Encouragement From Dusty Pages

I guess you might say my main hobby is reading.

It's all about the books.

The Bible is number one.

But good Christian books that can encourage, instruct, and make me think are priceless too.

My books are my friends.

Old classics.

Forgotten titles that shouldn't be forgotten.

New titles that bring old truths into the 21st Century.

Biographies.

Commentaries on the Bible.

A library filled with these kinds of books is a living library.

When life happens I can grab my Bible.

I can also grab a Christian book that speaks to me at that moment.

I may have read it months or years ago.

But I open it and God uses the words to speak anew.

It's a fresh dose of encouragement from dusty pages.

These books travel with me through life.

Just yesterday I picked up "Made For His Pleasure" by Alistair Begg.

I opened it to a chapter with the title "Finding The Ideal Place To Serve God."

A few words hit the sweet spot of my soul:

"The Bible makes it clear that God's call is not primarily about geography. We are called...

According to God's purpose (Romans 8:28)

By His grace (Galatians 1:15)

Through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

Heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)

Out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9)

To belong to Jesus (Romans 1:6)

To be saints (Romans 1:7)

To be holy (1 Corinthians 1:2)

To live in peace (1Corinthians 7:15)

To one hope (Ephesians 4:4)

To His eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10)

Even in this brief selection, it's apparent that God is more concerned about what is happening than where it's happening.

We need to be thinking theologically rather than geographically."

Seems to me that's a healthy word for all of us.

Where is the ideal place of service?

It's where God puts us.

I think of Jesus calling the disciples to follow him in Luke 5:11:

"And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him."

The first disciples, in obedience to the call of Jesus, left behind normality and security and began a journey into the unknown.

A place where theology and geography collide.

A place where I know I'm supposed to be.

A Parable from the Beach

I always enjoy having pastor/evangelist Greg Laurie on the show.

I ran across a recent video he made where he brings the Parable of the Sower to life at the beach near his home in Southern California.

I think it's very cool because Mark records that Jesus taught this parable "by the sea". (Mark 4:1).

If you have a few minutes... take a look.

You'll be blessed.

Somebody Loves You

This weekend the message of God's amazing grace gets kicked up a notch here in Las Vegas.

Raul Ries and the Somebody Loves You team will be coming back to the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.

Everything is free!

Really it's two events in one.

On Saturday, it's the Exit Concert.

On Sunday, it's The Somebody Loves You Worship Event.

Exit will focus on the kids.... and the potential for reaching them for Christ is HUGE!

Raul will be speaking at both events.

I chatted with him recently about his upcoming visit to Vegas:

Raul Ries: http://www.box.net/shared/ovrcf98xld

No matter where you live I hope you'll be in prayer for the outreach.

Here's a link to get more info: http://www.somebodylovesyou.org/news/index/las_vegas_fact_sheet.html

Walking In Circles

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you're walking in circles?

A preliminary study by European scientists says that you may be.

According to the study carried out using global positioning software, the myth that people who try to walk a straight line and find themselves going in circles is actually true.

The study was carried out by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics and published in Current Biology.

Studies of nine people walking in the desert and in a forest found that all tended to go in circles and/or veer from a straight line if there was nothing to guide their way.

Walkers were only able to walk in a straight line when they could see either the sun or the moon.

Our walk through life can be like that.

Clouds can roll in to obscure Jesus.

A health crisis.

A tough relationship.

A financial setback.

A child turning away from the faith.

A rejection.

A misunderstanding.

But even on a cloudy day the sun is still shining above the clouds.

We know it's true.

Even if we can't see it right now.

Keep walking.

Use your Bible as your compass.

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."

It'll help you see Jesus with the eyes of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) "... for we walk by faith, not by sight."

God makes straight the crooked path.

Proverbs 3:6 (ESV) "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

We might as well practice living this way as Christ followers.

That way it'll be business as usual when we walk the streets of the New Jerusalem in the age to come.

Revelation 21:23 (ESV) "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb."

When It's Time To Go

You can't go with God and stay where you are.

