Where Are You Going

Earlier this year while returning home from a youth event in Conway, AR, my wife, Angie, snapped this shot of our church bus headed home.  As with most trips there is a great excitement and energy in the going, but it also ends with the quiet comfort of returning home.

In our lives we have many parts to the journey we are living.  There is faith, family, fitness/health, finance . . .  Many will say that we must keep a balance among these and other areas of our busy lives.  Over the past couple of years my thinking has changed on this.  I used to also believe in balancing, but have come to believe rather in integration.

When we seek balance we are actually living in dis-integration, separating our lives into distinct boxes of unrelated thought.  However if we strive for integration we recognize that we have one life, and that it all works best when it is all working together.  As Christians this is summed up very succinctly in Romans 8:28 (NASB) "and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  This screams out to me that integration is better than balance.

The life of integration then must center on God and be built upon His Word, and His will for our lives.  Everything else must then be structured around that faith.  We then can ask the question, how does this part of my life impact my relationship with God?  Each thing we do has an impact on every other part of our life as they are interdependent, thus integrated, and cannot effectively be fully separated.  Be it our finances, our health, or any other aspect of life.  In the end Solomon tells us in the final two verses of Ecclesiastes, "The conclusion when all has been heard is, fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden whether it is good or evil." (NASB)

This week look into your life and ask yourself, am I living an integrated or disintegrated life?  I pray that you are or will be living in an integrated way.  It is the basis to Do Well, and truly "head home".

MONDAY MORSEL #4

MONDAY MORSEL #4
April 25, 2016

Marriage is NOT a 50-50 proposition as many might say.  It is a 100-100 proposition with a man and woman each giving all they have under God's leadership.

www.workoutyourfaith.blogspot.com

Wise Counsel

This little venture known as Workout Your Faith has been a great way to tune up my mind and share from my heart since it's inception last August.  I look forward to continuing it indefinitely into the future, likely with some changes to come.

For those who read it regularly, or have read it in the past today I am looking for your input:

1)  In what ways have these posts impacted you?

2)  What line of thought has given you the most to think about?

3)  Where are you most challenged when it comes to integrating your faith into your daily life?

4)  When you assess your fitness, do you include your faith in that equation?

5)  What line(s) of thought might you be interested in that I might be able to pursue?

 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22.  (fromBibleGateway.com)

Today I ask you to be my wise counselors to help me shape the future direction of this blog.  The Blogger platform offers a comments section, or your can respond to my email at:
        taocombsfamily@gmail.com.

May God richly bless each of you today and throughout your life so that you might Do Well, and be drawn nearer to Him.
                                 

                                            

Routine or Rut-ine?

Have you ever noticed that within the word routine is hidden the letters you also need to spell rut?

Routines are good for us.  They bring order to our life along with a degree of certainty and knowing what to expect.  All of these are positive, but do we get so wrapped up in the routine that it becomes stale or mundane?  If you are anything like me that can become the case.  Before we know it we are doing nothing but going through the motions for no other reason but to mark them from our list.

It is at this point that the routine has become a RUT.  What do we know about ruts?  If we think of some of the country roads, they will become rutted by the traffic and if a spark of change ( road crew) doesn't do something about it the rut only gets deeper.  As a rut deepens it becomes harder to get out of and if it gets too deep we become stuck.  If we are stuck then we are not getting any results from our efforts.

Personally I believe I have fallen into some ruts in my life.  How about you?  Is it time to make some changes in our routines?  For me it is, and if you recognize a rut forming in your routine then I strongly suggest shaking up the routine.  It doesn't have to be drastic, but it cannot remain the same.

In Matthew 6:31-34 Jesus reminds us not to worry about everything "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." (NKJV)  If we will start with this thoughr at the top of our priority list then He will guide us through the rest. 

Go out this week with Christ first and then let Him take control of the routines of our life, that we May DO WELL.

The Challenge of Challenges

Challenges befall us at frequent intervals.  How do we respond?  If we are honest with ourselves we often fail.

Whether the challenges are physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual we have decisions to make, often in the heat of the moment.  What we do in those moments goes a long way to setting the course for our lives.  Two of the best ways to be prepared are to be an observer of others and to set in place some absolutes where we will not compromise when challenged.

To do these things will set us up for far more successes when challenged than failures.  By being an observer of others we see how others respond to their own challenges and this gives valuable information for facing our own challenges.  Setting up some absolutes is a form of resolve that truly defines who we are and what we are about.

