Initiative

One of the nine or so books we picked up at the Awaken conference is Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus. The president of Walk Disney World Resort Al Weiss said, "Chasing Daylight is a powerful book that helps you see your potential and motivatesyou to press toward the mark immediately!" That pretty much summarizes my personal montra right there. The book is about seizing the power of every moment.

This book has some great chapters. One of them is called Initiative. Erwin talks about a Christian who learns to leave sin, but then stops. Here's what he writes:
"We have devined holiness through what we separate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to. I am convinced the great tragedy is not the sins that we commit, but the life that we fail to live.

You cannot follow God in neutral. God has created you to do something. It is not enough to stop the wrong and then be paralyzed when it comes to the right. God created you to do good. And doing this requires initiative. There is a suble danger of hiding apathy behind piety. Getting rid of the sin in your life? Great. Now it's time to do something.

James, the half brother of Jesus, once concluded that if you know what is right to do and you do not do it, it is sin. He gave us God's perspective on inaction - what we could perhaps call living a passive life."

I know I've fallen into this in my life. Purifying myself from the more obvious sins was, well, obvious. The Holy Spirit convicted me on what had to go. But then I just went along my comfy little life. Sometimes reaching out to the hurting and lost is even more difficult when you work in a church. You might think there are people in need who come to a church for help all the time. We get several a day. But I'm not always the one to help them. I'm rarely the one who helps them. I work with Christians, I go to church with Christians, not that I can't reach out to them, but in a church with small groups, everyone pretty much is well connected when the need help. It's not lik working in a secular industry where the issues are more prevalent and the people don't always have the safety nets that are in place with small groups. It makes me regret not helping people more when I was there.

So, initiative. There are opportunities all around you. Family. Friends. Co-workers. Strangers. Stick your neck out. Tomorrow I'll tell you a story about a guy who reluctantly did just that and the huge difference it made in someone's life. Blessings.

Old School

In February Greg and I took a class at Calvary Temple's Global Bible Institute in Modesto. The class was Old Testament Survey. Exciting, huh? But it was!
This class takes you through the whole Old Testament in 5-6 weeks. We audited the class, so we didn't have to do assignments or take tests, but boy did I take notes. I have 16 pages of yellow pad notes.

The thing I loved most and learned for the first time, was how Christ was revealed throughout the old testament. I had never thought before that the Old Testament was the Bible Christ used on the earth. Logical, but I never thought about that!

For example, when looking at Proverbs, Christ i the wisdom we're to live according to. In Ecclesiastes, we have emptiness without a relationship with Christ. In Exodus it talks about the High Priest which foreshadows Christ.

Here's an even cooler example. In Leviticus it talks about the Christ of Leviticus in the 5 offerings: 1. Burnt- Total offering in submission to the Father's will.
2. Meat - Sinless nature.
3. Peace - Fellowship with God through Christ on the cross.
4. Sin - Guiltbearer
5. Trespass - Christ's payment for the damage of sin.

In Numbers, Christ is revealed through the brass serpent on a pole - as Christ is lifted up and seen, people are healed (saved).

In Ruth, Christ is the kinsman redeemer. Boaz resembles Christ, Ruth resembles the church.

In 1 Samuel David was born in Bethlehem, was a shepherd and king.

I so enjoyed seeing the OT in a new light. Now when I read it, it's not just something that happened a long time ago. I no longer put more weight into the NT than the OT. You have to dig a little deeper, but the treasures are amazing!

Have a great day!

Food for Thought

I've had a recurring thought run through my head for the last three weeks since we attended Awaken 2008. Erwin McManus was talking about reaching the lost. He said, "I would rather piss off 1000 Christians in order to lead one person to Christ." I keep thinking about this brave comment. Having a broad perspective of the kingdom of God, and knowing that we are all called to go into the world and make disciples, (Matt. 28:19-20)I must say I have to agree with this statement.

Now, I'm not saying we should try to upset 1000 Christians, since we are all called to live peacefully with others, but if you had to choose between upsetting 1000 Christians, who are already going to heaven, and saving one person from an eternity in hell, which would you choose?

Are you such a people pleaser that you would choose the former choice? What if you were that one person? Wouldn't you rather someone stick their neck out for you, risk their reputation, so that you could live eternally in paradise?

Some of you might think this is radical faith. I hope this is the norm of attitudes. It's time we stop living safe in our cozy Christian worlds and step out to minister to the broken, the dirty, the unlovely, the diseased, and the poor.

If you watched ABC's Extreme Home Makeover last night, you saw a man who moved his family to a neighborhood called The War Zone. Gunshots every night were common place. Since they've been there, crime has decreased by 50%. They give away 3000 pounds of food a day. They give people a place to stay and and hand up. This family has a true heart for the lost. It was a great 2 hour episode. I recommend watching it to stir your heart.

So, the question today is, would you piss off 1000 Christians in order to lead one person to Christ?

Spiritual Warfare #49

Diffusing the Landmines Along Your Path by Charles Stanley
Proverbs 3:5-7 gives us a simple principle but one that we can use to avoid the trappings of Satan:

Trust in the Lord with all your Heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

The way to avoid a landmine is to stay close to the One who has promised to guide you safely through the danger.

Set off one landmine and a series of explosions can occur quickly. For example, the enemy may gain access into your life through a certain area, such as the landmine of unforgiveness, but his overarching plan is to trick you into compromising your faith and distancing yourself from God. He will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. The reason? He knows that if he can get you into a place of spiritual effectiveness, you will no longer be in a position where God can use you. He wants to find a way to keep you from loving God and experiencing His love in return. To be loved is the greatest need we have. To be loved unconditionally is the gift that God extends to everyone who accepts His Son by faith. However, to experience this close, intimate relationship, you must be willing to draw near to Him through personal surrender and submission.

This is where the rub usually takes place. Many people do not want to bow their knees to God, and they walk away from Him without a second thought about where the path they are on will take them. You can go to church every Sunday and still end up hitting a landmine if your life is not submitted to God. Living for Christ involves a heart commitment and not just a personal performance.

In Psalm 139, David wrote,
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way. (vv.23-24)

David's humility was evidence of his desire to strip away anything that would separate him from the Lord. His words also reveal the heart of a man who had learned to avoid many spiritual dangers.

David was proactive. He wanted to know God and His ways.

He had a submissive spirit. He did no have his own agenda in mind but actually wanted to please God above all else.

His life was open to God. David was willing for god to "try" him to see if he had learned what he needed to know.

David wanted God's will for his life.

