You Cannot Manage Sin

Several months ago a very good friend of mine, Rick Schatz called and asked me if I would be interested in writing some devotionals for a book to be published for men. I was very honored and thrilled to be a part of a project with some men I have admired for many years. Over the next few days I will share some the devotionals that I wrote. You must also remember that when I speak and write, it is generally something that God is directing at me. The book has recently been released and I think that it is really good. It is titled "On the Road" devotionals for men who travel.

You Cannot Manage Sin

John 5:14

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

John 5:14 (NIV)

The phone call is as clear today as it was a few years ago. It was a regular phone check-up with a very close friend to see how he was doing. He had been battling alcoholism for years and had been in and out of different rehab programs.

I asked him how he was doing with the alcohol issue and he responded with the almost normal reply, “Not bad” he said “I seem to be doing better.” Then it hit me…..He was ok with his drinking. He just wanted to get it to an acceptable level. He wanted to get his life right but still be able to drink.

It was one of those incredible wake-up calls for me. My friend was like me and most men. We think that we can beat the problem by working our way out of it. You know -- gradually getting to where we want to be in life.

We think that we can establish acceptable levels of sin that will in some way be pleasing to God.

In doing so it allows us to continue to sin but to a lesser degree so we can report that we are doing better.

So often we like to compare ourselves and our lives with really bad sins so our lives, by comparison, do not look that bad. It is like we are saying, “Come on-- give me a break. I did not kill anyone today.”

We want to ignore the sin as we let our eyes wander and even dwell on ladies inappropriately. We say to ourselves, a little look won’t hurt; after all I am getting better.

We spew out a few curse words but justify it by the heat of the moment; but again, we are getting better. Isn’t that what God wants? Jesus did not tell the man “Go and sin less each day and eventually you will become healed and free from this thing.” He said, “Go and sin no more.”

Sin is sin. God does not give us acceptable levels that are more pleasing to Him that others. There are not degrees of sin which are established by comparison with others to make us feel that we are doing better.

One of the most important steps is to look at our lives and really ask the question, “Where have I established acceptable levels of sin in my life?”

Perhaps it is time to really listen to Jesus when he said, “Stop sinning.” Pray and ask God to show you where you have established “acceptable levels” of sin and ask Him to give you the strength to stop sinning. Start with one area of your life and refuse to believe satan that some sin will be ok today. As a result our progress will then be pleasing to God.

Staying Connected

Yesterday, I made the decision to call a friend just to thank them for investing in me and being a part of my life. The decision to make a call resulted in several. Some were planned and others just happened.
I try to speak at least every other day with each of our two sons who live in other states. In addition, I get to see or speak with our daughter who lives here in Littleton nearly every day. I also connect with Ray Morgan, one of our board members nearly every day for accountability and to do life together.

Here were the three calls that I decided to make yesterday. One was a no-brainer. My youngest sister had a birthday on Monday and I called to wish her a blessed and Happy Birthday. This was important since she and I have shared seasons of stupidity where we let things get in the way of our genuine love for one another. I am trying to strengthen a foundation so that does not happen again.

Secondly, I spoke with a man from California who I met at a couple of men’s events. I did not even have his number and he sent it to me on FaceBook so that I could call. Terry and I have exchanged notes of encouragement over the past year, but there are times when it is important to hear each other’s voice.

In the midst of the day, I received a call from a great friend and brother. He and I had exchanged some emails and knew that we both needed to connect just to “catch-up.” The call with David was overdue for both of us.

Finally, I called a longtime friend just to talk. I had no agenda that prompted the call. My need was to talk with Frank.

Frank Burrows has been “mentoring” me for twenty years. We first met in 1989 when our family moved to Fairfax, VA. Frank and Doris began “investing” in our entire family--not just Frank in my life and Doris in my wife’s but both of them into our sons’ lives as well.

Several years ago when God really began to stir in me regarding men’s ministry, Frank was one of my strongest encouragers. In 1992, we were re-assigned to Rome, Italy. Frank continued to encourage me regarding ministry to men. It was his specific loving prod that helped me take steps to start a small ministry to men and our sons while still in the military. That experience would lead to my seeking out a position with Promise Keepers in 1994 when I retired.

The years with Frank and Doris have had an incredible impact on me. He has a gentle wisdom that can quietly seep through the cracks to reach inside me.

Frank is 82 years old and still more active than men half his age. Yesterday when we spoke, he had already completed his daily routine of exercise followed by leading an exercise class for some “old people”—since he is young. He was very busy because he is also president of the homeowners association.

It had been too long since we last spoke. I am glad I called.

But I wonder..how many are privileged to have a “Frank Burrows” in their lives. It is not too late to find someone.

As a note, in the midst of a few calls, I did get some other work done. It is not an either/or but both.

