My Turn on the Couch

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2009-08-15T18:28:00.001-04:00

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Notes from MATC 2009

2009-07-25T08:41:00.001-04:00

Rick Rigsby: A Man and his Mentor
-Matthew 28:19-20
-2 Timothy 2:2.... "The things which you have heard from me in the presence
of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also."
-are you seeking out a Timothy every day of your life?
-scary and sad statistic: the average Christian man reads his Bible less
than ONE HOUR PER YEAR!
-(re: evangelism, discipleship, mentoring) if not us, then who?!
-if you call yourself a Christian man then start asking like it! Get on
your knees and open the Word and say, "Speak Lord!" Seek out God's voice to
guide you, not your own.
-time to stand on the Word of God and speak out like the men God designed
us to be. NEVER be afraid to speak Truth or worry about offending anyone
when speaking Biblical Truth.
-are you reading the Bible? are you obeying the Word? are you pondering the
Word in your heart? It depends... on WHO'S GOT YOUR HEART.
-we must share the Gospel, but we must also share OUR OWN LIVES
-we must live our lives in such a powerful way that other men see us and
say to themselves, "I want what he's got!"
-you have to pull away from your own personal idols to make time for the
Word
-what is it going to take before you get serious with God?!
-how are you living your life? Not how much money you have...not how many
toys you have...not how important you are... But how are you LIVING YOUR
LIFE?
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Luke at football camp...

2009-06-23T11:07:00.001-04:00

Had a cancellation, so snuck over to watch Luke for about half an hour...

Luke at football camp...

Had a cancellation, so snuck over to watch Luke for about half an hour...

Family Bowling Night

2009-06-20T00:02:00.001-04:00

Family Bowling Night

Pixelpipe test

2009-06-17T23:34:00.001-04:00

Pool Opening Day 2009

2009-04-25T14:24:00.001-04:00

Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Posted via Pixelpipe.

2009-04-22T23:13:00.001-04:00

Posted via Pixelpipe.

First day at the (freezing) pool...

2009-04-19T15:18:00.001-04:00

Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

Posted via Pixelpipe.

2009-04-15T15:33:00.001-04:00

Troubleshooting multiple posting to Facebook via PixelPipe

2009-04-15T10:07:00.001-04:00

Trying to see what the problem is with the multiple postings...nothing to
see here...move on, people.

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Testing PixelPipe some more

2009-04-15T00:28:00.001-04:00

My boy Mitch....

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2009-04-14T18:06:00.001-04:00

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Day 25…2 Thessalonians 3:1

2009-02-07T21:02:00.001-05:00

"Brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

Notes from the devotional:

Many pastors find themselves simply overwhelmed. Overworked, sometimes underpaid, under constant spiritual attack, many feel they’re over their heads.
Pastors are expected to be all things to all people – expert counselors, deft mediators, eloquent preachers, gifted financiers, noble visionaries. In the face of these expectations, many pastors wonder if they’re really making a difference for you and me.
As men of God, we must come alongside our pastors with our service and daily prayers for their families, their marriages, and most importantly, their continued growth in their relationships with Jesus.

My notes:

I guess I am still in my state of mind from the week, because as I read this, it was really easy to see me in the place of the word pastor.
Why do I feel so reluctant to ask others to pray for us? Is it a macho kind of “I’m okay, I don’t need help” kind of thing? Is it a fear of admitting failure? Is it just flat out stupid denial that I need prayer? Or is it something worse – a lack of trust in the power of prayer?
It is important for me to remember that I need to not only pray for my pastor, but not be afraid to ask others for prayer – to pray that when we get discouraged, when we start to lose our way, we find our way back to him and work for his will and his glory.

Personal challenge:

Think of something encouraging you can do or say for your pastor this week.
Pray for your pastor.

