Recently I found myself getting a bit down about the "daily grind" of my work. Perhaps envious of others taking a more comfortable path through life, I started wondering about my own professional retirement, whether perhaps I could break into it early. Enjoy the "good life", you know?
Since the library was out of Dave Ramsey books, I just picked another, secular book on retirement - aptly titled You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think! Read the first few chapters, but after awhile, it seemed he was trying to sell me happiness as vacations, golf, and some light volunteering (to feel good about myself), and that I should be laser-focused on wrapping up work as quickly as possible. "You must have purpose", the author demanded. Figured later he was certainly right, just not quite on the idea that all purposes are equally valid.
Convicted by the testimony of "happy retirees", I was feeling a little bummed in that I don't really have hobbies, at least nothing like the kind the author was suggesting. Started feeling a bit anxious that, once you all grow up and move out, I'd end up appearing a rather boring mate for your mom. Felt obligated to find some "passions". Go take up golf? Gardening? Writing? Traveling? Sigh. Have done them all and enjoyed them, but just had an aching feeling that pursuing those would leave me empty.
Decided to read some christian commentary on "retirement". Seems to be, a christian doesn't retire - at least not in the worldly sense. We simply turn our love/service-oriented life in new directions. In truth, that is the only purpose that satisfies, because it goes hand-in-hand with Christ being our treasure. Loving God and others is our command. That doesn't change once we hit a certain age. Only that we might start doing so without a wage.
I'm not saying we can't throw in a little fun. Golf, gardening, writing, etc, are worthy activities, that can bring us joy in a way that God intended. Part of the abiding side of a well-balanced abiding/abounding life. Also, no one said loving/serving can't also be fun! But it's not always comfortable and convenient, either. We have to be true to our calling. We cannot retire from it. We must persist in love/service and magnifying Christ if we are to find joy and satisfaction in life.
Consider reading this article on retirement by John Piper (if the link still works. You may have to search for it):
https://document.desiringgod.org/rethinking-retirement-en.pdf?1446648026
I love you guys! So glad I get to spend this life with you!
Dad
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Honor Everyone
I have found myself quite the hypocrite. I desire to live a life of service. Even chose a career that would allow me to offer skilled service on a daily basis in order to allow others a better life. And yet, even on the daily commute, I find myself getting angry with other drivers for their behaviors, calling them idiots and morons among other derogatory terms. Sometimes even at work, I find myself considering patients and other staff members in such ways. The holy spirit has used the guilt from those encounters to rebuke my short-sightedness. What good is it to serve some men - often only when in public spectacle - and spend so much time pridefully deriding others? How can we live, as Christ would have us, with an incessant scornful attitude?
Don't get me wrong, we can still judge men's actions as foolish. But we should be quick to offload appropriately the anger that may rise in our hearts due to perceived injustices or otherwise. First, that bitterness is destructive - physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually. Easy to see that. Don't think I need to go into depth explaining that. Secondly, however, all men and women are creations of God. They bear his image. Any attack on them, even be it with words or thoughts, is an attack on God. While forgiveable through the grace we find in Christ, it is sin nonetheless and should be dealt with in all seriousness/earnestness. We are all prone to such anger/attacks, but we can certainly take measures to lessen the number or impact of those occasions.
So, in gist, love/honor your fellow man - all men - even those that make you angry. Deal with that anger appropriately, because there is no allowance for derision or belittling God's fellow creatures. Give them the dignity that you would want granted to yourself.
Love you guys!
Dad
Don't get me wrong, we can still judge men's actions as foolish. But we should be quick to offload appropriately the anger that may rise in our hearts due to perceived injustices or otherwise. First, that bitterness is destructive - physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually. Easy to see that. Don't think I need to go into depth explaining that. Secondly, however, all men and women are creations of God. They bear his image. Any attack on them, even be it with words or thoughts, is an attack on God. While forgiveable through the grace we find in Christ, it is sin nonetheless and should be dealt with in all seriousness/earnestness. We are all prone to such anger/attacks, but we can certainly take measures to lessen the number or impact of those occasions.
So, in gist, love/honor your fellow man - all men - even those that make you angry. Deal with that anger appropriately, because there is no allowance for derision or belittling God's fellow creatures. Give them the dignity that you would want granted to yourself.
Love you guys!
Dad
Matthew 5:21-26English Standard Version (ESV)
Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[a] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[b] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[c] of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny."
Friday, January 27, 2017
At Peace
Hey kids,
I'm working an evening shift at the pharmacy, filling in the dead time with some blogging. Mom's at home with you three. She just said you all were napping and she was getting some quiet time. Glad to hear. Wasn't sure how she would handle the increased workload of caring for three under 4 years old. It's a labor of love, though. We're so grateful to have all of you in our blossoming family!
