Blocking Sled

When I was in 7th grade, I was a bit overweight so when it came to playing football, they put me on the offensive line.  Actually, I was a left guard. I really didn’t think I belonged there.  I hated blocking and playing “bit parts” in the success of the team. I also hated the blocking sled. Most people know what a blocking sled is, but if you don’t, its just a bunch of metal that is on a “skid” platform that lineman “hit” and push in order to practice their skill.  (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YL0o-kjEGA) Notice I said skill because that’s …

Molded into Godly Character

Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)   *** *** *** *** As I mentioned yesterday, your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).   God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us. All three are indispensable for character development. God’s Word provides the truth we need to grow, God’s people provide the support we need to grow, and …

God’s Spirit Is Working in You

God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 (NLT)   *** *** *** *** It is the Holy Spirit’s job to produce Christlike character in you.   The Bible says, “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). This process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification.   You cannot reproduce the character of Jesus on your own strength. New Year’s resolutions, willpower, and …

A God-Fashioned Life

Take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)   *** *** *** ***   Many religions and New Age philosophies promote the old lie that we are divine or can become gods. Let me be absolutely clear: you will never become God, or even a god.   That prideful lie is Satan’s oldest temptation. Satan promised Adam and Eve that if they followed his advice, “you shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:5 KJV). …

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

The last few summers have been laced with superhero movies. We’ve been inundated with your Spidermans, your Supermans, your Iron Mans, and your Hulks…and get ready for the train to keep rolling–”Watchman” (a DIFFERENT kind of superhero story) is coming out next March. But it seems as though all of those films were leading up to this, the most anticipated superhero flick possibly in the history of film mainly because of one tragic fact: one of the cast members ultimately died from the intensity of his role. Guess who? Answer at the end of the show. Yes, we all know …

Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do

Dads, futures dads, and all dudes … Take 10 minutes and check this out! Warning: Don’t show this to many women – chances are they will disagree and want to argue with you about it! (HT: The Art of Manliness)

Created to Become Like Christ

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. Romans 8:29 (MSG)   *** *** *** ***   From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NCV).   In all of …

Reflections on the 2008 MLB All-Star Game

Quite a few people are talking about the MLB All-Star game Tuesday night. It was an amazing game that I think should go down as a classic in All-Star game history. One of the big debates, however, centers around the pitching situation. There were at least two pitchers who participated in the extra innings of the game whose regular season teams didn’t want them to play because of pitching they had done previous to the game. I’m sympathetic to teams who want to protect the arms of their stars, but I think it sucks for the game that there was …

God Smiles When We Use Our Abilities

He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do. Psalm 33:15 (MSG)   *** *** *** ***   After the flood, God gave Noah these simple instructions: ‘‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Genesis 9:1, 3 NIV).   God said, “It’s time to get on with your life! Do the things I designed humans to do. Make love to your spouse. Have babies. Raise families. Plant crops and eat …

God and the unashamed dog

I have had some limited experience training hunting dogs. While doing so I quickly discovered that dogs who don’t listen are both annoying and usually destined for pain. Yesterday I heard a man speak on obedience. His message was for all children from one to twenty-one. No … actually his talk was for me as well. His name is Hank Hough and he relates the obedience his dog has to him, to the obedience we need to demonstrate to our Heavenly Father. Hank’s theme is built on solid Biblical principles, and he has been all over America presenting the message …