Tuesday, July 19, 2016

To Tell the Truth

As I write the posts you’re reading, there is a battle inside my head. The voice of my conscience (which can sound sometimes like my wife) inquires, “How can you possibly encourage others with godly advice when you aren’t practicing what you’re blogging to others? Isn’t that called being a hypocrite?”

Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG) makes this observation on the above dilemma. “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.

Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward – to Jesus. I’m off and running and I’m not turning back.”

What about you? Are you allowing your shortcomings to keep you from doing what God is impressing on your heart to accomplish? Here are two examples of what I’m trying to communicate.

Less than a year ago, I chose (in my many shortcomings as a spouse) to complete a marital program called The Love Dare. The benefits of making this choice were worth any doubts I had as to the effectiveness of the final result. Bobbi, my wife, noticed the difference in my actions as her husband. (See Mission Accomplished)

In December of 2014 when the Almighty impressed on my heart to encourage others with my writing ability, I chose to be obedient to that request although I knew all my many shortcomings (spiritually and emotionally).

Look at all the writing practice I’d have missed out on (if I’d made the wrong choice), and the blog, ENCOURAGE ME; you’d never had the choice to read.

I hope you, the reader, are alright with a blogger that is slightly flawed, understands important life issues, and often times needs to practice the advice that he is giving out to others.


Luke 14:11 (MSG) provides this wise advise for us all. “If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if your content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” Do you wish to be perceived by others as “stuck up” or something truly spectacular?

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