A Cross or A Crucifix???

cross - 'kross - a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution (b) often capitalized : the cross on which Jesus was crucified

cru·ci·fix -: a representation of Christ on the cross

I grew up in the Catholic church. A big beautiful crucifix was always prominently displayed in our church, on the nuns and priests, and hanging from the parishioners necks.

When I started going to the Baptist church, or the protestant church, the crucifix was no longer a part of the church. The evangelical churches replaced the crucifix with the cross. I have always heard the reason for the cross over the crucifix is because, "We don't worship a dead Christ who is still on the Cross. We follow a resurrected Christ who is alive and not on the cross."

I have to admit, I was quite proud to have a cross representing our alive Jesus over having one still dead on the cross. Isn't that what the Bible teaches? Isn't that the very essence of the Good News of the Gospel that Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins, was buried, and rose again on he third day so that those of us who believe are cleansed of our sins and we have victory over death also? Of course....Thus the empty cross.

But wait a minute. Do we really believe what we say we believe? Do we really believe the Good News of the Gospel? Do we really believe that Jesus died for us? I don't know, I mean, maybe, I mean yes, I mean of course, once saved always saved, right? Do we live what we say we believe? Do we worship, I mean really worship, the one who died for us?

Is it possible that an empty cross makes it harder for us to remember the sacrifice that bought our freedom? Is it possible we take God's grace for granted because we take the cross for granted? The apostle Paul wrote, "I am not one of those who treats the grace of God as meaningless. For if we could be saved by keeping the law, then there was no need for Christ to die. (Gal 2:21) Does an empty cross, in our human state of mind, facilitate a distance from what happened on the cross which in turn leads us into treating the grace of God as meaingless? (I am sorry, I am a talker not a writer)

Do we need to rewatch "The Passion of Christ" movie several times a year to remind us?

What if every church had a cross and a crucifix? What if every time you walked into a service you saw the crucifix, a visualization of Christ's sacrifice, and beside it a cross, a reminder of the resurrection?

Just a thought.

Thank you Jesus for loving us so much. May we never forget, and may we live our lives as people who are extremly grateful, and tell many others the good news and show them the crucifix and the cross.

Serving you in Him
Royal

The Good is Inside

Quote from C. S. Lewis --- Mere Christianity pg. 63

The Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. They hope, by being good, to please God, if there is one; or---if they think there is not---at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks (knows) any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it."

Let Jesus shine through you.
Royal

Think About It

"Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who by accidents of time, or place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with you"

"The world is a book and those that stay at home read only one page."

St Augustine

Born: Aurelius Augustinus
November 13, 0354
Tagaste, Numidia
Died: August 28, 0430
Hippo Regius

Catholic priest and bishop. Doctor of the Church. Son of St. Monica. Writings include Confessions and The City of God. Patron saint of brewers, sore eyes, and printers. Namesake of the oldest European-settled city in America.

Belief - Not What I Say but What I Do

"My friend Andrew the protester believes things. Andrew goes to protests where he gets pepper-sprayed, and he does it because he believes in being a voice of change. My Republican friends get frustrated when I paint Andrew as a hero, but I like Andrew because he actually believes things that cost him something. Even if I disagree with Andrew, I love that he is willing to sacrifice for what he believes....Andrew is the one that taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do." Blue Like Jazz - Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, by Donald Miller.

When you go beyond belief to conviction in Christ, it costs something. It costs comfort, responsibility, discipline and popularity. It costs being different than the rest of the world, walking to the beat of a different drum, filtering life through the eyes of Jesus rather than the eyes of the world. It takes worshiping Christ in our every day life not just being comfortable with the idea that if I die Christ has paid the premium on my fire insurance. Without keeping our eyes focused on Christ it is impossible to live a life for Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, " For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. (Phil. 1:21)

If we really believe, if we go beyond belief to lifestyle, Christ will provide; the power, the courage, the comfort, the change, the counsel, the energy, and the love to give away that will change the lives of others. The apostle Paul is saying, "Look, I am living for Christ, and as long as I am living for Him, it is a full life. (John 10:10) When I am done with this full life of purpose, then I will really be living." This is delayed gratification to the extreme.