He [God] wants to give your life meaning, hope, and purpose. He knows all the times you have failed, and He still loves you and will forgive you when you turn to Him and ask for His forgiveness. He will take you from where you are to where you need to be. He knows exactly how to get you on the right path-the one that is landmine-free. In the process, He will satisfy the deepest longing of your heart. He will never disappoint you because He always chooses the best for you to enjoy. He has a fantastic plan waiting for you. It does not matter if you are six or ninety-six. The moment you say, "Lord, use me, train me, and teach me more about Yourself," He will answer your prayer, and all of heaven's joy, contentment, and eternal peace will be yours forever.

That concludes Landmines in the Path of the Believer by Charles Stanley. It was full of great insights to where we can get tripped up. I'm glad I read it. I will keep it as a reference for the rest of my life.

I can't wait to see where the Lord takes us next. We're off today to see about purchasing the appliances for our kitchen remodel. Greg will also be learning how to use the stucco removal tool we borrowed from our contractor today. Fun! Have a great Sunday!

Spiritual Warfare #48

An Extreme Danger by Charles Stanley
The motto of a slothful person is: "Don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow." He is not motivated to work or to try to do his best. Often he will procrastinate and refuse to accept any responsibility.

This type of person may start well but never finishes what he begins. Deep inside, the lazy person may want to achieve great things but cannot find the right amount of energy or determination needed for the challenge.

The message we send our children is extremely important. If you are content lying back and allowing others to support you without your lifting a finger to work, then you are telling your children it is okay to be lazy. They will grow up lazy, and even worse they will grow up not knowing the potential within their lives.

God created each one of us for a purpose. When we live in slothfulness, we miss doing His will because we are engulfed by selfish thoughts and longings that will never come true.

Laziness and Your Emotions

What are some of the characteristics of laziness?

Lack of priorities, goals, and ambition.
Selfishness.
Lack of faith in God's call and ability.
A sense of pride.
Insensitivity to the lord and to others.
Unfinished tasks.
A damaged testimony for God.
Weakened relationship with God.
Ignorance of the truth.
Feelings of depression, anxiety, and fear.

Satan is always on the move, looking for places to hide his landmines. He wants to truck you into doubting, ignoring, and rebelling against God's will and purpose. Laziness is just one of his wicked tactics. If you give this struggle room to grow in your heart, you will face
problems
stress and pressure
emotional as well as physical pain
a lack of peace
poverty
penalty

Tomorrow we'll finish up the book with chapter 12, Diffusing the Landmines Along Your Path. I think we'll take a break from covering books in depth for awhile, and just share some nuggets of wisdom I've been collecting along the way the last few months. I'll share some of what I heard at the Awaken 2008 conference and point you to the websites of some of the great pastors who were present. I'll share some brief words from some of the books I've read the last few months and the wisdom of God's word. Each day will be something new to stimulate your mind and heart. I'm looking forward to sharing with you! Have a blessed, joyful day!

Spiritual Warfare #47

A Landmine That Robs Us of Purpose and Motivation by Charles Stanley
Slothfulness or laziness is inexcusable. Usually the person who struggles with this landmine also exhibits signs of much deeper problems-low self-esteem, pride, and a passive-aggressive attitude. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul wrote to a group of believers who had become lazy in their devotion to God and in their work. Before you hesitate to read further because you think this may not apply to your life, ask yourself, Am I doing my best? or Do I offer something much less to my employer and coworkers as a result of taking shortcuts and procrastinating?

Many of the Thessalonians were not working. Instead, they expected the church to take care of them. When Paul got word of their dismal state, he penned them that while Jesus had not returned, God was indeed faithful to His promises. The Savior would return. Therefore, until He did, they were to remain diligent in every area. That meant going back to work! But laziness is not confined to the area of employment. We can become lazy or slothful in relationships, our approach to life, and even how we deal with problems.

Attitudes of laziness can be very difficult to overcome because they involve motivation. A lazy person usually is someone who has given up trying. He becomes convinced that he does not have what it takes to make it-in relationships, on the job, or in society. So, he becomes lazy and allows others to go before him.

During your lifetime, you will make mistakes. Plus, your best may not look like that of someone else. Never compare what you do to others.

All of us know people who are lazy and seem to be floundering professionally and personally. They really do not contribute to society, but they are the first ones to line up for a handout. They have ability, but they don't want to use it. From God's perspective, this is sin.

Tomorrow we'll look at procrastination. We're almost done with the book, as this is the last chapter. I hope you've enjoyed it, even if it was uncomfortable. Our walk should not be comfortable all the time, less we stop growing. I hope you feel stretched, motivated for change, or, if these aren't areas you struggle with now, that you tuck them away in your heart and remember where to find them if you need them. May God give you the courage and opportunity to speak into others' lives as situations call for it. We're all in this process together. God bless!

Spiritual Warfare #46

Continuing Consequences of Immorality by Charles Stanley
Guilt
Self-condemnation
Anxiety
Divided Mind
Damaged self-esteem
Feeling of hypocrisy
Deep Sense of emptiness
Disappointment and lack of contentment
Feeling of dishonesty
Willful disobedience
Unspeakable regret
Doubt
Lack of effectiveness and time wasted
Fear
Broken relationships
Damaged testimony
Sexual addiction

I have talked to countless people who cannot seem to come to grips with this one area. Their minds tell them that they are healthy and normal people. While they are not married, they contend that they have sexual needs that must be answered. My answer is the same: "No, you don't."

That finishes the chapter on Immorality. Tomorrow we'll be looking at slothfulness (laziness). If you have employees this is a great chapter.

We were all doing a little better last night. The cat got sick, but overall I think she's doing better. Thank you for your prayers.

We have borrowed a tool to remove the stucco from the patio. We need to buy the masks, but I think we'll start this weekend taking it down. The plans came back from the City with only 27 changes on them. We didn't get a copy but we have an excellent contractor who's handling it. I can't wait to get started.
God bless.

Spiritual Warfare #45

Continuing Consequences of Sin by Charles Stanley
There is another group of people who suffer more than they admit. These are the ones who make a horrendous mistake of believing that if they will just go to bed with another person, they will find the intimacy and love that their hearts long to experience.

Secular psychologists have long suggested that sex outside marriage leads to feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem. Christian counselors know this is true, because sexual intimacy is the most private expression two people can have for one another. It touches the core of a person, and if that touch is one of no commitment or lasting love, it can be devastating.