I was in my men's group at church a couple evenings back and was listening to someone speak about the many facets of God's love towards us. A refreshing study, as I oftentimes can't appreciate his love in its fullness. Probably due mostly to my weak efforts at including him in my daily goings on. I don't pray a lot or meditate much on his love for me. A new year's resolution was to read through the Bible this year (not entirely, just whatever I can manage) with the focus of picking out God's love for us in the text. I wanted to know God's character, specifically his fondness for his children, by studying his interactions, statements, promises, demands, and actions.
Anyway, this particular study mentioned a verse that stuck with me above the others that day - Hebrews 11:6:
"Without faith, it is impossible to please God"
At face value, this verse tells me only christians can please God, as only christians demonstrate true faith in God. The speaker took it a step further, though, and I don't think he was wrong to do so. He said "it is my trust that pleases God". Faith/trust is the common denominator in all things that please God. Without it, those same things wouldn't please God. Therefore, it is the trust/faith itself that brings a smile to God's face.
It is my trust that pleases God.
Those days when I feel like a bumbling fool, incompetent towards God's purposes, sinful beyond measure - I still have my faith. Therefore I still please God. He works in and through my weakness.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Though I struggle daily, I can be at peace, simply by knowing God is pleased with me because of my faith. He understands I am weak and sinful, prone to wander and mess up - and loves me anyway. I am redeemed because of Christ. I am marked for glorification. I've heard it said before, I can stumble on the deck, but I can't fall off that ship! He upholds me with his righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Jesus, my faithful shepherd, will not lose me (John 18:9).
All that said, trust in God, my children, and be at peace. Enjoy basking in the radiance of his warm pleasure!
I love you!
Dad
I'm working an evening shift at the pharmacy, filling in the dead time with some blogging. Mom's at home with you three. She just said you all were napping and she was getting some quiet time. Glad to hear. Wasn't sure how she would handle the increased workload of caring for three under 4 years old. It's a labor of love, though. We're so grateful to have all of you in our blossoming family!
I was in my men's group at church a couple evenings back and was listening to someone speak about the many facets of God's love towards us. A refreshing study, as I oftentimes can't appreciate his love in its fullness. Probably due mostly to my weak efforts at including him in my daily goings on. I don't pray a lot or meditate much on his love for me. A new year's resolution was to read through the Bible this year (not entirely, just whatever I can manage) with the focus of picking out God's love for us in the text. I wanted to know God's character, specifically his fondness for his children, by studying his interactions, statements, promises, demands, and actions.
Anyway, this particular study mentioned a verse that stuck with me above the others that day - Hebrews 11:6:
"Without faith, it is impossible to please God"
At face value, this verse tells me only christians can please God, as only christians demonstrate true faith in God. The speaker took it a step further, though, and I don't think he was wrong to do so. He said "it is my trust that pleases God". Faith/trust is the common denominator in all things that please God. Without it, those same things wouldn't please God. Therefore, it is the trust/faith itself that brings a smile to God's face.
It is my trust that pleases God.
Those days when I feel like a bumbling fool, incompetent towards God's purposes, sinful beyond measure - I still have my faith. Therefore I still please God. He works in and through my weakness.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Though I struggle daily, I can be at peace, simply by knowing God is pleased with me because of my faith. He understands I am weak and sinful, prone to wander and mess up - and loves me anyway. I am redeemed because of Christ. I am marked for glorification. I've heard it said before, I can stumble on the deck, but I can't fall off that ship! He upholds me with his righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Jesus, my faithful shepherd, will not lose me (John 18:9).
All that said, trust in God, my children, and be at peace. Enjoy basking in the radiance of his warm pleasure!
I love you!
Dad
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Daisy is Here!
Mom and I are hanging out at the hospital with Daisy. Get to go home tomorrow. We're so excited to have you as the newest addition to our family! I guess I need to come up with a good nickname for you. Keep wanting to call you "babe", but that's mom's! Mom keeps calling you Rhett by mistake because she says you remind her of him at that age - same nose I guess. DJ might work unless I come up with something else. You captured my heart with your first look into my eyes.
Love you so much,
Dad
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Pursue Excellence... Under God
Hey kids!
You will see it everywhere. People solely devoted to being the best at, well, whatever. Be it sports, academics, business ventures, you name it, a vast majority of your peers and neighbors will be bent on "making somebody" of themselves, spending sometimes insane amounts of time and effort toward this end.
