Forgiven

I don't know why I struggled so long with God's forgiveness for me. I, for some reason, couldn't wrap my head around how he could forgive me for all of the sins I committed. Look at that statement. There are two things that stick out to me in that. One is pride, the other is unbelief. Pride, because God is love and, when you truly love, forgiveness is a given. I don't think God can help himself. He has to forgive us because it's part of his nature. That is why he sent Jesus to die for us. So, when I don't accept his forgiveness, it is prideful. Because if he can forgive me but I cannot forgive me then that is the same as saying that I'm better than God. This is where the unbelief comes in. Unbelief costs us more than we will ever know. I wonder how many blessings I missed out on because I did not believe. Certainly, I have missed out on much peace that comes from knowing that I've been forgiven. God knows every sin I ever committed and those that are yet to come. I'm so glad to be forgiven are you?
Pressing on with excellence!!
Keith 

No Price Too High

So, its Easter weekend and its got me thinking about what Jesus went through his last few hours. Think about it, they put a crown of thorns on his head, then they beat him on the head. then he was flogged. All that then they hung him on a cross and killed him. You can read through it pretty quickly in the bible and not feel really what he went through. I try to slow down when I come to those scriptures and allow myself to be put in his position. Can you imagine what it must have felt like? Whew I can't really, only a little. Like I know what it feels like to get hit in the head, but not over and over again and again. I can't say what it would be like to be flogged. Then to be crucified the most painful way; to die slowly. I have heard that when you are crucified  you have to push up with your legs just to get a breath. Can you imagine the pain? I can't in reality. I can't wrap my head around it. Yet God chose this on purpose, why? because you are worth it. He paid this great price for you because of his love for you. I can't wrap my head around that either. Only to say that His love for us drove him to pay the price for our sin. Because of His love for us no price was too high.
Pressing on with excellence!!
Keith

Self

I read a good book which had a quote in it that said " We made a decision based on self which put us into a position to be hurt." Talking about recovery from alcoholism. But doesn't that cover pretty much every decision that I make based on self or selfish concerns.What I mean is I see something that I want and manipulate people or things to get it and hurt others and myself in the process. I have noticed that most of the time that when I make a decision based on self that those decisions are fear based. IE I'm afraid that I'm not going to get something  that I want. Or I will lose something that I already have. It is a constant battle to stay out of self. Then I have that sinking feeling you get when you have done something wrong and you wish you could rewind and have a do over. Then I end up having to make amends for what I have done.One thing I do know is when I make a decision based on self it takes me farther than I wanted to go. It keeps me there longer than I wanted to be there, and It costs me more than I wanted to pay. What if I could learn how to not make decisions based on self. Wouldn't that save me a lot of trouble, it would and does. How did I learn to do that? Through Love If I can learn how to love correctly I can over time learn how to care for others. I can really care about others. When I really care others I can filter some of those self based decisions and save myself so much trouble.

Pressing on with excellence!
 Keith

Leading

  What makes someone a leader? What makes someone want to lead? What makes a good leader, and why? When it comes to leadership I wonder these things. Why did I choose not to lead? But yet I’m in a leadership role at home. I think that I put off doing some of that because I mostly was self-centered, Self focused and just plain indifferent. For so long before I came to Christ I lived a self-centered life. Even after I came to Christ I still was so self-focused. I had learned different ways to manipulate others. To get people to see things my way so that I could get what I wanted. I learned to pit people against each other to get my own way (my parents for example). I learned several different ways of conning people and these things became very habitual because I thought I needed them to survive as an alcoholic. These character defects were ingrained into me as a survival mechanism. Because really when you turn your back on God you have to take care of the things that He would normally handle. These attributes are not what you want to have when it comes to leading. A good leader is going to be self-less, and compassionate, and honest. A person that is concerned about others. These attributes will serve you better as a leader.
Pressing on with excellence!
Keith  

Home Sweet Home

Over the past few months we have been shopping for a house. Actually we made an offer on a house back in November. Anyway its been quite a process getting through financing. But last Friday we finally closed and moved in on Saturday. Though this time has been exhausting and sometimes frustrating I knew that this was the house for us. There were times when we wondered if we were even going to get it or not. I seen too many things not to believe that we would be here. One of the best things this house has done for me is to give me the confidence that we are really where God wants us to be. When you up root your family and move far away from home it's easy to question whether or not you made the right decision. Especially if you have been struggling financially as we have. I wouldn't have thought that moving was so stressful or that buying a house would be so stressful. I have been very tired lately and the kids have been crabby. I believe that it was caused by stress. In fact when we found out we for sure were getting this house the kids attitude has changed dramatically. I'm sure all of our attitudes have changed. I'm grateful that God has given us this home and look forward to our future here. I'm also grateful for the many new friends the I have made here!
Pressing on with excellence!

 Keith  

Loving Others

  I heard a great message today at church by pastor Randy Gravitt. Talking about how we need to take inventory of how we are doing at loving others. One thing he mentioned was that it takes more energy to be self-centered than it does to love others. That I believe is true we spend a lot of time and energy thinking about ourselves. It is impossible to be self-focused and and loving at the same time. I think that if we are others focused than we are closer to the ideal person that God wants us to be. God is love and and he wants us to imitate him. So here are three things that can help us to get out of our selves and think of others more.
1.) Treat people as special. This takes some effort but the payoff is well worth it.
2.) Do more than what's expected. These are little things that often go unnoticed but God knows and you will know.
3.) Having a good attitude. After all none of these things will matter if you do them grudgingly.
 But I would add even if you do them with a bad attitude do them anyway. Action action action go through the the motion and the emotion will follow. Your attitude will change over time as you learn how to be less self-centered and how to love like God does.
Pressing on with excellence!!
 Keith  

new year new life

I have been thinking lately about how I can serve God this year. I feel like I squandered some of the last fifteen years of my life. I don't want to do the same thing the next fifteen years. I really want to make a difference for God. I'm not exactly sure what that looks like. But I do know one thing. I have been trying to go it alone before. But not this time I'm going to ask for help this time I need an adviser. Two is surely better than one and I believe will be much better than just myself.  I am In need of a coach. One who can look at my assets and guide me in the right direction to be of maximum usefulness of others. This is the year I am ready! No more time to waste! Let's Roll!
Pressing on with excellence!!
Keith