tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45476773456036697612011-08-02T15:12:51.456-04:00Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10Davenoreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-43537371637344046702011-07-29T15:43:00.000-04:002011-07-29T15:43:19.940-04:00

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again. I think this one can come off as a couple wrong ideas. He is not saying that his resolutions are on level with Scripture, nor is he thinking they are a work to be worshipped and followed. This we have to remember is a personal list

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-88188962824297557562011-07-27T10:14:00.000-04:002011-07-27T10:14:16.927-04:00

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.Well, after he lays the foundation in #1, now Jonathan builds on that by adding some forward-thinking. He admits he may not know it all or even the best way to keep his first resolution. Humbly he knows that to truly grow you must be always looking for better ways and

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-3257126439401518532011-07-26T11:00:00.000-04:002011-07-26T11:00:37.740-04:00

Big surprise a delay! But on we roll, it is not how many times you get knocked down, it is how many you get up right! So... 1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-17156233808599033842011-07-19T08:43:00.000-04:002011-07-19T08:43:50.581-04:00

Day 1 Preface: Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.Edwards begins by giving the foundation for how he believes he will be able to both discipline and focus himself to keep these resolutions. I want to echo his sentiments for my

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-88105129296448408962011-07-18T14:57:00.000-04:002011-07-18T14:57:24.686-04:00

As you notice the dates and breaks in my posts, it becomes painfully clear how unfocused and undisciplined I can be. I love "best laid plans" and think I can lead the pack with my "good intentions." I realize that it isn't necessarily a sin to make high plans and fail. However, where is the accountable line for doing the most with your God-given gifts? Is consistency, focus and discipline a

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-20928952830967774162010-06-24T15:55:00.004-04:002010-06-24T15:58:38.364-04:00

So it's been awhile. I thought I'd update this and try my best to get more posts up. The biggest update is Josiah arrived 6/9/10. He is long and strong! They said 21 inches, but he is closer to 3 feet! :) What a blessing to have him in our lives! I am excited to raise him in fear and admonition of the Lord. May God bless me as a dad to lead Josiah to Him. Like I told my class the other day, when

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-17825051224290411392009-11-20T08:41:00.001-05:002010-06-24T16:00:44.642-04:00

I am amazed at how the Lord works. I love highlight reels and pre-game speeches. I love to watch a team of men be motivated to go out and fight together. There is something about that aspect of sports that is such a draw, to me and others. But as I thought about my daily Bible reading, I realized what a highlight reel of the faith we have, and what incredible speeches we get from Scripture. What

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-1306826951033374152009-11-19T12:16:00.001-05:002010-06-24T15:24:42.061-04:00

Read an interesting discussion of the Apostle's Creed last night. It focused on the portion that states Jesus went to hell. That is a theological sore spot in most peoples eyes. It has led to some people changing the wording or dismissing the statement all together. I must say the article was well written and convincing that the writers of the creed's language meant burial, and not the hell as we

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-40040433201551429582009-11-18T10:33:00.000-05:002009-11-18T10:33:58.241-05:00

Since I haven't really done anything in awhile I'll start with those guys. -Malia is more beautiful than the last time I wrote about her. She has this superpower that allows her to grow in beauty and grace daily. She continues to love me in such a special way. I cannot imagine my life without her. She helps me be a better person everyday. I know I will love her more each day of my life. -Zeb is

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-70377972765190892372009-11-18T09:55:00.004-05:002010-06-24T15:23:23.621-04:00

Well... apparently I haven't posted since July. That was a while ago. :0 The whole reason for this blog was as an online diary, and I have failed in keeping it up to date. So, now I am back, full of gusto and high ideals... :)

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-66905955781417370982009-07-15T13:46:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:46:15.281-05:00

I was painfully convicted this morning by a blog Challies linked. A guy in Toronto had some awesome posts about recent outreach activities. I felt that ache in my heart. I feel so totally burdened by a lack of focus on the lost. MacArthur posted a note on Pulpit about the church's main calling being to seek the lost. I feel like I need to be more proactive, but I don't know where to begin. I

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-77650021162483916952009-05-28T08:56:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:46:30.290-05:00

An elder at church is teaching through Ecclesiastes and just as we began to go through Solomon's life, we are smacked in the face by both David's and Solomon's life. Aren't they two incredible examples of grace? David is the only man listed in all of scripture that is listed as a man after God's own heart. But he committed some of the most heinous sins in scripture. Solomon was given wisdom from

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-28818646834434841972009-05-26T12:40:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:46:46.969-05:00

Sunday I was extremely blessed by my Pastor's sermon on the Parable of the Talents. It isn't up yet online or I'd link it. You can find it in the future at CMCRoanoke.org. But it was one of those sermons which leave you much to think upon. He made all the best distinctions in the message by making sure we knew it was about us, people in the church, and not referring to the church vs. the world.

