Our Beautiful Girls

These two girls are just so amazingly precious to me. I caught them reading together in Alexi's bed ... I just can't imagine them growing up, there has to be some rules against that. Alyssa (our youngest - 2 1/2) said they were having a sleep over. They have me so wrapped around their finger that they almost got away with it, but logic pulled through and I obviously put an end to that silly idea. Yes, it took some wisdom from Katie to prove to be "logic," what can I say ... I love our little girls!

Regardless of the Cost!

I'm challenged by a message I heard this week from Andy Stanley (Northpoint Community Church, Atlanta, GA). I've listened to it before and every time it seems more challenging and convicting than the last. I would like to think of myself as a man of character - which Stanley defines as the ability to do what is right, as God defines what is right, regardless of the cost. I am what many would call a rule follower, sometimes to a fault. I can be so rigid on following rules and I like to think that it is because of my character ... that is partially true, but as Stanley points out, some do what is right because they are afraid of the consequences, others because they are doing what is right. There are times I am convicted to do what is right because I don't like to get in trouble, not at all because of my "character." The hardest part of Stanley's definition of character is the last part, "regardless of the cost." There are many times in life where we know what is right, what God expects is right, but the cost of doing right makes it difficult to display God-Honoring character. That is the person I want to be known as ... not the guy who doesn't want to get caught, but the guy who does what is right, as God defines right, regardless of the cost.

Unrealistic Anticipation

These were the first words I saw that enticed me to a contest through TSN ... "Sign up today for your chance to win the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and $1,000,000!" Okay, so I am realistic enough to know that my odds of winning the random draw of thousands upon thousands of contestants is, well, nearly impossible! So, why is that on the morning of the random draw (today at 10:00 am) I find myself hoping to hear my phone ring with that exciting news that I have won the contest and will shoot pucks into an empty net on December 31st? I guess one can always hope. I know I wouldn't mind a new car.

Well, it all has me thinking ... all this unrealistic anticipation for a prize that I will almost assuredly never see, and yet how consistently does my anticipation match up to realistic possibilities? For example, do I eagerly hope and long for the day when my neighbor will surrender his life to Jesus? Do I long for the sure reality of heaven and eternity? Am I waiting by the phone for the call from a youth who wants to talk about life? Sometimes, I can say Yes! My hope and anticipation is in the right spot! Sometimes, however, I find myself distracted by hopes and dreams that don't match up with the actual reality of life! Just something to think about ... especially poignant as we prepare to celebrate one of the greatest anticipations in the history of mankind, the birth of Jesus Christ!

December Prayer Update