OK, I know that I am sounding older and older, but there truly are things that I learn experientially the older I get. I mean, in my younger years, you knew things were true, but I knew them through head knowledge, but as I got older, I am experiencing their truth in my life. That is really a great thing about getting older.
What I am specifically talking about is the proverb, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This proverb has been on my mind lately for different reasons, but it hit home for me again Tuesday morning. We were having staff clean-up day (when we just get rid of the junk that has accumulated since the last day, there is a spiritual lesson in that, but not today.) and Alice brought in donuts for breakfast. I ate one (confession is good for the soul, if not for the weight!) and Doug was kidding and said, “Is that going to show up on your blog?” Well, here it is, but not because of the donut so much as because of the way iron sharpen iron. Doug was kidding, but it made me think (and possibly kept me from eating another one). As I was working, I thought more and more about the way we do sharpen, or dull, each other. I am thankful for those who have sharpened me over the years. Dolan, you have been a blessing to me and have really helped keep me a little sharper! My brother-in-law has sharpened me many times. Tim, you and I have not always agreed on everything, but the conversations have helped sharpen me. Doug and Trevor help sharpen me daily. I believe that there is something special about the male to male sharpening relationship, but I have been sharpened by women as well, Cami seems to send me an email, or just says something that will grind that point a little finer in me. Of course the one who keeps me the sharpest here on earth is Karon (no I am not saying that she is a grinding person!). There is nothing that can take the place of that marriage relationship. There are many more people that God has/is using in my life, but there is not enough space for all to be mentioned, just know you are a blessing to me and God knows how I thank Him for you.
I am thankful for the people that have, and continue to, sharpen me. I want to be a sharpener to others as well. We, especially as men, can really serve to sharpen or dull each other. Let’s be careful.
Elizabeth sent me this link and everyone needs to see it!
Bill
OK, I am sitting at work (early, I might add) a little frustrated because my exercise time has been interrupted again! This is really amazing to me! It seems like every time that I start this thing (for several years) all of a sudden things start happening at the same time. For instance, I am getting phone calls at 7:00 in the morning!!! Who calls at 7:00 in the morning! Rebekah is sick at home, she is 15, not feeling well, has the opportunity to sleep in the upstairs room with no one to bother her, it is 7:15. What would you do?? She chooses to come down to see what I am doing! OK, good time for one on one time, but still…
I was thinking about this in the shower, “Why is the devil so interested in my health?? Why doesn’t he hit the bigger sins more than this??” (I know, not theologically correct, but you know we all think of big and little sins). Anyway, I got to thinking that maybe these less noticeable sins are like a hedge around the bigger ones. It seems like I am always working on the little sins to get them out of the way before I hit the big ones! Maybe my health and lack of exercise (more acceptable sins) are a Satan created barrier to protect the more destructive things in my life.
I would love your thoughts on this. Not sure if this is on target or “missing the mark.”
Bill
Man, I have missed this porch! Got to be careful, though. Doug, our beloved pastor and my boss is on the porch too! I’m getting back to work now!!!
I am so thankful to Dolan for cleaning up the porch. It was a mess and I was unable to do it (I guess that’s what brothers are for).
I love the porch because it is always spring out here and that makes me feel better too. Before I go any farther, I want to remind or inform everyone what the porch was started for. We started to hang out on the porch because it is a place that we can go, talk about our views on things, and not worry about being condemned or criticized. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have disagreements (there have been plenty of them on the porch up to this point), but we do it with love. After all, that’s what a porch is for!
That being said, I am sitting here on this nice clean porch, a little discouraged after the election yesterday. I am discouraged because I am afraid for our country. Not because Obama has been elected, but because of us as a nation choosing some of the social issues that we chose. I mean, I don’t know about the economic packages that both of them propose. I didn’t vote for McCain because of the “drill here, drill now” policy. Even the war was not the central issue to me, although I think it very important. What was most important to me was some of the issues that, in my opinion, went directly against Biblical teachings. It saddens me that abortion will continue to be promoted as an option for birth control. I don’t know the numbers, but if even one child dies for convenience, it is way too many! It saddens me that we think that the homosexual issue is debatable when the Bible clearly states that it is sin. I don’t like the idea that someone that does not contribute might get a tax rebate when the Bible says that if you don’t work, you shouldn’t eat (paraphrased). I am discouraged to think that hard work and good stewardship is going to be rewarded with money being taken away and given to someone else for the cause of “fairness.”
With that being said, God has reminded me that He is still in control and that my role in all of this as a believer is to pray for him constantly and to support him. So… I will pray for my country and that God would not let us go to our own devices and I will pray for President-elect Obama that He would seek to lead in accordance with God’s word and His precepts. I guess what I am saying is that I am now a supporter of Obama. I may not agree with everything and I will fight when something is against Biblical principles, but I will seek to be the man that God wants me to be and pray.