While the pursuit of excellence isn't a bad thing, perfectionism is actually idolatry. We should work hard to get better at things that are important to us, because that glorifies God. But when those efforts start impeding our relationships with God and others, it's best to consider changing things up. Only you will really know if this is the case, although you may receive feedback from others that I would advise you to ruminate over. Sometimes others can see things we might be blinded to. However, sometimes others are simply jealous at ones accomplishments and are only trying to bring you down. Gotta be able to discern the difference!
Proverbs 11:14: "...In the multitude of counselors there is safety"
Have fun, aim high and glorify God with your efforts!
Love you!
Dad
You will see it everywhere. People solely devoted to being the best at, well, whatever. Be it sports, academics, business ventures, you name it, a vast majority of your peers and neighbors will be bent on "making somebody" of themselves, spending sometimes insane amounts of time and effort toward this end.
While the pursuit of excellence isn't a bad thing, perfectionism is actually idolatry. We should work hard to get better at things that are important to us, because that glorifies God. But when those efforts start impeding our relationships with God and others, it's best to consider changing things up. Only you will really know if this is the case, although you may receive feedback from others that I would advise you to ruminate over. Sometimes others can see things we might be blinded to. However, sometimes others are simply jealous at ones accomplishments and are only trying to bring you down. Gotta be able to discern the difference!
Proverbs 11:14: "...In the multitude of counselors there is safety"
Have fun, aim high and glorify God with your efforts!
Love you!
Dad
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
"All Things Are Lawful"
Hey kids,
Your mother and I are trying to enjoy the simple pleasures of Christmas while preparing for family guests and Daisy's arrival. Got the lights up and the tree, although it's only decorated on the top half (thanks to Rhett's kleptomania)! Sharing advent calendars and Christmas stories with you boys, although you don't really understand any of it yet (other than gift unwrapping).
I just finished a fantasy football season with friends. The game will probably still be around by the time you all are old enough to know what I'm talking about. Am quite happy it's over because I found it a little too fun (invested more time than anticipated) although the players themselves a little too hard to root for. I love sports, but the professional sports world, like most things, is saturated with worldliness - violence, hatred, lust, greed, humanism, etc. Hard to find athletes to be proud of. Too easy to find ones that make you want to boycott their world. Decided to do just that, actually. Will still play sports myself, and certainly with you guys, but won't follow the pros (or college really). Not that I'll ban it or anything. Would just rather spend that time doing other, better, things - like investing time with you all!
The reason I bring this up is to discuss a passage in scripture (1 Cor 10:23):
"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful"
Paul wasn't referring to things that were obviously unlawful, as referenced clearly in other areas of God's word. He was referring to the "gray areas". People in his time were not sure whether it was permitted to eat certain foods, employ certain customs, or take part in certain festivals, etc. He was trying to inform them that, while they are permitted to engage in pretty much anything (freedom!), they still need to judge rightly whether it is to their advantage to do so (responsibility!).
Getting back to my example, are sports good? They certainly can be. And in other ways, not so much. Are we free to play? Yes! Are we free to watch? Yes! Are those equally "helpful"? Depends on the circumstances. I have judged for myself that watching pro sports is not worth my time investment. There may be circumstances where I will tolerate it for the bigger good (social occasions), but I won't say I am a pro/college sports fan. Rather than try to explain this to others, I'll probably just say "I'm not really into watching, though I like to play".
Anyway, you get the point. There are other areas where I employ this verse too. Like music. If I get to choose, I would prefer to listen to Christian music because it is uplifting to my spirit. Not that secular music is inherently unlawful (although some selections are certainly dishonorable!). I am free to listen to anything. But the one I find more "helpful" than the other.
Another biblical quote that plays into this comes from Jesus in Matthew 15:11:
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."
To apply that to music, what goes in our ears does not defile us. No, we are already sinners, fortunately covered by God's grace! On the other hand, it would behoove us to choose rightly when our conscience beckons us. In other words, listening to "Running With The Devil" by Van Halen on the radio won't send us to hell, but certainly there is a better choice?
So, I encourage you to choose things that are helpful for you and honoring to God. Consider how you spend your time, what activities you take part in, etc. Feel free to leave behind the stuff that simply doesn't help you worship God, love others, or enjoy life. Enjoy the abundance of better alternatives!
I love you!
Dad
Your mother and I are trying to enjoy the simple pleasures of Christmas while preparing for family guests and Daisy's arrival. Got the lights up and the tree, although it's only decorated on the top half (thanks to Rhett's kleptomania)! Sharing advent calendars and Christmas stories with you boys, although you don't really understand any of it yet (other than gift unwrapping).