If we are parents this idea of having absolutes is critical in modeling for our children.  Kids need to understand boundaries, and to know there are things that we, and they, cannot do. 

The week ahead will likely pose challenges for each of us, how we respond may be a defining moment.  How will we be defined?  Go out this week, face your challenges, and Do Well.

Checkpoint

We have put to rest the first week of the new year.  Many have set out on resolutions or goals for the year, now are they willing to check-in to assess how they are doing?  This at the heart of why many will not live up to the ambitious targets they have set.

If you truly seek change in your life, then it is imperative to check-in periodically.  When we fail to keep tabs on our progress  we often wind up in an out of control spiral away from the target, and that is when we give up.  You are better than that! 

In matters of faith, are you praying regularly?  In a letter to the church at Thessalonica Paul exhorted them to "pray without ceasing".  We are further guided to "study and show thyself approved. . ."  Have you been in the word?  Finally in the faith category, are you attending worship?  Being with others who are seeking God, encouraging one another and bearing one another's burdens is a wonderful blessing.

On the finance front what have you changed toward a different result?  Are you still living the bad habits of your past?  Adopt the "B" word, a budget, and work at it daily.  Work on yourself to hone your skills and increase your knowledge to make yourself more valuable in your workplace or the marketplace at large.  In the words of Dave Ramsey, use "baby steps".  We did not get to where we are overnight, nor will we get to our desired outcome that quickly either.

Finally on fitness, again it is a journey to a desired end.  Much like learning to ride a bike we will have crashes and some of them will hurt.  We MUST however, pick the bike back up and go again.  With practice we get better, and with a coach or a cheerleader, any accountability partner it is easier to get going again.  Do you have a champion, to turn to for encouragement, just as those learning to ride that bike typically have that parent running alongside until they get the confidence to go it more on their own?

The bottom line this week is don't let the early distractions or obstacles deter you from your goals.  Assess and limit the mess!  Together we can all DO WELL!

Fast Finish

We have entered the final week of another year.  Many things have taken place in the last 12 months some good and some not so good. 

In closing out the year it is typically a good idea to take a look back at the events that have brought us to this point.  It is from these memories and moments that we can do some of our best learning. 

Looking through this year there have been several meaningful items to shape this year.  Topping the list for me is the Saturday night in February when we received a call from Olivia, who was on a church youth trip in Conway, AR, stating she was ready and needed to be baptized and then just a few minutes later to see the video of that blessed event.  That was a proud parent moment for sure.  Other items included the ongoing health struggles for my dad, the opportunity to teach the young adults at Center Hill Church of Christ for a quarter over the summer, changes to my role at Total Life Healthcare which allowed me to become more focused and productive, the Super Summer Slim Down event at St Bernards, and the establishment of this blog in the late summer.

Looking back is great, and looking ahead brings excitement.  I know the Lord and that he has plans for me, just as he stated in Jeremiah 29:11.  I believe 2016 will be a fantastic opportunity to build on my 3 F's of Faith, Family, and Fitness.  My theme this year has been With God we will. . .

As we bring this year to a close I believe that with God we have done much and will continue to grow, proper and share.  Look in next week to see where we will be going and if a new theme has been established.

How to Do Well

Last week we looked at establishing goals for the coming year.  This not necessarily an easy process but it is necessary to success.  I hope that you have considered a few goals, or at least begun rolling a few ideas around in your head.

Once you put them on paper, or onto an electronic planner you are not finished.  There is a next step that many people will skip which the most successful will not, and that is to develop a strategy of how they will achieve those goals.  This again will take some time, and to be optimal may force us to confront changes in our daily actions and thought processes.  This is why most New Year Resolutions don't last through the end of the first month as we fail to confront these changes and develop these strategies.

You and I can make 2016 highly successful for ourselves if we will commit now to Do Well.  This involves the types of preparation we have discussed the past couple of weeks, along with a plan for tracking of our progress and course correction when we deviate.  It is my hope that you each have gained something from this discussion and are better prepared remembering that"With God we will. . . Do Well!"

Do Well

 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ - Luke 19:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke19:17&version=ESV

In our busy world it seems like we are in a never-ending quest to do more.  The verse above shows that our Lord is about excellence as he tells the servant "well done".  Please note he did not say all done, rather "well done".