~~from Men of Integrity: A Daily Guide to the Bible and Prayer (1999)~~

Jammin' with the boys

2009-02-07T13:51:00.001-05:00

Just a video cap with my phone at their lesson this morning. Testing out youtube and posting to the blog and facebook.

Day 24…Philippians 4:19

2009-02-06T21:44:00.002-05:00

"God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Notes from the devotional:

Paul is declaring here a promise to the Philippians regarding their own financial needs.
The promise here is to supply all your need; but it is all your need. In this, the promise is both broad and restricted.
The measure of God’s supply is staggering. It is according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Since there is no lack in God’s riches in glory, we should anticipate that there would be no lack in God’s supply.
However, notice that this promise was made to the Philippians – those who had surrendered their finances and material possessions to God’s service, and who knew how to give with the right kind of heart.

This promise simply expresses what Jesus said in Luke 6:38: Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
In other words, if you give poorly or begrudgingly or in small portion, you will be blessed in kind.

My notes:

Look, I do not buy into the whole Gospel of Prosperity thing, and I do agree that God meets all our needs. But I have been struggling so mightily with God lately. I feel like Jacob in a wrestling match with him. We are working so hard and giving everything we have to the office because we felt God leading us here. But it seems the harder we have to work the less blessing we receive. That is my perception anyway. It is almost like the more we work out of seeking God’s will, the more difficult our life becomes.
Again, I have to rethink what I see as “need” versus “want”. But we do not look for riches, and more and more stuff or exotic vacations, etc. We DO want more time to spend, however. Time seems to be stolen from me and Kelly, us with the boys, us with God in bible study and devotional time together. Kelly mainly has had time stolen from her and anything she had that fulfilled her – her sewing, her Christian fellowship with friends and family, cooking, and so on. Is that what God means? Does he mean we don’t need time for any of those things? That we are to spend all our time service the kids who come through our office to the exclusion of our children, our marriage, our time with him> Surely not.
This is where my anger and resentment and “fist shaking” has been coming from lately. When you are working to the bone serving in the mission field you felt God had provided for you, but are struggling so much that you are having to seriously consider selling your home and renovating your office so you can squeeze your family in to live there, it is hard to feel the joy or blessing God promises us.
I could really use some Godly wisdom from my friends on how to handle this, because frankly, I am not doing a very good job of it right now.

Personal challenge:

Thank God for his provision in your life. If and when times come when you feel God’s provision is absent, ask for forgiveness.
Do not be afraid to ask your Christian family for help. That is what the Body of Christ is for.

~~initial scriptural point of reference from Men of Integrity: A Daily Guide to the Bible and Prayer (1999)~~
~~devotional notes taken from David Guzik’s study noted on Philippians 4 at BlueLetterBible.org~~

Day 23…I Corinthians 12:27

2009-02-03T22:19:00.001-05:00

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (I Corinthians 12:27)

Notes from the devotional:

Many Americans treat going to church like deciding on a fast food restaurant… “We went to McDonald’s last week, so this week let’s go to Burger King.” We hop around from church to church like looking for the best deal, the best value meal, the Special of the Day.
It is crucial we keep our family’s roots firmly planted in our home church. Otherwise, we remain shallow in our commitment , and we will lose out on the support of other Christians when the tribulations come.
By neglecting to minister within our home church, we also cause other Christians to lose something.

Jesus says he is the vine and we are his branches (John 15:5-8).
We are literally connected to each other through our local church.

Today’s verse shows us the importance of being connected to one another through the church. How we relate to the body of Christ directly affects other Christians.
We need each other, and the church is the best place to star meeting each other’s needs

My notes:

Like I said in Sunday School the other day to the youth. We ARE all part of one body. Somebody’s gotta be Sergeant Hulka’s big toe! A person cannot walk without his big toe, and the body of Christ cannot function if vital parts are missing.
The catch is, we are ALL “vital” parts of the body. We are all unique members of the body - “fearfully and wonderfully made” – to meet a specific God-designed task.
I thank God for my home church, the relationships I am developing there, and the roles and functions I am able to fill for my brothers in Christ.

