Pride (What Is It Good For - Say It Again . . . )

For everyone who grew up in the greatest era of music the world has ever known, the 60's and the 70's, the title of this blog should be sang using the music of the song, "War". [Credit: Edwin Starr (1970)]

Okay, now that the little bit of musical housekeeping is out of the way, a confession is in order. The majority of topics and truths that I have addressed over the years in this blog, for the most part, apply to my own life. The speak directly to my personal failings in my attempts to be a better husband, father, employee, friend, family member and Christ follower. They are choices, and sins, motivated by my prideful nature, that thankfully God has faithfully been working to remove from my character over the years. I truly shudder to think about all of the ways that I have disappointed Him, damaging the Kingdom of God, but even worse, openly rebelling against Him, all under the banner of my pride. 

All of my sins choices were a direct result of loving my own choices more than I wanted to obey His commandments in my life. This blog is a well of experience in how not to live your life, and how not to obey the One who loves you the most. This is not something I am in anyway proud of but I believe that sometimes bringing the darkness into the light diminishes the power of sin over our own lives. That is why the title of this blog simply says, "broken person | Jesus is fixing". 

I am, to a great extent, a product of the culture of my youth, where drawing attention to oneself was never frowned upon, but the opposite was also true, that sharing the darkest parts of one's character was never acceptable as well. 

Reading the Word of God with Purpose

Just a few quick thoughts on what I have learned over the years about reading the Bible. This also applies to any platform that I'm using to learn more about God. 

I believe that there are three stages to learning about the character and truth about God. (This is by no means an original way to study and apply God's Word, but I honestly can't remember who or even when I learned this truth)

Ready to jump in? 

"In the Last Days . . . "

"But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people—who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith—also oppose the truth. But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone." (2 Timothy 3:1-9 NET)

Some quick thoughts about this instruction from Paul to his follower, Timothy. In this letter, Paul is describing the ramifications of the end time of history - and what is sobering is that the list of sins that follow the proclamation that "difficult times will come" don't even seem to be that out-of-the-norm in today's culture. Just take for instance the description that in the end days that children will be disobedient to their parents, for anyone that has worked in any childcare environment (including church) the exception is the child that is obedient to his/her parents. And before we point our fingers toward the world in judgement a gentle reminder that this instruction to Timothy is about the people in the church! Of course those who don't love Christ are going to embrace self-love and serve their own interests, but Paul is telling Timothy that members of the church are going to embrace the sins listed above. 

Eight Things I've Learned Playing Chess

Recently I’ve been thinking about chess as a microcosm to life. While our time on earth isn’t a board game, there are legitimate and essential connections between being a good chess player and being successful at anything you do. 

So without further ado, here are seven things I've learned playing chess.

1. Have a plan

No matter your ambitions in life, you’ll fail without a plan.

Yes, people get lucky “shooting from the hip” from time to time, but everyone knows that successful people make plans and follow through. It doesn’t matter if you’re an architect, surgeon, artist, teacher, programmer, or athlete; regardless of your profession or passion, if you don’t have a plan, you’ll fail.

2. Reflect

In chess, calculated risks are essential to victory. Computers calculate that after the first four moves of a chess game, there are 4,865,609 possible games that could be played out. Process that for a minute.

One of the greatest axioms of life is that people who reflect are people who improve. If you’re improving, you’re heading in the right direction.The point is that without an active process to learn from each of your games, it is impossible to improve as a player. I've found this translates into most areas of my life as well. 

3. See The Big Picture

I can't tell you how many times I've stared at the chess board, my position, and then fixated on what I perceived to be the best strategy of play. The problem with this approach is that I will almost always fail to notice superior moves that would have better advanced my position. Two quick takes: The obvious is not always the best choice and Keep evaluating your environment and try to avoid taking the easy path to your decisions.