As preachers, it is easy to get in the way of what God wants to do through us.  Our tendency is to go on our own strength instead of His.  To take credit for what God does, instead of walking in humility, when a sermon goes well or something good happens.

I have been journeying slowly through the book of II Corinthians this last week.  There are such great truths for us found in this book.  It seems that Paul is making a defense for his ministry, defending himself against accusations that are being made against him.  He can testify without any doubt that he didn’t get in the way of God moving through him.

As I read this morning in chapter 4, I was challenged to make sure that my heart remains right in my preaching and ministry. II Corinthians 4:5, “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servant’s for Jesus’ sake.”

In ministry do I promote myself or Christ?  Do I reflect more of my image or Christ’s? May God help me walk in humility and reflect Him.  May Christ be exalted!  May I decrease that He might increase. 

What do they call the 16th birthday for boys?  Is it still sweet 16?

Today Josh turns 16.  Besides feeling old, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God giving us an incredible son.  We are blessed beyond measure to have a son who loves God and tries to honor Him with his life. 

Over the last 16 years we have watched him grow into a fine young man.  Honestly, there was never much doubt that Josh would turn out well.  He has been a pleasure to raise.  From the time he was a couple years old, we understood that he would be a well-behaved and respectful child. (the jury is still out for his sister)  He delivered his first sermon at 3, where he intermingled the Bible with shopping at JC Penney’s (blame his mother for that).  He preached again when he was nine, and did better that time.  It was all biblical, but he walked away not knowing if he wanted to preach again.  His nerves got the best of him.

He is now on the path to get an education after high school and pursue what God desires for His life.  Truthfully, he has considered running for public office after college.  His passion is to see America return to God and Josh feels that if we can have godly men in office maybe there would be some hope.  Whatever he decides to do, we know that he will honor God and be successful.

We love you son!  You are a joy to our lives.

I just stumbled across this photo of my pal, Phil and I with a rapper from Texas.

Dear God,

Why do I treat you as if you don’t exist
Even when the Spirit beckons me and persists

I hold you at arms length, ignoring you most the day
Doing my own thing, walking my own way

You call, I don’t answer
You speak, but I don’t seem to care

But then, I will need you, a problem will arise
Then and only then, do I look toward the sky

Are you still there? Have I run out of grace?
If you help me one more time, then I will will seek your face

One more request, another bailout for me
Could you do it again? Can you meet my need?

Oh thanks, I knew I could count on you!
I knew in your faithfulness you would come through

Alas, not far down the road, I slowly drift away
I go days on end with nothing to say

Will this cycle ever end?
Until, on you, I truly depend?

I’m tired of the roller coaster, one day, close then I back away
I have decided, with you and you alone I will stay.

Signed,
A Struggling Pray-er

Today Josh was honored at Rogers High for being among the top students in the Sophomore Class.  He was recognized with about 60 other sophomores (a total of 270 students in all were recognized) for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or above.  He has raised his average to around 3.8 and has kept it there all year.  We are very proud of Josh as he excels at school.  He may not like school very much but he is passionate about doing his best.  Great job, Son!

Last night we went out for a gourmet dinner at Taco Bell.  As we are eating our Meximelt and Crunch Wrap, I noticed Hannah’s decision to make her own recipe.  She was enjoying Cinnamon Twists dipped in her Nacho Cheese.  It made all of us quesy but Hannah enjoyed it.

God’s Word brings life to our souls and it fits every part of our lives.  There is,however, a danger for making the Bible fit in places it does not speak.,

The other night, Hannah was in trouble and she was unhappy.  She has a little Gideon’s New Testament that I gave her and even though she can’t read, she reads it in  her own way.  Instead of it being a New King James Version, it is the New Hannah Version. 

After I had gotten onto her for something, she opened her Bible and read, “God says not to be mean to me.”  She then looks up at me with those eyes of “you better respond to God’s Word”.  So I replied to her, “God says to obey your father.”  (It is hard to win an argument with a 3 year old).  Hannah then goes to bed and decides to read her Bible some more.  I lay in the bed beside her and she turns toward me with her Bible.  “God says to get out of the bed.”  This time I just got up with no replies.

In our culture today, we try to make the Bible say what we want it to say.  We read into it more than it says.  We try to interpret the Word by reading between the lines.  The legalistic take passages that keep people bound rather than set them free.  Others, focus on the Scriptures that condone there lifestyle or they disregard passages that condemn it. 

Revelation 22:18 warns, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;”

God’s Word is 100% truth!  We cannot add to it or take away from it.  We must be careful to read it, study it and rightly divide the Word of Truth.  It is there for us to use that we might conform to the Word, instead of trying to make the Word conform to us.