Pursuit of Perfection

I didn't watch much of the New England Patriots game last night but I did keep up with the score. I have watched ESPN enough this week to know enough about it. It is funny how God uses stupid things like this to remind you of some profound things. There has been a huge target on the back of this team of probably 10 weeks now. Everyone wants to see this team lose because no one likes winners who win that much. (Unless you are on that team.)
I asked our high school boys class this morning this question: does God ask us (Christians) to be perfect?
They were slow to answers at first and then they concluded that we can't be perfect but we should strive for it. I was actually surprised by this answer. We then looked at Philippians 3:12-16. Paul tells us there that he is not yet perfect but he is pressing towards that goal. I personally don't believe that any of us will be perfect while we are here on earth but that should be our goal. When we strive after that goal, it is like we have a target on our back. In John, it tells us that Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy us. Not only do we have to deal with Satan, but we have to deal with others. I don't know about you but I don't like people who think they are perfect.
All of that to say, Paul charges us at the end of the passage above to become mature in our lives. The way we do that is by making wise decisions. We must ask ourselves: Is this the wise thing for me to do (physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, spiritually)?
You can pursue perfection one decision at a time.

Enjoying the Break

So I am off from Christmas until the day after the New Year. I am trying to get some things done around the house and even at the church. (I said I was off, right?!) Aimee and I are thinking about selling our townhouse and getting into a house we can see ourselves in for 15 years. So I am loving this break that I have!
The difficult thing for me is continuing my spiritual disciplines during this time. It's kind of like a truck driver not wanting to drive a truck while he is off. I feel like sometimes my spiritual life turns on and off when I am at church or the church office and when I am at home.
God is teaching me to discipline myself so that I am ready at all times. That is what Peter tells in 1 Peter 3:15: Always be prepared.
So that is the fun I am having. Hope your holidays are going well.

Merry Christmas

I thought it was about time that I started this blog thing. What better day to start than Christmas. Like most people I know, it was a pretty normal Christmas. Time spent with family, eating, presents and then a nap.
When I came home, I started watching a little TV and saw Oprah's Christmas Special and then our local news about hometown heroes. Both of these shows reminded me that life is not about me. Whether I was happy with the presents I just received or trying to figure out what sales I want to hit tomorrow, but life is about giving life away. Isn't that what Christmas is really about.
Since October, God has been working on me slowly to become a person who gives. From the music I have been listening to (Robbie Seay Band, Monk and Neagle, Tim Hughes, Derek Webb) to books I have been reading, God is showing me how much better it is to give away.
So what better way to start than to make this not about me. I hope that this thing (blog) can be a little reminder through your day to live for others.

Philippians 2:4 - Consider others interests before your own.