::Devotional:: ‘Bitterness Is In The Eye Of The Beholder’

Satan’s crafty.  There’s no two ways about that.  He’s always trying to convince me that I’m “owed” something; that I deserve something.  Many times he points out what I’m owed that others haven’t given.  Does he do that to anyone else?

::Devotional:: ‘Created In His Image’

In the past week, my entire world has changed as my wife Leigh Ann and I welcomed our son Maverick into this world on January 2nd at exactly 8:00 am.  I’ve spent the past few days in constant awe of everything he does, even down to his sneezes and dirty diapers.  Just to think that God enabled my wife and I to contribute to the creation of such a beautiful little boy is enough to keep me pondering for years and years.  Every intricate detail of my son’s development over the past nine months was completely controlled by God himself.  He literally created Maverick and the Bible says He did so in his own image.

::Devotional:: ‘Happy 2011’

I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who stops by and visits here at The Journey.  My purpose in blogging has never been to wow or impress anyone, but simply to share my journey as a believer with others.  My prayer is that my struggles and victories are relatable to others and that in some way they can be used by the Holy Spirit to stir others in their walk with the Lord.

::Devotional:: ‘Prayer According To The Word’

I’ve always struggled with consistency in prayer.  Have you?  I’m not talking about the type of prayer that is lifted up in dire times or desperate circumstances or even the type of prayer that is lifted up in a prayer service with other believers.  I’ve been able to manage those just fine.  It’s been the daily prayers that I’ve struggled with.

::Devotional:: ‘Salvation Has Come For All To See’

I guess two things have really hit me about Christmas music on the radio this year.  For one thing, they started the day after Halloween on some stations which is way too early in my opinion. Ha!  Secondly, I realized that many stations who would avoid mentioning the name Jesus are broadcasting song after song about him 24 hours a day.  Under the guise of Christmas carols, many people are unaware of the depth of the messages within the lyrics they sing.  What’s really interesting to me is that many of these carols are sung worldwide in various nations and various tongues.  God has placed the message of salvation through Jesus Christ before the whole world for people to see.

::Devotional:: ‘A Man of Conviction’

It’s interesting over the past 9 months how my thought process about many things has included a new component because I’m a father.  I’ve begun to make decisions and process thoughts based on how I would want to lead and teach my son Maverick.  All the parenting magazines talk about changes in “mommy” of the course of 9 months but this “daddy” has experienced a great deal of mental change during that time.

::Devotional:: ‘The Role of Disciplinarian’

As I prepare for fatherhood, one of the things that I’m looking forward to the least is having to discipline my son.  Training myself through God’s word this morning, the responsibilities I have as the disciplinarian in the home have been brought to my attention.  Interestingly enough, disciplining my son is not a separate role from teaching or training my son in the ways and words of the Lord.  Everything is tied in together.

::Devotional:: ‘When The Devil Beats You Down’

Have you ever felt like some days Satan jumps on your back and just won’t let up?  Temptations seem to be more prevalent, memories of past sins are vibrant in your mind, and you begin to just feel whipped.  I recently had a day like that and reminded myself that when the devil beats you down you have to look to Jesus to get back up.

::Devotional:: ‘You Only Have One Chance To Raise A Child’

“You only have one chance to raise a child.”  I read that several months ago in our local paper and it has stuck in my mind ever since.  It has been the source of discussion at our school about the importance of Christian education and it has given me much to think about as a father.  In fact, the more I ponder that statement the more I realize how much I need God to help me be a father as he’s called me to be according to his word.

::Devotional:: ‘Sowing The Seed In My Son’

Yesterday marked 1 month until Maverick’s due date.  Can you believe that?  One month away?  It seems like just a few weeks ago that my wife and I were announcing we were expecting.  Where has the time gone?  I have a feeling I’m going to be saying that a lot as a father now aren’t I?  Feeling especially unqualified in the fatherhood department this morning, I returned to a familiar passage of scripture on being a godly father, Ephesians 6:4.