That's a simple thought that can take on a whole new dimension when God says... "It's time to go."

There's a place for waiting on God.

Absolutely.

But once he gives you the green light, it's time to release the brake and hit the gas.

The God of the universe is calling!

Can there be anything more exciting?

Hang on for the ride of your life!

And yet many of us sit at the green light.

Foot on the brake.

It may not be very much fun here at this stoplight but we've gotten used to it.

We can learn to ignore the honking of the cars behind us.

They can go around.

And they do.

We pray....

"Lord, lead me."

"Lord, guide me."

"Lord, use me."

But when he says "Yes"... and the light turns green.. we say "No Lord".

How can we use those two words together?

If He's truly Lord how can we say "no?

"But I'm afraid."

"I've never headed in that direction before."

"What if the road gets rough?"

"What if I run out of gas?"

What if....... What if.

"What if the road is beautiful?"

"What if I meet all kinds of wonderful people?"

"What if you use me in a much bigger way than I ever expected?"

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever."

Now that I think about it.... sitting at God's green light doesn't even mean staying where we are.

We're actually going backwards.

Throwing it in reverse.

We soon find out the old familiar scenery looks strange now.

Distorted.

That's because God's good plan for us is just ahead.

On a road that looks....

Inviting.

Intimidating.

Interesting.

The light is still green and God is still God.

What's it going to be?

Last in Line

Ah yes..... it's the first day of school for my boys.

Everything went off without a hitch this morning.

Yesterday was... well... a little stressful.

We've been so busy over the past couple of weeks that my wife and I suddenly realized... "Hey tomorrow is the first day of school!"

She was working... so... picture this:

It's late afternoon.

I realize I'm going to have to get all of this stuff. No problem right?

Wrong.

That false sense of security lasted about 10 minutes at most.

I take the boys to get their hair cut.

One barber was normal.

The other one shouldn't ever be allowed to hold a razor.

Or anything sharp.

A grumpy, bitter barber.

Is there anything worse?

I'm trying to tell him how to cut my 9 year old's hair.

Pretty simple: Clean it up on the sides and the back, trim the front just a little.

His response?

"I'm not going to give him 3 haircuts!"

3 haircuts?

Math still isn't my best subject but even I know 1 doesn't equal 3.

He was ready for a barbershop smackdown.

He stared at me.

I stared at him.

The theme song from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" played in the background.

No blinking.

Until....

I must have looked like I was going to scalp him with that dull razor over there by the hair dryer.

He blinked.

From there it was off to WalMart.

No shopping carts.

Not even one available.

Turns out I didn't need one.

With the school supply list in hand I made my way into the mass of back to school humanity.

I should have known I was in for trouble when I saw a mom pistol whipping her teenager.

"This is the binder you're required to have!"

"I want the other one!!"

"You can't get the other one."

"But this one looks sooooo stupid!!!!"

Lovely.

No Number 2 Pencils available.

At the risk of turning my boys into rebels I look for some Number 1 or Number 3 Pencils instead.

Someone mentions that they don't even exist.

Shouldn't the public be informed of this conspiracy?

No colored pens.

No erasers.

Out of 15 or more items on my list I picked up maybe 3.

Off to Target.

Less people.

Still very little that would complete my list. Then to Walgreen's.

Yes!

Everything I need!

I pay.

Then I realize I'm missing something.

A ruler!

I go back.

They have one!

I smack myself on the head with it.

Ouch.

My boys laugh.

I laugh.

This gives me an idea.

"Hey guys... do you think the barbershop is still open?"

Nine Tips For Life

How about some wise words today?

I really enjoyed reading this article.

Here it is courtesy of Mark Moring and Christianity Today:

Nine Tips for Life

1. Guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6)"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make your paths straight."

This might be the most quoted passage in all of Proverbs; maybe you've memorized it. But wherever you're headed in life, these words will always remind you who directs your steps.

2. Discernment (Proverbs 14:12)"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

Yeah, that verse ends on kind of a downer. But you get the point: Sometimes something seems right, but it might be the wrong choice after all. That's why we've always got to ask God to help us make wise decisions.

