It’s been a while since I have written anything. it seems life stays at two ends of a pendulum. One one side is a lack of activity. There is nothing going on that is worth writing down, or telling “the world” about. Do you really want to read about the kids being sick? It seems that is what facebook is for. Then, without warning, the pendulum swings to the opposite end and life becomes a swirl of activity and overwhelming responsibility. Then there is no time to write about everything that is going on. (Hold on to your head, I’m going in a new direction)

Do you know why lion tamers in the circus use a chair and a whip? The whip is obvious, but can you really protect yourself with a kitchen chair? Notice that they point the four legs at the lion and twist it. The lion can not focus on any one leg, and tries to watch all four legs at the same time. It is the classic “paralysis by analysis.” The mighty lion is held at bay and tamed, because it can’t get focused.

Which is where discipline comes in. This is something that we all struggle with. I want to lose 20 pounds, so I have to be disciplined to work out and eat right. (Hold on let me wipe the potato chip grease of my fingers as I type). I want to retire at some point, so I have to be disciplined to put money away for later instead of spending it all now. I want to see God’s power and presence in my life, so I have to be disciplined to read his Word, obey it’s commands and walk in faith.

What are the things that you want to do? Where are the places you want to go? Who do you really want to become? Take some time to answer these questions — it’s harder than you may think. Set some goals, and follow them. Satan can tame the lion in your soul by keeping you reoccupied with silly things that you obviously have the power to overcome. Pick one thing, take care of it, then reach for another. You are more than a conqueror in Christ.

Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

Today was Daybreak Community Church’s fourth annual Gingerbread House Family Fun Morning.

Yesterday was a very special service for me. I felt the Lord had given me an idea, and instead of tucking it away and saying, “I can’t do that,” I said, “why not?” The preaching series is called Yellow, Red, Orange (inspired by Reggie Joiner and his book entitled Think Orange) and I am trying to teach how God has designed the church and the home and how they are to work together.

So this Sunday was Red, and my goal was to show how parents aren’t perfect. There are no perfect parents in Scripture (excluding Jesus, Mary, and Joseph). Yet, God seeks to show the world His story of redemption, grace, and unconditional love through imperfect people (and their imperfect families).

Also, in Duet. 6 God described through Moses how important it is for those who have been freed from slavery are not to forget that “God is One” – He must be number one. So God seeks to tell His story through imperfect people as His people seek to live for. But there is also one big next step that we miss – that being that we are to take our children along with us in this learning journey. We seek after God, and we take our kids with us, and as we go we talk about what we are doing, what happened, how we feel, and point them constantly to Christ. We are to try things for God that stretch us, challenge us, and take us out of our comfort zone – so that when we grow, so do our kids. They see their mom and dad doing things that require faith, and spiritual strength and courage – so they are willing to follow their example.

To illustrate this process, I connected climbing ropes to the ceiling of where we have church, and Caleb and I climbed to the top (of our spiritual mountain). He and I touched the rafter of a 15-20 foot ceiling, and we did it together.

So today, let me encourage you to quit trying to be perfect and cooperate with what the Holy Spirit is seeking to do in your heart. Follow Him and He will seek to push you to do something great for Him. Take your kids with you, and talk about it as you go. Let me know what happens.