JPT

I never in a million years would have thought that I would have started writing a blog. I was never much interested in reading, much less writing about anything I read until February of 2009 rolled around. You see last year I attended an outreach put on by David Cook and a few PGA and LPGA tour professionals. It was based on a book that David had written called Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at The Links of Utopia. It is about a troubled sort-of pro golfer who was having a hard time keeping it in the fairway of life. The purpose of the book was and is is to get readers directed toward the real book of life, The Bible, and man did it work. Shortly after that outreach I was invited to join a small Men's group that met every week to discuss that book and how it directs us to the Bible. Since meeting with those men I have felt moved over the last year to write down what I learn while studying the Bible. I have found that after reading the Bible, then spending some time reflecting on what I read and gatering my thoughts on paper, I really have been able to gain a much better and deeper understanding of His teachings.

My goal for 2010 is to make it all the way through the Bible one time. Stopping along the way, of course, to reflect in writing certain verses that jump out at me and apply directly to whats happening in my life and my family's life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

What a great verse!! Short, sweet, and to the point! If only we could get out of our own way long enough to realize how simple it really is. Usually when times are good its incredibly easy to be joyful, to give praise, and to be thankful. Its when, and I say when because ineveitably it will happen, our faith gets tested or things start to go south we usually forget about two of his commands and go right for the middle one. When times get rough its reactionary to drop to your knees and beg for God's help, believe me I have scars on my knees to prove it. Its in those same tough times that, as hard as it may be, we need to give thanks and try as we might to be joyful. That will show the true strength of your faith in God. It doesn't read Be joyful some of the time, it says to be joyful all of the time. He doesn't want to just hear thanks part of the time, He commands us to be thankful all of the time!
In James 1:2-3 it reads Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. It is from that perseverance that our faith will become stronger. God wants us to lean on Him in all seasons of our life. That is how he designed us. We need trials and tribulations in our life to become complete and mature in our faith. Jesus never said that believing and following Him would be a nice casual stroll in the park. In fact, He promises quite the opposite. However those who find their strength in the Lord can rest easy at night if throughout every day they live out their faith by being Joyful always, Praying continually, and giving Thanks in all situations. Its as simple as JPT.