sixfootnineandcounting

  I've never been more convicted and had more hope at the same time! This happened when I read Proverbs 15:10, "he who hates correction will die." Uhhh, I hate correction. Hence, the conviction. I guess I really do need correction. I mean the bible says so, many times! Proverbs 15:12 says, "a mocker resents correction." I don't know what a mocker is, but it doesn't sound good and I guess it's me! Proverbs 15:31 says, "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise." And Proverbs 15:32 says, "whoever heeds correction gains understanding." And that's just one chapter in the bible! Proverbs 12 even says, " Whoever hates correction is STUPID!" I hate correction, but what if I loved it instead? Could I possibly flip that around for the last 30 years or so of my life? My wife corrected me just yesterday and I got angry. It led to an argument because I got so defensive. But what if I rejoiced over t...

  You Have To Be Perfect The Old Testament Law is CRAZY isn't it? At first glance, it appears God is sanctioning the stoning of kids who talk back their parents or who carry sticks on the wrong day of the week among other things. This is barbaric, right?! It can't be true! But take a closer look. Did you know God gave us the Law to show you how to save yourself? The Law is the standard. If you want to be saved, you must meet the standard. Holiness is perfection. You must not miss one step. One sin and you can't possibly be holy. True justice requires that even the smallest sin requires death. Just one lie. Steal just once. I know I stole a bag of caramels from Kroger when I was nine years old. Guess what? I'm out. You are too. One bad thought. Well, you got me there too. God chose a small group of people to show us how impossible it is keep His Law. The OT Law is holiness training and the Israelites failed miserably. They couldn't do it. You can't either. Now lo...

Be yourself. Live your truth. Accept yourself exactly as you are. All these are some form of the 21st century religion of the self. Whether you are obese and practicing "body positivity", or you are a believer trying to justify what the bible calls sin, popular culture today is on your side. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find much push back even in the church. The truth is it might feel good for a while. You might feel more alive than you ever have. Unfortunately, it will not last. It is like a sugar high. Mow down a Slurpy and a King Size Snickers and your taste buds will thank you, but your stomach will probably complain shortly. You might ride high for an hour, but pretty soon you'll be asleep for 3 hours and feel off or tired for 3 days! Why is that? Because your body and mind wasn't made for a selfish diet. It was made to respond best to healthier choices. Your life itself was made the same way by God. The self-centered life that lusts after strictly pers...

  I have always been a tall pastor. I was 5'2" in the 3rd grade! Now I am a tall, divorced pastor after 32 years of marriage. Put that under the category Never Thought That Would Happen In a Million Years.  I know you have categories like that too like Wow I Wish I Didn't Do That or Man That Sucked.  Suffice it to say I didn't see it coming, but here we go! I have failure and shame that goes along with it, of course. Try not to assume what I mean by that! I have been convicted and even sick as a result. A few years ago I lost 100 pounds! You know it's bad when you end up in the fetal position around the toilet in a bathroom stall. My mental health was shot. I was confused. I couldn't be trusted to go the grocery store or manage the finances. I lost my job. That's my "dark night of the soul", but praise God, it wasn't the end of the story. Wherever you are, it's not the end of the story either. Now I'm on a quest to finish my life stro...