Fruitful Discipline

A good friend and mentor sat me down some months ago and challenged me with the following phrase.

"Seek fruitfulness, and train yourself in body, mind, and spirit."

His words have caused ripples in my pursuits since then, effecting my daily disciplines, my work, my job-search, and my marriage.  You know what else has been changed?  My physical fitness.  I've taken his admonition seriously, and I thought by sharing my thoughts and actions with these things that you, our friends and family, might benefit.

Fruitfulness

In Galatians, Paul writes of the fruits of the Spirit.  These are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  In contrast to the Spiritual gifts (prophecy, teaching, tongues, healing, etc.), which are apportioned differently to each person,  believers will all be growing in each of the fruits of the Spirit if aligning themselves in their understanding of scripture, their obedience to it, and their openness to repentance and knowing God moment by moment.  What does this mean?  A person in any circumstance, if desiring to grow in these fruits and walking in accordance to God's known will, ought to be growing up "to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

For me, this has meant taking my part-time work, my full-time job-search, my purity, my friendships, my marriage, my physical fitness, and my reading/studying of the Bible more seriously.  I think Ashley would agree with me that I have grown in these things, not without flaws of course.

Training (Discipline)
One of the greatest resources I've looked to for growth is a book called "Disciplines of a Godly Man" by R. Kent Hughes.  This book is a collection of insightful, practical, and purpose-filled words regarding growth in all kinds of ways.  From the discipline of purity to the discipline of ministry, he lays out what scripture clearly calls us to as men of God.  The verse drawn on throughout the book is Paul's straight-forward call to Timothy,

"... train (discipline) yourself to be godly." (1 Timothy 4:7)

What has been most challenging to me?  Probably physical fitness.  My friend Jason and I have been working out at the YMCA pretty consistently multiple times a week for a few months.  I'm sure my doctor would be pleased!

A Little Sweat
I encourage you to take a look at your own life and circumstances and ask the questions,

"What am I weak in?  How could I be growing?  Am I going to do it?"

I'm thankful to my friend and mentor for challenging me with these words.  Putting a little sweat into reading books intentionally for growth, seeking better relationships, and walking closer with God has eternal value.


May God bless you!

Sources of Tension and Relief

I haven't written a blog for a long time, partly due to schoolwork, partly due to rest. Certain days mean long periods of homework, labwork, and job-searching, and I like to rest with Ashley on the days when Mines lets up a little.

I'm sure everyone enjoys Ashley's blogs (as do I), but I figured I'd take a quick work break and contribute today since my name also appears as an author on this blog (--->).

The long days of work take a toll on Ashley and me. Being at Mines most days (and now at Red Rocks to take the Dietary Nutrition class on Saturdays) means that I spend that time learning hard and working feverishly to get as much time at home with Ashley as possible. A lot of days, I walk in the door just relieved to see her face. I also generally feel a sense of pride knowing that I worked long and hard. Not yet having a job lined up after my graduation this December tends to worry me more than anything else most days. There seems to be something at the core of manhood that prompts us men to have a plan of provision for our family. That's a good thing. It puts on the pressure when we're being lazy, and it gives us a great way to spend our time: working.

The other day I heard a sermon by Mark Driscoll talking about our prayers, that they arise to God like an incense, and he hears them whether or not we feel it. Some days knowing that God hears and will answer our prayers in time is the greatest encouragement of all.

I know that God will hear our prayers for:
- Ashley's neck and back pain relief
- A job so I can provide for my family
- Our friends and family to know God's heart and mind in Jesus Christ

I don't have an eloquent end for this post, but I ask for your continued prayers for Ashley and me. We trust in God for provision, not only of our basic financial needs, but in his continued presence and love for us. Jesus Christ is our bedrock, and we have a solid place to stand in the day of adversity.

Say it with me, "I'm the Best!"

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."  I read this recently.  As I've skimmed this verse in the past, I've usually thought something like,

"Oh Paul.  Yeah, you knew you were the worst.  You drug around Christians to have them killed.  Bad dude."

But, something different came to me next after this reading.  You see, I hadn't connected this passage with Philippians 3:3-7 before.  In it, Paul says, "...put no confidence in the flesh---though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.  If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more...[insert Paul's resume here]."  I finally realized that Paul isn't so much down on himself in his writings to Timothy as he is prescribing a thought to Timothy, and ultimately, to me.

You see, Paul is saying that I should follow the thought, "I am the foremost sinner" because of the next verse.

"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life."

I'm a sinner.  You're a sinner.  We're the worst (or you could say the best at sinning).  Believe it.  Believe it because it's true, and because we can rejoice that Jesus is displaying his patience with us and through us. 

May I say Impressed?

I have read a blog post Ashley wrote for the new Young Married Life blog on Focus on the Family's website several times and I am impressed.  I am impressed first of all with Ashley's writing.  Sometimes she is overcritical of her own writing (which I've noticed is common among writers.  Even C.S. Lewis thought himself unqualified at first.)  Then, I look at her work and can confidently encourage her that she does a great job writing about all kinds of things.  Her humor, insights, and style flow well, and I find myself checking our website often to see if she's been posting while I'm on campus.

The second person I remain impressed with is my Mom.  In the blog Ashley wrote you can see her loving compassion and deference to Ashley in all the ways that matter most.  Ashley and I have both felt a sincere effort from our parents to remain unobtrusive, yet still expressing genuine interest and love.

Thanks Mom, and thanks to Dad, and Ashley's parents as well!

The last one I'll say I'm impressed with in this post is Jesus Christ (feels like I'm accepting a Grammy, doesn't it?).  In all seriousness, he's been our close companion, teacher and comforter.  Spending time in the Word in the mornings has given Ashley and I insight into His words and love for us and every other person.  Lately, I've been challenged thinking about how Jesus was right when he said we'd experience many troubles in this life.  The troubles we've found being married and working and studying and trying to know Him are great, but His joy is present even greater for us as a result.