People misuse sex for many selfish reasons:
1. to build personal self-esteem
2. to meet personal desires
3. to control another person
4. to make financial gains (This includes prostitution)
5. to express lust and abuse

The man sitting across from me had refused to listen to the caution of his friends. He had been determined to carry on an affair, even though he was married. As a believer, he should have known better, but he had opened the door to sin through what seemed to be a harmless act of kindness at his job.

A coworker was hurting, and at first she just wanted to talk about her husband and the trouble they were having. He reassured her everything would work out and he would pray for her family. Soon they began to go to lunch together-just to talk. They laughed freely, and when confronted by another coworker, he became defensive and responded quickly: "We're just friends." His answer was spoken with enough force to back others away from mentioning the subject again.

After a few weeks, they decided to stay at the office a little later and then grab a bit to eat before heading home. Step-by-step they became emotionally involved to the point that he realized he was getting up in the morning thinking about the woman at his office and not about the wife he was leaving for the day. When his wife asked about his late evenings, he became more defensive. He began to think the only one who really knew and understood him was the woman at his office. By then, his peers were avoiding him and his friend. They knew what was about to happen, and some also knew how it would end.

A friend had tried one final time to convince the man that his actions were dead wrong. But the warning came too late. His mind was seared, made up, and engulfed in a desire to express his passion for this woman, which he evidently did-not once but many times-until his wife packed her bags and left.

Tears rolled down his face, and he could barely make eye contact with me because he finally realized the weight of his sin.

Tomorrow we'll look at the consequences of sexual sin. If you know someone in a similar situation, talk to them, and try to save them from the devastation that comes from this.

On a personal note, all four of us are sick. The cat is doing better the last few days! The dog may have to go to the vet. My laptop is back from the shop with a new hard drive! Greg's computer is dragging. I dare to say that our dog Casey and our goldfish are the only two without issues. Kristen and Greg aren't going to outdoor ed in Yosemite today so they can get better. Looking forward to healthier days. Blessings!

Spiritual Warfare #44

Underlying Causes of Sin by Charles Stanley
God never changes. His principles and promises remain steadfast. Therefore, a moral law that is stated in the Old Testament is just as valid in the New Testament.

The apostle Paul virtually restated the moral principle of the book of Exodus in 1 Corinthians: "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:18-20).

Principles to Live By
God has given us foundational principles, boundaries, and guidelines to follow. If we violate them, we will reap the consequences. Sexual fulfillment is reserved for marriage. It is something to be enjoyed between a husband and wife-not two men and not two women.

It also should be something that flows from a sense of genuine love-godly love for one's spouse. It may be an act of love, but it also reflects our willingness to ask, "What is best for my wife?" or "What is best for my husband?" Sexual expression should be unselfish, intimate, and most of all, based on God's love.

Satan crouches at our door, waiting for us to appear interested in some behavior that is sinful and dead wrong. At times, he tells us that we have needs and those needs must be met. If given an opportunity, he will bombard a person's mind with thoughts of passion until it seems he is being driven by an unseen force-one that beckons him to meet his needs without consideration of God's will.

Again there is a degree of truth within this lie. God has created each one of us with basic needs. Sexual fulfillment or intimacy is one of these. However, many people who are not married find fulfillment in ways other than sexual expression. Problems arise when a person goes against the moral principles God has established in His Word. He created sex so that we could express love to our spouses.

It has been heartbreaking to me to listen to the many accounts of infidelity. Young men and women thought that the only way they could experience love was to engage in sexual contact without waiting to be married. Others strayed in their love for one another and ended up in adulterous relationships-all because they listened to Satan's lie and believed that there was something better than what God had given them.

This may sound old-fashioned, but if you fail to wait until you are married to express your love for your mate, then you will miss one of the most precious blessings that God has given to every man and woman. There is something about purity and the marriage bed that lifts a relationship to a higher level.

That last paragraph is something that I can attest to. Greg and I waited before we got married. We became friends over 4 months and began courting. We courted for 4 months before we got engaged, and 3 months later we were married. We were in our early forties and had been married before. Though from the outside it may look rushed, but for us, we were married soon enough not to be too tempted and courted long enough to know that God had chosen each other for us. Both of us submitted to God's choice of who we should marry. We didn't go by looks, or success, or any other factor. We wanted who God chose for us. Risky? Yes. Worth it? Definitely. God knows better than anyone who we should marry. God refined me through 13 years of singleness and Greg through 5. Greg was very much worth the 13 year wait, and I would have waited longer if necessary to have him. If you are single, are you submitted to God's choice for a life-long mate, no matter how long it will take? It's not about finding the right person, it's about being the right person. God knows who they are and will bring them to you when you're both ready.

Spiritual Warfare #43

God's Judgement and God's Grace by Charles Stanley
In Leviticus 20 we read, "If there is a man who ies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a destestable act; they shall surely be put to death" (v.13). It does not get any plainer than this.

God has placed principles within His Word to guide us and to protect us. He knows the consequences of sin. He also knows that we reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow. Some consequences of sin continue for a long time. In fact, some may be with us an entire lifetime.

A person who is deeply engaged in sin may not die physically though some of the sins that are committed can lead to this very end. But one thing is certain: he or she will face a spiritual, emotional, and mental death. Physicians' offices are filled to overflowing with people who are struggling with sin, disobedience, and rebellion. Their lives reflet an agitating presence of anxiety or a sorrowful countenance of depression. They don't understand why they are battling feelings of guilt and anger every day. It is the result of sin-rebellion against God.

"If I could jut have an hour of peace," one woman sighed. Her life was in shambles, and she refused to give her life to Jesus Christ. She wanted to hang on to what she believed was a sense of freedom, and she openly admitted that se did not want anyone to tell her what to do.

She was determined to live her life the way she planned. No matter how many relationships she had in the past or how large her bank account became, she did not have true peace. And she knew it It wasn't until she surrendered to the unconditional love of God that she had her first peaceful night's sleep in a very long time.

When you are tempted by sin, remember Satan has a goal for your life-destruction. Sin is the best way he can acheive this. He also will use feelings of depression, guilt over past sins that have been forgiven by God, and anxiety to prevent you from experiencing God's blessings.

All sexual sin begins like any other temptation-in the mind with a thought. From a thought it moves into the imagination. A person will imagine what a certain experience would be like. Usually there is a sense of identification with the other person involved. A desire begins to grow until it becomes constant and strong. You can deal with sin at any point up to this moment. As I mentioned earlier, you can also say no and turn and walk away.

