What Are You Pursuing?
I have been thinking recently about the things that people pursue. There is the pursuit of happiness, the pursuit of significance, the pursuit of health, and of course the pursuit of economic stability. My strong encouragement to you would be the PURSUIT OF HOLINESS. Jerry Bridges, in his book of the same title states, "Our first problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We are more concerned about our own 'victory' over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God." God wants us to walk in obedience--not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. There is absolutely nothing more exciting than this pursuit where you will be challenged every single day to obey God's command of holiness. stay off the paved road --Craig

"Most Livable City"

"Pittsburgh has reclaimed the top spot in a new ranking of the nation’s most livable cities.The 25th anniversary edition of "The Places Rated Almanac" will put our town on top for the first time since we shocked the world with that ranking in 1985. This is the first time a city has repeated in the number one spot. Editors looked at factors such as housing, transportation, jobs, education, climate, crime, health care, recreation and ambience. There are people moving into Pittsburgh. This is something that might be lost by those of us who live here. Pittsburgh has dropped as low as 14th in 1997 and 12th in 1999, the last year that the listings were done. Pittsburgh is also the only city to finish in the top 20 every time." I agree that Pittsburgh is a great place to live and our family has enjoyed calling it home for the last 15 years. I also have a passion to see a mighty movement of God in our area that would result in spiritual awakening and revival. LET US PRAY ...craig

When we get to the place where we think it is all about us, we need to look intently at God's Word. God's glory is revealed from Genesis to Revelation. There are some one on one places in the scripture where the Psalmist speaks directly to God about who HE is. I would like to share some of those with you.

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." 3:3

"O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise." 8:1-2

"O Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." 16:5

"You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." 16:11

"I will call on you O God for you will answer me;" 17:6

"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You O Lord keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." 18:27-28

Let me encourage you in several areas. First, GAZE at the FATHER; Ask HIM to show you more of HIS glory; Put yourself in a place where the place is not about you; Reflect HIS glory. ...Craig

In My previous post I asked the question, "Why do we always think we need to promote ourselves?" This is not uncommon thinking, even within the church. The idea that "It's Not About Me" actually offends some people. I previously recommended Max Lucado's Book It's Not About Me". In an interview posted on beliefnet, he discuses some of the questions that people often raise about the book's premise.

Considering the fact that many think exactly the same way, I am including a portion of the interview. You will not have to have read the book to get the point.

Interviewer: I do love the idea of it’s not about me, because there’s a letting-go quality and also a humility that is a relief. At the same time, there were times when I was reading the book when I felt you were describing a God who seemed very remote in the sense that it was sort of like, “Pull up your socks and too bad, baby.”

"That is exactly the response that many people gave. After I presented that message to the church, people said, “That’s a fascinating thought,” and so I kept unpacking it. Later, two or three people wrote me letters. One of them specifically said, “I think it is all about me.” And this was a real good man in our church. And he was saying, “God loves me, and He cares for me and I’m the prodigal son and He sent His son to die for me.” What he was hearing me say was “If it’s all about God, then I’m just a puppet.”

That’s how I felt, honestly.

"I tried to respond to that twofold. One: the most important illustration in the book is asking people to imagine themselves drowning in the ocean because their ship has gone down and the sky is dark and the ocean water is about to consume them and they’re running out of energy and the voice they want to hear most is the voice of the lifeboat pilot. What matters at that moment is his strength and his power and his ability. In other words, his glory. That’s what the word glory means--strength and power and ability—the attributes of God. The reason God wants his glory to be big is because that’s what the world according to the Bible means--a God who has a lifeboat big enough to save us. So to say, “It’s not about me” doesn’t mean that God isn’t concerned with me. Quite the opposite, because God is concerned about us. He wants His glory to be the big issue."

In my next post I will share some Psalms that will direct you to the GLORY OF THE FATHER!
Letting it be about Him ...craig

With God's Word instructing us otherwise, why is that we always think we need to promote and exalt ourselves? I have been reminded in recent days that the life I live is "not about me." It is all about the "one whom I serve." While the Bible is our ultimate and final source of instruction and revelation, God has used His servants to practically remind us of why we are on the planet?

I want to recommend several books to you. The first is It's Not About Me by Max Lucado. A lengthier read would be The Pleasures of God by John Piper. A third recommendation is a book written more than 500 years ago. It is called The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A' Kempis. A' Kempis lived between 1380-1471. Even though you may have never heard of the book, it was once called the best loved, most widely read religious book in the world, after the Bible. It should be noted that in an increasingly secular age, the popularity of the booked has waned. The problem...the mantra of our current culture screams "It's all about me."

I want to share a segment of the book for your reflection, contemplation and prayer. Remember it was written over 500 years ago.

Rarely is anyone found so spiritual as to be stript of the love of all earthly things. For where is any man to be found that is poor in spirit, and free from all creatures? "From afar, yea, from the ends of the earth, is his value." (prov. 31:10) If a man should give all his substance, yet it is nothing. And if he should practice great repentance, still it is little. And if he should attain to all knowledge, he still is afar off. And if he should be of great virtue, and very fervent devotion, yet there is much wanting; especially, one thing, which is most necesary for him. What is that? That leaving all, he forsake himself, and go wholly from himself, (Matthew 16:24) and retain nothing out of self-love?

And when he is done all that is to be done, as far as he knoweth, let him think that he has done nothing. Let him not reckon that much, which might be esteemed but let him pronounce himself in truth an unprofitabel servant, as the Truth himself saith, "When you shall have done all things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants." (Luke 17:10) Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit, and say with the prophet, "I am alone and poor." (Psalm 25:16) Yet no man richer than he, no man more free: for he can leave himself and all things, and set himself in the lowest place.

What a tremendous understanding of God and man. I can see why the book has become less popular over the centuries. It runs in opposition to the way most people (including Christians) think. I pray that we will heed the wisdom of this contemplative dutch priest. Rich in Him ...Craig

COUNTING THE YEARS - pt.1 ... I read an article recently that contained the following quote;

"Why is happiness so fleeting and the pain so lingering? Memories, please just go away. Haunt me no more. If I had only known then what I know now. They never told me of the ensuing nightmares year after year. They never warned me of the emotioanl war, fought inside the depths of my heart, mind, and soul which rages on long afterwards. I never knew years later I'd still be imagining the ten little toes and see myself playing gently with the fragile fingers. Nor did I imagine that I would be counting the years and the number of candles that will never decorate the top of the birthday cakes created in my mind."

The writer goes on to say that back then she knew only of the freedom of choice. Finally, she says, "I was never privy to the high price of the choice --the hidden costs that continue to mount long after the service is rendered, the damage is done, and the life is taken. "

This is the first of several blogs in which I will share from the article "Finally Free." stay off the paved road ...craig