money I could earn.   Success meant having things, living in certain neighborhoods, and keeping up with the other “ successful ” people.   Over the last few days; I was reminded again, that I was finally on the right path; no longer chasing something that wasn’t there to begin with.   No doubt that this new found focus flows in direct proportion to my new relationship with Christ; as I now find myself...

It occurred to me this morning while I was reading a devotional by John Piper that the Grace offered through Jesus Christ is actual POWER and not just pardon. Even though God's grace is served up freely to us, we still have our part to play. There is effort involved in living out a righteous life, but it doesn't come from our own strength, it comes from the inner strength the God provides.   By faith alone we are redeemed; but others need to see us walk this out and produce the fruit of a Christian. This is our division of labor. This message really hit home for me this morning, and I am hopeful that those reading this can draw upon instances in their own lives where this may be prevalent.   Most of my adult life I have been outer determined. Determined to succeed, determined to make money, determined to have nice things, and determined to prove to everyone that I was something special. The pressures of this world are plentiful, and many of the components tied to "w...