I just finished a fantasy football season with friends. The game will probably still be around by the time you all are old enough to know what I'm talking about. Am quite happy it's over because I found it a little too fun (invested more time than anticipated) although the players themselves a little too hard to root for. I love sports, but the professional sports world, like most things, is saturated with worldliness - violence, hatred, lust, greed, humanism, etc. Hard to find athletes to be proud of. Too easy to find ones that make you want to boycott their world. Decided to do just that, actually. Will still play sports myself, and certainly with you guys, but won't follow the pros (or college really). Not that I'll ban it or anything. Would just rather spend that time doing other, better, things - like investing time with you all!
The reason I bring this up is to discuss a passage in scripture (1 Cor 10:23):
"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful"
Paul wasn't referring to things that were obviously unlawful, as referenced clearly in other areas of God's word. He was referring to the "gray areas". People in his time were not sure whether it was permitted to eat certain foods, employ certain customs, or take part in certain festivals, etc. He was trying to inform them that, while they are permitted to engage in pretty much anything (freedom!), they still need to judge rightly whether it is to their advantage to do so (responsibility!).
Getting back to my example, are sports good? They certainly can be. And in other ways, not so much. Are we free to play? Yes! Are we free to watch? Yes! Are those equally "helpful"? Depends on the circumstances. I have judged for myself that watching pro sports is not worth my time investment. There may be circumstances where I will tolerate it for the bigger good (social occasions), but I won't say I am a pro/college sports fan. Rather than try to explain this to others, I'll probably just say "I'm not really into watching, though I like to play".
Anyway, you get the point. There are other areas where I employ this verse too. Like music. If I get to choose, I would prefer to listen to Christian music because it is uplifting to my spirit. Not that secular music is inherently unlawful (although some selections are certainly dishonorable!). I am free to listen to anything. But the one I find more "helpful" than the other.
Another biblical quote that plays into this comes from Jesus in Matthew 15:11:
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."
To apply that to music, what goes in our ears does not defile us. No, we are already sinners, fortunately covered by God's grace! On the other hand, it would behoove us to choose rightly when our conscience beckons us. In other words, listening to "Running With The Devil" by Van Halen on the radio won't send us to hell, but certainly there is a better choice?
So, I encourage you to choose things that are helpful for you and honoring to God. Consider how you spend your time, what activities you take part in, etc. Feel free to leave behind the stuff that simply doesn't help you worship God, love others, or enjoy life. Enjoy the abundance of better alternatives!
I love you!
Dad
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Sound Judgment
Proverbs 3:21-26:
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
There were a couple things I wanted to talk with you about today. Firstly, I read a news story today about a young chess grandmaster who fell to his death from his 12th story balcony because he was engaging in extremely risky parkour acrobatics. The lesson here is that you can be incredibly smart and still make incredibly bad judgments. Remember, your lives are not your own to risk as you please. If I had to choose between smarts and good judgment, I'd pick and recommend the latter! It's more likely to lead to a long, happy, and productive life in God's service!
The other thing ties in with the verse you see above "when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet". Sinful choices (greed, envy, lust, etc) will rob you of your peace and plague you with consequences you may not have predicted. For me, I know the guilt/shame that comes with making sinful choices leads me to being angry with myself. That tends to boil over into my interactions with others, where I make more bad choices out of irritability and the cycle rages on. I may have preached this before, I don't recall.
Be mindful! Choose God's ways, even when you may not see the immediate benefit or, conversely, the immediate consequences of disobedience. The better you are able to accomplish this, the sweeter your life, and sleep, will be. Not to mention, you will be looked upon with admiration ("an ornament to grace your neck"). Defend your peace! Fight the sin in your lives. Pray for wisdom. And as the psalmist says, preserve sound judgment and discretion.
I love you!
Dad
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
There were a couple things I wanted to talk with you about today. Firstly, I read a news story today about a young chess grandmaster who fell to his death from his 12th story balcony because he was engaging in extremely risky parkour acrobatics. The lesson here is that you can be incredibly smart and still make incredibly bad judgments. Remember, your lives are not your own to risk as you please. If I had to choose between smarts and good judgment, I'd pick and recommend the latter! It's more likely to lead to a long, happy, and productive life in God's service!
The other thing ties in with the verse you see above "when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet". Sinful choices (greed, envy, lust, etc) will rob you of your peace and plague you with consequences you may not have predicted. For me, I know the guilt/shame that comes with making sinful choices leads me to being angry with myself. That tends to boil over into my interactions with others, where I make more bad choices out of irritability and the cycle rages on. I may have preached this before, I don't recall.
Be mindful! Choose God's ways, even when you may not see the immediate benefit or, conversely, the immediate consequences of disobedience. The better you are able to accomplish this, the sweeter your life, and sleep, will be. Not to mention, you will be looked upon with admiration ("an ornament to grace your neck"). Defend your peace! Fight the sin in your lives. Pray for wisdom. And as the psalmist says, preserve sound judgment and discretion.
I love you!
Dad
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