People look at most Christians and because our faith does not seem to make much of a difference in our lives, they are not interested.

When I had a counseling practice I had a policy that I would not see a client that did not pay for his own therapy. I learned that the hard way. I had a couple of churches that wanted to pick up the tab for their members that could not afford it. I found out in a hurry that when clients did not have to make some kind of financial sacrifice, they would not work. They would miss appointments, they would not complete assignments, and most would make little or no progress toward emotional and spiritual health.

They were not motivated to work when the therapy was free.

For Christians to become Christ-followers, if Christians are going to live what they say they believe, if they are going to go from belief to conviction, they are going to have to realize that their salvation is not free. The price of salvation is high and Jesus Christ paid it for us.

When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? (Rom. 12:1)

Training to see things through His eyes,
Royal

The Joy of Little House Simplicity

It felt good to watch Little House on the Prairie on TV Land tonight. And yes I cried. It was a Christmas story, and Pa worked extra to buy a new stove for ma. Laura traded her horse Bunny to Mr. Olsen to get the stove for ma, not knowing Pa was going to get one. And since it was a surprise Pa did not know Laura was getting one either. Nelly (Mr. Olsens mean spoiled daughter) wanted the horse so bad she could taste it. Pa worked hard to make Laura a saddle to ride Bunny. Laura was sad not because Nelly got Bunny, but because Pa had worked so hard to make a saddle that was no longer needed. Mary worked for free after school for three weeks to make a new shirt for Pa. Ma had purchased the same material and made Pa the same shirt and then hid it so she would not ruin Mary's gift for Pa.

And then there was the littlest girl, obviously a daughter of an executive, who kept us from getting too emotional with her terrible acting.

Are you feeling the love?

Why don't they make shows like these anymore? They make you feel good. They are simple. The whole family can watch them and learn a good lesson together.

I think one of the reasons for my emotions is that I was blown away by the simpleness of the Ingle's lives. They eat together, ride to town together, talk with each other, solve problems together, play together and are not running around in four different cars to six different events in an evening.

Oh, would not the simple life be sweet. Simplicity is a spiritual discipline taught by Jesus that is not even considered as an option for spiritual growth for today's Christian.

In an article in Christianity Today, The "Real" Simple Life - Discover emotional and financial freedom through an often-neglected spiritual discipline. By Matt Bell

Bell rights; "While the concept of simplicity has been around for a long time, the growth of the self-storage and closet organizer businesses would seem to cast doubt on its popularity."

In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster argues that "the majority of Christians have never seriously wrestled with the problem of simplicity, conveniently ignoring Jesus' many words on the subject. The reason is simple: this Discipline directly challenges our vested interests in an affluent lifestyle."

He describes simplicity as "a life of joyful unconcern for possessions" and suggests that it "is the one thing that sufficiently reorients our lives so that possessions can be genuinely enjoyed without destroying us."

It is that tendency of possessions to destroy or, at least, worry us that Solomon refers to when he says, "The abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep" (Ecclesiastes 5:12).

Read the entire article and Bell gives ten principles or actions we can take to lead to a more simple life.

In our materialistic, marketing-saturated world, simplicity isn't, well, so simple. But as Richard Foster points out, it begins on the inside with the attitudes of our hearts and minds. And those attitudes are cultivated through prayer and meditation on the truth of God's Word.

Keep It Simple Silly
Royal

I Am a Witness for Jesus - He Does Not need A Salesman or a Lawyer

Most Christ-followers are not very good evangelists because they believe that for someone to be converted they have to be convinced. We believe that our friends who need Jesus need all of their questions answered in order to make an educated decision for Christ. This scares the heck out of most Christians because they believe in order to convince their friends, they need all of the answers. And here is the deal. Our friends believe they need all of their questions answered also. "I am not ready to make that decision yet, I have a few more questions I need answered. Although, I am not real sure what questions are that I need to ask."

