Don't be such a Whiner or Striver or Whiner or Striver or............

My life is not as I would arrange it. My story is not as I would write it. I do not have the perfect job. My children don't follow my script for their lives. I don't have enough money to do what I want. My wife does not always cooperate with plans. I do not have the physical prowess or the body I would like to have. I do not have the status my ego craves.

Whine, Whine, Whine...............

What a whining little egocentrical fool I can be- Sometimes I whine so much I become disgusted with myself. Why can't I have more of a positive attitude?

Whoa...... Isn't that amazing-

I can even whine about what a Whiner I am!

So what am I to do? What is the cure for my condition? Maybe I should settle for discontentment- After all, It is what it is............Right? Maybe I should just resign myself to never having all I want. Or............ Maybe I should fight it- Maybe I should make my plans- Do everything in my power to manipulate them into being. You know the mentality don't you? I can do anything- I am the Master of my domain- If I can believe it, I can achieve it- How about shifting from......

Whine, Whine, Whine....................

to Strive Strive, Strive...........

Truthfully........

I've spent alottttttttt of time in my life striving-

And while it is definitely more productive than whining-

In the end-

All my striving has only led to a different sort of misery-

Certainly not the Life Jesus won for me-

The Life God meant for us.

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples,

"If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross and follow Me.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.

It's time for a new way of Life-

Away with the whining and striving-

Away with all the complaining and manipulation.

It's time to take hold of the Great Paradox-

It's time to forget trying to write my own story-

It's time to forget trying to take His place as the center of the story.

It's time to die into Christ-

It's time to let His Life and Love be lived out through me.

More and more I am coming to see-

Little by little-

Bit by bit-

This is where I can find the life I long for.

Holy Spirit lead me deeper into Jesus today-

Lead me deeper into Life.

Amen

Moving On

An early morning conversation with my son;

Me- "Matt, it's time to get up"

Him- "Not yet, in a second"

Me- "In a second? why not now?"

Him- "Because I am comfortable. I have heard it said that sometimes it seems like God is in the business of comforting the afflicted, but other times it seems His cheif purpose is to Afflict the Comfortable.

I have also heard it said that we will not change until it becomes too painful to stay the same.

As I think any of you who read this on a regular basis can tell from my posts the last couple of weeks- life has been hard. There has been waiting and dissappointment and regret- Plenty of discomfort.

The central question in all of it has been,

"Where is God in all this?"

or maybe,

"Why hasn't He given me what I wanted?"

I will tell you He has been present.

He has shown Himself in Clouds and Streetsigns-

In conversations with friends-

In His Word-

In other books I am reading-

In time with my wife-

In time alone-

In bike rides and I am sure a million other ways that I have not even recognized.

In all of it the choice has been clear-

He has driven me to a place of discomfort-

A place where I must take hold of the reality of His Love and Care for me-

Really- Deeply- In my heart of hearts -

Or I must deny Him-

Lose faith and go my own way.

My own struggles have been real, but He has been so merciful to strengthen my faith through what really are trivial struggles compared to things I know others are going through.

It really is a shame that my transformations have to come through discomfort-

Maybe it is the only way my heart will take hold of what is in my head and own it.

It is time for me to move on from old dreams.

I have done all that I could to make them come to pass.

God has shut them down.

It is time to move on- to move on into what He has for me.

Romans 8:32 God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also with the gift of His Son- Graciously give us all things.

Lord God Almighty I will trust You- That what You have in mind for me is Good and the Life I long for will be right there in it. Give me clarity day by day to see and walk the path You have laid out for me.

Amen

Now come on Matt- It's time to get up!

Just Some Clouds

I was driving down the road yesterday evening- taking my son Matthew to his Mixed Martial Arts class-when I could not help but notice the horizon off to my right. As we came to a stop light I was captured by the beauty of the picture God had painted-

The sky- The clouds- The sun's reflection.

I wish I had words to describe what I saw.

I will try.

The clouds were majestic as they seemed to rise from out of the ground. Those closer to the horizon were an ominous but shimmering steel gray. They looked to be impregnated with Anger- Anger and Power- The power of some impending thunder god A god that might send forth hail and bolts of lightening in an unbridled expression of wrath. But as I lifted my gaze just a bit higher, these very same clouds changed- They subtly shifted in color from that ominous steel gray to the whitest of whites- Bright beyond anything I can ever remember seeing before. The power was still there- the majesty was still there- But in this higher place, instead of being filled with wrath- These very same clouds seemed to be bursting forth with Joy and Hope and Goodness- Power, but a different display. Now all of this was worthy in and of itself to spend a moment taking in- But there was one other piece to this picture God had painted for me- A clear message that captured me there at that stop light at that moment in time.......

Rising up out of the ground and positioned so that it's top was set directly against the backdrop of these magnificent clouds was a red and white triangular street sign with the word YIELD spelled out directly in it's center.

Oh, the messages of God- they come in the most unexpected places as I go about this business of life.

Yield- Yield to My Power Charles- Yield to My Joy and Goodness and Hope and yes even to My Wrath. Be as amazed with Me as you are with this cloud I have sent you today.

Exodus 34:5 -6 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses and proclaimed His name-The Lord. He passed in front of Moses proclaiming, The Lord, The Lord- The Compassionate and Gracious God- Slow to Anger and abounding in Love and Faithfulness.

Lord God Almighty- show me where I need to yield to You today. By Your Holy Spirit move in me to be still and know that You are God. Empower me and let me feel Your Power and Courage and Love and Faithfulness so that I may take hold of who You are and yield.

Amen

Pain in this World

Christianity does not innoculate me against pain in this world- Christianity does not insulate me from dissappointment. I wish I could say that giving my life to Christ meant that my suffering was over-That everything from that moment forward would go my way- that there would be nothing but bliss all day every day, but........................

We are not in Heaven yet- The Kingdom of God is still dealing with opposition in this world and tragically even opposition in me- a Christian.

As long as that opposition exist, there will be pain and dissappointment. God will not spare me, but instead will heal me in the midst of it.

John 16:33 Jesus said," In this world you will have trouble. But take Heart, I have overcome the world."

Right about now I am- I suspect we all are- experiencing some trouble- some pain- some dissapointment. Mine is of my own doing- in that there are things I clearly want that are not in God's plan or timing for me at this point- maybe never. The words resound-

Take Heart- Take Heart- Be strong and Courageous, for I am with you- I will never leave or forsake you. I know the plans I have for you- plans for good- I have come to give you life.

I know in all this God is inviting us (me) to trust Him in a more real way- to let go of lesser things and take hold of Him for Life.

Holy Spirit rise up in me to do this- to take Heart and really trust You for my Life. Help me to say along with Your servant David, " The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." and again, "Create a pure heart in me and renew a right spirit in me...........Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation." All Praise be to You Lord for all You are doing to unite my Heart to Your own Great Heart.

Amen

What do you want? (Part 2)

I heard the story of a man-

He was a good man-

A hard working man-

A man who had dreams and aspirations of greatness.

He had a vision for his life- for success and acclaim and power and wealth.

And so this man set about the business of climbing the ladder of success.

He was indeed a clever and industrious man who after much toil and skill and manipulation was able to reach the top of the ladder.

He had arrived- He had achieved all he set out to do-

He was at the pinnacle of his life- The master of his domain.

As he surveyed all he had accomplished- all he had given life and energy for-

He was surprised at his own sense of discontentment and began to wonder........

Did I have my ladder against the wrong wall? This is not what I thought it would be. I have done all that I set out to do- Now What?

Oswald Chambers- My Utmost for His Highest- July 13- Paraphrase

Over and over again God has to remove our lesser desires to bring Himself into their place.

Is there some other thing I desire more than God Himself?

Is there some lesser desire I am focused on that I think will bring me the life I long for?

Do I really believe God is all of Who He says He is?

John 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance"

Father in Heaven, Give me a desire for You that is the defining desire of my life. Purify all the other lesser things- Even removing them where they need to be removed so that my life may be completely hidden within Your own. Lord, You know there are things I want- things that I believe will make me happy- Grant me those things only as they lead me deeper into Your Heart of Love and Goodness.

Matthew 6 (Excerpt) Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven......for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Lord Jesus, let my heart be consumed with You.

Holy Spirit, lead me and comfort me in all these things.

Amen

What do you want?

It usually starts with an innocent enough statement- "Hey lets go out to eat!" my wife might say. To which I reply," Sure, what do you want?" To which Julie will reply, "I don't care- you pick". Now is where the fun begins- You all know- You have been there. "What about Chinese?" "No, I had that yesterday." "Well what about Mexican?" "You know My stomach can't handle that right now." "Okay then well what do you want?" "I don't know- I guess what I was really thinking was........"

I am not sure we will ever really be able to hear God or unite to His heart and purposes as long as we have our own ends in mind.

Isn't this how we are with God so often. He comes and invite us into His enterprises and even give us some options about how we might fit into what He has going.

It' s like He is saying, Hey Charles, let's get together and do this (Whatever this is) and I come back and say Great, Lord I would love to spend some time with You, but I was thinking we might do this (Something else) instead.

Lord, why don't You join me in what I want to do?

In fact, here are my plans, would You just please bless them-

You know they are good-

You know lots of people will be helped-

Lord, why don't You just join me in what I want-

You could be a big help.

I believe what God wants for us more than anything else is that we unite to His Heart in such a way that our greatest desire become simply.............Him.

When will I reach a point in my life where all of who I am revolves around Him- Where He is my great desire?

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord

Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Oh, I know these verses have second parts- Promises even- but can we just forget those for a while and say along with our Lord Jesus to the Father, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done"?

Father in Heaven, work out Your ways in my life today and tomorrow and every day. Holy Spirit, cultivate in me a desire for being united to the Great Heart of God- For being united to my Lord Jesus in all His Love and Grace and Mercy and Goodness. All Praise be to You Father in Heaven for how You are working all these things out.

Amen

Following Dad can be Dangerous!

That phrase has stuck with me for a couple of days now and I have wondered a bit about why I am so apt to feel that following Jesus is dangerous. Is it that I am not sure of the way He is taking me- Maybe I think I see a better way- Is it that I have never been where He is taking me- Is it that I have my own destinations in mind- Maybe it's because I am not certain He can he really get me where I want to go- Maybe it's because it doesn't feel like He's making the path easier- Maybe it's because I have crashed so many times before- Maybe it's because I am looking at where the rest of the Peloton is going. John 21:21-22 "What about him Lord?" Peter asked. Jesus answered," What is his life to you- You must follow Me." John 14:5-6 Lord we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, " I am the way" John 10:4 The Shepherd's sheep follow Him because they know His voice. Matthew 8:18-22 A teacher of the Law said, " I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus answered, "Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His Head." Another said, "Let me go bury my father." Jesus answered, "Let the dead bury their own dead- you follow Me." John 11: 16 Thomas said, " Let us also go (follow him to Judea) that we may die with Him." In the end following means giving up control- which is fine as long as I am in agreement with the way He is leading- Ah, but that is not really giving up control is it? The central question in Discipleship (following) comes down to this- Do I believe so strongly in the one I am following that I will go after Him forsaking all others- including my self? That is the rub- I often think I know a better way. Luke 9:23 Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The call is to set my way aside- to commit to Jesus as the Way of Life- Daily- minute by minute staying fixed on Him. Indeed a dangerous thing in this world where happiness is measured in security and bank accounts. Lord Jesus, I do believe- I will follow You- help me overcome my unbelief. Become so real in my life- as my Way of Life- that I only see you. Like You did for Peter, Lord- when he took his eyes off You and began to sink in the waves- Reach down and take hold of me when I begin to drown in my own doubts. Have mercy on me Jesus. Holy Spirit fill me with Your strength to follow My Lord Jesus. Increase my Faith in this dangerous discipleship. Amen

Love

I remember having a conversation with one of my children-I really don't remember if it was Rebecca or Matthew (I think Matthew) when he was about6 or 7 years old. It was a very wrong conversation- a conversation if I could take back now I would. I really don't know what I was thinking in the midst of this conversation with a 6 year old, but as I think back now- I must have wanted to teach him something about Love. At any rate somewhere in the midst of our talking he looked at me and declared his love for me. Here is where it went bad. I looked at him and proceeded to tell him, "Matthew, you don't really love me or your mommy- you are really just confusing Love with need. You need us and we meet your needs- so you think you love us. One day you won't need us any more- At that point we will find out if you Love us. "He looked up at me with tears welling up in his eyes and cried out, " I do love mommy- I do love you- Don't say I don't" He then proceeded to run to his mommy in the next room crying out, "I do love you mommy- I do- Tell Daddy- Tell him I do". Oh my stupidity- my thoughtlessness for the feelings of a little boy even in the midst of deep thoughts about the nature of Love. It is ironic in a way that in my misguided effort to teach him something about Love I was so unloving.

Well he has since recovered as best I can tell from the wound I delivered that day. In my own effort to recover I did tell him that I really did believe he loved us the best he knew how. The reassurance helped a bit and kept some hold on my original thoughts about Love.

While I regret the conversation because it was with a child who was no where near ready to hear such things- I do not back up one inch from the belief behind the statement- "When you don't need us anymore, when we ultimately become a burden, then you will discover your love for us"

I believe that is the essence of real Love- Agape Love.

It is in the truth that God has no need for us-

We are powerless to do anything for Him-

In fact we turned on Him and yet out of His Nature- His Character- His True Self-

He loves us to the point of suffering and dying so that we might have life-

the life we were made for.

He could have given up on us-

He could have turned on us-

He could have destroyed us all and simply started over, but instead-

In the Life, Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus He demonstrated Love.

I do believe our needs are a blessing. My needs lead me into the beginnings of Love.

When I first met my bride to be she filled up many of my needs. I really thought I loved her- and as best I could at that point I did love her, but now, over 30 years later it is different. Infatuation with her has come and gone a thousand times, but Love has grown.

I came to Christ out of need and He has infused capacity for Real Love into my stone cold heart. I do Love You Jesus- You know I do. I hear Him say in reply,

"You Love Me Charles? Live it out- Feed My sheep- Take care of my Lambs- then My Love is made complete in you."

Lord Jesus- You know all things- You Know I need You- You know I love You as best I can here and now- Grow my Love- strengthen it in all I walk through today and evermore. Amen

What has hold of me?

I have heard a story- I don't know if it's true or not- about a group of South American Natives who consider a certain species of monkey a delicacy. If the the story is to believed, the way these folks catch their quarry quite telling. It seems the natives trap the monkeys by setting out a hard clear plastic container tied to a tree with a piece of appetizing fruit inside. Upon finding the fruit the hapless monkey reachs into the container through a small opening and takes hold of it's prize. Ah, well theres the "catch"- You see, the opening the monkey reached through is only large enough to put an open extended hand through- A fist closed around it's prize can not be extracted. What the poor creature thinks it has hold of actually has hold of him- Self destruction is his end. Freedom only comes from letting go. So, here is the question- What has hold of me? What is it that I so want that it consumes my life-That I am not willing to let go of even with grave danger bearing down. Is it my desire for things? Is it my job? Is it some hobby? Is it my need for validation? Is it in thinking I would really be happy if I had "that guy's" life? Is it having my way? Is it momentary pleasure- Food, Pornography, Alcohol, Infatuations or Addictions? Each of us has something that seems good- that seems harmless- that we believe (whether we will admit to it or not) if we could just have this- our life would be good. Each of us has something we are reaching for or have hold of that actually has hold of us. John Eldredge calls these things "less wild lovers"- They are things that draw us away from the True Lover of our Souls- Jesus- the one who has won our freedom- who has come that we might have Life and have it at it's best. For many of us freedom comes not in escaping from some captivity, but in letting go of lesser things so that we can take hold of the life that is Real Life. Phillipians 3:12-14 But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of me.....,forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus. Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, be powerful in me today to have eyes to see what lesser things have hold of me and courage to let those things go. Make my heart's desire be so consumed with You Lord Jesus that lesser things become as nothing compared to Life in You. Amen

There Always Seems to be Something

What do I love more than Jesus? my car? my home? my job? my children? my wife? a relationship? my way of life? my standing at church and in the community? my ministry? approval and acclaim in this world? my own personal view of God? my independence? my theology? my causes? my view of how the world should work- fairness? my own vision for my future? There always seems to be something that rivals my love for Jesus. The rich young man had his wealth- the Pharisees had their religion and position-one man had to say good bye to his family-another man had to go and bury his father first- Even Peter had his own vision of how life would play out for him with Jesus- before the crucifixion. All of us have some things- good things- that we look to find our happiness in- that we look for Life in. Things that we will truly place our faith in- give our hearts and souls to- because we believe those things will bring us the life we long for. Like Sirens of old calling to us- like a serpent in a garden long ago. Jesus will have none it! He will always call us higher. Oswald Chambers talks about Jesus' undeviating question- Do you Love Me? Do you Love Me? Do you Love Me more than these? It is the question I must answer every second of every day. "What about you?" Jesus asks as the Sirens call- "Will you leave Me too?" I hope to answer with Peter,"Lord, you know I love You- to whom shall I go- You alone have the words of Eternal Life." Holy Spirit, bring me deeper into Love with Jesus today, So that all the rest simply fades away. Help me to feel my Saviour's Love for me- To live in that Love- And so to love all of those other things- those good things- Not for the life they promise, But for the gifts they are from You. I pray that all these things bring me to a deeper Love for You. Amen

Instruments of Grace

God's Grace His kindness toward me Even though I have done nothing to deserve it Even though I can do nothing for Him in return Even though I have risen up against Him. God's Grace "But God demonstrates His Love for us in this- even while we were opposing Him (sinners) Christ died for us" When I give my life to Christ He comes into me-He comes to life in me so that the life I live is no longer my own- I am His- for Him to live through to all those He brings my way. I am drawn up into Him-my heart united to His Great Heart and brought to life- His Resurrection Life to be lived through me. I have heard it said that the Glory of God is a man fully alive. God's Glory is His Love and Character being fully demonstrated in our lives. I am to be an instrument of His Grace - To become the hands and feet of Jesus. He has shown you O' man what is good and what does the Lord require of you? Do Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with your God. Lord be in me today to be an instrument of Your Grace- to be Loving, Joyful. pursuing Peace, Patient, Kind, Good, Faithful, Self Controlled, Courageous, Humble and full of Hope. Jesus, Holy Spirit, saturate my heart- join to it in such a way that Iam energized for all these things in You today. Amen

Some Thoughts on Forgiveness

Forgiveness means just getting over it. Forgiveness means I just act like it didn't matter. Forgiveness means forgetting. Forgiveness is an event- Done once and for all. Forgiveness means I have to like you. Forgiveness is the same as Reconciliation. Forgiveness means an offender gets off with no consequence. No, No, No, No!!!!!!!!!!!! At least I don't think any of those are true. What passes for forgiveness these days many times is nothing more than declaring a cease fire while I rearm with anger and bitterness that lead me to more destruction. In the end, I really believe Forgiveness calls me beyond tolerance- To the point that I wish the best for my offender- in fact that I Love my offender- that I wish he would change- that he would repent......... and going a step farther- from Love- that I do whatever is in my power to to help him move toward repentance and wholeness. It does not mean I am soft on him or even need to like him. In fact many times I think it can mean Courageous, Loving, uncomfortable Confrontation. I think of God's forgiveness. I have wronged Him- I have betrayed Him- I have left Him so many times to go my own way. I have rebelled against Him and He has every right to vengeance- to let me suffer the consequence of my betrayal- to sit back and watch while I flounder in my own willfulness and pride all the way to my death. Ah, but that is not His nature- God is Loving- God is compassionate- God is Just and God is Forgiving. My heavenly Father has loved me so much- My friend Jesus has Loved me so much- that He has ransomed me from my captivity to sin and emptiness and hopelessness and death. I got myself into this mess, but He has by His own sacrifice offered me a way out. You might disagree with my theology here, but I believe with all my heart that the sacrifice of Christ made possible God's forgiveness to every human who has ever walked the face of this earth. That being said, forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Not every man accepts God's forgiveness. Not every man is reconciled to God. Many can not bring themselves to admit they have any need of forgiveness and so reconcilation is never achieved. Many- of their own volition- continue on their prideful way, evermore separated from the Father. Death has it's icy grip on their hard cold hearts and God's compassionate, loving heart breaks for them. Ezekiel 18:31-32 Rid yourselves of all offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O House of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and Live! And so it is with God's call for me to forgive. The offense did matter. The hurt was real. I am within my rights to look for justice....... but if God can forgive my offense- my betrayal- What right do I really have to hold on to my desire to get even? I can only forgive to the extent that I realize how much I have been forgiven and truly grasp what God did to satisfy justice and offer His forgiveness. My ability to forgive does not depend on the offender's sorrow. God does not forgive me because of my sorrow- He forgives because of His Love. I also am called to forgive not out of my offender's sorrow but out of God's Love in me. Sometimes wrongs end in reconciliation....... and it is a beautiful thing........... but forgiveness without reconcilation is beautiful as well. With or without reconciliation forgiveness is a key to my healing - to my wholeness- to my ability to take hold of the Life I long for- even here on this earth. My ability to forgive- to at least wish that my offender would be healed and made right- is one of the truest signs of God's Love and Life in me. It is what He has done for me. Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus said," But if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins". Father, because of Your Love in me- because of Jesus in me- I will be forgiving. Amen