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-62045087489714696662009-05-21T12:19:00.005-04:002009-11-18T10:47:00.686-05:00

As I was working on this weeks lesson on 1 Peter 1:3-5, I came away with such a glorious assurance. As I wrote a point about us not so easily ever passing over the glory of the resurrection, I realized how much I do. The glory of the resurrection is my all-in-all, it is my eternal assurance. Death is just another reminder of our inheritance. To know that we are upheld by God, in our faith, till

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-73805318539533692252009-05-14T10:30:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:47:19.985-05:00

I have gained a great deal from these devotionals. They can come weekly to your e-mail if you sign up. I have always been challenged and moved to both prayer and action by each one. I hope you can benefit as well. When I receive them I will be linking them each week. Here is this weeks. Bad Ideas Kill

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-49352753526103366862009-05-14T09:55:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:47:33.443-05:00

I was recently reading a few links on the true understanding of stewardship. I realized that I only accepted that title in a few areas of my life. I thought of my stewardship in terms of money, time, talent, etc. However, I never really thought of myself in those terms when it came to all areas of my life. I am a steward of my marriage, my children, my friendships, and anything else that could be

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-53529165703303260762009-05-06T08:44:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:47:47.464-05:00

John MacArthur completed his blog posts on the "Rape of the Song of Solomon" I am challenged by his thoughts, because I have gained from Driscoll. But I do think JMac gets it right in saying that if we can't say for certain the imagery means specific things, we need to be wary of going graphic. Sovereign Grace released the full work of C.J. Mahaney's series on Biblical Productivity. It includes

Davenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-62196514065645109442009-04-23T10:42:00.004-04:002009-11-18T10:51:39.193-05:00

What's going on? What are they thinking? What was I thinking? How does that feel? Am I thinking too much, too little? Life. What a gift. I am amazed when I take a quick second or minute to try and thank through the who realm of one event. It reminds me of a movie called Vantage Point (ok, not great), where in every situation there are as many vantage points as people and even more when you

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-50295563835547529992009-04-21T11:09:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:51:57.754-05:00

As I was reading Challie's blog this morning: http://www.challies.com/archives/christian-living/the-quiet-time-performance.php I had these thoughts: In the Discipline of Grace, Bridges said this: “An attitude of performance reveals an all-too-common misconception of the Christian life: the thinking that, although we are saved by grace, we earn or forfeit God’s blessings in our daily lives by our

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-10313173070435060662009-04-20T08:49:00.004-04:002009-11-18T10:52:12.954-05:00

Well, as you could tell from the huge gaps, my posts have been short in coming. But as I have got this transferred to a new site or more permanent home, I am setting a goal of some sort of blog post daily or at least 4 times a week. I don't want to push the posts and lose the readability of them. I hope to produce content that will grow you in your faith. I know through writing many of the posts

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-75196011537794122142009-01-28T13:54:00.003-05:002009-11-18T10:52:27.507-05:00

Well, I continue to be convicted by many things. Most notably lately how much of a slacker I have become. I am out-of-shape physically and mentally. I seek the milk not the meat far too much. I have started a semi-journal. Not a daily reflection but a growing book of thoughts, scripture, and ideas. I want to be more, I want to push myself hard, I want to be in shape, I want to love my family more

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-57589576296480636972009-01-14T13:00:00.007-05:002009-11-18T10:52:56.244-05:00

First, my church basketball team loses on Monday. Maybe losing is too nice. We got smoked. We lost by close to 30. We played against a team that definitely has been playing together a while and they systematically broke us down, plus we had both an off-shooting night and flat performance. During the game I battled anger, frustration and my desire to win at all costs. I had a hard time with the

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-499633563261783212009-01-06T13:14:00.003-05:002009-11-18T10:53:12.035-05:00

So I have decided that my life needs more discipline and focus. You can tell that over my last few posts. I am sure this is all influenced by multiple things. I have been praying for the Holy Spirit's conviction and I have been reading a collection of items that have it as a theme. I am finishing the Watson work On Holy Violence, The Hidden Smile of God by Piper, A new Holiness devotional by

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-34993686252931880452008-12-29T09:31:00.003-05:002009-11-18T10:53:28.609-05:00

Well, continuing from my last post I continue to be driven to change in my life from convictions in my mind and in what I read. As I read a Thomas Watson work called "Holy violence" based on a Matthew passage I see myself again so far from what I am called to be. I realize how much time I waste and how many things I fill my life with that have no meaning. Yes, I finished first in the regular

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-37926833088886905502008-12-22T14:27:00.005-05:002009-11-18T10:53:43.545-05:00

First and foremost my little baby girl was born on Dec. 18th at 11:14 am. She is as beautiful as I ever imagined. I had to choose her verse for my father's necklace and I ended up choosing Prov. 31:30: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." I prayed for her to grow towards the Lord all her life, serving Him in all she does and bringing Him glory.