The problem is that most Christians look at evangelism as an event. Evangelism is not an event, it is a process. Sure their is a point where a person decides to be reborn, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit and a response of faith that is the process. Only the Holy Spirit can provide the faith. It is a spiritual battle and not a mental one. "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Eph 6:12)

If you approach evangelism believing you have to win someone over by answering enough questions, or by overcoming enough objections, you will be greatly frustrated. We are not Jesus' salespeople or His attorneys, we are His witnesses.

Jesus is the only one who knows what our friends need. As the apostle Peter went through the process, he watched Jesus teach and saw His power, authority, and love. He was impressed. He did not make a decision to drop everything to follow Jesus until Jesus showed him that fishing was really no big deal and invited Him to come fish for men instead of fish. See Matt. 4:18

We are to be witnesses for Christ. Our non-believing friends watch us to see how we live with Christ while the Holy Spirit gives them the faith they need to make the decision. Sometimes it takes awhile. Some times it takes touch, after touch, after touch, after touch...Witness after witness after witness.

...You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Pet. 3:15-17

Jesus uses our witness to reinforce what He is showing them in their heart. Is that a great plan or what? Are we blessed as Christ-followers or what? What a priveledge to be chosen by God to be a part of His team, accepting the call, and living for Him, doing His work.

Jesus calls us and then He uses our talents and gifts and adds His own Spiritual gifting and makes us part of the team of fishers of men.

I can't wait till the post game.....

Thank you Jesus for picking me for Your team
Royal

You Can't Legislate Morality

Quote from: Blue Like Jazz - Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, by Donald Miller

"This is the hardest principle within Christian spirituality for me to deal with. The problem is not out there; the problem is the needy beast of a thing that lives in my chest."

I Am Blessed to Be a Dad

Friday was an indredible day to be Brooke and Nick's dad. They grew up so fast. I never knew how enjoyable it would be to have adult kids. My daughter Brooke (23) graduated from UTA in May with a degree in Marketing/Public Relations.

She completed her degree in four years and has had a job since she was sixteen, and since graduating she has worked two jobs while looking for the job.

She had a big job interview on Friday. Lisa went shopping with her on Thursday for a new suit. She called me a little nervous on Friday morning and I prayed for her and encouraged my little girl.

Just before lunch on Friday Brooke called and was excited about her interview. She came by the office and looked so professional and beautiful in her suit. I was so proud to take her to lunch and hear about her day.

I am so blessed to be Brooke's dad.

My son Nick turned twenty on Friday. He is a sophomore at TCU. He is a serious student and a natural leader. He comes home from school on the weekends and works at Applebees on Friday and Saturday waiting tables.

His mother, Lisa, and I went to Applebees on Friday night and waited till we could get a table in his section. We always tip him big in case he is having a slow night. I love watching him wait on tables like we used to watch him play football.

He said, "Dad, you want to watch a movie when I get off work tonight." I said, "Sure, what time do you get off?" "Midnight", he replied.

When he got home from work he showered, and we had milk and cookies while we watched "Briane's Song." This was the first movie that ever made me cry. It was 1971 and I was twelve, so I didn't tell anyone about the crying. I cried again this time and I really didn't care. My kids have seen me cry a lot. If Nick cried, he didn't show it. Plus he was tired and I had to wake him up a few times.

I am blessed to be Nick's dad.


My kids still get up every Sunday morning and drive from Arlington and Ft. Worth to worship with Lisa and me.

I know Lisa and I didn't do everyting right. Thank you God for blessing us and allowing us to be Brooke and Nick's parents.

I Am Blessed to Be a Pastor

I got a call Sunday night during LIFE group that Marie was dying. That is one of the blessings that comes with being a pastor. Yeah, I know that sounds weird. What a privledge it is though to be called when a family is in grief and being able to spend time with them when they are most aware of God, mortality, and their relationships with each other. All of the sudden, in a very busy world, nothing else seems important. I am thankful to God and for families for allowing me to be a part of this most intimate with God time.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

I have never had anyone in her last hours tell me she wishes she had made more money, or she wishes she worked more hours. People who are close to meeting God in person speak about the importance of relationships. "I hope I have been a good parent." "I should have tried to get along with my brother better." "I wish I had started living for God earlier and made a difference in the lives of others." "I stayed on the fence too long. I should have got off the fence and served God." There is usually a peaceful resolve for the Christ-follower because God gives her an inner feeling of grace she has never really understood before.