As 2015 enters it's final month in just a couple of days it is important to look ahead to how we will live in 2016.  By starting now you can have your goals/plans in place and ready to begin on Day 1 of the new year.  Who couldn't use a head start?

First, we must do a self assessment.  This requires painful honesty and reflection.  This is typically the most painful part of the process since most of us struggle with self image in some way or another.

Once we have established where we are we need to determine where we want to go.  This is where we set those goals for next year.  I recommend breaking those into four sections: Faith, Family/Friends, Finance, and Fitness.  You may choose to add your work related goals as another option, but for me work is something that should not define me, but is inextricably linked to each of the others.  As you look at each of these areas do a little brainstorming and put down those things that come to mind.  Then look those things over and determine which items will have the greatest impact on your well-being.  My suggestion here is to limit yourself to about 3 goals in each area.

Now that you have begun the process we will look at next steps in next week's edition of "Workout Your Faith".  Keep I mind that "with God we will. . . Do Well!"

Thanksgiving

In the coming week our nation celebrates a day of Thanksgiving.  On this day we collectively show our gratitude to God for his blessings and mercy.

As Americans we have much to be thankful for, and as Christians oh so much more.  I pray that as we enjoy this day that we not forget those in some special positions that secure for us these freedoms, or who put themselves in dangerous positions on a daily basis to serve and protect.

These are our military, intelligence services, law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.  Each of these hold fast to the idealism of the America our founding fathers envisioned, and protect the public interest not for glory, but with a  mission to serve.

We each have many things to be thankful for, but don't overlook these important members of our community and the families who share them with us each day.

Gratitude is good for the spirit and vital to our nation.  Please join me in saluting these folks for a job a well done, and asking God's continued blessing on them all.

With God we will. . . Be Grateful!

Woodlawn

In an era where faith-based movies have come out of the shadows we have been blessed to have several high quality films over the past several years.  The most recent of these is "Woodlawn"' which takes us back to the early seventies and examines the power of God working through people to break down racial barriers that had separated, victimized, and discouraged people.

In this film first time actor Caleb Castille portrays former NFL player Tony Nathan as he makes his way through high school in racially divided Birmingham.  Nathan was a dynamic talent who may have gone unnoticed if not for the events depicted in this film.

We all need to be lifted up and yet recognize the inappropriate barriers that our attitudes create, and this film walks that difficult line.  In the end we know that in God is all power and all hope.  If we will seek after His teachings, then we can make a difference just as this group of high schoolers forever changed America's most racially divided city at the time.  I encourage you all to see this movie it is inspiring, insightful, and entertaining.

Remember that with God we will. . . make a difference.

Good Times

This morning I have to write about something we watched on TV last night. 

Some of you likely remember the 70's TV show "Good Times" and it's iconic character JJ.  The show is set in a Chicago ghetto and revolves around the daily life of the Evans family and their neighbors.  The family consists of father James, mother Florida, eldest son JJ, daughter Thelma, and youngest son Michael.

In the episode Angie and I came across last night Michael was having difficulty with a neighborhood bully.  This was causing differing concerns and responses from the parents.  Finally James had directed Michael to "take a stand" against the bully in hopes that the bullying would come to an end.

Later that day Michael was late getting home and Florida was getting quite concerned, as only a mom can.  Then Michael came in and had not a scratch upon him and the rest of the family was stunned.  They asked what had happened that he had not been touched?  He said you can ask him, the bully, because he had invited him to spend the weekend with them in their home.

As the story progressed James told them they needed to study so Michael sat down  and the bully initially sat with him.  However he grew weary of it quickly and tried to get out of it, even demeaning Michael for it.  At this point as he was becoming increasingly belligerent James took control of the situation by taking his belt off and carrying the youngster to his bedroom to administer a good old fashioned spanking.

When this was done the whole family went on to explain how this worked, that some could whip the devil out of you out of concern and caring.  This was difficult for the young man to understand as it was obviously a new concept.

For us it served as a clear reminder that we must be diligent in discipline with our children and that we also have a responsibility, God-given, to aid in pointing others in the right way.  Today James would likely have been brought up on child abuse charges, when in reality he was heroically filling a void in the life of this child.  Let's work together to bring up a better generation, with God we will.

A Faithful Response

Yesterday was another day where our nation was devastated by another campus shooting, a story that has become all too common over the past several years.  This episode was followed by a photo opportunity for the President of the United States to come before the people with a message of gun control.

