One of the things I talked about yesterday was the idea that submission requires us to focus on Go rather than ourselves. This morning, I just want to throw out a very practical way you can work toward that.
I think most of our Calvary family recognizes the value of spending time with God on a regular basis. Some might call this a devotional time. My recommendation is to set aside time once or twice a week to have "devotions" that are solely focused on God, rather than ourselves.
Here's how this might look:
Focus on God's work. Take a few minutes to simply praise God for His work in the world (creation, sustaining us, the weather, gravity, etc.). Then take a few minutes to thank him for the work he has done on your behalf. Think Bout everything good in your life, and then contemplate the work God has done to make that possible. If you are really willing to do this, you shouldn't have enough time to finish.
Focus on God's word. Take time to read the Bible (use any plan you like). However, instead of reading to simply find an application for yourself, read so that you can know God better. Don't read yourself into the pages of Scripture, rather let them speak to you about who God is. Determine that through your time in His Word, you will come to a better understanding of the nature and character of God.
Focus on God's will. Sometimes we conclude our devotional times by seeking a personal application. Instead, simply take time submitting yourself to God's will. Perhaps you simply need to take a deep breath and say "God, whatever happens today, I will trust that you are in control." Maybe you need lot spend some time talking to yourself and reminding yourself that God's control is much more trustworthy than your own. It may be that you simply need to surrender an area of your life in which you are relying on yourself instead of God. Whatever it is, focus on what God is doing, not on what your own plans are.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Submission Means Focusing on God, Not on Ourselves
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
8 Things I Didn't Say On Sunday
Monday, January 23, 2012
Giving Honor To Whom It Might Not Be Due...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
50 Steps To Becoming A Ninja!

- Doing the #1 task on your todo list.
- Making that phone call.
- Getting the car maintenance done.
- Fixing something that is out-of-order.
- Going to the doctor.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Pursuing your dreams.
- Reading a book.
- Spending time with someone you care about.
- Going for a walk.
- Going to see the person you need to talk to.
- Exercising.
- Telling the truth.
- Confronting something from your past.
- Doing something for your future.
- Saving money.
- Learning something new.
- Answering that email.
- Getting your degree.
- Working on your resume.
- Finding a new job.
- Doing something that you are passionate about.
- Putting yourself first.
- Getting a life… yours.
- Facing a fear.
- Starting your hobby.
- Losing weight.
- Taking time off from work.
- Helping someone who needs it.
- Appreciating your family.
- Setting goals for yourself.
- Testing and stretching your limits.
- Eating a healthy meal.
- Enjoying some quiet time.
- Traveling someplace you have never been.
- Doing something you have never done.
- Talking to someone you don’t know, but want to.
- Starting a new habit.
- Stopping a bad habit.
- Cleaning up your desk.
- Donating something to charity.
- Writing in your journal.
- Going to see a friend.
- Emptying the garage.
- Talking the dog for a walk.
- Playing with your kids.
- Taking your spouse on a date.
- Doing something on your bucket list.
- Standing up for yourself.
- Telling someone you love them.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Friday, December 16, 2011
A Dog's Life. Not So Bad After All
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
3 Things You Can Do to Exhale Every Night
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thankful for the Heart of Calvary
One thing I would like to do better is to end my days being thankful. So tonight, I want to give thanks for the heart of my brothers and sisters at Calvary. It is a blessing to be able to witness so many of my friends who are truly developing the heart of Jesus.
Over the past few years we have seen many wealthy and "important" people walk away from our church, but God has graciously sent people to replace them who may not be blessed financially, but who exhibit a rich love in their relationships with each other and a deep compassion for the world around them. After all, when he saw the widow give her two mites at the temple, Jesus reminded his followers that it was not the size of the offering that mattered, but rather it is the heart of the giver.
Over the past few days I have a great opportunity to repeatedly see people exhibiting the heart of a joyful giver.
Today, we had people coming to our building all day (as late as 8pm tonight) to pick up gifts for delivery to children as part of project angel tree.
Someone dropped off a coat today because they wanted to make a contribution to our teen's local warming project (which they are doing for the second year in a row).
I'm privileged to be part of a LIFEgroup which adopts several families every year to provide clothes, gifts, and food for the holidays.
I was approached yesterday after first service by a lady who desired information about getting involved in our monthly supper house ministry.
A recent new attenders at our church has been purchasing books for radio bible class and making them available for free. People are taking them all each week!
I can't remember the last Sunday I've been at Calvary when so many people have expressed love and gratitude to me as did this week.
Our church's children modeled intergenerational ministry as they spent their Sunday School hour having a bingo party with our Keenagers.
I was approached this weekend by two different people who have a heart for connecting people and want to launch new LIFEgroups.
To cap it off, on a day when our church united, despite a concerted effort to divide the congregation, to approve next year's budget; our people gave one of the largest offings of the year* (over $10,000 more than our average giving)!
I could go on. If you want to see more, check out our facebook page to see the rich love being shared there on a regular basis! I am truly thankful to be part of a church full of people with such big hearts!
*this is especially amazing because the second Sunday of the month is almost always one of our lowest offerings of the month.
Please Pray for a Dear Friend and a Great Man
Please pray for him, Dena Stevens McGoldrick, and their children Paige and Parker. Patrick posted this yesterday:
After a few months of strange symptoms, many doctor’s visits and tests, I need to share with you that I have recently been diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The doctors are 100% convinced that this is what I have. There is no cure for ALS. ALS is a serious neurological disease that causes muscle weakness and eventually leads to complete deterioration. The speed and path varies from person to person, but the average life expectancy is two years.
Obviously, this is not what I had planned, nor what I would have ever dreamed would happen to me. But there is another side to the story. God is sovereign and in control. Isaiah 6 is a passage that I preached here many years ago and Bob preached it last month. I take that truth that “King Jesus” is seated on His throne as ruler and has authority of my life. He also will give us strength as we go through this journey.
A song that has blessed my soul in this past week is written ultimately by God, through Job and passed down to Matt Redman. That song is “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” I want to live that out!!
We love you so much and appreciate you so much. Our lives have been blessed because of you! Thank you for your prayers.
Control the Thing You Can Control
This morning I was reading in Psalm 119. I noticed across the page, I had scribbled some notes a while back so I looked to see what I had written. Psalm 116:10-11 were underlined. They read:
I believed in you, so I said
"I am deeply troubled, LORD"
In my anxiety I cried out to you,
"These people are all liars!"
In the margin, I wrote:
"I cannot control what others do, I can control whether or not I take it to God."
True.