Trying to be Believable

Have you ever listened to a person but there was something about them that did not bear witness to their words? I have on several occasions. Sometimes I could figure it out, and at other times I just had this feeling. When you are super spiritual, you can call that feeling "discernment" and really sound important. So being really spiritual, I have on several occasions discerned a discrepancy between a person's words and their life.

The problem is when the person in question is me. That is where I fall into the pattern that I have spoken about to many men. I first justify the situation; and if that does not work, I make an excuse. Finally, my last resort is to try to shift the blame. It is a clear Biblical pattern that can be seen in many men. It is so much easier to speak about many men than to focus on one man--me!

Let me "cut to the chase" so to speak. Regularly I speak to me about getting started and doing something. I also speak about the need for "spiritual disciplines" in our lives. About two weeks ago I had this feeling of discrepancy between my words and my life.

How can any man believe me when I talk about the need for spiritual disciplines when I cannot even discipline myself to get into a good physical condition and lose weight. I am not talking about Olympic conditioning. I am talking about some basic health principles in my life--the disciplines needed to eat healthy (both quantity and type of food) and the discipline to exercise to maintain health and an energy level to fight the battles of this life as God intended.

So here is the deal... sort of up close and personal for everyone to know. On Monday, June 1, 2009 I weighed myself and saw a number I had not seen before for me...258.5 lbs. Since I have not received a call from the Broncos to play this year, it is time to make my life match my words.

In the first week, I focused on eating properly; and the second week I started exercising with the help of my son, Chad. After two weeks I am down 11.5 lbs. My goal is to reduce my weight to 215 lbs by the end of 2009. In addition, I want to run 5 miles in less than 40 minutes. There are other things that I could focus on, but this is a start.

The bottom line is that anyone and everyone are free to ask me about my weight, eating and exercise.

I want my words to represent God better than what I believe I am now doing. I want to be believable so that anyone who hears me or is around me will know that my God is believable.

This is just a test to determine if I can blog from my phone.

Let us go to the other side

In Mark 4:35, Jesus said to the Disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." So with absolute confidence the Disciples felt very comfortable to go with Jesus. Really...what could happen? They were following Jesus.

The seven verses from Mark 4:35 to 41 tell us so much.

1. Even following Jesus we may encounter some of the worst storms imaginable. In the boat were fishermen and some tough guys. Many of them had been in bad storms before. Yet, this one was so bad they feared for their lives... even with Jesus on board. Following Jesus does not exempt any of us from fierce storms in life.


2. Others started out with them. Mark 4:36b "There were other boats with him." When the water is calm and it is a nice day others will certainly join in. There is no mention of any other boats at the time of the storm. Do you think the others would only go so far and turn back? Maybe they saw the indications of a storm and turned back. Others may start with us but many will turn back and we must learn to rely on Jesus not others.


3. Doubt came upon the Disciples with Jesus in there presence. Some may tell us that if we have doubt, we are too far from Jesus. I do not believe it for a moment. the Disciples had incredible doubt and Jesus was so close they could touch Him. Doubt may come when we are walking close to Jesus and storms come. To doubt our faith is not a sign that we are not close to Jesus. God is using that moment to strengthen our faith. While it is not a sin to doubt...Don't live there, just visit.

4. They thought they knew Jesus and He showed them more of Him. Verse 41.. "They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Just when we think we know Jesus he will surprise us and show us more of Him than we expected. Day by day and moment by moment, Jesus continues to show me more of Him than I could ever imagine.

So for me, each day is like getting in the boat again with Jesus with the promise of going to the other side. Some days (and nights) are marked by storms and others are calm. Often I cannot anticipate. I am learning to trust.

Have a great day going to the other side with Jesus today!!

Show Me Your Friends

There is an old saying that goes, “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.” This statement could not have been made any clearer for me than it was this past weekend.

My wife, Billie, and I traveled to New England for the wedding of my youngest sister, Sandee. We were joined there by my sister Kitty, and her husband, John, from North Carolina and our cousin Pam and her husband, Bill, from Ohio. As we participated in the weekend activities, we observed several things that the many pictures cannot accurately portray. In many ways the old adage, “You just had to be there” was very true.

Something very significant happened while pictures were being taken. Ken our new brother (in-law), asked for all the guys from Lebanon class of “74.” Seven guys came running and joined Ken for the picture. Then it hit me…..all of these guys had been friends for nearly forty years. Not only that, but their families, including their wives and children were friends as well.

In the toast I offered, I made a comment about the groom’s friends and how comfortable it was for me and my family to see the bonds of friendship that had been forged over time.

During the course of the evening, nearly every one of the guys from the “Lebanon Class of 74” made it a point to quietly tell me that Sandee was in good hands; and they personally gave me their word that she would be safe in their community.

I know far more about my new brother (in-law) now than I could have ever learned by talking to him alone. I know this.... Ken has surrounded himself with good men.

How many friends can we count that have been our friends for over 40 years?? How about 30?? How about 20??

The real question is “What type of person does one need to be to develop friendships that will last over 40 years?”

I want to be that type of person and friend.