Well I'm Back in the Game-Lifeology

The last few weeks have been so eventful. So many things I have wanted to blog about but just couldn't get to a computer. Now it's gone... But just something that I got to talk to Cole about yesterday I wanted to mention. (I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to have such a wonderful conversation with him.)

But the important thing I wanted to say is that we are called to build on what our parents have built. Our parents did their best to teach us. Their goal was (and is) for us to do a little better than they did in life. Where they made mistakes they want us to succeed. What they knew about life, they tried to pass on to us. Now we are called to build on that. We should be growing and learning and striving to be better, standing on the shoulders of our parents and reaching higher.

Now with our kids we want them to be more than we are, to do better than we have done. Really for the first time Cole and I got to really talk about that. I want him to know that I am a flawed person. I am not a perfect parent and I sin against him and I sometimes parent from anger or I make mistakes. My goal is to work through that with him and encourage him to develop better self control than I have, to be more disciplined than I am. These are important skills I never really ever even thought about.

Think about it. Lack of self-control is probably THE biggest weakness a person can have. Once your emotions have been stirred up you are at your weakest. Instead of weeks or months of temptation, satan only needs to give you a bump, just a little nudge to send you over the edge.

What are areas you need to have self-control? Anger? Greed? Men, (and women) is sexual temptation something you struggle with? It only takes a situation for your emotions to be stirred and satan can give you a little bump and you jump into terrible sin.

Let's take anger for example. When your anger is stirred up, you HAVE to stop for a second and gather your thoughts. You have to settle your heart before you even speak a single word. In my job I see adults come to me like children throwing temper tantrums. They are so blinded by their emotions, they are not even capable of working through the problem. All logic is blinded by the anger. I have to do it for them. Remove the emotions and look at the basics of the problem. I have to assure them it will be OK and we will work through the problem. I then have to ask them the questions they should be able to ask themselves. What happened? How did it happen? What needs to happen now to make it right? How can we prevent it from happening again? But, because the emotions are not under control, what should be a simple problem to solve becomes world war three.

What's the source of the wild emotions? Sin. Our selfishness, our love of self, pride, insecurity.... Be upright and confident before the Lord always doing right and speaking truth, deal lovingly with others. Yes, even the hateful ones.... They are just sinful hearts with no self control. Be patient with them. Think of them as they are... Adults are just children who grew up right? Maybe no one ever taught them self-control or how to act. You can be that influence that helps them work through problems.

Mom was always saying "Go with the flow". Really good advice that has been very helpful. Especially in the sense that it implies a calm demeanor. You have heard the saying "level heads prevail". Self-control, know it, love it, live it....

Remember to build on where your parents have lifted you up. Let's go forward not backwards. No matter your age there is always time to turn. It all begins with a heart surrendered to Christ. Then read your Bible and grow and learn.... "Lifeology" is a class we should all be enrolled in. Almost no one is teaching how we should be living before God. You must seek out this wisdom. It's all right there in the Bible. Principles, commands, freedoms....you will find what you need for every one of life's situations. Good news you have the best teacher of all... The Holy Spirit will teach you as you study and seek wisdom.

Just a side note-Did you know the pastor of the nations largest congregation doesn't even study theology? Wow! These people who are leading us in churches are not even studying theological issues. As we know from scripture, that is how satan works.... feel-good, looks-right religion that is close but is not the faith that will get us to heaven. Counterfeit faith will lead you to hell. Have you examined the differences and the issues of Christianity? Can you spot a counterfeit faith... Just like a fake $20 bill will have Jackson's picture on it, a false Christianity will have Christ in it. Be VERY careful.