In Proper Order

Those of you who know me, know that I have had to slow down a bit lately. I guess my body wasn't ready to continue to break-neck pace that we had been on for some time now.


It just seems that there is always something to do - somewhere to go - there doesn't seem to be enough time in one day to accomplish everything. And that's the problem. 

Perhaps, I've loaded my plate a bit too heavily. Kinda like going through the buffet line trying to sample everything. Before you know it, you've got a pile of food on your plate that you can't eat. For me, before I knew it, I had a pile of duties on my plate that I couldn't finish. 

So, I started 2012 shedding some of the duties. I had a specific goal in mind about something that I really needed to complete. And wouldn't you know it, the more I pressed toward that goal, the more I felt hindered. Something would come up. Something would get in the way. Someone would need something. And now, I'm behind. 

But, I've decided not to panic and I'm definitely NOT throwing in the towel. But I am going to do one important thing - I'm going to give all of my duties to the Lord and let Him prioritize them for me. With Him at the helm, I know everything that needs to get done will get done to His glory and the rest of the fluff will just fall away. 

It's important to slow down and hear the direction from the Lord. When we fully give everything over to Him; everything gets done in its proper order. 

Christians Ought to Pray

As Christians, this is our time of year. It's our season. This very weekend is why we do what we do - it's why we are who we say we are. It's Easter.


For the blood-bought, born-again Christian, Easter is not about an Easter bunny. For what Easter bunny descended from the throne for us? What Easter bunny performed miracles and healings? What Easter bunny taught and discipled followers. And most importantly, what Easter bunny laid down his life so that we may live and then miraculously took it up again. No, for the educated Christian, Easter is not about an Easter bunny. In fact, that's just commercialism anyway. For the saved and serious, Easter is about what Christ did on the cross on our behalf. 

And that's why a recent conversation that I had with a young person broke my heart. For this person refuses the truth. This person challenges the authority of God and mocks His name with pleasure. I have to tell you, I was stunned to see this level of dismissal that closely. This young person is tied to their sin and doesn't want to be loosed from it. 

And before we start feeling all kind of sorry for this one person, I need to remind you that there are more just like this one. So, while I want you to pray for this person, I want you to search your heart and the hearts of those you know. When you do, you will find someone that needs prayer. You will find someone that is out of the ark of safety. And when you do, write their name down and commit to praying for that person's salvation. 

Christ came so that we may have opportunity to be saved. Our Sacrificial Lamb did that for us. Now it's time that we pay it forward and pray for those who would otherwise be left behind. It's Easter - when you think about what was done for us, it's the least we can do for them. 

Be Blessed and have a fantastic Resurrection Sunday! 

Oh Whitney...Why?

So now we have it. The Coroner's report.

When I heard that Whitney died from an accidental drowning - that she was still alive when she went under the water, I couldn't believe it. I went further - read more. And that's when the other details hit hard. Cocaine was indeed found in her system.

In fact, she likely took the cocaine, had a heart attack, and passed out - then slid down into a watery grave. Oh Whitney. Why?

Did she not know that she had damaged her heart with chronic substance abuse? The autopsy showed 60% narrowing of Whitney's arteries - a direct result of her cocaine use. Which of course, led to that untimely cardiac event.

Will the lesson of her life be enough to stop others from chronic substance abuse or will we have to endure more stars falling from grace - trading their lives in for the thrill of living that lifestyle.

And so here I am faced with the reality. Superstars pay a super price when they are not fully grounded in Christ; Just like the rest of us. But their fall is always louder because they are more publicly known. Everybody is constantly in their business both good and bad.

Was Whitney the first person to die from cocaine use? No. Remember Len Bias? Is she the last? Unfortunately, I don't think so.

I am disappointed. I wanted better for her even though she never knew my name. I wanted her to turn around and place her full confidence and security in the Savior that she so often spoke about. What about Him wasn't enough? He's everything! Why the cocaine, Whitney? Why?

I guess I just don't understand. But one thing this has reminded me of is to not put my hope in man (Psalm 146:3, Isaiah 2:22) but instead to allow it to rest in its proper place - with God.

Well, that's that. Christians, let's stay grounded.