However, if you allow the feelings to continue,they will become a fantasy and a part of who you are. Soon it will seem normal to act on your feelings. Sexual sin is like nothing else you will face. It is all-consuming, but God can break the bondage of the deepest sin.

You will need to admit that you need His help and His deliverance. If you don't deal with sin, it will deal with you.

I think the best part of today is seeing how sin grows in our minds, then to action. That's a huge warning sign. Blessings this day.

Spiritual Warfare #42

Continuing on with The Landmine of Immorality by Charles Stanley
Things We Need to Admit
Sin is an enticement to disobey almighty God. It is an invitation to rebel against Hi in some way. Sin also is universal. Paul wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide they way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)

Everyone, at some point, will face Satan's temptation. We must remember, however, that while he may tempt us to disobey God, we can say no. The Lord has given us exactly what we need to resist the enemy-the power of His Word and the presence of His Holy Spirit. When Jesus was tempted to disobey the Lord, He used God's Word to rebuke the enemy's pursuit.

God also has promised to proved a way of escape. The problem is that too many people do not take it. They actually believe that they can take a step in sin's direction and not get burned. Over the years, I have heard many people say, "I can quit anytime I want to," but what they quickly discover is that they can't. This is because of the foundational nature of sin. It was ignited by Satan to destroy our lives and testimony and the enemy will not stop tempting us until he has reached his goal.

People often ask me, "What does 'shall not' mean?" (review Ex. 20:14). It means there is to be no rationalization, no redefining, camouflaging, compromise, or attempt at making what God says is wrong to become right. Adultery is wrong, and the consequences are serious. It carries with it a hefty price tag.

God tells us in Leviticus 20:10, "If there is a man who commits adultery with another man's wife, one who commits adultery with his friend's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." Over the years, we have changed the face of adultery to a point that it now wears a mask of romantic love. God said to put the persons involved to death! That demonstrates how firm He was with anything that tempted His people to become unfaithful and disloyal to their marriage vows. He knew the consequences of sin.

Tomorrow we'll look at God's Judgement and God's Grace. Have a blessed day.

Spiritual Warfare #41

Chapter 10, The Landmine of Immorality by Charles Stanley

This is a hard-hitting chapter. Charles speaks of what God says about immorality. If you happen to be in one of the situations described in this chapter, please know it is not meant to condemn you. (John 3:17) "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." However, the Holy Spirit may convict you to change your ways. You are loved and God wants His best for you.

The Nature of Immorality
Today people are more concerned about what society thinks is correct than what God says is right.

People have become involved in relationships purely to fulfill lustful desires. When the relationship ends, they are left with feelings of deep loneliness, betrayal, emotional abuse, and failure. Society may tell you, "Live any way you please." But no one will mention that God has the final word concerning sin and its consequences. Once sin has had its way, God is the only One willing to pick up the shattered pieces of your life. The world does not comfort failures-people who are outcasts or hopelessly given over to addiction and passions that are out of control.

God forbids adultery, debauchery, fornication, homosexuality, and anything that violates His moral law and principles. One's inner conscience knows this. However, people often ignore the very warning signs their consciences produce. They work overtime to hid the very things that are eating them up inside, such as pornography, rape, sexual abuse, and such.

We may fall into sin, but if we truly know Him, we will not remain there. Sin and God's holiness have no common ground. God is holy, and He cannot look on sin. He will hear the prayer of a sinner, but He never accepts the sin someone purposefully commits.

Paul wrote, "God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you" (1 Thes. 4:7-8). The Lord takes full responsibility for commanding us to live godly lives. Sanctification is a process that continues over time. It means that we are becoming more like Christ. The more we surrender our lives to God, the more He shapes us into the image of His Son. We are sanctified, made holy, through our relationship with Him. Salvation is a one-time event, but sanctification is something that takes place over a lifetime. When we accept Christ as our Savior, He saves us from the penalty of our sin. He forgives us. He also declares us not guilty of sin, because He has forgiven our post, present, and future transgressions. Therefore, in the future when we sin, we begin to learn about the consequences of our actions and how we can avoid future failures.

Enough to chew on for today? There is so much meat in the chapter, it will probably take some time to go through it. I hope you're up for it!

Sputters is still throwing up quite a bit. I'm going to talk to the vet today and see if there is anything that can be done. She's lost all the weight she gained this past week.

Greg and I are limping along. Greg had to put in a long day yesterday, so I took Kristen to drum lessons at 4:30, then we had to drop her off for a small group get together at 6:30. We talked with some friends from church before we left. We hadn't gone grocery shopping in over a week, so my plan was to do that, but Greg wasn't up for it so we opted to pick up prescriptions at Target, call in a quick bite for me, since I hadn't eaten in several hours, and head for home. Greg didn't want to go in to Target, as he was too tired, so he asked for the keys to listen to the radio while I ran in. I came out 15 minutes later to a dead battery. Two calls to 411 to get the number of the towing company resulted in a 20 minute wait (not a big deal, except my food was supposed to be picked up much earlier) and we were finally on our way. Mark couldn't jump us because he was at a required piano concert at CSUS for school. At 10:30 last night I realized we missed a staff meeting at the time we arrived at Target. We haven't missed one in 2 years. We must be really messed up right now. I'm looking forward to the time life goes smoothly again! Blessings!

Spiritual Warfare #40

A Time to Move Forward by Charles Stanley

For many people, fear is an addiction. They are stuck, and there is only one way to get out of the disastrous rut they are in: They must admit there is a deep problem. Doing this can be difficult, though, because fear is a source of security for some people.

You can overcome fear when you do the following:

Admit there is a problem and you need God's help.

Confess your belief in God's sovereign care.

Commit yourself to spending time each day with God in prayer. Reading and studying God's Word are just as important, but it is in prayer that you learn to worship God and hear His voice speaking to you through His Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Meditate on God's Word, which contains His personal promises to you.

That concludes the chapter of Fear. Next, The Landmine of Immorality.

Did I mention our kitty troubles? Last Thursday our cat Sputters wasn't doing so well. Not focusing, not moving, not meowing, not getting in our laps. I thought maybe she was shutting down, as she's 12 years old. We took her to the vet and he ran blood work that showed she had a GI infection and her kidneys we being affected. He flushed her with fluids and gave her antibiotics and reran some of the blood work 24 hours later. The kidneys were perfect and though her white cell count was double normal, he flushed her again and sent her home with amoxicillan.