More than at any other time in a person's life, whether the one going or the one's staying, God and the subject of who God is the topic of most interest. Everyhing else just seems to fade off the list of what's important. What a blessing to be able to be God's love with skin on during this time.

Marie was in hospital 100 miles away and her time on this side was short. After missing several turns and arriving at the hospital later than I expected I arrived at Marie's bed side. I never know what really to say when I get there so I just leave it open to God leading me.

I baptized Marie in the summer of 2004 on August 22, my birthday. Baptism is another great blessing that comes as part of the pastor job. She was in her upper 70's. Marie was having more health problems than she used to. She came to me on a Sunday morning and said she wanted to live for Jesus and be baptized. She had been baptized at an earlier stage of life but she said this time she really meant it. She wanted to live for Jesus and she wanted to make sure her family knew she was living for Him. Her baptism was an exciting day for her, me, and Jesus.

When I got to her bedside she was all wired up and had an airhose down her throat. She couldn't talk, but I knew she was alert because she was watching the nurse push buttons on the machines above her head. I said, "Hi Marie. It's me, Royal." See if you let God lead you He will always tell you what to say.

I told her she didn't look to good. That may not be the polite or politically correct thing to say, but it was honest. She did not look good. I could tell she recognized me and was tracking with what I was saying. I said, "Marie, you know if you go tonight you will be with Jesus and everyone you leave behind will be just fine." She was making eye contact and I realized that she probably did not know how to respond to a statement like that.

I bent down close so I knew she could hear and I said a prayer for her. I kissed her on the forehead and said, "I'll see you later. I'll see you here or I'll see you on the other side."

Immediately, with hose in her mouth and all, she smiled from ear to ear.
Marie stepped into the presence of the one who loves her most at 3:am the next morning.

Thank you God for the blessing.

You Are What You Eat

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
Edmund Burke, statesman and writer (1729-1797)




I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your principles.
Psalm 119:48

Yesterday's Wacky Court Decision

This is a great post about yesterday's court decision against the saying of the pledge in schools written by Glen Dean on his blog Nashville Truth.

based on Judge Karlton's decision, "the school district's policy with regard to the pledge is an unconstitutional violation of the children's right to be free from a coercive requirement to affirm God."

Click on title of this blog to go there.

If God's Name Is I AM. Then My Name is I am not.

Book Quote from; I AM Not but I know I AM - Little Me, Infinite God, Louie Giglio

Life is a tale of two stories-one finite and one frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one--the story of us--is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story--and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can--blinds us to the massive God Story that surrounds us on every side. pg. 1

In a heartbeat, Moses knew God's name--and something more. He finally knew his. For if God's name is I AM, Moses' name must be I am not.

• I am not the center of everything.
• I am not in control.
• I am not the solution.
• I am not all-powerful.
• I am not calling the shots.
• I am not the owner of anything.
• i am not the Lord. pg. 39

Quote of the Day

"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury. "

John Stuart Mill, philosopher and economist (1806-1873)

"I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

"Then those "goats' are going to say, "Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'
"He will answer them, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me--you failed to do it to me.'

Jesus - Matt. 25:42-45

Point Person - Do you know who you are?

The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, "Here he is, God's Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I've been talking about, "the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.'
John 1:29-30 (MSG)

Our church is starting a Beth Moore Bible Study tonight, Beloved Disciple. I have been working through day 1 of week 1, “Fresh Winds Over Galilee” this morning and this is going to be a great study. I am teaching the Gospel of John, “The Jesus Apprentice” on Sunday mornings, and this will be an excellent study/small group time to go along with it.

God had been silent toward the Hebrew people for 400 years. So you can probably imagine that when John started speaking the Word of God to a generation of Hebrews who had only heard about God, and never encountered God, he developed quite a following. Jews were coming from all over to be baptized so their sins would be washed away and they could start over fresh. The religious leaders of the day were confused and nervous about the people that were turning to John for spiritual leadership. John wanted to make sure the people knew who he was and who he wasn't.