Personal challenge:

How does your life show that church matters to you?
Ask God to show you how you can be a “need meeter” in your church.

~~from Men of Integrity: A Daily Guide to the Bible and Prayer (1999)~~

Day 22…Luke 1:26-38

2009-02-02T22:08:00.001-05:00

"Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Notes from the devotional:

Theologians us a trio of words to describe God:
- Omnipotent (all powerful)
- Omniscient (all knowing)
- Omnipresent (everywhere present)
God has commented on his omnipotence in the Bible:
- When God spoke to Abraham and Sarah about a son, when Sarah laughed at the notion… “Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13-14) …of course not, nothing is too hard for the Lord.
- When God spoke to Mary about having a son…Mary’s questions were answered by the firm assuring statement, Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
God’s statements to Sarah and Mary about divine omnipotence need to be seen in the context of divine will. God was stating that nothing would hinder him from doing what he willed to do.
There is a great challenge and wonderful comfort in these words.
- The challenge lies in the fact that resistance to God is little short of suicidal.
- The comfort inherent in God’s omnipotence means that he will come through in the end. Praise the Lord!

My notes:

Why do I always worry so much? God can do what he says he can do, and WILL do what he says he can do. If God has stated that he will take cares of the birds, then he surely will take care of us!
- “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you.” (Luke 12:24-25, 31)
I’m not talking about the Gospel of Wealth that some evangelists spout off about (I’m looking at you, Mr. Osteen). I’m talking about God taking CARE of us. That doesn’t necessarily mean wealth, or prosperity, or fame, or anything like that. I am talking about your needs. And most of all your eternal salvation. If God is going to take care of what I need… my manna from heaven… why do I worry so about storing up anything.
The only thing I really have a hard time getting away from is the desire for time. I want more of it. It seems that all my time is taken up for others. All Kelly’s time is taken up for others, when our own children (and house) and spiritual development seems to be neglected. Can anyone help me not be so resentful over this? That is probably my biggest struggle. It is making me resent the job I do and the call I feel God has placed on Kelly and me.
I am guilty of the sin of disbelief. Please, Lord, forgive me my disbelief and lack of trust in you. Forgive me my resentment and anger and fist shaking Lord. Help me believe in your love for me and omnipotence and desire to care for me despite me. Thank you for your provision and sustenance daily.

Personal challenge:

Do you believe God can and will do what he says he can do?
What is keeping you from trusting in God’s omnipotence in your life?

~~from The One Year Book of Devotions for Men (Stuart Briscoe, 2000)~~

Day 21…Mark 7:15

2009-02-01T08:46:00.001-05:00

"Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.” (Mark 7:15)

Notes from the devotional:

It’s not easy to be pure in an impure world.
Even if you become a cultural ostrich and avoid all movies, listen only to Christian radio, and read only Christian books and magazines, you’re still going to struggle.
You will never become a godly man by negation. A pure, pollution-free environment doesn’t make pure people. Jesus makes it clear that what’s inside a man defiles him. That’s where we need to start.
If a farmer doesn’t plan seeds, he will never harvest a crop – doesn’t matter how weed-free the ground is. In the same way, we can only reap a harvest of purity and integrity by planting the good seed of God’s Word into our lives.
The devotional writer is not talking about merely reading the Bible. He is talking about allowing the Hly Spirit to pant the truths of the Scripture deep into our hearts and minds through consistent Bible reading and memorization, meditation, and prayer.

My notes:

Yet again… God is reminding me for the need to be in the Word every day.
It makes sense and I can see it in my own life. I have tried and tried and tried over the years to “keep my mind and eyes clean” (if you know what I mean) by “bouncing my eyes off of “ tempting images, keeping my mind clean, avoiding tempting images on TV and in movies, having computer screening apps on my computer, and so on. But they never work for long. It is because I am not trying to clean my mind and heart from within. If I try to empty that part of me, it is going to leave a void. And my sinful nature is going to fill it with, well, sinful things if left to its own devices. Therefore if I want to remain a man of integrity, that void needs to be filled by forcing the sinful nature out of the way and filling that void with God’s purity and integrity.
If I focus on filling my heart with God’s Word, there will be less room for my sinful nature to flood me with other things.