When we got home, she bolted out of the carrier like a cannon. She meowed, got on our laps, ate well, and did fantastic all week. Now she has been a puky kitty for over a year. That's the term our vet gave her. She throws up several times a week. (Hence the reason for the remodel, to put down tile) Last night she started throwing up again. I'm so sad. It looked like the antibiotics were fixing whatever was making her throw up. We changed her food when she got home, taking her off the allergy food and on straight C/D. I wish I knew what was causing the vomiting and how to stop it. Maybe it's a blockage or something, I don't know.

Why is it bad things always come in threes? Have a blessed day!

Spiritual Warfare #39

Thanks so much for praying for us. My bp went down around 8:00 yesterday morning and I felt so much better in that regard most of the day. Still weak from the cough virus, but pressing onward anyway. Greg got some pain meds that shouldn't make him drowsy, so he'll be back to work today.

A New Perspective by Charles Stanley
If God has placed you in a certain position, He will handle all the details concerning it and your life. Your only responsibility is to obey Him and leave the consequences to Him.

An older woman admitted she did not venture out much at night, "Things happen," she said with a sigh, "and there are a lot of bad things that can happen." Being cautious is fine, but being fearful is not in keeping with God's plan for your life. Bad things can and do happen to anyone at any time. Fear becomes a true problem when we focus on it. John wrote, "Perfect love [God's love] casts our far" (1 John 4:18). When you have the love of God in your heart, you can overcome the landmine of fear because you have the greatest source of encouragement, hope, and strength living within you.

While we need to be cautious and discerning, many times the enemy can use thoughts of fear to prevent us from stepping out and enjoying the good things God gives.

The enemy is looking for a place in your life to bury his landmine. However, if you are proactive in the way you approach dangerous situations, he will not have the opportunity to do this. You cannot be careless. Instead, listen for the voice of the Spirit-not the voice of fear-to direct you. There is a huge difference. Fear is something the enemy chatters about. God will never use fear to instruct you. He may want you to fear Him, which is a reverent fear that honors and loves, but He will never prompt you to become anxious or fretful.

Tomorrow we'll look at a section titled A Time to Move Forward. I just love this stuff and I pray it is helping you too. May this bring you to a state of fearless abandon for our Lord.

Spiritual Warfare #38

Continuing on with the Consequences of Fear by Charles Stanley
Procrastination is another consequence of fear. People become afraid of not doing something right. Therefore, they put off doing anything at all! I have listened as grown men have described how their parents told them that they would never amount to anything. Internally, they believed this lie, and over the course of their lifetimes they began to procrastinate over the slightest activity. Yes, there was some fear of failure involved, but they also did not believe they could make a choice that was correct or meaningful. So rather than choose, they vacillated between any number of options.

Fear undermines self-confidence. Most of us know when we are yielding to fear. Each time the enemy tells us that we need to be afraid, we need to recall out loud the promises of God, beginning with 2 Timothy 1:7: "God has not given us a spirit of timidity [fear], but of power and love and discipline."

God's promise to you
To overcome fear, you must learn a simple principle that I have mentioned again and again in this book, and that is the principle of focus. When we keep our focus on Jesus Christ, life's struggles diminish and our faith becomes stronger.

God has chosen you to fulfill His will. There is no one who can do what He has called you to do. Yet fear often prevents us from doing this because we are worried about our circumstances. "What if this goes wrong?" "I feel so badly and afraid, I shouldn't try. Something might happen to me or to someone I love. Then what would I do?" But Jesus says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). Although fear may not be able to kill you physically, it can paralyze you and create such a deep sense of anxiety that you will become sick-emotionally and physically.

Tomorrow it's about a new perspective and moving forward. Please pray for Greg and I. We've had a hard week. My blood pressure has been high, I've gotten a cough, dizziness, heart palpitations. Yesterday Greg cut his finger at work and needed 6 stitches. He couldn't sleep most of the night from the pain. God will see us through, it's just exhausting right now. Thank you so much for your prayers and your faithful reading of this blog. God bless.

Sspiritual Warfare #37

Through the Valley by Charles Stanley
Fear can come as a result of the way we were raised.
There came a point when I grew tired of cowering in fear. Whenever I felt fearful, I would pray. If it was dark and I had to deliver newspapers, I prayed for God's safety and protection. Soon fear began to vanish. Over a period of time, I grew to trust God in a greater way. I did not even think about whether it was dark or light. I was focused on the Lord.

This one habit helped to set a pattern for my life, which is to get up and pray every morning before I begin my activities. I could never thank God enough for my struggle with fear because it was the catalyst that led me into a closer relationship with Him. Consider this possibility: God may have allowed you to feel fearful to reveal more of Himself to you.

We struggle with fear because we allow our imaginations to go to places that God never intended us to visit. Most of the events that we fear never come true. Our fears are unfounded. While we worry about impending failure, death, and destruction, Satan is smiling because he knows he has our full attention. Whatever has your attention has you.

Ignorance of the promises in God's Word leads to fear.

Finally, fear is often the result of a poor self-image. When a person feels inadequate or unprepared, or does not measure up to others, a sense of fear will surround his life. Fear vanishes when we begin to understand several things about God.
He is not looking for us to perform a certain way.
We are adequate through Jesus Christ.
We need to ask God to give us the right perspective.

Tomorrow we'll look at the consequences of fear. I heard Joyce Meyer say once that F.E.A.R. was False Evidence Appearing Real. I tend to agree with that and I try to remember it whenever fear gets my attention. Blessings!

Spiritual Warfare #36

Steps to moving on from disappointment by Charles Stanley
Recognize that disappointments can be conquered. How disappointment came into you life is not the issue, but your response to it is. You may be shocked, hurt, and angry, and you may want to run. That's okay. Yet if you cling to any one of these, they will blind you away from God's goodness, and your circumstances will become more dismal.

Chapter Nine, the Landmine of Fear
It can paralyze us to such a degree that we lose our godly perspective concerning our circumstances. It clouds our vision for the future and leaves us struggling with doubt. When our lives are shrouded in fear, we cannot imagine the goodness that God has for us.

You must come to a point where you know that God is who He says He is and that your future and all that concerns you are wrapped up in His loving care. There can be no doubt. When you now this, even when the storms of life strike, you will not be driven off course.

A fearful person wonders what difficulty or trying situation is waiting for him around the next turn in the road. He worries that something will go wrong, and it will be beyond his ability to handle it. He does not realize that by buying into fear, he has stepped on one of the most destructive devices there is-the landmine of fear.

We must never forget that the first step toward conquering fear is gaining truth and knowledge. When thoughts of fear occur, we must make a choice based on the truth we know. If our minds have been programmed with the Word of God, we will be able to discern truth from fiction-a real threat from a perceived danger.