Mrs. Moore teaches the first thing we need to get as Disciples of Christ is who we are in relationship to Jesus. Moore writes, “Among other things, we are going to learn how to define ourselves by our relationship to Jesus Christ. We’ll arrive at an important place of maturity when we can say who we are---and who we are not.”

John said, here He is, “This is the man I've been talking about, "the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.'” John wanted it to be clear that the whole reason for him being who he is and for living the life he had been living was to be able to point to the one he was following, Jesus.

Luke writes in Acts 1:8 “when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses.” What does a witness do? She shares her experience in her own words according to her perspective.

Peter tells us, “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” 1 Pet. 3:15

As a disciple, an apprentice of Christ we are to live our lives in this world, (not just within the confines of the Christian community or church) in such a way that people will ask us about our faith and we will point to Jesus.

Do you know who you are if you are a beloved disciple of Christ? You are a point person. So be obedient to Christ and be ready to point.

Here is the deal, “pointing is way more fun and fulfilling and pleasing to God than bragging.”

Serving with you in Him
Point Person
Royal

Awake at 3 AM

Sometimes when I lie awake at 3:am I am reminded of the the stupid things I said the day before.

I am not sure who is reminding me.

The only answer that seems to make sense at this hour is "I am tired."

I understand that answer. I am afraid others don't.

They just know I said stupid things.

The thing that is most tiring about communication is that people hear you out of context.

Whoever is reminding me at 3:am is reminding me out of context.

"I am tired." It will look better in the light.
Thank you Jesus

Quote of the Day

The high minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think. -Aristotle, philosopher (384-322 BCE)

John 8:31-32 - Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NLT

Self Sins - You Know What I'm Talking About

"Self-sins are self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love, and a host of others like them. They dwell too deep within us and are too much a part of our natures to come to our attention till the light of God is focused upon them. The grosser manifestations of these sins--egotism, exhibitionism, self-promotion---are strangely tolerated by Christian leaders...They are so much in evidence as actually, for many people, to become identified with the gospel. I trust it is not a cynical observation to say that they appear these days to be a requisite for popularity in some sections of the church visible. Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice."
The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer, pg. 43

As a pastor this is a hard read. It is easy to start promoting me or my church over Christ. It takes work to keep the focus where it needs to be. Lord forgive me for looking at me too much. I have noticed my stress level is much higher when the focus is on me. I know better. I don't try to put it on me. One good pat on the back or even a "this is not going the way I expected" is a very slippery slope.

What is up with my short-term memory? The focus can change several times in a day or even during one conversation.

What about you? I think it is easier to see this in the life of a pastor. How does this look in the life of the Apprentice walking his or her walk as a white collar, blue collar, or homemaker.

There is only one way to know. Let the light shine into the dark. And then work to stay in the light.

Thanks for listening to a many times tripping apprentice
Royal

Live for Jesus Now & Now & Now & Now

"When you dream, you look to a moment still to come. Yet the only moment that you must take responsibility for right now is the one in front of you. This is your moment. Your challenge is not seizing divine moments, but seizing your divine moment. The biblical imagery for a moment is the wink of an eye. In other words, don't blink or you'll miss it."
Seizing Your Divine Moment, Erwin Raphael McManus pg. 10

What a great quote from the brilliant Pastor Erwin. I was talking to a young man last night who was thinking he had to get his life in order or be in a certain place before he could start living for Jesus. The devil is very tricky. He does not want you to know that if you start living for Jesus first, then you will become who you are supposed to be.

Jesus said, "First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too." Matt. 23:26 NLT

Seize this moment.
Apprentice to Christ
Royal

Quote of the Day

"Soon you will read in the newspaper that I am dead. Don't believe it for a moment. I will be more alive than ever before."
D. L. Moody

Moody on his deathbed: "Earth recedes...Heaven opens before me."

Leaders Read

I graduated high school without ever finishing a novel. Thank God for Cliffs Notes because we did not have the internet. Reading was boring to me except for an occasional biography on Johnny Unitus or Jim Thorpe. (I was motivated to read these by my football fanaticism.)

