Courage, Wisdom and Love

Another Birthday! Matthew turned 16 a couple of days ago- HooRay! Sixteen year olds can be difficult- Although he had said he did not want a party, at the last possible moment he had a change of heart- So here we go- It seems he decided it would be fun to celebrate at a friend's home with a bunch of other kids who happened to be there "just hanging out". No problem- right? At least we didn't have to worry about getting our own place ready for ensuing shin-dig! Julie is such an awesome mom. As she is apt to do- she put together a last minute incredible Red Velvet Cake from scratch and we picked up some pizza and sodas and headed over to the friend's house with all the goodies. After meeting the kids who were there, singing Happy Birthday as well as talking with the parents a bit Julie and I were about to leave them to their fun when Matthew cautioned us, "Hey Dad, make sure you don't look at the movie they are watching as you go out- it's pretty graphic."

Rewind One Day- Monday Morning Men's Bible Study.

My friend David looked me straight in the eye and said, "The problem we Christians have- the reason we cave in so easily- is that we care more what the people around us think than what God thinks." Those words haunt me. How often do I cave in- compromise- what I know is right because I am more worried about what the people around me will think than what God thinks? How often do I take the coward's way out and not stand up? Yet I really don't think it's always that simple. In the end, isn't the point to bring people to Christ? Many a soul has been turned away by self righteousness and judgement. These things are not simple.

There is no patented formula for what is the right thing to do- Other than Love God and Love People.

Oh and I believe our Enemy is fully aware of these moments of inner conflict. He is quick to come rushing in with doubts no matter what we do.

I stand for righteousness and here he comes saying-

Look, you just turned a whole group away from the possibility of knowing Christ-

Now they think Christians are all like those they hear everywhere judging them.

Not only did the wall between them and you just get bigger, but you added height and thickness to the wall between them and Christ.

or

I pass by the scene- Not viewing this as the time or place to raise a stink. Here comes the Enemy saying-

You are such a coward-

A real man who loves God would not let someting like that go.

A real man would stand for what is right.

You should be ashamed- you're no real Christian-

Oh you talk a good game when it's easy but when things get tough you're just like Peter.

Coward!

This Christian Life is not simple- I don't believe there are many "One size fits all" kinds of answers.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you O' man what is good- and what does the Lord require of you but to Do Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with your God.

Father, I am continually humbled as I seek Wisdom from You to balance Your Call to Justice and Your Call Love Mercy. Give me Courage to do the right thing- to stand as a man for You- Rise up in me Holy Spirit for that Courage. Lord also move in me for Love and Mercy- the Love and Mercy you have shown me so many times. Lord God, I pray as well that You would give Wisdom in all these things so that I would do what expresses Who You Are to everyone you bring my way. Please Dear Lord- Bind my Enemy- Keep me from his accusations and confusion. Move in me Holy Spirit for Clarity and Love and Truth. All Praise be to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen