Discipline

As the New Year quickly approaches, I, along with untold masses, begin to think of the changes and corrections I want to make in my personal and spiritual life in '08. One doesn't read anything written by anyone great, or hear anything said by anyone with an influential voice without soon coming across the importance of discipline. Discipline in prayer, writing, exercise, dieting, and investing - everything worth anything is a process, and all good processes are built on consistent discipline.

Lots of people can be different for a day or two, but I want to be just a little different every single day of my life. A little different from the average . . . every single day of my life.

So what is it that you need to place more focus on in 2008? What areas of life need to be sharpened in order for you to become the person God created you to be?

Blessed.

Have you have you ever had one of those days when you just feel overwhelmed? Not the negative type of "overwhelmed" most think of, but the good kind of "overwhelmed?"

I'm having one of those days today. I feel overwhelmed with blessings. I'm not sick, my bank account is not in the red, my children are (somewhat) normal, my wife still loves me (as far as I know), there is some food in our pantry, my car is working, I have shoes on, I have a job, I have friends, and I have God.

I haven't won the lottery recently. I haven't done anything extraordinary, at least recently :), I'm just way blessed and sometimes I don't express that fact enough.

No matter what state of existence you are in today, if you look around you, you'll quickly find out how blessed you are.

I know - it's such a simple thought. It's also simple to acknowledge our blessings.

Be blessed today, and realize it.

December Nugget

Here's a little pic of my girls. I'm pretty lucky, right?! Geaux Tigers!!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that the December nugget is now up at www.themonthlynugget.com.

I have been having some issues in sending the mass email. SPAM has caused so many emailing systems to reject mass deliveries and I'm working hard to overcome these technical woes.

Enjoy and thanks for letting me think outloud. Love wins!

Grace must be so big!

In my personal Scripture time this morning, I noticed something obvious. It seems that every single Bible character was severely flawed. "Character" really is a great title for them, because they were so human, so inconsistent, such characters!

Consider Jacob - such a liar, thief, and deceiver, but he's still a Biblical-super-hero! He stole a birthright, he stole a blessing, yet he is still the Mighty Jacob!

It is a beautiful thing to consider, though, that the flawed Abraham and his flawed family produced a flawed nation all to produce the flawless Christ.

Grace must be so big! For God to put up with us, yet still love us as much as He does . . . Grace must be so big! Flawed people that will one day stand flawless. Wow...

Journaling and Writing

Sometimes I journal. Sometimes I don't. For instance, I have a prayer journal that I write in during my devotional time. I (obviously) also blog from time to time. I write a monthly leadership resource. The thing that's been on my mind is the fact that it's okay NOT to write and journal and blog.

If one feels the pressure to write or journal, then it becomes a duty. Duty is not what relationship is about. God doesn't want obligation, He wants relation. We can never allow our tactics to become obligatory actions that we assume will lead us closer to Him.

Write, read, blog, and journal when you want. But sometimes it's okay to just rest in Him - not doing one thing except resting in Him. Don't be obligated. Be in love.

Fully Prepared?

Oswald Chambers once asked, "Am I fully prepared to allow God to grip me by His Power and do a work in me that is truly worthy of Himself?"

Just can't get away from the weight of that question. I just keep asking myself, am I willing to allow Him total access to every fiber of my existence and let Him overtake me. Honestly, I get a bit scared. I get a little timid because I like being in control.

I must get to that point of total and complete surrender. I must get to that point where I am not afraid of failure, only afraid to not give Him 100% of my total being. Am I fully prepared?

NAYC 2007

Today I returned from North American Youth Congress (in Charlotte, NC). Wow.

16,000 students and young adults gathering to focus on Christ - amazing. My biggest 'take away' from speaking at this event is the continual move of God that occurred there. I had a special moment Friday night when Todd Gaddy asked the entire crowd to bow a knee to Jesus. I witnessed 16,000 people one a knee, totally focused, totally consumed. Wow.

I will also always cherish the priviledge of being involved such an event. I personally believe that a shift happened in countless lives. I believe that life-change took place in countless lives. It's moments like these that make me realize that I am apart of something that is so much larger than I alone could ever be. What a blessing. Wow.

Lastly I want to thank everyone who purchased a copy of "Thirtyoneanothers". I totally enjoyed meeting all of you who came by the booth to chat. I love meeting new people, and this week I met a ton of them. Some very positive feedback is coming in for the book that I will post soon. For more information or to order the book, visit www.TheMonthlyNugget.com.

Thanks for allowing me to share with you. Love God, Love Others, Love Wins!