TUNE OUT YOUR FAMILY...

if they are the one's bringing you down. Today I read the story of Jephthah in Judges chapters 10 -12. He had some lousy siblings. Since he was a half-brother & the son of a prostitute, he was banished from the family. Sent away with the words, "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family." But as you read futher, you see that this very family comes to him and asks him to lead the Israelites against their enemy, the Ammonites. Jephthah takes some convincing because he took to heart the negativity. He received the insults and let the pain absorb into his spirit. But he was a mighty warrior and was born to lead, despite his heritage. Let me just encourage, if you feel like your heritage is less than glorious, you are not alone. You are the person God is looking for, to serve His Kingdom and to lead people to Him. Don't let the words of any man drag you down. Instead, hold tight to the words of God, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

until next week,
Tony

my apologies

It is already Wednesday and I still haven't written a blog for this week. I'm sorry. Jen & I just moved over the weekend and are trying to get set-up for Thanksgiving with family here. That's my excuse. I'll have something new for you next Monday. Thanks for checking.
Tony

GET YOUR AX OUT OF THE WATER

<sup>Do you think that God really cares about small things in our lives. Check out this story from 2 Kings6:1-7:

1</sup> The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. ² Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live." And he said, "Go."

³ Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?"
"I will," Elisha replied. ⁴ And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. ⁵ As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!"

⁶ The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. ⁷ "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

The Prophet Elisha cared about the man's personal delima. He cared about the work getting done. But moreover, he cared about the reputation of God, which is built on the actions of His people. If we are flippant with our commitments to others, it reflects on God. If we fail to get the job done, it reflects on God. Remember that everywhere you go, in all you do, you are building His reputation!

AVOID "THE LOOK"

Do you like to go look at model homes? How about walking around the dealership parking lot? I enjoy both. It's fun to look. And often times, that's all it is. We're "just looking" to see what's out there or to see the new model of our favorite car. But all to often, this looking stimulates an attitude of dissatisfaction. I've known people who buy a house, and within the first few months, go check out other homes and are soon anxious for a NEW house. I also know some people who buy a new car, financing it for 5 years, and in about 14 months, they'll start coming the dealerships and the car maker websites and soon get "the itch" to get something new. I've seen some trade in a car that is less then two years old, just because they couldn't tell themselves, "No," because they've began looking and have fueled their desires beyond their own control. I even just talked to a friend this week about someone he knows that is married, but is always looking at the women around him, looking for attractive women who might just "check him out." He's just asking for problems, because he's "looking."

If we could manage our "looking," our desires would become easier to control. Imagine if our desires were mild and we made decisions based on wisdom rather than on our immediate wants. We can actually nip temptation in the bud (or at least prevent it from running rampant) and help ourselves live better!

So join me in avoiding "the look!"