3. Confidence (Proverbs 3:25-26) "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

Remember: "The Lord will be your confidence."

4. Work (Proverbs 6:6-9)"Go to the ant, you sluggard;consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?"

Life lessons from an ant? Yep. Ants might be the hardest-working critters alive. They're always busy, always planning ahead.

5. Relationships (Proverbs 12:26)"A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. "

Here's a great verse on choosing friends wisely. Ask God to point you to people who won't lead you astray."

6. Sexual purity (Prov. 6:25-26, 28) "Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,and the adulteress preys upon your very life. … Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?"

You might be saying, "Prostitutes and adultery? That doesn't apply to me." But these verses are about much more than that. They're about the strong temptation of sex, a temptation that affects us all. This passage clearly says sex outside of marriage is also outside of God's perfect plan. When we violate that plan, we walk "on hot coals"—and get burned.

7. Money (Proverbs 11:28)"Whoever trusts in riches will fall,but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."

It's easy to think that money will bring happiness or solve your problems. But the Bible is clear that money doesn't do those things. If you wanna "thrive like a green leaf," pursue righteousness, not riches.

8. Compassion (Proverbs 19:17)"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,and he will reward him for what he has done."

We all tend to get so caught up in our own lives that we sometimes forget there are hurting people all around us. But God always wants us to share his great love with others. Volunteer with a local ministry. Take a short-term missions trip. Make time to reach out and touch someone.

9. The future (Proverbs 23:18)"There is surely a future hope for you,and your hope will not be cut off."

You're probably wondering what your future holds. But this verse says you don't have to worry about it: If you follow God, he'll take care of it—and he'll take care of you.

Nothing can cut you off from his love. He will carry you through, all the way.

Clean Up... Work Out

Turning work into a workout.

One two three... mop!

Four five six.... sweep!

Seven eight nine... my.... that floor looks fine!

Click on the link to see how you can get your house... and yourself.. in shape.

Can You Work Out While Doing Housework?: http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=8359555

Playing Catch-Up

Have you ever found yourself moving so fast you feel like you've left something behind?

I have.

It's an emptiness that gnaws at you from the inside out.

Motion without meaning.

Activity without equilibrium.

What you've left behind is your soul.

Your spirit.

The quiet place where you and God meet.

John 4:24 (ESV) "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

We live in a visible world but live for an invisible one.

It's okay to stop and let your soul catch up a bit.

It's way too easy outrun your reason for doing.

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) "...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Looking Sheepish

I know we need to watch out for false prophets.

Matthew 7:15 (NASB) "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

I don't think this is what Jesus meant though.....

See ya on the radio!

Feeding The Piranhas

Being the father of two boys is pretty much the same thing as being the father of piranhas.

Throw them a hunk of meat (or any other item that's edible) and it's gone in seconds.

Slightly exaggerated for effect?

Not much!

We can buy 2 gallons of milk and the cow is drained in a matter of hours.

Maybe we need a real cow.

Our homeowners association would never go for it.

Neither would my wife.

We've agreed: no more pets.

"But honey... the cow isn't really a pet... she's a real contributor to the family.

She's earning her keep.

She's not just a consumer."

I practiced saying those words out loud right now.

Even I know it'll never work.

Moooooooving right along.......!

Click on this link for some ideas on How to Feed Your Family on $100 Dollars a Week:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32034923/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

Of course there has to be a disclaimer in there somewhere if you've got a couple of piranhas in the family.

I say that with the greatest love and respect.

Love because they're my boys.

Respect because I know what can happen if.

If I don't keep my hands and feet away from their mouths when they're hungry.

Face Time!

This is such a fun photo I had to post it.

You can't plan something like this!

A couple on vacation in Canada set the timer on their camera to take a shot of them by a lake.

Suddenly.. out of nowhere... a visitor shows up to make this picture priceless:

Have a caption for the photo?

Feel free to share it when you leave a comment!

The Bridge of Grace

I can pick up a Charles Spurgeon book and open it at random and each time I'm amazed.

