Discipline defined is:

• training to act in accordance with rules; drill: military discipline.
• activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training: A daily stint at the typewriter is excellent discipline for a writer.
• to train by instruction and exercise; drill.

(via dictionary.com)

When I was younger I always thought that reading the Bible was something that comes with ease after accepting Christ. I WAS WRONG! ha! It didn’t come easy and still to this day is not the easiest thing to pick up and read. But I do feel it’s INCREDIBLY important. SO, I decided to make myself sit down and just read a chapter a day of the Proverbs, which is a great place to be considering my situation. What I learned through that time was great and actually a verse that was found in Proverbs 12:1 (NIV) that says:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.”

nailed me in the face! And also brought about a “want to” in my reading. I mean its plain and simple. Discipline is correction and if you don’t like correction you are straight up stupid. As harsh as that sounds its true. Correction is something I know I struggle with. I mean, who really likes for someone to come in and tell them that what you are doing isn’t correct? I DON’T! But if you are a believer then you know the Bible is the holy book given to us to sharpen us and teach us about our Creator and how to live. That in that one book we begin to have a more intimate relationship with our God. In knowing the greatness of  it,we must discipline ourselves in his word. May we not be “stupid” believers following things we think is of God’s character but truly seek Him and who He is through his Book of Knowledge and Life.

It’s powerful people. Discipline.

“Please invite someone to church this month”

Was it rude?no

Was it quirky?no

Just simple and with urgency. I take the word “please” as a sincere care for those who are lost. It says “someone” not saying it has to be some big drawn out thing but a simple invitation as you run in to someone. Don’t get me wrong. I DO believe that if you have a relationship with a person they are more apt to go. but that isn’t always the case. I just invite anyone I come into contact to and have a conversation with.

It seems crazy not to! I mean we truly hold the key to freedom of sin, shame, and a life of eternal damnation! They can be cleansed of sin and made whole again by the the choice we make to invite them to the rest of their life.That is great news! Uncontainable news! Or is it?

One bumper sticker saying one simple
thing. “Please invite someone to church this month”.

I may not know you but I would love see you at my church. It’s a great place and I believe you can find freedom, hope, friendship, encouragement, grace, and love there in so many ways. I only ask that you be open.

Your turn.

The conversation:

You: “Hey how ya doin’?”
Me: “Ah man I’m doing good! You?”
You: “good man. Just doing good.”

Are you really good? For that matter, am I really good? I feel like I have fell into this auto-pilot trap and seems to be the first response out of my mouth when asked how I am doing. Sometimes that is true. But other times it just comes out. There have been times when I’m just straight up struggling but with a smile I still reply, “good”. Why is that? A part of me feels like its a way of being polite and not throwing out my true feelings as to make someone feel awkward or uncomfortable. But is that really a good way to be? I don’t think so.

How different could a conversation be if we were honest about how we are doing? Not that we have to break down and cry or whatever, but that we would be honest and open ourselves up to each other. A lot of times we say it once and it becomes our auto-response. And once this happens it becomes increasingly hard not to say it. Think of this…how would you know how your best friend was doing if they were good every time you talk to them? My best friends have come from open conversations with true feelings forward and complete transparency. This is true in small groups as well. We are afraid to open ourselves up for fear of being looked at weird or that we are not a “good enough Christian”. Or even the thought that no one else is where I am so I won’t speak up and then we end up going through whatever we are dealing with it alone.

People, we need people. We need honesty. We need each other. Lets drop the “good” and really evaluate where we are and make our responses accordingly. You never know who could have an uplifting or encouraging word for you. Honesty and companionship are crucial.

SO I recently took a trip to Florida for some vaca and to lead at Flamingo Road Church, Cooper City and decided,” Hey, I am not going to update Twitter or Facebook this entire trip”. That lead to me thinking, ” I should just fast social media.” I honestly didn’t have a specific reason besides quality time with my wife. But I really wanted to do it.

What I found was how much I wanted to update. Show pictures, talk about what I was seeing, @ message people and know what in the world (literally) is going on! I don’t think that is bad. Just realized how much I checked it and how much it could be a source of fulfillment. I mean, its like any other addiction I think. For instance, lets take “Appearance”. You wake up, you look at yourself. You go to the bathroom, you look at yourself. You put junk on your face and then look at yourself. You try to think of as many ways to reinvent your looks as possible. Always keeping up with the top trends and trying to push the envelope. hours upon hours spent trying to look better than whoever is on the cover of your favorite magazine.And on and on and on…. I could keep going on for days but I feel like you get the point. What is social media for you? Are you waking up and the first thing you want to do is see who messaged you? Is it really just for networking or is it more? Are you finding self-worth through it? Just some questions. Be careful as to how you use it. Be careful for all that you think of it. It can be a great tool but it can also be a obsession or addiction if your not careful.

I fully would encourage you to just try for a week(5 days or full) and see what happens. Maybe you’re going through something in your life and need clarity. That is a great time to fast. So give it a try. Let me know how it goes. Would love to hear thoughts on this as well.

Read this passage before going further – John3:1-21

What do you do when you don’t understand what you believe is true?

I know that is a HUGE question but I am curious as to how others respond to this circumstance. I was reading this passage and saw how fast Nicodemus was confused and wondered just what was going on in his mind. I mean the way Jesus put it at first had him puzzled! I’m sure I would have been the same way. But through that conversation, though confused, Nicodemus knew that Jesus was the Son of God and that whatever He was saying was truth.

When I find things in the Word like this I just dwell on it for a couple days so that’s what I’m doing with this. I hope some of you join me in this and comment on my page. I REALLY want to know your thoughts. Here’s to growing together!