It was hard to stay focused and I did not see the benefit in reading. I know what your thinking. "Your parents had the same attitude." Wrong, my mother has always been a reader. I just saw no value in it. It interfered with my playtime. I carried this attitude into my adult life and my first attempts at college. I was making $5.00 an hour as an eighteen-year-old sporting goods manager at Woolco and the energy I was putting into Junior College seemed to be such a waste of time.

Then it happened. I was sitting in a church service one night (I did not go to church much) and God changed my life by changing my heart and convincing me that He loved me and wanted to have a close relationship with me through His Son Jesus. It happened. He changed my heart. There was an interesting side effect. He gave me the desire to change my mind also. I not only started reading the Bible, but reading became a passion of mine. I became a learner. I was now representing God and I wanted to be able to sit down and have an intelligent conversation with anyone. Atheists and agnostics think Christians follow Christ because we are uneducated or "stupid". This is true to some extent because many Christians think there is no need to read or reading is below them. They say to themselves, "The Bible is all I need." My first response to this is, "then read the Bible." The average Christian has 3-5 Bibles in their home and none of them are being read. Some are carried to and from church, but many are not read. (Great exercise for the arms)

As you read the Word of God and get to know the all-knowing God, He will put a desire in your heart to be a learner. His desire is for you to be able to sit in love with anyone who does not know Him and build a relational bridge to Him. You cannot build that bridge if you cannot relate. (1 Cor. 9:21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.)

One of the characteristics of a spiritual leader is a passion for learning and it is made evident by his or her love for reading. (Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders) Sanders writes, Leaders read. Read to weigh and consider. Read for intellectual growth. Read to cultivate your ability to communicate. Read to acquire new information and know what is going on ion the world. Read to have fellowship with great minds.

Sanders rules for making your reading worthwhile and profitable:

* What you intend to quickly forget, spend little time reading. The habit of reading and forgetting only builds up the habit of forgetting other important matters.
* Use the same discrimination in choosing books as in choosing friends.
* Read with pencil and notebook in hand. Develop a system of note taking. It will improve you memory.
* Have a "commonplace book," as they are called---a book to record what is striking, interesting, and worthy of second though. You will build a treasure trove of material for future use.
* Verify historical, scientific, and other data.
* Pass no word until its meaning is known.
* Vary your reading to keep your mind out of a rut. Variety is as refreshing to the mind as it is to the body.
* Correlate your reading---history with poetry, biography with historical novel.

Are you an apprentice to Jesus? Then remember this famous quote, "Reading is fundamental."

Serving you in Him

Royal

It's Labor Day. I got to get to Work

It is only appropriate that I start this blog on Labor day.

(la·bor - expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory)

As excited as I am about its potential for ministry, helping others, and forcing me to develop my thinking, writing, and creativity skills, it will be labor to discipline myself to write. I usually write under pressure, due to procrastination, and do it pretty well. This will give me the opportunity to develop myself and not be in the mode of winging it, with the help of Jesus, as often.

Please bare with me as I get started. The one anxiety I have about the written word is that people can tend to read into it or see what they want to see between the lines. I have a rule in my personal and business life. I will not discuss a possile emotional issue via email or text messaging. I have been misunderstood and burned. So what in the world am I doing???

Here is what I hope to accomplish with the Through His Eyes blog. As I apprentice to Jesus, I want to be able to see the world and the people of this world through His eyes. The writing of this blog will cause me to be more disciplined in my relationship with Jesus, be more obedient, and study the Bible more.

Please feel free to comment on what I write or add to it.

If you know of a way this resource can help you more, please let me know. I am knew to this and I know there are some tecnical applications that may soop it up more but I am not there yet. Any ideas you have would be great.

Serving you in Him
Royal

"Quote of the day" - "Nondiscipleship is the elephant in the church. It is not the much discussed moral failures, financial abuses, or the amazing general similarity between Christians and non-Christians. These are only the effects of the underlying problem. The fundemental negative reality among Christian believers now is their failure to be constantly learning how to live their lives in The Kingdom Among Us." Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy