preparation for future leaders

lately i have been going through the book of 1 Chronicles. Reading the stories of David in the last half or so of the book has been really interesting for me. Yesterday and today i have read of how David desired to build a house for God (a temple) for the people of Israel to come and worship in and a place for the ark of the covenant to reside. It sounds like a good plan right, build a permanent place one that is fit (or as close to it as man can come) to house the ark of the covenant representing the presence of God. Wrong, God had other things in store, because of David's history in the battlefield God informs him that although it is a good idea for a permanent building David would not be the one to build it, it would be his son Solomon. I'm sure this must have hurt David to know that he wouldn't be the one to build but it didn't stop him. he continued gathering materials getting plans ready etc. preparing for the time when he would step down and another would take his place. Solomon's temple turned out to be everything that David had pictured and probably more, but it all started when a leader decided that he would continue preparing even though he may not be the one to bring it to completion.

godly women

I recently saw a quote that enthralled me. It said, "a girl's heart should be so lost in God that a man has to seek Him to find her." This is an awesome and intriguing quote. A woman who takes this serious is the woman of Proverbs 31:9 " A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." There are two truths that are found in this statement 1) there are still women that are desirous to serve God and glorify His name above all else and 2) there are still men who desire to find them. Though I am a single guy I still have the Word of God that governs my life and throughout the Scripture there are numerous statements of advice in choosing a spouse, many of them found throughout Proverbs. This statement falls right in line with many of them and goes against none of them. A word to women, if this is your hearts desire, continue in it there are men out there who would give anything to find a treasure like you. Men, are responsibilities are not given up in this statement, we still need to stand up and be godly men, spiritually leading in relationships giving the women a godly example to follow and if you find a woman who lives this out treat her like a treasure because that is truly what she is.

dying to live

i recently heard message that for the last couple of days has really been replaying in my mind. it was on Luke 9:23-25 "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" Along with hearing this sermon Wednesday night i taught from Ephesians 4 and 5 which speaks very much so about removing the old nature and living as, since in reality we are, a new man. i have been really contemplating how much i need to change in my daily life if i truly am to be that disciple of Christ living out my new life in him. In the message the pastor made this quote, "you can either live temporarily to die eternally or you can die temporarily to live eternally." there is a lot in those words. this should be not only a one time decision but an ongoing process of dying temporarily to our selfish, sinful desires because of the eternal life that our Lord has given us.

Real Transformation

I was asked recently about the balance between teaching to the heart and teaching to the head in regards to youth ministry. This line can be tough to distinguish at times but is one that we need to think about when ministering with teens. Tipping the balance too far to one side could result in good feelings when involved with the youth group and good emotional status but then upon leaving the youth ministry be pulled away by every wind of doctrine. However; a scale tipped too far the other way would result in the student being so engrossed with being correct in facts about Scripture and upholding their personal image that they would know a lot but fail in bringing that knowledge inward to allow their life to be formed into the image of Christ. These two polar opposites of teaching styles need reconciled (compromising one for the other) but also need not to be forgotten (focusing on one rather than the other). Ministering to people requires the minister to be proficient in both areas, upholding correct doctrine while teaching the students (whether child or adult) to be using that doctrine to impact their life. The head knowledge will probably tend to come out more in arenas of lecture (Sunday school, Worship Services, etc.) while the heart teaching will probably come to fruition more often throughout the week in meetings or conversations that one-on-one or discussion oriented (having coffee with someone, small group, texting conversations, etc.) These are the times when we can teach someone, more effectively, how to transition doctrine from paper to life.

here it goes

so this is my first blog. i went through many names before i came to rest on this one for the url and title for the blog, but i came to rest on this one. i thought of using a verse or a passage of Scripture or something but i couldn't think of any that would sum up all i wanted in the title. As i was flipping through my Bible looking for something i came across Galatians 2:11 which had a very familiar phrase in it, one that is repeated several times throughout Scripture and the theme of which is likewise seen from cover to cover. It is the phrase "the righteous shall live by faith." That is what the i desire for my life, to be a righteous man, one who lives by faith. But the grave reality is that i am not there yet, but i am striving to be there. Hence the name "striving for faith." I would challenge you to never be content with the status quo, there are many christians that i have encountered who settle living with medeoquer faith. that is not my goal in life. i strive to be someone who is constantly challenging myself, to observe the moments that God has blessed me with where i can stretch my faith trusting and relying on Him to His work His way, my prayer is that you do the same. This blog is going to be focused around my thoughts on things that God is allowing me to learn and observe so that i can grow in my life of faith, i would love to share my journey with you, so come along and enjoy the ride.