His plan is not for us to crumble with feelings of anxiety. Instead, He wants us to know that He is aware of what is taking place. He also has our very best in mind. Though troubles come, He promises to bring good out of each one (Rom. 8:28)

I love this chapter. I've been waiting weeks to get to it. May his peace be with you always.

Spiritual Warfare #35

Before we jump into the book, I just wanted to thank you for praying about our prayer walk yesterday. I think the coolest thing that happened for me was hearing about how God spoke to the couple we were with. We got back to their house and started with him. He picked up two rusty, bent nails he found at the beginning of his walk. He held them up and said, "I found this nail, then I found the more rusty bent one, and it made me think of why we're doing this. Because Christ was nailed to a cross for me."

Her impressions were of the neighborhood. She talked of how nobody stays, they have been forgotten, the yards and houses aren't taken care of, there isn't any friendliness or kindness in the community.

Steps to Moving Beyond Disappointment by Charles Stanley
Realize that God is aware of your circumstances.
Understand that disappointment is a part of life. He [God] may have allowed some things to turn out differently from the way that you planned or even desired. But every single time you faced a moment of discouragement, He was right beside you, longing for you to ask for His strength, wisdom, and insight.

Many times, people do not do this because they want to feel a little depressed so they will gain extra attention. In other words, they enjoy self-pity. There is a problem here that often goes unnoticed until it is almost too late. Satan is plotting and planning your discouragement.

God does not want us to suffer. However there are times when He allows disappointment to touch our lives for a greater purpose. He draws us closer to Himself. James wrote, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8) If you resist Him the burden of your heart will only grow larger and heavier.

God's joy is not based on anything this world has to offer. It is rooted in the eternal promise that you have been given through Jesus Christ. That is, if you will place your faith in Him, He will save you from your sins and an eternal death. He also will give you the grace to reside with hope regardless of your circumstances.

We'll continue with these steps tomorrow. While I was at Awaken 2008, Wayne Cordiero gave us all a Life Journal. Not only that, he gave us a great structure for a quiet time. I'm not the kind of person who just sits down with her Bible and has frequent rich quiet times. If I have some structure, like a reading plan, steps, check boxes, a plan, I do so much better. My times have been so much richer this last week since using this Life Journal. I'll be using these for life! Last night I started reading Wayne's Divine Mentor book. It's not what I expected, but it is like what he talked about at the conference and it's pretty good.

I better be off to church!

Spiritual Warfare #34

Consequences of Disappointment by Charles Stanley
Prayerlessness: Once disappointment drifts into discouragement, the person usually stops praying. He becomes critical, cynical, and angry with God. He is likely to say something along these lines: "He is God, right. I mean, He could have stopped it."

Another consequence of disappointment is a divided mind. We cannot think clearly when we focus on Satan's lies and negative words. One man spent his entire life living in fear and disappointment because he viewed himself as a failure. His mind was divided, and he could not focus on the truth of God's Word. If he had, he would have quickly learned that all things are possible when we believe in God's Son.

We also become angry, and if this is not taken care of quickly, we will become depressed and self-centered. The definition for depression is simply anger turned inward.

Tomorrow we'll look at the steps in moving beyond disappointment, which is a much longer section.

Greg and I are going on another prayer walk on the west side this morning. We're being joined by a couple who lives there. Please pray that God will give us insight on our prayer walk. God bless you all.

Spiritual Warfare #33

Now we get to go to chapter eight, the landmine of disappointment by Charles Stanley
Anything that drives us to the Lord is good for us. Disappointment, heartache, and sorrow are included here. Had God forgotten His promises to David? No, but David was not ready to assume the role of king of Israel. The years he spent battling hardship and disappointment were times of tremendous growth and preparation for the position that he would hold one day.

My caution to everyone reading these words is very simple: when disappointment strikes, don't give up and don't give in to thoughts of discouragement. You never know what God has waiting for you. Like David, you may go through a long season of waiting when disappointment seems to follow your every step. However, each series of trials prepared David for some aspect of the job that he would have one day.

God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. We can rest in His presence because we know that He has only the best for our lives and He will not allow the enemy to harm us. If disappointment, sorrow, or trouble comes, He will teach us how to respond and lead us to a place of blessing and hope.

He [God] also knows the depth of your disappointments. But just as He had a greater plan for Christ's life, He also has one for you. If you never face disappointment, you will never know how to trust God, encourage others, or live in the comfort of His care.


Disappointment is an emotional response to some failed expectation or some desire that we have. It comes when we lose our godly motivation and drive, which bring fulfillment and purpose to life. When we lose these, our hearts can become heavy and sad.

Tomorrow we'll look at the consequences of disappointment. I think this is an area we can easily learn how to handle well, but it helps if we first go through it and experience handling it well, and see how God meets us there. Blessings this Friday!

Spiritual Warfare #32

At the Altar by Charles Stanley
Jesus tells us, "If you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering" (Matt. 5:23-24)

Deal with anger through godly reconciliation.

Take forgiveness seriously by admitting that you have a problem.

Assume responsibility for your actions.

Deal with the problem God's way.

Confess what you've done.

Lay down your anger. No matter how heavy the weight of your frustration or sin may seem, god will shoulder it with you when you stop trying to control your circumstances with anger and bitterness.

Make a commitment to pray for the person who is the object of your unforgiveness.

If I had refused to forgive my stepfather, more than likely, God would not have given me the opportunity to preach the gospel all over the world. He watches the attitude of our hearts to see if we are fully devoted to trusting Him with every trial and heartache.

When unforgiveness leads you to animosity, bitterness, resentment, and hostility, you waste your life, and you miss the best that God has for you. You also end up suffering the consequences of your sin. And never forget; the shortest distance between your sin and God's forgiveness is the distance between your knees and the floor.

Don't you just love that last line? May forgiveness happen in your heart the same day you are wronged. It's not worth hanging on to.

Spiritual Warfare #31

The Peace Forgiveness Brings by Charles Stanley
Often before the Lord uses us, He will take us through a time of reflection when He reveals issues within our lives that need to be addressed. Forgiveness may be a part of this process. If so, we need to be willing to forgive the person or persons who have hurt us, but we also need to forgive ourselves. Many emotional problems result from our refusal to forgive.

A Step-by-Step Plan
Lift your head and heart toward Him. Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"

Pray for the person who has hurt you. In quiet times alone with God, He will provide the insight and strength you need to understand what has happened. He also will show you how to pray about the situation. If you will fight your battles on your knees, God will move heaven and earth on your behalf.