His thoughts jump right off the page and into my heart.

Here's what I mean:

"The bridge of grace will bear your weight, brother. Thousands of big sinners have gone across that bridge, tens of thousands have gone over it.

I can hear their footsteps now as they walk under the great arches of the bridge of salvation.

They come by the thousands, ever since that day when Christ first entered His glory.

They come and yet never a stone has sprung in that mighty bridge.

Some have been the chief of sinners and some have come at the very last of their days but the bridge has never yielded under their weight.

I will go with them, trusting the same support.

It will bear me over as it has them."

A bridge with a name.

Jesus.

A bridge built with blood, sweat, and tears.

A bridge shaped like a cross.

Already Gone

What an eye-opener on the show yesterday!

Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis joined us with the results of a new study that looks into why so many of our kids are walking away from the Christian faith once they reach their 20's.

These are kids who were raised in Christian families.

They were very involved in youth group activities.

What's going on here?

Are we losing them as they head off to college as most of us assume?

As Ken explains.... the shocking truth is that the process is starting much earlier than that.

Click to listen to our conversation:

Ken Ham Part 1-http://www.box.net/shared/8rficn0gy4

Ken Ham Part 2-http://www.box.net/shared/sofbk1lpy2

Also here's a link to Ken's website:http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Sweeeet!

I was talking with my friend Jay last night.

His struggle mirrors mine.

I'm thinking we need to keep each other accountable.

You know.

Ask the hard questions.

Have you given in this week?

How many times did you consider going on a binge?

Were you on the prowl last night?

Are you lying to me right now?

I'm squirming.

Maybe you are too.

Here's our weakness: Little Debbie Snack Cakes!

You were expecting a deeper darker secret?

Sorry.

I can eat 'em by the box.

Swiss Cake Rolls.

Zebra Cakes.

Strawberry Shortcake Rolls.

Chocolate Cupcakes.

The list is endless.

It may be nostalgia that gets the best of me.

I've loved them since I was a kid.

I never grew out of it.

Out of my 29 inch waist jeans because of them... yes.

But not out of my taste for them.

My wife, on the other hand, doesn't share my enthusiasm.

"They taste so fake."

"Look at the ingredients."

If your point is.... "I bet they would survive a nuclear attack" you're probably right.

Everything would be destroyed except cockroaches and Little Debbie Snack Cakes.

Those lucky cockroaches.

My two boys seem to have inherited the same weakness.

We buy three boxes and they don't even last three days.

It's gotten so bad we've restored to hiding them from each other.

Sad isn't it?

I was even on the official website a few minutes ago.

You can see how they make some of the snacks: http://www.mckeefoods.com/Family_Fun/Default.htm

Oh.. and I just noticed.. they have a Little Debbie Gift Shop.

I'm thinking I need to call my friend Jay about now.

Faith The Dog

A dog and pony show on The Digest today?

No way.

Just a dog show.

I'll save the pony for some other time.

Have you heard about Faith The Dog?

As a dog lover... this story really touched my heart.

If you have a few minutes click and watch:



See ya on the radio!

Limits

Limiting the limitless God.

How crazy is that?

And yet I do it.

Temporary insanity?

More like God out of focus.

I don't see Him as He really is.

I need to sharpen my view through the lens of Scripture.

To adjust the eyes of my spirit.

To flex the muscle of faith.

To live what I say I believe.

This weekend some words from the Apostle Paul kept coming to my mind:

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV) "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Do I live like I know God is able?

Able and willing to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that I ask or think?

Able to bring good surprises my way?

Able to choose what's best?

Living and believing don't always walk side by side.

But they should.

That's where the action is.

Your Own Jesus

Have you had a chance to check out the new book by Mark Hall?

Mark, of course, is the lead singer/songwriter for the band Casting Crowns.

The name of the book is "Your Own Jesus".

Bravo Mark!

You always give me something to think about.

This book is excellent!

It's about owning your own faith.

You can't coast on the faith of anyone else.

Your relationship with the Jesus of the Bible has to be based on your own experience.

