That is a scary title! But, sometimes it happens I must confess. Life either overwhelms or it underwhelms and either way, we forget God’s goodness and blessings. I’m pretty sure John Piper coined the phrase “When I don’t desire God.” I have never read that book, but the phrase alone has given me food for thought. Why are there times when I don’t desire God? Some reasons come to mind: 1) I have gotten out of the discipline of daily devotions. 2) I have become too entrenched in the world and it’s offerings i.e. T.V., music, books, movies, playing and hobbies, practically anything in which I don’t acknowledge God to come in and lead me. With this wide definition, even church life, serving and other ministry can become a habit of life in which we go through the motions without the power of God and without the dependency we once had on Him.

When I want to desire God again, what can I do? My prayer should be: “God, please forgive my lack of trust in you and my lack of keeping you foremost in my thoughts and heart.” Then, I need some fresh study of God’s Word to reset my mind and heart back to the truth. Finally, when all of this is done, I need to go back to life, ministry, family, work, and play and pursue God through my life not as a tack on thing at the end or beginning of my day. God should have first place all day long. Then, my work, play, rest, etc. will be a continuous part of living in Christ doing all things to glorify Him. Hope that helps! Now it’s time for me to put it into practice.

“Every man is a son, but only some are fathers.” Forgive me for not remembering who said that, but I do admit that I did not make it up. Being a father is one of the greatest privileges in the world! I want to take a moment to inspire any other dads out there. As soon as you become a dad you have a lifelong opportunity and responsibility to mold an individual’s soul! That is a weighty job! I think back on how my own dad shaped my life-wow! The way I work, the way I think about manhood, my outlook on women, what it means to be a manly christian, athleticism, education, honor, I could go on forever. Good or bad, great or terrible, our father’s shape our outlook on life. That is a fact. Some have even made the observation that the way our dad treated us is how we often view our heavenly father, God almighty.

So, I hope you are convinced that you, Dad, are absolutely, incredibly important to another person’s outlook on life and God. Now what! How do we sinning, imperfect, fleshly, flawed guys do anything good for these tiny creations of God? Many books have been written on the subject. But, in my opinion, the Bible makes it pretty simple. 1) Learn how God fathers. Does He discipline? Absolutely! He gave the Israelites a 40 year timeout in the wilderness. Does He give tough love or gushy, touchy feely, emotional love? Both! To His own son, Jesus, He gave a mission to die for the world! To the disciples, He promised them suffering because of following Jesus. He once told his most intimate disciple, Peter, “get behind me Satan.” But, then look at the way Jesus was with people. He touched them, had compassion on them, He healed them, he forgave their sins, He gave the gift of eternal life, He cried with those who lost a loved one (see the Lazarus story). Jesus told a story about the father of a prodigal son and said that the dad rejoiced and celebrated when his rebellious son returned. I think you get the point. Study the fathering technique of God the Father and the leadership and character of God the Son. By the way, God the Spirit is identified as the Comforter.

2) You can’t beat the example set by Jesus. Whether Jesus was with women, children, lost men, or saved men, He was compassionate and truthfully direct. Jesus is called the “Good Shepherd” in the book of John. He teaches us to take the initiative to lead, care, and protect those under our supervision. You and I dad, can be a “Pretty Good Shepherd.” If you have turned from your sin to trust in Jesus as Lord of your life, the heart of Jesus lives in you! The secret is to know His mind through consistent Bible reading about Jesus. We must let Jesus’ heart lead our own. I know on my own I can be pretty scary, tall, angry. But, when Christ leads I become understanding, forgiving, wise, patient, loving, a listener, and above all a good model. Everyone can be a better dad! Believers in Christ have the power of God and the teachings of God to get it done. So let me encourage you dad, don’t give up! The soul’s of your children and their children and the people they impact are worth our best effort.

Just a quick thought about joy. One thing God has programmed into me is a strong desire for joy and also the ability to experience it. Some people do not experience joy as a Christian and at times I think “what is their problem?” “How come they can’t get there?” After I confess my sin of pride and judging and get back to a little humility, the question comes to me. Okay, then how come I am experiencing it? I will not try to presume why others don’t. I will not try to imagine the pain of other people’s lives. If my habit of experiencing joy helps anyone, or improves their ability to experience joy, I would be honored. So here are a few realities that I know God has used to bring me joy.

1) My parents loved me unconditionally! Wow, that probably is a huge part of the ease at which I experience joy. I can honestly say I have never experienced a moment in my life when a human being has not loved me. Not everyone has had this gift of God.

2) I was saved from my sin at the age of 13. From the age of 0-12 I was in the church, prayed to God, learned about Jesus, and enjoyed church life. From age 13 until now (I am 37 this year) I have the Holy Spirit’s assurance in my soul that God exists, that He has saved me of my sins (past, present, and future), and that I will experience eternal life with Him. The future for me will only get better as I grow in my love for Him, as I experience more of His love for me, and as I will eventually be in the presence of God in the way He promises His followers.

3) God has already proven His love for me and nothing that happens will change that. If evil forces hurt or kill me, I will gain eternal life. If everyone turns on me, God never will. If I experience defeat, trials, crises, or any other negative thing, the cross that Christ died on for me never changes. God does not have to prove His love for me. His creation of me to be able to live, and then His sending His Son to die for me on the cross is enough for me to always look at life and His plan and think the thought-God is still loving, God is good, He knows what He is doing.

4) I believe in the absolute Sovereignty of God. For me this is huge! This is a big joy-producer for me because it helps me to look at the good and the bad, the evil and the divine as all part of God’s permissive will, and His perfect will. If Satan had to ask permission to mess with Job, and if Satan could not thwart God’s plan of redemption on the cross, then God is supreme. Remember, He has already proven His love for me, so what is left is for me to trust in His plan and will as always working out His purposes. No accidents, no luck, no chance, only God’s absolute sovereignty.

Take Away–You can not go back in time and have people love you unconditionally. But you can, by the power of Christ, provide that for your family, friends, and others. And, you can be saved! Christ offers an open invitation to the world in His Gospel saying “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). What is left is to take some time and search words like Sovereign, supreme, Most High, and to research “God’s Will,” “God’s plan/purpose,” and anything that the bible or a commentary, bible dictionary, or other Bible tool offers. Well, I guess there is actually one more thing. Believe what you read! Hope you have a more enjoyable life!

    All my adult life, one thing that has helped me greatly is encouragement from the Lord and from His followers.  Knowing this to be true for me, I believe that it is my calling to be an encourager to others as well.  I’m hoping this blog will be another outlet to encourage the world in biblical, Christ-like, truth and experience.  My journey as a Christian, as a son and brother to believers, as a pastor, as a father, and as a husband have been the elements that have shaped me the greatest.  Let me “encourage” you, whoever you are reader, to upgrade and download some more encouragement to your life through Christ’s resources so you can in turn be a channel of Christ’s encouragement to others.

Welcome to shepherding!  A blog of encouragement to believers in Christ from me, a follower of Christ Jesus.