Day 12

As I was reading Day 12 I started thinking about the different friendships that have developed in my life. Each of the friendships didn’t just happen overnight but over a period of time. I think that is where Warren is going as he starts off, “You are as close to God as you choose to be. Like any friendship, you must work at developing your friendship with God. It won’t happen by accident. It takes desire, time, and energy.” (Page 92)

Take some time today to think about your friendships and the points Warren makes about a friendship with God:

I must choose to be honest with God.
I must choose to obey God in faith.
I must choose to value what God values.
I must desire friendship with God more than anything else.

Spend some time in prayer with this question in mind: “What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?” (Page 99)

Day 11

How can we be friends with God? When I was reading Day 11 the part about meditating really spoke to me. As I reached the end of Day 11 I thought I can really meditate because I know how to worry already.

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate! You just need to switch your problems to Bible verses. The more you meditate on God's Word, the less you will have to worry about. (Page 90)

Sounds so easy and yet I think we make it so hard. One of my favorite Scriptures is, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) ...and here's a holy experiment we can all try...whatever is giving you the most worries right now meditate on this Scripture and let us all know what happens.

Day 10

Today I was going through a lot of papers and getting organized (some early spring cleaning). It's not always the easiest task for me but organization really helps me be a lot more productive. As I was reading Day 10 it made me think of getting "spiritually" organized. By that I mean surrender is helping to bring the chaos of life into eternal order.

Warren calls it the "...best way to live." "Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lusts, or ego. You were designed to worship God -- and if you fail to worship him, you will create other things (idols) to give your life to. You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice. E. Stanley Jones said, "If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos." (page 82).

I found a prayer today that I think helps bring all this together. As you think about Day 10 let this prayer guide you:

My soul’s house is cramped. Expand it, so that you may enter in. It is in ruins. Restore it. It must offend your eyes. I confess and know it, but who will cleanse it? To whom shall I cry but to you? Clear me from hidden faults, O Lord.

- St. AugustineHungering for God: Selected Writings of Augustine

Day 9

I was really struck by Day 9 as I assisted in the Good Friday Service. I thought about what I had read that day as I shared the Scriptures leading up to the crucifixion. It is always a difficult yet powerful service for me to hear of all that Jesus went through because he loves each of us so much.

As I sat at the service I pondered the question on page 71, "In what areas of your life do you need to trust God completely? Trusting is an act of worship. Just as parents are pleased when children trust their love and wisdom, your faith makes God happy."

As you move through this Holy Weekend I hope you know that God loves you and here are the things Warren shares with us that will make God smile:

God smiles when we love him supremely.
God smiles when we trust him completely.
God smiles when we obey him wholeheartedly.
God smiles when we praise and thank him continually.
God smiles when we use our abilities.
God smiles when we trust him.

...and find a few moments to ask yourself, "Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?"

Day 8

Day 8 is a great reminder of what worship is all about. "Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. (Page 64) As I thought about the question on page 68 "What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?" it reminded me of running.

Many of you know that I like to run. One day I just felt bored as I was running on the treadmill so I thought maybe I should pray (I do it with my eyes open). As I began to pray the boredom left me and I ran that day with a whole new sense of purpose. I wasn't just running but I also felt that I was able to talk to God during this special time as well... Since then I've added some different aspects of prayer to my running as well as getting some great music on my iPod.

(Just a couple personal thoughts for you today)...

Day 7

In the midst of a rainy week Day 7 was like the sun shining in the window reminding me to always find ways to glorify God (even on those rainy days).

I thought the quote about worship on page 56 was great, "Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes. When you use your life for God's glory, everything you do can become an act of worship." What an awesome world this would be if we could all live that way!

I also thought page 57 had a great quote that fits this time of the Christian year. "Jesus stood at a fork in the road. Would he fulfill his purpose and bring glory to God, or would he shrink back and live a comfortable, self-centered life? you face the same choice. Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God's glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards?"

As we journey though the end of Lent we know Jesus took the difficult fork in the road for each and everyone one of us...I know life can have its ups and downs but nothing can come close to what Christ did for us...it seems like such an easy choice for humanity but we often don't get it.

I hope you'll reaffirm your faith with me and pray the prayer on page 58 "Jesus, I believe in you and I receive you." I hope you have felt your heart warmed and that we can dare to walk together down that fork in the road to glorify God for all that God has done for us (even on the rainy days).

For a moment just close your eyes and picture the sun shining in your window (unless you like those rainy days) and ask yourself the question of the day, "Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?" (I'm someone who has a hard time with the day to day minute details of life so that is where I'll be looking tomorrow).