You Will Experience a Sense of Joy and Peace
Essentially, when we do forgive, we release the other person to the Lord, but we also step out the door of bondage and onto a pathway of freedom that leads straight to the heart of God.
More than likely as you go through a week, there will be an opportunity for you to feel neglected, overlooked, and ill-treated. Perhaps you feel angry as a result of something that happened on your job, and you want to quit.
What do you do when it seems that you have not been treated fairly? You continue to obey God, and you make a commitment to trust Him regardless of your circumstances. You wait for Him to show you how to respond, and then you act accordingly.

The Bottom Line to Forgiveness
The author of Hebrews urged us, "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb. 12:14-15). To come short of God's grace means that we are unwilling to forgive.

I've got to admit I've learned a lot about forgiveness by reading through this chapter. I hope it's helped you too. Tomorrow we'll look at the section titled At the Altar. Have a great day.

Spiritual Warfare #30

Continuing the chapter on Unforgiveness by Charles Stanley
Handling the Hurts We Feel
There are three parts to uncovering the landmine of unforgiveness. Each one is the result of a godly choice.
1. Choose to let go of every feeling of resentment.
2. Lay down the right to get even. God doesn't let the person who harmed you off the hook. You forgive because this is what He desires for you to do.
An unforgiving spirit binds us to the abuser. We may think that in order for the person to be punished, we need to remain angry, but all we are doing is hurting ourselves even more. You extend forgiveness to another person even though he or she may not deserve or ask for this. You are responding like God-like Christ and like the person you were created to be.
3. Allow God to deal with the person who has hurt or abused you. ...you cannot go forward if you are only looking behind. Many times the person who has caused the trauma we feel may not even know what he or she has done or, worse, care.

Unforgivness prevents you from worshipping God.

Forgiveness: Don't Overlook This
First of all, if you handle hurt in the right way, you will turn to Him and not rely on angry emotions to lift you up. Feelings of anger and resentment only tear down what God wants to establish. And He wants you to become a person who forgives and loves others the same way He does. But you cannot do this if you cling to feelings of unforgiveness.
Another thing you need to consider is this: if you have never been hurt, you will not understand the concept of forgiveness. To forgive, you must suffer, and you must also receive forgiveness for any wrong you have committed.

Remember what I said earlier: whatever has your attention has you. If you are captivated by God's love, you will live with the light of His love burning in your heart. You will know joy, peace, and contentment. However, if you are angry, butter, and resentful, you will struggle with feelings of unforgiveness, anxiety, and fear. Your heart will not be at rest, and you will face emotional and physical problems.

The moment we begin to believe that we have a right to be angry is the moment we have switched from following God's lead to setting the pace for our own lives.

Good stuff today. Tomorrow we'll talk about the peace that forgiveness brings. As I read part of this chapter yesterday, I felt prompted to forgive some people. I knew I was stuck in a cycle of resentment and anger and even disbelief and I prayed and forgave these people. Since then, I've felt so much lighter in my spirit. It isn't a concern. I'm not playing conversations in my head anymore. It's the best thing you can do if you haven't sat down and made a conscious decision to forgive.

I remember going through my separation with my first husband in 1992. I knew the first thing I had to do was forgive him for cheating, leaving, the verbal abuse, the lack of financial responsibility. It set me free to be the best mom I could be to my kids. The kids weren't raised in an environment of dad-bashing. When they were old enough, they were able to make their own evaluation of the kind of person their dad was, and they have done a good job at seeing the truth. Once he got over his feelings of guilt, he was able to tell me what a great job I was doing raising our kids. His parents said this too. The rewards of forgiveness reached so much further than I could have ever imagined. Healthy kids raised in an peaceful home, a good relationship with their dad, what more could a divorced woman ask for?

Spiritual Warfare #29

Today we start chapter seven, The Landmine of Unforgiveness by Charles Stanley
Someone has hurt you, and you cannot shake the feelings of sorrow that blanket your heart. You get up every morning and tell yourself you need to keep going. But before the afternoon, you are struggling with thoughts of unforgiveness and depression. You tell yourself that nothing will ever be right again. When you have been hurt, how do you handle your emotions?

Disbelief and shock may be your first response. You may even deny the problem exists in hopes that it will go away or get better. You think, Surely he didn't say that about me.

Forgiveness or the refusal to forgive is probably one of the most exhausting struggles we face, because much of the battle takes place in our minds and emotions. We may mentally replay an event that has happened to us and our reactions to it for days or months, and in some cases, years or a lifetime. Some people cannot or choose not to work past the hurts they have suffered. They are stuck in a cul-de-sac of emotion and never take advantage of the opportunity God has given them to avoid the landmines of anger, resentment, bitterness, and fear.

As you long to refuse to forgive those who hurt you, you remain bound to them through the anger and resentment you feel. You are not free but bound emotionally and spiritually to this deadly sin.

When we allow unforgiveness to control our lives, we cannot become the people God has created us to be. Likewise, when we refuse to forgive ourselves, we run the risk of suffering deep heartache and depression-the kind that can follow us through a lifetime. And if we fail to accept the forgiveness extended to us by God and others, we can end up suffering the same emotions. We never come to a point where we truly enjoy the goodness and joy of God's blessings.

The apostle Paul admonished us, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Eph. 4:30-32)

That's good for today. I don't know if Stanley will state this later in the chapter or not, but I feel it is important to bring up one thing. When someone has done something to you that isn't right, whether by words or actions, just as important to forgive is to try and set things right. The person needs to be confronted on their actions. Many people have no idea what they have done or what hurt it has caused. Matthew tells us that when a brother offends us, we are to go to him directly to confront. (Matt. 18:15-17) Better sooner than later, but it needs to be done nonetheless. Do everything you can to make peace and live in harmony with the other person. Be humble, willing to accept responsibility for your part in the situation. We're all going to wrong people, hurt people, cause due or undue offense and we need to learn how to navigate the waters of peacemaking.

Have a blessed day!

Spiritual Warfare #28

Continuing on with Money as an area in which we compromise by Charles Stanley
A significant area of compromise today is that of finances. People are deeply in debt. However, the problem is much deeper than more debt. It is a matter of submission to God. Paul wrote, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Tim. 6:10) According to Paul, the problem is not the paper currency we hold in our hands. Our attitude toward money is the problem. ... if your driving desire is focused on money, then you are caught up in worshipping something other than God, and He says this is sin because it separates you from Him.