One quote I love from the book: "Compromise is the assassin of fellowship with God."

On the show yesterday we were talking about how small compromises lead to big compromises.

The end result is a break in our fellowship with God.

It's just not worth it!

If you set up fences around your life because you want to avoid compromise, other Christians may call you legalistic.

And it's true... they may not need the same fences you do.

Let everyone be convinced in his own mind.

But may all of us remember daily what it means to love God enough to live a life that honors him.

Go Global

I think many of us would love to plug-in and serve Christ.

But one thing that's holding us back is what I call the paralysis of analysis.

Where should I go?

What should I do?

How should I do it?

On and on it goes.

Until we just don't do anything at all.

Maybe you caught my recent interview with Michelle Diedrich of Global Media Outreach.

The work they're doing is really awesome!

Do you realize you can volunteer to be an online missionary with them?

You can impact the world for Christ by answering emails from people all over the world who have questions about Jesus.

In case you missed it, click below to listen to my conversation with Michelle:

Global Media Outreach: http://www.box.net/shared/22nuucjd5e

You'll be able to get a feel for the heartbeat of the ministry.

Then check out the website: http://www.globalmediaoutreach.com/

Maybe the paralysis of analysis will be a thing of the past for you!

The Ride Of Life

What is one thing every man and woman on the face of the planet has in common?

You could probably name a few.

We're all human beings.

We all need food and water to survive.

We're all very concerned about the rising cost of rubber chickens.

(Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention!)

The thing I'm thinking about is this: we're all getting older.

The first grader and the first-time grandparent.

The baby and the middle-aged man who acts like one.

When you're young you're headed uphill....

It's a long walk that takes forever.

Glorious at times.

And bumpy.

When you're older it's downhill.

A shorter, faster ride.

Glorious at times.

And bumpy.

But for the true follower of Christ, the glory of both seasons is that God is with you.

Isaiah 46:4 (NKJV) "Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you."

Taking this truth to heart can even make the bumps glorious.

On the way up.

On the way down.

It's still an awesome ride with an awesome God isn't it?

Strengthen The Weak Hands

What better way to begin each new day than to say to God...

"Lord, I want to be an encourager today."

"Use me to lift others up who are dealing with challenges. Especially my brothers and sisters in Christ."

That prayer can change a day.

365 of them a year can change a life.

I mentioned yesterday on the show a couple of verses out of Isaiah that have been on my mind lately:

Isaiah 35:3-4 (NKJV) "Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come ....... and save you."

Isn't that a great snapshot of what it means to be an encourager for Christ?

A simple statement.. yes.

A sincere one?

Absolutely.

It reminds me that simplicity doesn't have to be shallow.

And sincerity doesn't have to be sappy.

If I spotlight the love and the truth of God, He'll do the rest.

How encouraging that is.

For all of us.

A Sign For The Times

Are you the parent of a teen?

I am.

A teen who is still learning how to drive.

I could talk about the warm and fuzzy conversations my son and I have had during this whole process.

Or the high blood pressure that I may need to seek treatment for in light of it.


But instead I'm considering a move that seems to make sense to me.

Which means it won't make any sense at all to my son.

It's a magnet that you can put on your car.

Susan Kessler has developed signs for teens with learner permits and first-year licenses.

They're attached magnetically to the car's sheet metal and display the words "Caution Newly Licensed."

More than 15,000 of people have ordered the signs since Kessler and a group of other moms introduced them four years ago.

She now sells them nationally at cost, for $7.99, through a Web site, newlylicensed.com, and is looking for a national retail outlet to handle them.

So let's see..... more than 15,000 moms & dads are resting a little easier today.

And more than 15,000 teens are horrified.

They'll talk about being scarred for life.

Pretty tough to look cool picking up your date in a car with that kind of signage.

But hey.... you'll score points with her parents.

Not exactly the same thing.. is it?

Of course we as parents aren't clueless.

They're magnets.

The kids can always take them off and we won't know it.

Maybe they can embed a tracking device on them in the future......?!

Oh how control is slipping away.

I think it's time to pray.