When I was a young boy we were invited to spend the day with our "town" cousins and go to the country club with them. The country club was home to the Briary Creek golf course and a very nice swimming pool. We came to play in the swimming pool and a whole lot of other people came to do the same thing.
It was a bit overwhelming. There were more people at that pool than we saw at anytime during the summer. Church didn't even have as many people as were clamoring around that pool.
But, we had come to play and play we did. I even joined the line waiting to climb the ladder and jump off the high diving board. When my turn came I stepped out onto the board and with a little bit of fear jumped off.
Down to the bottom of the pool I went. Touching the bottom I pushed myself towards the surface and to the ladder on the side where I would climb out of the pool.
I was not a great swimmer so I came up then submerged myself under the water , holding my breath until I got to the ladder. The problem was others were headed for the same ladder and using my head as leverage to push themselves towards it. I don't think anyone meant me any harm. I just couldn't swim well enough to make any headway.
Panic was catching hold of me as I swallowed water. My mouth was opening whether I wanted it to or not to try to draw some air out of the water. Another second and I would have gone deeper. Another second and I would have drowned. Thankfully, my cousin wondered why I wasn't coming out of the pool and pulled me to safety - and air.
There are two ways you can go deeper: discipline or drowning. Only one gives life. Today, choose life. Choose discipline.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Depth requires discipline
Depth requires discipline. The deeper you go in the Lord the more will be required of you. "Launch out into the deep", Jesus tells Peter (Luke 5: 4).
Why do we not move instantly to the call of God to go deeper? This is the first thing after the first thing. God gets into our stuff as he got into Peter's boat then inevitably God asks us to go deeper.
Are we reluctant like Peter was initially. Do we argue with God? Do we try to justify and validate ourselves? Peter started that way but he didn't stop there. "Lord, I've toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)
If we want to go deep, as deep as God wants for us, we will discipline ourselves to the word of Jesus. "When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fishes so their nets were breaking" (Luke 5:6) Depth will break our ways of looking at things. Depth will require deeper attention to prayer and fasting. Depth will expand what we thought was possible.
Discipline yourself to live every moment, face every situation at the word of Jesus. This way we will avoid the other way we can go deeper which I will write about tomorrow.
Love you, Norman
Please pray for our family. Most all of us has been sick (Hannah, Karen, and now Robert) and some of us do not feel as fit and strong as we want or need (that would be the rest of us.) Pray for revival in South Hill UMC. Holy Spirit come down and be welcomed to do your work.
Why do we not move instantly to the call of God to go deeper? This is the first thing after the first thing. God gets into our stuff as he got into Peter's boat then inevitably God asks us to go deeper.
Are we reluctant like Peter was initially. Do we argue with God? Do we try to justify and validate ourselves? Peter started that way but he didn't stop there. "Lord, I've toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)
If we want to go deep, as deep as God wants for us, we will discipline ourselves to the word of Jesus. "When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fishes so their nets were breaking" (Luke 5:6) Depth will break our ways of looking at things. Depth will require deeper attention to prayer and fasting. Depth will expand what we thought was possible.
Discipline yourself to live every moment, face every situation at the word of Jesus. This way we will avoid the other way we can go deeper which I will write about tomorrow.
Love you, Norman
Please pray for our family. Most all of us has been sick (Hannah, Karen, and now Robert) and some of us do not feel as fit and strong as we want or need (that would be the rest of us.) Pray for revival in South Hill UMC. Holy Spirit come down and be welcomed to do your work.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Good Intentions
I was going to do this new blog post early Saturday morning but we had no electricity. Widespread power outages were reported in our area. So, I wrote it out on paper to be (as you see now) transferred when the power came back. The power came back on at 10:30 am but by then I was behind and (as you see now) I didn't get it done until today, Monday morning.
What's my excuse? Did the dog eat my homework? Did the schedule get in the way of what was scheduled?
I had good intentions to eat well this week yet there are still chocolate-covered ice cream bars in the freezer. My sister and I were going to run in a race on November 14th but we both decided to wait.
The first must become last and the last first. Good intentions must be translated into intentional good.
If you have a habit of good intentions remaining idle ideas instead of definited deeds, turn everything on its head. Don't make a list of things to do. Do things and then list what you have accomplished. Do as our guest speaker, Scott Briggs, Harvest of Hope Director for the Society of Saint Andrew, said: "Do not be as concerned about getting the next thing you do perfectly right. Instead just do the next right thing." As Mike Litman has said many times, "You don't have to get things perfect. You just have to get things going."
Grace and power in all the intentional good you do today!
What's my excuse? Did the dog eat my homework? Did the schedule get in the way of what was scheduled?
I had good intentions to eat well this week yet there are still chocolate-covered ice cream bars in the freezer. My sister and I were going to run in a race on November 14th but we both decided to wait.
The first must become last and the last first. Good intentions must be translated into intentional good.
If you have a habit of good intentions remaining idle ideas instead of definited deeds, turn everything on its head. Don't make a list of things to do. Do things and then list what you have accomplished. Do as our guest speaker, Scott Briggs, Harvest of Hope Director for the Society of Saint Andrew, said: "Do not be as concerned about getting the next thing you do perfectly right. Instead just do the next right thing." As Mike Litman has said many times, "You don't have to get things perfect. You just have to get things going."
Grace and power in all the intentional good you do today!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thank You Discovery UMC
I know. It's been quite a while since I've posted anything. But, today I want to write a quick thank you to Jim and Avis Lavender of Discovery UMC in Richmond, VA. Karen and I went to share in the first night of their revival where I got to sing and preach.
I also say, "Thank you" because Avis asked me to invite Janet, J. B., Teresa, Jill, and Carrie: my older sister and her husband, my younger sister, and two of my nieces. They sang, too and they were great!
I have a great family and they are always fun to be around. Last night was just another chance to prove it. Thanks Discovery UMC for inviting Karen and I up, my family over, and God down! Grace and peace everyone.
I also say, "Thank you" because Avis asked me to invite Janet, J. B., Teresa, Jill, and Carrie: my older sister and her husband, my younger sister, and two of my nieces. They sang, too and they were great!
I have a great family and they are always fun to be around. Last night was just another chance to prove it. Thanks Discovery UMC for inviting Karen and I up, my family over, and God down! Grace and peace everyone.
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