I too have a sadness for these victims and their families but do not believe that gun control laws are effective or even constitutional in many cases.  The problem is of the human heart.  As the Bible tells us we are a fallen people, fallen to sin.  In this country we have devastated  our morality, diminished our faith, and dealt a death blow to the traditional family. 

When will someone have the courage to say enough is enough?  We CANNOT continue in this way.  We MUST reclaim the spiritual foundations this country was founded upon.  The Founding Fathers were absolutely not perfect men, but most, if not all, had a profound respect for God.  Until we firm up the institution that is the home, the foundation of a thriving civilization, and move away from humanism, atheism, and selfish moral relativism we will not see progress.

We as Christians have to take the lead in our homes, and band together within our churches, to start this spiritual renewal.  Let us clean up these two great and God-given bodies, recognizing our shortcomings, and setting our houses in order that we might be able to stand like Joshua saying, "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."  Unless or until we see this type of spiritual renewal, situations like we saw yesterday will continue to be prominent in the news.

"Choose you this day who you will serve."  Remember to put yourselves in His hands,  because with God we will. . . Make a difference.

A Change of Perspective

As I write it is an early fall Saturday, my wife is having to work, and my daughter and I have been cleaning the house.  Now that we have finished cleaning I have settled in watching some college football and reading.  With at least 8 channels on our cable package currently showing games you would think I could find one that was remotely interesting.  Not happening.

I think this is a sign of growth, maturity, or both.  There was a time when it did not matter who was playing, I was going to be into it.  Now unlesss one of the few teams that I follow is involved it seems interest is lacking.  The reading is far more interesting. 

As I proposed in a previous writing I believe the library is one of the most under-appreciated assets in our communities.  What better course would our country, and our families be on if we introduced our kids to the library and  the church with as much enthusiasm as their first ball glove?  I was a youth athlete and have no doubt that the sports were a factor in forming me into the man I am today.  That being said, times have very much changed as families are putting everything they have, and often more, into supporting their young world beaters, while at the same time neglecting other areas that are even more vital to their future success.
Where do you and your family fit in this spectrum?  We all say we want what is best for our children, but do we truly consider the whole picture?  The odds are remote at best that our children will ever be professional athletes, they are only slightly better that they will be collegiate athletes earning scholarships, but eventually they will find themselves out in the realities of the world.  Those realities are not always pleasant and a deeply rooted faith in Christ and a well rounded perspective from their studies, and readings will provide a far better basis for success.

Consider now where you are, and where you want to be with your family.  Do you need to make some changes?  Remember that with God we will. . . succeed.

Overcoming Life's Struggles

Some weeks give us strength for the future while taking so much of our current  strength.  This was one of those weeks. 

In our church family we mourned the loss of a young mother and wife who lived her life with a distinct zeal.  In my professional life our office faced a week with Medicare and state health officials and the stress that brings.  These events on top of the everyday hustle and bustle have been quite draining.

Now I have spent the day with my wife wandering through stores and then attacking some small projects at home.  This has gotten my brain reenergized yet left me physically fatigued.  I so look forward to the possibilities of the coming week and the worship Sunday brings. 

God gives us insight for times like these throughout His word.  I call to mind passages like Ecclesiastes chapter 3 where Solomon tells us there is a season for everything under the sun.  We would do well to find and know several of these passages to comfort us and provide strength for what can be a difficult journey.  You and I will face good times and bad, aligning ourselves with God is the best way to prepare ourselves for all things.  Be strong, with God we will. . . OVERCOME.

The First Institution

This has been a busy week with my family and that is what I want to discuss in today's writing.  Families, we all have them whether fabulous or greatly flawed.  God established the family early on when he joined Adam and Eve and blessed them with children. 

Even in these early beginnings the family did not always function in the best ways.  The free will we were given as a gift from God often has given way to opportunities to cause great harm.  The vision however, is that the family would be the cornerstone of our civilization.  The family provides a small self-governing unit that provides much needed structure in a fractured world. 

Despite the disappointments that are certain to arise, the family can, and should, be at the heart of much of our enjoyment as we journey through this life.  I am thankful for my family and the great love and peace that they add to my life. 

This week I hope that we would all take another look at our families and how they are a blessing to us.  Think for just a moment about what life would be like without the security and bond of the family unit.  Given that the family was the first institution given by God let's protect it, build it up, and honor it.  With God we will. . .