Personal challenge:

What are you planting in your heart?
Ask God to plant the truths of the Scripture deep into you.

~~from Men of Integrity: A Daily Guide to the Bible and Prayer (1999)~~

Day 20….Jeremiah 23:23-32

2009-01-29T20:51:00.001-05:00

"Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between chaff and wheat!” (Jeremiah 23: 28)

Notes from the devotional:

God can and does communicate to us in dreams. But Jeremiah knew all too well that dreamers who profess to have a message from the Lord should not necessarily be accepted at face value.
There are some who claim to have a message from God who, in actuality, have no such thing. Instead, they are seeking to authenticate their own imaginations and investing their own ideas with divine sanction.
The problem is, how do you differentiate between a genuine, revealed message from God and the product of a wicked or vain imagination? The key is to test what is said against Scripture.
The more familiar we are with what God has to say in the Bible, the less likelihood there will be of our being led astray by “smooth tongued prophets” (Jeremiah 23:31). Carefully studying scripture and deliberately applying its truth to our lives may seem unglamorous and mundane compared to receiving dramatic revelations and making imaginative predictions, but warnings against false prophets and their ultimate fate (Jeremiah 23:39-40) should put us on guard for such.
The Scriptures are so powerful, so life-giving and refreshing, that we should relish them and not have a desire for flashy speakers spouting their own ideology.

My notes:

My first thought was what they say about the U.S. Treasury Department. They don’t train agents to recognize counterfeit money by studying counterfeit money. Instead, the study every nuance of real money. They become so knowledgeable on every minute detail of real money that they immediately notice counterfeit by its difference from the real thing. To know Truth, we must study Truth. To evangelize and counteract false doctrine, false religions, we must intimately know God’s Word. Anything other than God’s true Word will then become immediately apparent and avoidable.
I also sit here and am kind of laughing at God’s nudging… Seems like one of the take home messages I get from virtually all these devotionals lately is… get in the Word more. Daily. LOL. Thanks God. I got it. Working on being more obedient …
We are surrounded by false prophets people. Our culture is becoming more and more splintered because people are looking under every nook and cranny for truth. They think they find it there too… “within themselves”, the charismatic leader who “has a unique interpretation of the Scripture,” the politically charged celebrity, and so on. The more we look elsewhere for truth, the further away we get from it and the harder it is to see the difference between truth and falsehood.
Stay in the Word. Seek truth there. And no where else, because God is the source of all truth.

Personal challenge:

Where do you go for truth? How do you judge between what is true and what is false?
Pray for commitment to stay in the Word daily, so that you may easily see God’s Truth and separate from the false doctrine of the world.

~~from The One Year Book of Devotions for Men (Stuart Briscoe, 2000)~~

Day 19…Isaiah 30:8-17

2009-01-26T23:29:00.001-05:00

“The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, ‘Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.But you would have none of it.’” (Isaiah 30:15)

Notes from the devotional:

(Background) Jerusalem was the target of invasion by the Assyrians, and they needed to amass enough of a force to counter the Assyrians. Israel took action and sought to bribe Egypt into a coalition to help them fight the Assyrians. Isaiah was convinced Egypt was worthless as a source of help – he warned against seeking help from the Egyptians – he said this plan would backfire. Isaiah’s plan was simple – according to the word he received from the Lord, it was “only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” But Israel did not see the wisdom of this and ignored Isaiah. And look how it turned out for them – they were eventually handed over to the Egyptians.
We men are Mr. Fix-it kind of people. We see something that needs fixing, we fix it. We see a problem, we identify a solution, establish a plan, create a budget and goals, and move into action.
But as activists, or Mr. Fix-it’s, we often do not see the wisdom of “quietness and confidence.” Instead, we take on the doctrine of , “God helps those who help themselves” even though we usually are so confident in our own abilities that the help of God is rarely seen as significant. We rely on ourselves, not God.
The lesson is this: In every situation, turn to the Lord, quietly and confidently, and expect him to work! And he will!

