I had an interesting encounter today. I went to an auto-shop to talk to a man about my car. (It was a non-mechanical issue, thankfully!) He’s a Christian and a member of a church in this area. In fact, he was one of the first people I met when I moved to Greenville–but that’s another blog for another day.

Anyway, I asked him how he was doing. Usually, that’s just a social question equal to hello. But he actually started sharing some things going on in his life. Then he asked me how I was doing. So I shared some things going on in my life.

As I walked away, I thought about how that conversation never would have happened under normal circumstances. But since we both had Christ in common–a tie that binds–we felt liberty to share some of the deeper things in life.

How strong this “tie that binds” is!!! What comfort can be ours when we walk together through life! How powerful our faith becomes when we lower our walls and become transparent and vulnerable! All because of Jesus Christ.

“Thank you, Lord, for the tie that binds. We find our strength in you. As you have led us through trials, may we in turn encourage others who travel behind us. And as we do, may your light shine in us more brightly because we chose to walk together through life. Amen”

Lately, I’ve been reading through the Proverbs at night before I go to bed. The Proverbs are an interesting collection of wise sayings. Sometimes, when I read a proverb, I think, “Duh! That’s common sense.” Isn’t that the way wisdom works? It’s like a lightbulb that goes off in our head and just seems to make sense.

So, why don’t we apply wisdom to our life more often? Perhaps because we get too caught up in right and wrong. Don’t get me wrong. Right is always right and wrong is always wrong. But so often, it’s difficult to figure out what is the right thing to do. That’s where wisdom comes into play.

How about next time, instead of asking, “What is the right/wrong thing to do?” why don’t you ask this question: “What is the wise thing to do?”

Godly wisdom will never lead you astray!

Have you ever thought of what your responsible for? We often think about God asking us why we should enter heaven when we die (and the answer’s because we’ve accepted Jesus Christ as our savior). But what if God asked you another question, too.

What if God asked you how you treated your family? Biblically, you’ve been called to be the best husband/wife, parent or child possible. It’s more than just a relationship…it’s a biblical responsibility.

I recently took my wife on a trip to celebrate our anniversary. Did I have to? No. Did she expect it? No, but I wanted to treat her to something special.  After all, I’m to love her as Christ loves the church. (By the way, that’s a huge biblical principle that most Christians haven’t grasped yet!)

When’s the last time that you acted like the husband/wife, parent, or child that God desires for you to be? Why not take time for what counts most in life…your family.

For the past week I’ve been very sick. Miserable. Frustrated.

Although most illness is temporary, any sickness is an intrusion in our life. When I’m sick, I pray a lot. A whole lot! I don’t yell at God. Nor do I blame Him. I mostly cry out to Him for help.

I’ve known some people who get mad at God when things don’t go their way. They walk away from the faith.  They just give up on God.  Me? I think faith is useless if it can’t walk through the tough times.

I’ve trusted the Lord for the better part of my life. He’s been more than faithful to me.  I’ll trust Him now, too, because my faith walks. Real faith walks with you through your difficulty.  Sometimes it even carries you through.  Real faith doesn’t sit…it doesn’t stop…it doesn’t quit in the tough times.  My faith walks!  How about you?  Does your faith walk, too?

I’ve been sick the last few days. It’s no fun being sick. I’m on the mend. Say a prayer for me. Thanks.

“Rain, Rain, go away.  Come again another day.”  It’s raining in Greenville today.  I’m sitting here with a hot cup of coffee (Gevalia, of course).  I’ve just finished reading my devotion from The Daily Chronological Bible.  Soon, I’ll head to work where I’ve got a day of meetings ahead.

Today, I read about Noah and the flood.  Noah was a strange man.  He built an ark when nobody needed a boat.  He stayed in the boat, even after it hit dry ground.  When he finally came out, he acted like a redneck.  Don’t believe me?  Go back and read the story.  It says that he sacrificed a burnt offering to the Lord and then he got drunk.  Sounds like a good ‘ol southern barbeque to me!

On a more serious note, you have to love Noah.  He was a man of faith.  He trusted God when he had no reason to trust Him.  I can only pray that I will be half the man that Noah was.  (And no comments on how I’m already half the man he was…the redneck half! ha)

Here’s a cute video post my son, Jay, and I did while deer hunting. (Please, no “Bambi” emails.)

Happy New Year everyone!  2008 is over and 2009 has begun.  Everyone is making New Year resolutions and most of them have something to do with health, weight, or exercise.  I’ve made all those in the past and every year I utterly failed in keeping them!  This year, I almost made a resolution to eat more fatty food, gain 20 pounds, and become a big couch potato.  If history is any indicator, I’d fail miserably in keeping these resolutions, which would make me healthier and more fit.  (Do you follow my logic?)

Anyway, don’t forget to make some spiritual New Year resolutions, too.  I’ve recorded some thoughts on the subject.  They are on my new weekly devotional page called “Pause.”  It will be up and running on January 5th at www.fbcgreenville.net/pause so check it out!

Happy New Year!!!