Do I Really Believe This Book?

2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." We used this verse as a reminder last weekend in Quest that we can trust the Bible as being true because God guided the writing of His Scripture. But something else hit me with this passage. I'm sure that "something" was the Holy Spirit wanting to get my attention. As I understand that the Bible is indeed the Word of God given to us, and it is all true, do I live like I believe it?

There are many times I do, but unfortunately there are many times I do not. This living like I don't believe the Bible usually cannot be seen; it’s in the attitude of the heart. It's being selfish with my time. It's the negative thoughts. It's the critical thoughts. It's the pity-parties I feel entitled to. In short, it's sin that easily creeps into my life and pulls me away from God.

I can't help but think that if I had really lived like I believed the Bible was God's message to me; my children would have been affected in a much more positive way for God than they were. Don't get me wrong, I'm blessed to have the daughters I have. They are Godly women who guide their children to Christ. I'm saying, the times I lived like the Bible was just another book had a spiritual impact on my family.

I am thankful I serve a loving God who is full of grace and mercy; who forgives, corrects, and builds up. Where I fell short as a father and husband, I'm sure He jumped in. Where are you? Do you say without a doubt that the Bible is God's true Word to us? If you say it, have you asked yourself lately, "Do I really believe this book?" Do I live like I believe all it has to say? What a journey. God help me live each day like I believe every word that was spoken by you.

It All Goes Back In The Box

Tuesday was Election Day. My wife and I have been working at the polling place for over a year. It is a great way to serve the community and meet some really neat people. This past Tuesday the turnout was not very large, so I had the opportunity to get into a paper book. I say paper book because like many of you, I read electronic books. That was more information than you needed. The book is by John Ortberg and the Title is, When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box.

At this point I am half way through the book, but have been reminded about a very important need in many of our lives, especially if you have children still in the house. We are a culture of stuff, work, and business. Many of us thrive on these things at the expense of our families. But here is the thing, we can be busy, climb the financial and social ladder, and be a success in the eyes of the culture, but one day it will all end. One day it will all go back in the box. All the missed time with family will not mean much when someone else has your job, your wealth, your positions.

I experienced this in my life from two points of view. If I was going to spend time with my dad when I was a child, I knew it was going to be on the golf course. Now I love the game, but that is not why I started playing. I started playing to be with my dad. There have been times my family suffered an absent dad as well. I enjoy work. It can be like a hobby to me. I enjoy the people I work with and what I do. But there were times, especially when my children were small, that I put in too many hours at church and not enough time at home. Now, no one would argue that doing things at church, for the church are bad things, but when they came before my family I don't know that God was pleased. I finally corrected this as I had a loving wife who continued to guide me to spend more time with the girls. I am so glad I did. I think we are the friends we are today because God used Debi to help me see what was really important.

Too often in America we live like this life will go on forever. It won't. It is a good reminder to all of us that when it is all said and done, what our children want from us is time, and they want this over stuff, activities, money, and job titles. They want you. What game are you playing? What will go back in the box when your life is over, the stuff of our culture or memories that will never be put away in the minds of your family? "When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box."