My notes:

I tend to be Mr. Fix-it WAY to often in my life – with Kelly, with the boys. But when it comes to my practice and office, I often do nothing. Not out of quietness and confidence, but more in hiding and lack of confidence to know I am doing the right thing.
I see that to often I am relying on my abilities to fix the problem, or even relying on my perceived LACK of ability to fix a problem, to either tackle it head on, full of hustle and bustle and noise, or quietly avoid it in hopes nobody sees the problems or watches in case I fail.
Why can’t I see that God is in control, HAS always been in control, and WILL ALWAYS BE in control. If that is true, then why not sit back, BE STILL, and in the quietness know that he is there to help, and he is there to give me the confidence I need to accomplish his will in every situation. Why? Humanity and sinful nature, I guess.
To me, this is another call for QUIET meditation and devotional time, so that I CAN hear him or even begin to listen for him.

Personal challenge:

Where do you see yourself letting go and listening for God in your circumstances? Where do you see yourself refusing to let go to him?
Pray for more humility and wisdom to listen for him and to allow him to guide you in all circumstances.

~~from The One Year Book of Devotions for Men (Stuart Briscoe, 2000)~~

Day 18…Psalm 85

2009-01-24T17:18:00.001-05:00

"I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.” (Psalm 85:8)

Notes from the devotional:

Men find it hard to stop, look, and listen. We don’t like to stop what we’re doing – we think it wastes time.
We don’t find it necessary to look – we think we already know.
We find it difficult to listen because as another speaks, we are formulating a rebuttal.
Failing to listen intensely can mean missing the message entirely, or it can lead to hearing the message only partially.

To miss the message entirely means living in ignorance.
To grasp the message only partially can mean living with confusion.

In the psalmist’s time, God spoke powerfully to prophets whose job it was to deliver the message to his people. the problem was they only listened halfheartedly or not at all. Because they did this, though, disaster overtook them several times in the Bible. Those who listened though knew that God’s salvation was near (v9), knew about unfailing love and peace (v1), and so on.
Men today have the Bible, godly preachers, and gifted authors on every hand speaking God’s message. If men would just listen, they would see God is still offering all these things. But as we continue to refuse to listen, disaster can overtake us too, especially if we “return to our foolish ways.”

My notes:

I am too busy trying to either be Mr. Fix It or Mr. Ostrich-With-My-Head-In-The-Sand to ever really listen. In the car, it’s the radio. At home, it’s the TV or the Xbox 360 or Facebook. At work, it’s patients and phones and letters and stress and anything else I can find to occupy my time.
Why can’t I just sit still and listen? Is it because I am afraid of what I may hear? Is it because I am afraid I will hear nothing?
Ok, I have committed to one thing this year – daily devotionals to keep me in the Word at least a bit every day. Not enough though. I need to “Be still and know that he is God” at least for a few minutes every day.
We’re not radio stations. It’s okay to have airtime silence, people.

Personal challenge:

What is your technique? What do you do to try to listen to God intensely”? What do you hear him say?

~~from The One Year Book of Devotions for Men (Stuart Briscoe, 2000)~~

Day 17…1 Timothy 1:18-19

2009-01-22T21:49:00.001-05:00

"Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience.”