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-18068394713233005672008-11-21T10:35:00.005-05:002009-11-18T10:54:04.322-05:00

I came up with these as a way to challenge myself daily and to convict myself at each opportunity of how I spend my time. I posted these at home and one at work. I try to memorize and think of them consistently. I will… Place Bible study and application as the number one priority in my life, above all else, seeking God. Humbly seek God through prayer in a disciplined, consistent, devoted

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-22522262064610033012008-11-06T11:31:00.003-05:002009-11-18T10:54:20.599-05:00

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a famous preacher and a great servant of God. He was born in 1834, in Kelvedon, Essex. Charles had an amazing life and is very interesting to learn about. One snowy morning he had a burning fire inside of him that wanted to know what he must do to be saved. He battled a snow storm and eventually found a dusty old church and sat down in the back pew. An old shoe

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-2574788561144766732008-11-05T10:41:00.001-05:002009-11-18T10:54:33.862-05:00

Well, I am sure that all of us will be a little disheartened by today’s news. Even as I saw the early results, I still had a hope that in the end it would shake out. Even this morning I searched for some type of voter fraud case or something of the sort. Bottom line, God is sovereign. It is hard for my limited mind to understand why we have elected leaders who so severely differ from the Biblical

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-57527569776800545122008-10-15T11:01:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:55:02.186-05:00

Well, while I could easily talk about my boys forever I am going to move on to my unborn daughter. I anticipate more and more each day her arrival. Her name will be Isabella Faith. Isabella means "Consecrated for God" or set-apart for God. I pray that her life lives up to that name. I take my children's names very seriously, because while it is just a word now, it used to be an honor to name your

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-87492356284209682102008-10-10T12:55:00.005-04:002009-11-18T10:55:24.075-05:00

Here we go 2 days in a row. Well I left off with a poem that I think summed up Zeb. I don't mean that to be a thought process of how great man is and what he can do. I mean that as the fact the Lord has called us to run the race to win and to walk worthy of the calling in our lives. I think those both describe focus and effort on your very best. I believe in Zeb very much, he will be a great

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-35375529885115945922008-10-09T11:50:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:55:56.234-05:00

One thing I have noticed is with my lack of consistency it is hard to follow the thoughts from one to the next. But I will continue where I left off. I do miss Jonathan. With both watching Gabriel grow up and seeing Isabella grow inside Malia, I miss him a lot. I can be very emotional and sad when I think of how he would be running and jumping like Gabriel is now, but I know he is in a far better

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-85552771020967225492008-09-29T06:28:00.005-04:002009-11-18T10:56:37.685-05:00

Well, there has been another huge disparity in my posts. As my job picked up to 50 hours a week I have been short on time, but not an excuse. I started this for a reason and that reason is enough. I have written before my huge break about my wonderful wife and how much I love her. She is my soul mate. I can't imagine loving anyone more. She is so important to me and a huge catalyst for me being

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-67459893653638805302008-08-14T11:57:00.005-04:002009-11-18T10:57:01.324-05:00

What a Savior I have! I'll get back to my earlier thoughts in a minute. But what a Saviour Jesus is! Just to think of a Savior that paid the price He paid for me, me of all people, me. How do you say thank you for that? A life of devotion and careful study would be a good start. I analyze my life and I praise Him for not making Salvation of works, nor or leaving me without His effectual call,

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-45334959868135544112008-08-13T12:39:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:57:29.546-05:00

Well, I am excited to have all of my past writing on-line now. Yes, all 4 days of writing, it was tough. Anyways I am excited that I will have an on-line format for my journal of thoughts. I continue on where I last left off. My wife, my incredible, wonderful wife, Malia. I am amazed that as I feel like I can't love her any more; each thought, each time I hear her voice, every time I see her

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-62055968620659688632008-08-12T19:39:00.004-04:002009-11-18T10:58:47.728-05:00

As you can easily tell from the gaps in dates, I battle procrastination. I have to continue to discipline myself to defeat such a shortcoming. I consider it to be sinful, in that it becomes a habit that takes glory from the Lord. You cannot glorify Him in a weak, untrained mind. I continue to battle a daily desire to slack and be slothful. I owe God more than the effort He receives from me. Back

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-40907480884163062262008-08-12T19:35:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:59:10.444-05:00

As I read through my thoughts from my first day of my journal, I realize that my writing isn't the most clear and seems to jump around. I shouldn't be suprised because I seem to think that way. Random thought there. As I was discussing, the most important and deepest love in my life is the love I have for the Lord. He brought me from a path of complete and total destruction, onto a path of

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-73565204726045578412008-08-12T19:23:00.003-04:002009-11-18T10:59:35.755-05:00

Today I am beginning this journal for only two reasons. 1 is for my family down the road to know me by my own words, and 2 for on occasion to give myself the ability to read what I thought about or what process I used to think about certain things. The beginning of this will be my thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc., about the people in my life. I have a constant worry of being called to glory and

Davenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547677345603669761.post-32069015340498351262008-08-12T19:19:00.002-04:002008-08-12T19:23:17.931-04:00

Today I am transferring my meager attempt at a hand written journal over to electronic form. I do this in the hope that I will be more productive and proactive in writing. I know how much words mean to me and I hope/believe my words will mean as much to family one day. So off we go and I pray for more discipline in my writing and focus.

Davenoreply@blogger.com0