The Life to Come

I Love Weddings!

This morning I took off on yet another adventure on my bicycle-
This time I stuck to the pavement however-
At least for a while-
I navigated my way from my home some 10 miles to a path that runs along side the Savannah River-
The Canal Tow Path.
At the point where the Tow Path begins there is a Community Center that sits high up on the bank of the river. This center has come to be known as Savannah Rapids Pavillion. The Pavillion is positioned in an exquisite spot that looks down over the river for an incredible view of a spillway with a waterfall that tumbles into gentle rapids. As I picture it in my mind, I realize how inadequate my writing skills are to describe such beauty.

Over the years,

the Pavillion has become a favorite spot for many a young couple to launch out into their own great adventure of a lifetime together.

Well this morning-
if only for a fleeting moment-
I was privileged to witness one such beginning.
Ah, the excitement of the wedding party as they made their way toward what I pray would be a wonderful celebration of Love for a lifetime. The Groom and groomsmen were pictures of strength as they walked confidently toward the life-changing moment. As the Bride came into view, in all her splendor, I was drawn back in time 30 years to the moment I first glimpsed my Julie on our wedding day.

She was Beautiful-

Radiant-

Incredible beyond words!

I thank God for the memory of her smile as she approached our moment-
The moment of pledging our hearts to one another-
I don't think I will ever forget that smile.

 I Love Weddings!

Revelation 19:7 and on- Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory for the Wedding of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready. Fine linen bright and clean was given her to wear. The angel said, "Blessed are those invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb".

Thank You Father in Heaven for the Wedding to come-

for the celebration to come-

for the life to come.

Thank you for my marriage here and now to such a wonderful, beautiful, woman.

Thank You that our Love has brought forth life-

for our children.

Thank You for how weddings remind me of the life to come with You-

my Eternal Bridegroom.

Amen

It is written,

" Behold now the dwelling of God is with men

and He will live with them- they will be His".

He Who is seated on the Throne has said,

"Behold, I make all things new".

All praise be to You my Lord Jesus for the Life You have won for us.

Amen

Never Surrender- Never Give Up!?

I hate even the thought of surrender.

"Not My will but Thy will be done" - Jesus As a man full of pride- As a coach- A leader of young men- for so many years I have continually preached the idea of no surrender- Never give up the fight- Never lay down! Stay in the fight! Surrender is totally against my nature. Giving up has no place in my life.

But like so many other good things

The Enemy has twisted this and used it against me.

Surrendering my way to God's way is not the same as giving up.

Instead, surrender is about embracing with all that is in me something new. Surrendering to Christ is joining a new fight. Trusting God is entering a new arena. Surrender does not equal resignation. Maybe it is more about joining the fight in a new way- from a new perspective.

Surrendering my will- my attempts to find life on my own terms- Does not equal failure.

The accuser has brought that against me so many times. Oh Charles you might as well give up- things will never get any better.- You are such a failure.

Surrender to Christ does not steal hope, but redirects hope.

I finish where I started- Not my will but Thy will be done. Jesus' surrender to the Father's Way of the cross- to the Father's will- was a Glorious thing. There was such power in it. His Trusting the Father's Heart for Him- to the point of death- has accomplished Life- The Life we were made for.

Father God, move in me today- take these thoughts from my head and seal them to my heart. From my heart give me courage to surrender my will to Your Will. Empower me to join the fight in this new way. Amen