You can say no to compromise
If you find yourself in a position of compromise, you can do several things to change your circumstances.

First, ask God to rekindle your love for Him.
Second, pray that He will help you to restore your faith in Him.
Third, make a commitment to stand firm and listen for God's leading.

Short today. Tomorrow we'll start chapter seven, The Landmine of Unforgiveness. That might be a tough pill to swallow, but all these chapters are necessary if we are to remove the cancers that can grow undetected in our hearts. Just a preview of the next few chapters, we'll be looking at disappointment, fear, and immorality, and slothfulness (laziness). I think this book will become a great resource for me in the future, not only keeping me on track, but also in helping others. If you're in ministry or discipling others, I'd recommend this book. Have a blessed Sunday.

Spiritual Warfare #27

Good morning! Today we'll look at how marriage can be compromised by Charles Stanley.
Numerous times people have come to me saying how they have fallen in love with a wonderful person. It is always exciting to hear the joy in their voices. But before long, I see a drop in their happy expression. I usually know what they are about to say: "The only problem I'm facing is she [or he] is not a believer." This is a huge problem that cannot be explained away. The apostle Paul admonished,

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. (2 Cor. 6:14-16)

At this point, many people interject that they are witnessing to the person and not planning to marry him or her. They just want to date, but what they are doing is tripping a landmine that they cannot hope to defuse.

Compromise always leads us away from God-a little at first, but the destination is the same-far from God's will. What are you willing to compromise to feel accepted or loved for a short season? This line of thinking may sound very narrow-minded. If it does, then perhaps you have already started down the path of compromise.

These days, a kiss on the cheek is rarely where a couple says good night. If the person you are dating is a nonbeliever, he or she has the ability to pull you down. Over the years, I have seen many marriages-unequally yoked-end in sorrow and defeat. It may be one of the most difficult things you will ever do, but if you know the person you are seeing is not saved, then you need to step0 away from the relationship until there is an eternal shift in his or her devotion-one that you know without a doubt is sincere.

That's a good dose of wisdom for today. As I type, I'm reminded of a youth worker's job, and how important this kind of training is to them. Jr. High and High School kids are just starting to think in this direction. Feeling attractions to people at school can put them in harm's way if they haven't made pre-decisions. (Mentioned yesterday) I think often kids aren't taught about the dangers of close associations with unbelievers. Friendships with the same gender for the purpose of showing Christ's love and sharing the gospel is fine. But when an attraction to an unbeliever who is a member of the opposite gender starts to occur, it's a big red flag.

I know the pain of many women in our church who are married to unbelievers. Most of them were unbelievers when they got married, but became Christians afterwards. These wonderful ladies endure church services, Christmas celebrations, and other services alone, as their spouse refuses to enter the church, even for the sake of their wives. This puts up a wall, sending the message to the wife that she's not important enough for him to put aside his fears and discomfort to be with her.

There is another situation which should be looked at as well. It is when there is an attraction between two believers, but one is more spiritually mature than the other. This is an unequal yoking as well. Can it change? Sure. Do you want to bet on it? I'm not talking about Bible knowledge. I'm talking about the choices a person makes and their submission to the Lord and relationship with Him. When two are equally yoked, they can move ahead in their walk with lightening speed, instead of stopping at every disagreement and working it out at length.

I hope this has been helpful. Tomorrow we'll look at money.

Spritual Warfare #26

It's good to be back. Greg and I attended the Awaken 2008 conference in Pasadena. It was more than amazing. We got lots of confirmations about things. The conference was basically broken down into three topics: Leadership, Evangelism, and Culture. Check out the website. There were amazing speakers there. Greg had lunch with Erwin McManus. I was able to meet Erwin McManus, Wayne Cordeiro, Dr. Henry Cloud, and Phil Cooke as well as get my books signed by them. Phil Cooke is in the entertainment industry and just did a project in Turlock for a local church. (He couldn't remember which one). Wayne Cordeiro is the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. He was a Four Square guy. He and Greg knew some of the same people. Anyway, it was fabulous and we're planning on going next year as well.

Back to Compromise by Charles Stanley
Compromise Defined
What are the areas in which we compromise the most?
Morality We know what is right, but we ignore the truth for fear of not having our needs met. We may also be afraid that if we stand for what we believe, we will face rejection.

Principles Often when people are on the verge of compromise, they will ease up on their devotion to God. They say, "I've been busy every Sunday and just have not been able to go to church." Going to church will not assure us a position in God's kingdom. We are saved by faith, but a lack of desire to be in His house usually indicates that something is wrong-out of balance and the first step to failure.

Doctrinal Beliefs. When we compromise our convictions, fail to spend time with the Lord in prayer and the study of His Word, we are bound to end up hedging on our doctrinal views.

Parenting. Parents who begin to slip in their devotion to God rarely have the right tools to teach children how to walk wisely. If you are involved in a sinful situation, you will not be able to think clearly about what your children are doing. Beyond this, there is a natural temptation to compromise on certain things, such as what you allow them to watch, listen to, and do.
Some parents may think, Five minutes won't hurt them. However, those five minutes could lead to a lifetime of trouble and heartache.

Dress. What we wear and what we allow our children to wear are choices we must make that have tremendous potential for good or evil. If your heart is set on Christ, you will want to be like Him in all that you do, wear, and say.

Music. It is interesting to me that many Christians separate what they do in church on Sunday from what they do during the week.
Living the Christian life requires a lifestyle change that affects every area.
God created all things for us to enjoy; nevertheless, there is a line that He does not want us to cross. Music touches the deepest part of our being. Remember, He created it so that we could worship Him.

Conversation. The author of Proverbs wrote, "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable" (Prov. 10:19) He also reminded us, "The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, / And they go down into the innermost parts of the body" (Prov. 18:8).

Tomorrow we'll look at compromise in the area of Marriage. There is a lot to show so this is a good stopping point.

I'm happy to say my daughter is very sensitive to the area of compromise, especially in dress, music, and speech. Though she goes to a Christian school, she is appalled at the way some of the girls in her class don't filter out books and music with bad messages. They compromise by rebelling against authority, by talking about 'sneaking' electronics on field trips, etc. You would think using the word 'sneak' would be a red flag to them, but it's not. I pray these girls make a turn, and quickly, before these compromises lead to really devastating life choices.

The teen years are hard enough, without dabbling in dangerous landmines. If you have teens, talk with them. The best choices are pre-choices. Deciding what to do if they are in a situation prevents them from having to make spur of the moment choices in the heat of the moment, and making the wrong choice. Have a great Friday!