God’s Word always has some interesting paradoxes that seem to conflict with the way that we often feel about life and its events.  As a part of my devotional reading, I am working my way through the book of Job.  In chapter 5 there is one of these interesting paradoxes…happiness and chastening. Those two words don’t belong in the same sentence.  Yet, the Scripture says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.”

How can we be happy when we know that the Lord is correcting us or chastening us?  This happiness is birthed out of the relationship that we have with God.  The Word of God reminds us in another verse that the Lord chastens those He loves.  If He loves us, He will correct us.  Though chastening is never pleasant, it is a sign of God’s working in our lives.  In fact, it is a reminder of His involvement in us and through us.

His correction brings hope because we know that He loves us enough to shape us.  Though He bruises us, He still binds us up.  When we are wounded, He has hands to heal.  This loving correction is coupled with His compassionate desire to mold us into what He desires us to be.  He sees what we can become.  He sees us for the good and desires to work things “out” of our lives rather than allowing us to hold on to things that do us no good.

To find happiness in chastening means that we must have a right heart even when we are bruised.  His correction is meant to nudge us back to the right path.  When we tend to wander off, He allows things in our life to push us back to the good way.  This is where our heart must be open to His guidance and leading.  Our prayer should be, “Lord, what are you trying to show me through these things?  Where have I strayed and how can I get back to Your perfect plan?  Search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me.”

Happiness is attainable in chastening as you learn to walk with God and follow His heart for your life.  Instead of becoming upset that you have to endure hardship, rejoice that you are loved enough to be corrected.  Thank Him for loving you enough to not let you stay the same.

Happy New Year to you all!  I feel blessed to have you in my life and I am thankful for the new year and what God has on the horizon for RFA.

I shared this post last year, as we entered a week of fasting for the New Year.  These are timeless principles that will help us focus during this week of fasting.

As we enter our week of fasting, remember that fasting is a time of discovery. Some might ask, “A time of discovery?” Any period of fasting allows us to discover the things we are dependent on and even addicted to. Just a half day into any fast reveals what you have become dependent on.

Our bodies begin to scream for food or caffeine, while others might be having withdrawals from TV or computer. When we begin to lay down our fleshly cravings and desires, we become ready to hear from God more clearly. Granted, for the first few days of a fast, many will not hear a lot because they are still going through the withdrawals, but the longer we fast the more prepared we are to hear from God. His Word becomes alive to us, His presence seems real and we sense His nearness.

I encourage you to press in and hang on. It will get better!

While we are fasting, it is a good time to search our hearts. Some questions that I use for a Spiritual Health Test may help you as well:

• Am I being honest with God and myself?
• Do I love God’s Word?
• Am I Praying Faithfully?
• Am I looking for opportunities to share Jesus’ love with others?
• Do I hate sin?
• Am I obeying the greatest commandment, to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind?
• Am I looking for Christ’s return?

These questions will help you know where to start in changing your life this new year.

A couple of years ago I read an article from Family Life Ministries. It was on how to start family traditions. During this Christmas season, my prayer is that we all focus on the right things throughout this time. This article will help you focus on the right things and how to engage in these as a family.

Starting Family Traditions by Sabrina Beasley

It may sound strange, but Christmas traditions don’t have to be … well … traditional. You can start new activities that bring meaning to your holidays and build a legacy for your family. Perhaps you came from a family of non-believers, and you have never celebrated traditions that were based on Christ. Or perhaps you have found that your current traditions have no meaning for your family. This year, we have compiled 10 ideas for new traditions, some from FamilyLife and some from our readers.

1. What Does God Want for Christmas? The Christmas holiday is really just a part of the gospel story—God came as man in the flesh to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His birth signifies God’s grace and love for His people. FamilyLife has developed an interactive nativity set that not only tells the story of the birth of Christ, but it also presents the gospel to children.

This resource, What God Wants for Christmas, can be used in your own family, in Sunday school classes, or as an outreach for neighborhood Christmas parties.

2. Use decorations to tell about the entire life of Christ. Christmas is a time that usually emphasizes the birth of Jesus, but decorations can also celebrate the remainder of His life on earth. In addition to the basic nativity set, angels, and stars, include crosses, verses that talk about the life of Jesus, and statuettes of Him while He was on earth.

