Selective excellence

"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him [Jesus] to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem..." (Luke 9:51).

I like to do things with excellence. Well, let me rephrase that. Too often, the only things I like to do with excellence are those things that I like to do at all. In other words, if I'm not into it, I sometimes gripe or pout if it needs to be done.

Take yesterday, for example. My wife & I were cleaning. Not that either of us jumps out of bed on cleaning day and runs to grab a sponge or a broom. But today showed me how she pursues excellence in the things that are important, not just the things she wants to do. She had a task that, frankly, if it were me I would have put it off. But she was intent on completing it. Now we had been cleaning for a while, and I decided I had done enough. After all, I worked hard our previous cleaning day (well, so did she--but that's besides the point...). So though I didn't say anything, I stewed in my selfish anger quietly because I felt I couldn't stop working when she was still at it.

So God had to hit me upside the head with the importance of doing excellent work at all times, regardless if I want to do so. Jesus was going to Jerusalem to finish the work He had started. He knew very well that included being mocked, beaten, and hung on a cross. Luke 9:51 says he "steadfastly set His face" to go there. He was determined. We know in Gethsemane that due to the horrors he was to face, He would have wanted another way to do His Father's will if it were possible. But doing what He needed to do with excellence and honor was His first priority.

I thought of that verse, and I said to myself, "How dare I slack off with this. It's so small compared to the much more vital and sacrificial situation that Jesus approached with such resolve." And as I continued to work, I completed more than I had originally intended. Today, I feel good about what I did, and I pray that I may learn to pursue even greater things to come, not just because I want to, but because they will honor God and others.

Withdrawal--to a better place?

OK, I'm trying to reduce my caffeine intake, for what it's worth. I know there's an addiction, because if I go without for any more than a couple days, I get an annoying headache and my stomach gets all twisted up. Give me a caffeine-laden soda & I'm good to go. Until the next time.

I don't drink several cans a day. Usually one, maybe two here and there. But it's enough to make my body crave more if I go too long without.

OK, so it's not like an addiction to alcohol, or meth. But I keep wondering if my sometimes foggy mind could be clearer without so much caffeine entering my system. So I'm giving it a try. Part of my plan to make small improvements. We'll see how it goes. I want to be at my best, and if that means some temporary discomfort to get there, I'll give it a go. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Good News website

Tired of all the negative news? Maybe this will lift your spirits. I found it on an Internet search.

A picture of what it means to stand strong

Mexican mayor attacked by gangs shows her scars, and helps show us what it means to stand strong against evil. God bless her, and may she inspire others to not give up the good fight.

Vicious Attack On Wendy's Worker in Queens

Vicious Attack On Wendy's Worker in Queens

This is what happens when an employee at Wendy's tries to calm down a fight at the restaurant. Please pray that the woman who was attacked will get better, and that those who attacked her don't get away with it.

Jackets, posture, and God

I wore a sport coat with my outfit to church recently. I told my wife I didn't like how it looked on me. She suggested I stand up straighter. When I did, the jacket looked fine.

She's told me that before when I've asked her. Problem is, I too often forget to stand up straighter, and so I forget why my jacket doesn't fit right. Is it the trials of the day weighing me down? Do I focus too much on the negative? No surprise these days, where negative news and gossip abounds.

One reason I started this blog was to remind me, and others, about all the great things about Christ, and us in Him (much more), and to warn about all the terrible things in opposition to Christ (much less). Our natural bent is so often to focus on the "much less," and thus we get weighed down (and our jackets look funny). I tend to do that. So I need to remind myself of such verses as, "I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, ESV). "If God is for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31, ESV). And, "...in your [God's] presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11, ESV).

There are a multitude of those "much more" verses in the Bible. I will do my best to address many of them in future posts. Maybe if I (and you) heed those in our lives, we'll have a little more bounce in our steps, a smile on our faces...and our jackets will even fit a little better.

I can't see it, but I still have hope

2 Corinthians 5:7--"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
To be honest, times have been challenging lately. The money isn't there like it should be; work can be stressful at times. In short, what we had expected since moving to Texas has not panned out. There are moments where I just want to run away from it all. But deep down, I know God is good. I know He doesn't always give us what we want, but He does give us what we need. And sometimes, I guess what we need is to do without so we can come closer to Him. I am certainly blessed to be married to such a wonderful woman, and there have been many times where, when things all seemed to be against us, we turned to the Lord and to each other as the only seeming places of refuge. I pray that when things do get better in our daily lives, I will still treasure time with God, my wife, and other dear relationships as the most wonderful of blessings.