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