Obedience = Success

Our culture directly associates Godly obedience with success, and consequently we associate failure with disobedience.

If I have been obedient, why did my company fail. Why did I fail? Was I fully obedient? Perhaps God does not view failure the same way that we do here on Earth.

I have prayed for 6 years that God would transform me into the man, husband, father, and leader that He wants me to become.

If my business had been successful, and I had become wealthy then I would have become self-reliant. I would not have needed God to intervene in my daily activities.

He is far more concerned with my character and my relationship with Him than the size of my checkbook balance or my influence here on Earth.

While I was going through the trial, many around me assumed that I must have been disobedient since my business failed so miserably. I was told to "go get a job," but I continued to follow the Lord each day.

During those difficult times, food arrived miraculously. Checks came mysteriously. Work that funded our necessities flowed regularly. Our family pulled closer together, and we became totally dependent on Him for our daily needs. He never failed us.

My heart has been changed, my character has been molded, and my relationship with Him has been strengthened through the pain of my failures. I believe that none of these changes would have happened if my first business attempts had been instantly successful.

When I felt directed by the Lord to get a job, He directed my paths and led me to an organization where I was needed. He sent me to a place where He could use me to make a difference.

Looking back on the past 6 years, I do believe that I was obedient throughout the entire process. I believe that He wanted to strip me down to bare metal before building me back up again. I have come to learn that God views success and failure differently than I do.

As I continue to heal from the pain of failure, I can start to see that God has answered my prayer and given me my heart's desire. I am becoming the man, husband, father, and leader that He created me to be.

My obedience has resulted in a successful transformation that did not happen in the way I imagined, but He is still God and I am forever changed.

Daily Sacrifice Rebellion

Ezekiel 18:30-32

"The upshot is this, Israel: I'll judge each of you according to the way you live. So turn around! Turn your backs on your rebellious living so that sin won't drag you down. Clean house. No more rebellions, please. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit! Why would you choose to die, Israel? I take no pleasure in anyone's death. Decree of God, the Master. "Make a clean break! Live!"

I must daily decide to sacrifice my rebellious spirit to do the right things. I had a difficult time getting into my workout this morning, and my body just wanted to go back to bed.

Getting up and doing my workout was the first step to forming a habit and teaching the rebellious spirit to go away. I only have to take this step 88 more times before the habit will be cemented into a routine.

Exercise: 4:20am

P90X Video - 02 Plyometrics

Completed the first 30 min

Nutrition:

• Protein Shake
  

P90X Day 1

Ezekiel 15:7-8
I am dead set against them. Even though at one time they got out of the fire charred, the fire's going to burn them up. When I take my stand against them, you'll realize that I am God. I'll turn this country into a wilderness because they've been faithless." (Your Beauty went to your head)

Has our beauty gone to our heads?
The United States was founded on Godly principles by men and women that sought after His will. God has poured about his abundance to us, and we have become fat, lazy, and complacent. Time and time again, complacency got the Israelite's into trouble, and it may become our demise as well.

The "Greatest Generation" got us out of the Great Depression through years of fighting difficult wars and decades of hard work. These men and women made the difficult costly decisions in the short term so that we could change our situation in the long term.

Can we really expect the entitled Nintendo generation to do the work necessary to turn this country around? This is my generation's mess, and we are responsible for cleaning it up.

The first step to becoming a leader of nations is to daily lead myself. My P90X journey is the first step in this process, and I hope that you consider starting a fitness and nutrition journey of your own.

Exercise: 04:30
P90X Video - 01 Chest & Back
Completed the first 40 min

Nutrition:

• Cliff Builders Bar
• Tuna & Whole Wheat Tortilla
  
• Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Lean Ground Beef
• Protein Shake
  

The Right Time

1 Peter 5:5-6

"But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—

God has had it with the proud,
But takes delight in just plain people.

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time."

I am daily working on contentment. I must continue to work towards the goal, but not push too hard. I must not rush God's timing. He will promote me in his time.

Heart of a Loving Father

10/31/2010 13:30

Background:

Our good friends sacrificially gave us a mana car 6 months ago, and it has been a blessing to our family. In spite of all the work that they had done on the car, the engine had a catastrophic failure last month. We have refused to borrow money, and we have been borrowing cars to get us around town for the past month.

Key Point from Pastor Jon's Sermon:

Will my request draw me closer to Jesus or drive a wedge between us?

Today has been an emotional day as I had an encounter with Jesus this afternoon. God demonstrated His love for us in a miraculous way.

Between services a couple from our church let us test drive their 2001 Mustang. My father has a 1964 1/2 Mustang, and I have always wanted one so that we could go to car shows together. It was a wonderful car, but seemed impracticable for our family.

We had an appointment to test drive a 1996 Honda Accord in Tacoma at noon. On the way there, I felt Jesus prompt me to believe for both vehicles.

I broke down crying while driving on I-5. We have been in this deep trial for so long, and I have seen my dreams die so many times that I have become afraid to believe for anything wonderful. I would have been very happy to get our car running again.

Both vehicle owners are Christians, and they have been looking for good homes for their vehicles. The entire process has been divinely orchestrated, and we good feel God's presence on the test drives.

A mechanic in our church found an engine for our mana car, and we plan to bless another family in the church with this vehicle.

We still have to work out the details, but God has gone beyond meeting a need and is demonstrating the generous heart of a loving father.

Forged Faith

Journal Entry 10/31/2010 5:30am

Mark 8:17
Why are you still talking about having no bread?

They were so focused on their need that they missed the miracle in front of them.

Do I ever miss the miracles that Jesus has sent? Am I so focused on my finances or transportation problems that I miss the miracle? God stretched the little money that we did have over 10 months of unemployment, and He provided cars for us to drive for free. He even allowed us to remain in our house rent free for over a year.

While my encounter did not happen the way that I expected or wanted, Jesus was faithful, and His promise was fulfilled either way. My pride kept me from being set free from financial bondage sooner. Over the course of our trial, my faith was increased, and my relationship with Him was forged through the testing.

Fresh Start

Psalm 145:14
God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

Jesus, Thank you for the job and the fresh start!