Waiting

Patience has never been a strong point in my life. Having a 2 year old in the house for a while helped on a certain level I guess. But waiting? That’s a different kind of patience.

We moved again. Back to Florida. We have another opportunity to do something that has eluded me for a couple years. There is genuine excitement to get started. We have most of the tools we need. All except for 1.

So I wait. The self examination that has accompanied this venture has been good. Learning about myself and desiring to change is not easy, but it is good. But I’m still waiting.

The steps are deliberate and thought out this time. The request for presence is honest, but at times, the waiting seems tedious. I feel helpless at times, but know that these are moments of preparation that won’t be returned.

Distractions seem plentiful. But we are determined to remain focused. Constant note taking, thinking, reading, writing. Even enjoying and contemplating.

What is the most difficult part of waiting? The wait.

What Governs You?

Like most of you, as a young man, I was determined to live my own way, by my own rules. There was no concern for who I hurt, how I treated people or how my attitude was perceived. After all, it was just me. you didn’t like it? to bad.

I’m not sure we ever really lose that pride. We try hard, we really do. But pride in the heart of a man runs deep to the depths of our soul. From time to time, we are confronted with this alien that lives within us, and we recognize the importance of slaying the beast. Yet, most of the time, we merely give it a glancing blow. All the while thinking of its resurrection at the wrong time and the wrong place.

As much as we think we lived by our own rules, and as free as we have thought we were, there has always been an authority. The ruler of this universe has been doing His will since day 1. The fact we did not bow or give credence to His authority does not matter. He still rules, still does what He has set in his heart to do. However, He does ask us to join him in his work. But make no mistake, with or without you, God will be honored and glorified in this earth.

The good thing about His mercy is his efforts to provide us with opportunities to work with Him.

I am glad he does not use perfect people. The people he has used throughout scripture and history are men and women with messy lives, a dirty faith, and issues that force them to trust in His provision.

There is a tool that he has given us. Scripture should govern our lives. Not as a replacement to God or His Spirit, but as a reference point. Just as the Holy Spirit will only testify of the greatness and wonder of the person of Jesus, so will scripture testify to the works and wonder of Christ.

So the question is simple…Does Scripture govern your life? Does the sweetness of the nectar run down your chin like biting into a ripe peach? Does Scripture determine your response in difficult situations? Does the principles found in the pages of the Bible roll of your tongue as you give honor to Christ, deal with frustration, grief, anger, family, career, or even in traffic?

David was no fool. His time alone in the wilderness was spent watching sheep and meditating on the Law of God, on His greatness and wonder. Even as a teen, he came to understand the importance of the governance of Scripture.

as a believer, you are bound to the authority of Christ. As a warrior you are lost with out the weapon of Scripture.

Use it. Love it. Meditate on it. Scripture is alive and breathing. Let it wash over you like a mist in the morning rain.

Primal Jeff

What it looks like

Presence

Thought for the day

questions from Jeff Fields on Vimeo.

StreetCred

Primal 1 Promo

Gearing Up

gearing up from Jeff Fields on Vimeo.

Remnant Sons MC

We are a month and a half into a new year. 2010 begins with much opportunity and much responsibility. Maybe you are the type to make “resolutions” to help re-focus on discipline, adjustments and general stuff.

While it’s not really that big a deal to start off the new year with promises to one self, it is important that from time to time, we “resolve” to make changes.

For the next few weeks, I will be dealing with these same thoughts. These are adapted from the book “10 Questions to diagnose your spiritual health” by Donald S. Whitney. Pick it up. It’s a good read and very challenging.

Do you have a growing hunger/thirst for God?

I have been married for 29 years. Oddly enuff, I still deal with some of the same arrogant selfish attitudes that i struggled with 30 years ago. The difference now, is that i tend to realize them…sometimes.

Serving on staff at a couple really dynamic churches through my ministry career, it was way to easy to take my spiritual health for granted. I went to church all the time. Head good preaching and teaching mist of the time, prepared to teach students and young adults on a weekly basis. I was constantly in scripture, digging and learning, and teaching.

I am still amazed how easy my faith became about other things rather than knowing God intimately. I spent all my time with other christians, giving them thoughts and principles to guide them.

Knowing God requires much more than attending church, singing, or even the daily reading of scripture. Truly knowing God takes time, effort, and discipline.

Time

We can no more know God just by reading a verse, or even a chapter a day, than we can be a car just by being in a garage. The time in knowing God means using our minds to think on him, his word, his ways. We are reminded in scripture that we are to “love God with all our heart mind and strength.” this means our time is of great benefit in our journey, not just so we can have a good day. Put the time in. enjoy him without hoping for something.

Effort

Hungering after God is not something we can conjure up just because we want to. Scripture tells us that “no one understands”, no-one seeks after God.” Which simply means that for us to seek god, we must be invited by him. The effort on our part is to develop longings after God by reading his word, worshiping with his people, and honoring him with life. We cannot work our way into this. But we can respond to his invitation.

Discipline

I was in really good shape at one point in my life. Worked out, looked good and felt good. As i grow older, I find that my desire to feel good grows, but my desire to work out fails.

In order to take advantage of the invitation to know God, “come, let us reason together”, we need to develop habits that put us in situations to hear that invitation. daily bible intake and real prayer is vital. Worship taps into Gods provision and our need for his presence. Other disciplines include service, journaling, fasting, meditation, stewardship and learning.

Knowing God is a life long process. Those who have truly made the connection treasure it above all things. Paul tells us that “everything became rubbish for the surpassing knowledge of him…”

So. Do you thirst for God? Or has your thirst been quenched with things of lessor value?

Primal Jeff