Day 6

I just finished watching American Idol and started thinking again about Day 6. As I was rereading the book I thought how paradoxical to have watched something that is based on popularity and to have read something that says popularity is such an earthly idea. (My confession is that I even called in some votes).

As I thought more about it I realized the contestants that I like don't really seem to take themselves to seriously but are looking at ways to sing a little better next week and those who can laugh at themselves.

In a similar manner I feel a question I can always ask myself is "how can I do better tomorrow God?" and thank you for the grace you've given me to continue to work on the life you've given me.

Here are just a couple quotes from Day 6 that I really liked: "Christians should carry spiritual green cards to remind us that our citizenship is in heaven." (page 48) "Realizing that life on earth is just a temporary assignment should radically alter your values. Eternal values, not temporal ones, should become the deciding factors for your decisions." (page 50) "Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? Why did I was so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn't going to last?" (page 51)

Take a few minutes and just think about life as its going in 2008 and ask yourself the question on page 52, "How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?"

Day 5

As I read day 5 I like to look at the second part of what Warren writes, "Life on earth is a Trust." I especially liked how he puts it on page 45. "Our culture says, "If you don't own it, you won't take care of it." But Christians live by a higher standard: "Because God owns it, I must take the best care of it that I can."(page 45)

I understand what he is trying to say in the first part about life being a test. ...but as I look at life I feel God doesn't so much give us tests as God gives us the answer. I think we see that even more so in this Holy Week. I feel John 3:16 makes it so clear, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

As yo read the questions I would rather look at the first question in this way, "How did God help me answer one of the tests of life?" I think the second question is great for us to think about this week, "What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?" (page 46)

Day 4

As I was reading through Day 4 I thought about the Ft. Pitt Tunnel (I know it might sound strange but hang on for a moment). It’s always great to take a first-time visitor to Pittsburgh through the tunnel (that isn't really pretty) to see the great skyline of Pittsburgh. I think that is how it is with Eternal Life we sometimes get so caught up in the highways of life we forget there is something greater ahead of us…

Warren gives some great examples on Day 4 and concludes with a point to ponder: “There is more to life than jus here and now." He goes on to ask the question (on page 40), “Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?” Take some time on this weekend before Easter to commit to something you should stop doing and something you should start doing. When we start moving in the way God wants us to we’ll begin to see that great skyline or light at the end of the tunnel.

Day 3

What drives your life?

Did you ever ask someone for directions only to end up still lost? I think we sometimes do the same things in our lives. We often what to find what direction we’re headed in life and forget to take some time to sit back and just ask God. (Try and find a few minutes each day to just ask God to give you the guidance…I know it sounds easy but we need to really take those “spiritual breaks” so we can keep ourselves headed in the right direction).

Warren, (on pages 27-34) gives us some insight on the traffic problems ahead and what happens when we let God take over…

Stay away from:
guilt, resentment, anger, fear, materialism and earthly approval…

If you let God be your Spiritual GPS your journey will led you to:
meaning, hope, simplicity, focus, motivation and a great walk with God in eternity…

As you take a “spiritual break” let go of everything for a few moments and think about the question on page 35, “What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?” …and then turn those things over to God and let God take the wheel.

Day 2

Recently, I was at a Confirmation Retreat and we shared Psalm 139 first in the darkness and then with candlelight. We were to reflect on how it would be to live in darkness and then how God brings light into our lives. This reminded me of the reading from Day 2.

If you have time think about the question Warren asks on page 26 "I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?"

Think about this question in the darkness (give those thoughts over to God) and then light a candle and read Psalm 139 and thank God for creating you!

Psalm 139 Vs. 1-14
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Day 1

I Hope this finds you all well. Today as I reread day 1 for about the 30th time there were still parts that really spoke to me. Often we ask a lot of "why" questions in life. Warren answers this in a way by saying "God has not left us in the dark to wonder and guess. He has clearly revealed his five purposes for our lives through the Bible. It is our Owner's Manual, explaining why we are alive, how life works, what to avoid, and what to expect in the future." (Page 20)

I also read a little bit of Day 1 to a friend in the hospital a few months ago and just the title of the chapter really hit me "It all starts with God." I think if we could live in that way we could have a world that really works together.

The question to consider today on page 21 is "In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?"

So much of adverstising continues to sound like the phrase from a familiar ad "Have it Your Way." During these last couple days of Lent maybe we can ponder on what it would be like to live "God's Way."

Have a great day. Let me hear your thoughts. Grace and Peace, John