In Your Heart

The Christian life is a daily walk.  There's just no getting around it.  You are never on cruise control.  It's forward or reverse.  That's it.  It all starts in the heart.  Proverbs 4:23 says, 'Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.'

So how do you keep your heart healthy?  For me, I don't have a prayer unless I stay in the word, stay in prayer, and spend time exercising.  Ministry life can be rather sedentary in physical activity, and it is important for me to get to the gym and go through the discipline of exercise.  To be sure, exercise can be over-rated, but I think of it as 'temple maintenance'.  Our body is the temple of the Lord and we have a stewardship responsibility there as well as other areas of our lives.

There are some other simple things that are important for me.  I recharge on the golf course.  I know that sounds silly, but it's real.  For years I felt guilty about that.  I don't feel so guilty about it anymore.  Golf gets me outdoors.  It reminds me of being in the fields as a boy on the farm - outdoors in the wide open spaces.  I love the challenge.  Every day is different.  The conditions are different.  The weather is different.  The courses are different.  And I enjoy time with friends.

Now golf may not do it for you, but you need to know what recharges your battery and schedule it regularly.  Now back to the word.  I've been a Christian for 38 years, and I have been on someone's church staff since 1977.  That's 34 years.  That doesn't make me an expert, but I do have some tread wear on my tires.  I simply want to say this:  do not forget the word of God.  Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

One more thing - don't forget your family.  For me time with my family helps me keep the fire burning.  They know me best, yet love me most.  They encourage me, challenge me, sometimes rebuke me, always love me, and are by far my greatest cheerleaders.  I love them dearly.  Don't isolate your family.  Walk this journey together.  Serve the Lord with gladness.

So - guard your heart.  Don't neglect your own body, soul or spirit.  Stay in the word.  Find out what activities add fuel to the fire, and enjoy the journey with your family.  That's all for now!

The Start of a Brand New Day

I've decided to enter the world of blogging.  It's one more opportunity to communicate.  It's from one leader's heart to another.  I'm calling the blog Keep the Fire Burning.  It is the theme of our pastor's and leaders conference at Northside each year.  We had our first conference this past February.  200 leaders gathered from 82 churches and 7 states.  The purpose was to have our faith renewed, for information and inspiration, for revival and renewal, and for encouragement.  But it's bigger than that.  It starts with each individual heart.

The Bible says, 'Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment.'  2 Timothy 1:6-7, HCSB.  In life and in ministry, there is a propensity for letting the fire of God's love and call die out.  We are called to fan that flame.  That is what I hope this blog will do.  I pray it is a tool in the carpenter's hand to encourage many on their journey toward the Lord or with the Lord.  Jesus is the wonderful Savior who loves us more than we can even imagine.

For the sake of souls and the glory of God, I begin this journey.