Notes from the devotional:

Every man should seek to have three individuals in his life: a Paul, a Barnabus, and a Timothy,
A Paul is an older man who is willing to mentor you, to build into your life.Not someone smarter or more gifted than you, but someone who’s willing to share his strengths and weaknesses and everything he’s learned in the laboratory of life. Someone’s whose faith you’ll want to imitate.
A Barnabus is a soul brother, somebody who loves you but is not impressed by you. Somebody to whom you can be accountable – willing to keep you honest.
A Timothy is a younger man into whose life you are building – affirming, encouraging, teaching, correcting, directing, praying.

My notes:

Wow. I guess this goes back to my thoughts on an accountability partner. I don’t really fit into any of these roles for anyone around me, and I don’t really feel like anyone is filling those roles for me.
It just goes to show you how much of a spiritual island men are in our world. No wonder we all struggle so much with anything from substance abuse to pornography to gambling to workaholism to infidelity to aggression to whatever else you can think of.
These recent passages are making me look at relationships with my buddies in a different light. And that’s a good thing.

Personal challenge:

Can you be a Paul – a spiritual mentor – to someone else? Ask God to keep you open to this.

~~from Men of Integrity: A Daily Guide to the Bible and Prayer (1999)~~

Day 17...delayed

2009-01-21T23:32:00.003-05:00

Cold. Bad. Head explosion imminent from sinuses.

Will catch up tomorrow or Friday.

God Bless!

Sean

Day 16…Mark 3:20-35

2009-01-20T16:14:00.001-05:00

"When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.” (Mark 3:20)…. “[Jesus said] Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)

Notes from the devotional:

Making lists of priorities is commendable, but life does not fit so conveniently into compartments. A neatly balanced life is not easy to achieve.
Perhaps the desire itself is misplaced. How “balanced” was the life of Jesus and his disciples? We are told that the crowds demanding their attention were so vast and the needs so great that “he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.” (Mark 3:20)
Jesus and his disciples knew the pressure of life – the pressure of being aware of the needs of a crying world and being prepared to address them. This kind of pressure pushes people away from the equilibrium of a neatly balanced life. You miss meals (and family time, and bedtime, and playtime, and study time, etc etc ad nauseum)
Jesus’ own family didn’t agree or approve of his lack of balance! (Mark 3:21) - “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’”
Not only were Jesus and his disciples driven by their world’s need, they also recognized they were in a spiritual battle for the souls of and and women. Fighting Godly battles required more than balance – it took everything they had.

My notes:

I NEEDED THIS TODAY.
I have been struggling with increasing anger and resentment toward my job… toward my office… toward the people I serve. I have been feeling used and abused. I have been watching my kids suffer because people say they can’t afford to pay me when I see those same people turn around and buy EXPENSIVE frivolous things for the very kids of theirs I am trying to help. I am becoming resentful of the way this is dragging my Kelly down and affecting our marriage and our relationship with our kids.
Then God, you have to go and remind me that if I am in your will as we have felt we were, then that is all that matters. I have to trust that the commitments we are making and the sacrifices we are making are what you want of us. But it is so painful to struggle so, so painful to watch my kids feel like none of this is fair, so painful to try and explain (AND UNDERSTAND MYSELF), why being in God’s will is SUCH A STRUGGLE sometimes. I struggle to stay mindful of the fact that doing your will does not always mean my life WILL be in balance, or even my own life at all. It is yours and I struggle with Kelly and I not getting to share in the family that you have gifted us with.
Are you telling me not to be resentful of feeling pulled away from you and my family BECAUSE I am doing your work? I understand the point. But it doesn’t make it any easier to accept…
I am tired. I am tired of wanting more. I am tired of giving every stinking thing, every stinking minute and ounce to this office and to people who don’t seem to care about their own lives and use me to their own ends. I am tired of Kelly having to sacrifice everything for this place, including hr role as mother and wife, to help keep it running.
I desperately want relief! For me, for my wife and kids, for our bank account, for our time as a family, for our time with You!
Lord, help me understand the living a life for you isn’t always about balance. It’s about service and commitment and obedience. I am struggling with this and ask that you lift this burden from us in the way that keeps us in your will. Forgive me my anger and resentment today.

