Why Not Now?

I have a problem.  My pride insists that if I cannot do something right the first time, I don't bother trying.  Another and reciprocating problem is a good one: I cannot shake the notion that the initial opportunity missed is still worth pursuing.  Enter the words to the song, "City on Our Knees"...

If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now

For years I have dreamed of writing.  More recently, to be used by God to encourage other dads and other believers in general through blogging or even an interactive web site (which I know nothing about at the moment).  Many inspiritations have come and gone.  The Temptation--dwell on opprtunities missed while forgetting the dream.  But if the stirring keeps coming, something is going on in my spirit worth paying attention to, right?  (Thank you God for your patience and continued inspiration.)  "If...sometime...why not now?" 

So here I am.  Blogging again after many failed attempts and inconsistancies.  May this medium become the net that catches real life relfections and organic inspiriation from the Spirit of God in and through me, despite me, and for His glory alone.  If this is of God, may He use it to share His love through me.  And may others be encouraged in their faith as I am by sharing mine through writing.

To God be the glory...great things He has done!

Let the Good Times Roll

Just returned from a week-long family vacation to the beach.  Seems all the unpacking, washing and putting away of stuff is mostly behind us, though we are sure to keep finding sand right up until Christmas and beyond.  As I finally catch my breath a bit, I am remembering how one really tough day early that week was eventually swallowed up by the the good times we had together.  I'm not sure what we learned in that not-so-heavnely day, but I know that somehow, by God's grace, our faith was strengthened just a bit.  It was hard!  But we would all say that our trip was a lot of fun.  We all had a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day".  But we woke up the next morning to the best day of the whole trip.  How is that even possible? 

As I think back on that experience, I see again that God has a way of taking even the most difficult of times and transforming them into something valuable.  I am also reminded that as long as I have others in my life whom I love and care for, the most rewarding and necessary work is done in the trenches of relational hardships.  For some reason, this is where faith is worked out.  Relationships are where I see afresh my own frailty and need of God's grace. Thank God for His grace! 

So, enjoy the good times.  Let 'em roll!  ...Embrace the difficulties too, remembering Jesus.  And may we learn to trust God more deeply as we walk with those whom we love the most.

Character

"Add to your faith, character..." (2 Peter 1:5-8)  Developing character is a significant aspect of discipleship, of growing up in Christ.  I think of the words of Paul to Timothy as he exhorts the young leader to model the Christian life to those he leads, setting an "example" in his words, his actions, his faith, his love, his purity and his attitudes.  Who I am runs far deeper than what I believe.