God Prepares You

As I start to see more pictures of my son growing and anticipate his arrival into this world early next year, I can't help but think about God and how he prepares us. Personally, I am glad I did not have kids in my early twenties. As 'The Way of the Wild Heart' words it, I was Cowboy/ Warrior and didn't know where life was headed. I was married out of college, bought a house and started a job all around the same time frame. I thought I was ready for anything, but God was the one who finally showed me how to prepare for anything and continues too daily. To be honest, my wife and I had no idea when we wanted to have children. Sure we had discussed, but life was always to busy. Little did I know that the big change God made in me was for something even bigger; a son.

What has God taught me over the last year that will prepare me for my future son?  Discipline.
One of the things Christ showed me was the power of discipline in my life. Saying one thing and living that same thing. I had to dig deep, deeper than I had ever before to become a man and a true son of God. It really started with reading. I had hardly ever read books and really had no interest or patience. What good are they? Well, I buckled down and read 'Wild at Heart'. Read this book if you have not yet. I know I have mentioned the book in many posts, but it is essential to a man's path. It helped show me a new path to walk, why I was doing the same thing my Dad always did and how to break the chains of those who walked before me.

"Start children off on the way they should go,

 and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

-Proverbs 22:6

How can I teach my son to become a man if I was not? From the moment I started reading that first book, God was preparing me for bigger things to come in my life and a whole lot sooner than I expected. With each line he was teaching me for the future and making repairs to my past. He showed me what a man yearns for and desires; the path a man takes through out his life; the true value or measure in a man; and finally a resolve to live up to these points everyday. When I allowed God to truly Father me, he did and so much more. He has given me essential life goals to live by and has now entrusted me with teaching my son to become a true man for God. 

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, 

bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

-Ephesians 6:4

How do I plan to succeed with this mission? The same way I am on a mission for Christ in my life. I have to continue to let him Father me. I have to be able to anticipate what will be coming next for my boy, just as Christ has done for me. I have to teach him, prepare him, pray with and for him, and show him the way. It will truly be the greatest adventure of my life and with Christ as our guide, the mission will get accomplished. Wait, Christ will be our Guide? Another thing I learned and hope to instill in my boy is that Christ is a Father to all of us, both of us. I have to take the lead in this idea and not only make sure that I understand it, but that he understands it. He will start life on a much different path than past generations. I pray he will be the generation that holds a firm faith for the generations to come.

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. 

For what children are not disciplined by their father?"

-Hebrews 12:7

How has God prepared you in your life?

'Unconditional' The Movie

As I was checking out my Facebook tonight, I ran into a link for a new movie. The movie was being promoted by the makers of the movie 'Courageous', so I thought it would be worth checking out. Take a minute and watch the trailer below. I have some information about the movie story line below it. 

IN THEATERS NOW!

Synopsis:

Samantha Crawford is living a storybook life: she’s happily married, she lives on a ranch where she keeps her beloved horse, and the stories she’s told and illustrated since childhood have become published books. 

When her husband Billy is killed in a senseless act of violence, Sam loses her faith and her will to live. But a death-defying encounter with two children leads to a reunion with Joe, her oldest friend. Inspired by true events, UNCONDITIONAL stars Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man) and Lynn Collins (John Carter). 

As Sam watches “Papa” Joe care for and love the kids in his under-resourced neighborhood, she begins to realize that no matter life’s circumstances, the love of God is always reaching out to us.

Check out the 'Unconditional' website.

Share some links and promote the movie! 

Wax Seal

We've all heard the horror stories related to the john, the pot, the throne or best known as the toilet. After a fresh installation, the possibilities to leak could come from so many places; the water connection in the back; the connection from the tank to the pot, and of course the wax seal. I write about this because this weekend was my first experience with replacing a toilet. I won't lie, anytime I do something new I watch a couple Youtube videos to see what to do and not to do. I download the information into my hard drive and off I go... to the pot. The toilet that was there worked, but had been there for a loooong time. I'm sure the gallons per flush were easily 3 or more, which today's standards are about 1.28 gallons per flush; quite the money savings over a long period of time. I know you probably don't care to hear about this, but, to be honest; it is good information to know. With the old toilet removed, I dreaded the new install. Like I said, with so many opportunities for it to leak, you never know how it will go after you turn that water back on. I can honestly say though, that it was a great and easy installation with no leaks. (so far)

Why does any of this matter or even apply to life. Well, you have to ask yourself 'where am I leaking'. Where am I letting things go or how am I making sure what gets in doesn't leak out? Consider your water source and its connection. With a simple turn of a handle, the water to a toilet can be on or off. Are you on or off? Are you allowing the water to flow in (leak proof), and flow out (leak proof)?

I learned that Jesus is the water source and in order for your life to go according to his plan, you have to make sure your valve is turned to 'on'. That first connection; that connection to him is of most importance and the seal has to be right. That first connection for the toilet consists of threads and plumbers tape. The plumbers tape is that extra seal, that little bit needed to make a tight connection. What is your connection like with Jesus? How do you make sure your relationship is tight; so that when he is ready to shine through you, you are ready?

Once that valve is turned on, you have to be ready to allow him to work through you. As the process of this takes place, you have to check the rest of your seals or connections. In plumbing these are your tank seals and bolts. In your life this could be your relationships, friendships, work, hobbies and more. How are you keeping the seals tight for Christ in these areas?

The last connection is the Wax Seal; this is where the water exits and is forever on a different path. The wax seal is the biggest connection for the toilet. You have one chance to get it right, and if you don't, you have to get a new one a try again. This relates to your expression of Christ to others; how do you treat others and how are you displaying Christ in your attitude? You can allow him into your life, you can keep your seals tight by living for him; but you when the opportunity is there to serve or speak about him, and you have to make sure all your connections are tight. This is the Wax Seal; this is where Christ can shine through you the best. Sometimes you only have one chance to get it right with people, and you have to be ready. It's not to say you won't get another chance, but that first impression can make all the difference.

OK, so this may be a slightly odd example of living for Christ, but I do believe the point is made.

How are you keeping your seals tight?