Personal challenge:

Seek ways to find Godly balance in your life.
How does a life of Godly balance differ from a life of Worldly balance?

~~from The One Year Book of Devotions for Men (Stuart Briscoe, 2000)~~

Day 15…Proverbs 27:17

2009-01-19T22:46:00.001-05:00

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Notes from the devotional:

Men need accountability as much as women (in my opinion probably more so!).
Men find accountability difficult for at least four reasons:
1. Fear of rejection
2. Embarrassment
3. Fear giving up control
4. Do not like facing negative feelings

My notes:

After all these years as a man seeking God, I have yet to find an accountability partner. But the reason for this is I have purposely not sought one – for the very reasons listed above. I have not allowed myself to get close to people to the point that they can know my weaknesses and the thorns in my side.
Women seem to find close intimate relationships with other women and find such accountability. Men, however, do not. We prefer to keep others at arms’ length – if we let others in, we have to admit weakness, failure, falling short of God on a daily basis. To admit these things, is, well, not “manly” in the eyes of the world.
I prefer email and texting to actual talking on the phone – it is less personal, and I have more control over the flow of conversation and information. Actual conversation is to personal, leaves me to bare and vulnerable, and I may slip up and let others see the chinks in my armor.
I would bet that most men feel this way, which is why we fall into so many traps – substance abuse, gambling, pornography, affairs – they are all slippery slopes that, without accountability, can be all to easy to fall into.
I thank God for my bible study group and close friends, and most especially for my wife. But I am still missing that close accountability that provides that extra layer of spiritual protection against the world. Because of that, I have to work extra hard to avoid the wiles of this world.
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for accountability. I pray that you would reveal the man in my life that can sharpen me and my spiritual walk much as iron sharpens iron. I desire with all my heart to be a man after your own heart, and do not want any earthly weaknesses to distract me from you. In addition to making an effort to spend more time with you, your word, and in prayer, I need accountability here in this world to grow more like you. Remove my fear and reluctance about opening myself up to others to remove all obstacles to you. Lord, I ask these things of you in order to honor you and make you proud of me. Amen.

Personal challenge:

If you’re already in an accountability group, thank God for each of the other men. If you’re not, ask God if he’s leading you to join one.

~~from Men of Integrity: A Daily Guide to the Bible and Prayer (1999)~~

My Turn on the Couch

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Notes from MATC 2009

Luke at football camp...

Luke at football camp...

Family Bowling Night

Family Bowling Night

Family Bowling Night

Family Bowling Night

Pixelpipe test

Pool Opening Day 2009

Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009

Pool Opening Day 2009Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009

Pool Opening Day 2009Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009

Pool Opening Day 2009Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009

Pool Opening Day 2009Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009

Pool Opening Day 2009Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

First day at the (freezing) pool...

Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

First day at the (freezing) pool...Gluttons for punishment these boys are...Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Troubleshooting multiple posting to Facebook via PixelPipe

Trying to see what the problem is with the multiple postings...nothing to see here...move on, people.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Testing PixelPipe some more

My boy Mitch....

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Day 25…2 Thessalonians 3:1

Jammin' with the boys

Day 24…Philippians 4:19

Day 23…I Corinthians 12:27

Day 22…Luke 1:26-38

Day 21…Mark 7:15

Day 20….Jeremiah 23:23-32

Day 19…Isaiah 30:8-17

Day 18…Psalm 85

Day 17…1 Timothy 1:18-19

Day 17...delayed

Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Pool Opening Day 2009
Beautiful day for hanging at the pool...warm but not too hot...water's
crystal clear...free burgers and hot dogs...what more could you want?

Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

First day at the (freezing) pool...
Gluttons for punishment these boys are...

Hey, that sounded like Yoda. LOL

Trying to see what the problem is with the multiple postings...nothing to
see here...move on, people.