3. Fast a meal. In America, Christmas includes a large focus on food. This year, during the week before Christmas, sacrifice a meal and pray during that time for the poor, hungry, and spiritually lost in the world.

4. Watch a movie that remembers the life of Christ. There are several good films that focus on the birth, death, and life of Christ. We recommend “Jesus of Nazareth,” the film, “Jesus,” or for mature audiences, “The Passion of the Christ.” Or for a change of pace, try “Ben Hur,” a movie that begins with Jesus’ birth and ends with His death, and tells the story of a man who was transformed by His love and forgiveness.

By watching movies that focus on other aspects of the life of Jesus, the Christmas celebration of His birth is put into proper perspective. This can be an excellent opportunity to talk to your children about why Christ had to come in the form of a child.

5. Share stories about how God has worked in your life. Have you ever told your children the story of your salvation? How about your spouse? While the family is together during the holidays, use the time to share your personal stories about faith, redemption, and life change. Also, reflect on the previous year and talk about how you have grown in your faith individually and as a family.

Click here for the rest of the article

You know its gonna be a good day when you go to Sonic to redeem your free Route 44 coupon and they give you another coupon for a free one.  Its like it was double free this morning.  For a man that’s addicted to Sonic’s Iced Tea, this was a confirmation that there is nothing wrong with my addiction 

In fact, I left Sonic this morning feeling like I had been blessed.  Thanks Lord for even the “small” blessings.  Its going to be a good day.

When three year old David got to church yesterday morning, his mother told me he had some new pet goldfish.  Awesome pet for a three year old.  Easier than a dog and certainly more tolerable than a cat…goldfish are a perfect fit for little David.  Patti, David’s mother, informed me that he named his two new goldfish, Pastor and Mrs. Sonya.  What an honor!

Honestly, that makes my heart feel good.  I want to make an impact on the lives of everyone.  Especially, on the younger generation, I want to touch their lives for the glory of Christ.  To have a goldfish named after me is possibly a sign of a deposit that I have made in David’s life.  I love this kid.  He is full of life and excitement.  He also has an incredible knowledge of vacuum cleaners.  He can name almost every brand and type.  Sharp kid and will certainly make a good husband some day.

By the way, I am glad they were goldfish.  I might have been offended if a cat was named after me

Hannah had her first Thanksgiving play at school today.  She was nervous to say her line but she did great!  Couldn’t tell she was nervous.

Sonya and I had the opportunity to get away for our 20th anniversary.  We had a great time in a borrowed convertible corvette (Thanks Mike and Donna).  Not sure if Sonya enjoyed being with me or the Corvette more  We went to Russellville to stay in the Prophet’s Chambers (Thanks Pastors Don and Susan Nordin).  The house was nestled in the mountains outside of Russellville.  Beautiful and quiet, the house allowed us to relax and enjoy a couple of days away from the busyness of life.  On the way home, we drove to Lake Dardanelle and to the top of Mount Nebo and what a beauty to behold.  It was an awesome getaway!

All the freedoms we enjoy in this nation came at a price.  The expense was paid by brave men and women who have served our country faithfully to ensure that our homeland is safe.  They have fought foreign wars to rid other nations of tyranny and to bring freedom to other lands as well.  These veterans have served within our borders to secure our land and to protect it from those who seek to harm us. 

For wages that are not comparable to the risk of their lives, these veterans have served faithfully out of a call to patriotism.  They make less than most of those who enjoy the benefits of our military’s sacrifice.  Yet, they serve proudly and humbly because that is what veterans do.

They have gone to foreign lands and left behind their families so that they could bring peace to other families in far away lands.  They have stared in the face of danger yet not showing fear.  With courage they become all they can be for a people who often take for granted the freedoms.

This group of veterans is often overlooked but they still cherish their service to our country.  Veterans, thank you!  You are my heroes!  You have exemplified the words of Jesus, “No greater love has a man than he who lays down his life for a friend.”  Thanks for being willing risk your life for our freedoms.