He's still working on me...

I've been finding myself corned again by my own reason (or lack thereof!). As I try to teach my children self-control I'm running into the old "ought-to/let go-let God" wrestling match. How much of what we teach our children should be "effort" based when we believe in a God who works in us and through us to do his good works?

Now, we put up with a little chaos, but it's not our religion. We teach a certain amount of order and expect obedience from our kids. We aim at consistent discipline with liberal amounts of love stirred in. Yet my wife and I both believe that it is the desperation of our kids own struggle that will lead them to rely on a Savior to help them to ultimately obey.

However, my own expectations for obedience from my children work against me. I find myself in that same place of training my children into a "do it" mode and then remember I don't believe that my "doing" is getting me anywhere. So I change tactics and tell my kids (and myself) that the "doing" for us is all surrendering. That is, giving up, resting and laying down so the God who loves us can work through us.

I can hear you already. So you're one of those lazy Christians (Yes!), a God-helps-those-who-sit-around kinda guy.

OK. I'll try to esplain the mysteries of God. No, too much. I'll sum up:

The action is inaction.
The "goin for it" is resting.
I'm battling to wait.
I'm pushing to yield.
I'm floating in a screaming dive.
This is full contact passiveness.

Yea. And God will finish his work in me (and my children).

It's good to remember that the sovereign God is still working on His plan. I'm happy to be in His universe and under Hand. I celebrate the ongoing work of the Creator!

Guest Columnist - Zachariah: What makes me happy

I'm stealing some time away from my busy schedule to share deep thoughts with you all. Having lived in this home for most of my life, I find myself in the enviable position of knowing everything of import that takes place here. When brothers and sisters are making a lot of happy sounds, I want to be there. I'm not sure what all the primitive activity means to these big people but I'm sure it communicates a wealth of love. So I drag myself into their presence and show my approval. They seem to understand. The whole bunch of them gathers around me, presumably to hear some seed of wisdom. Sometimes they step on me and tip me over, but the risk is worth it. These young vulnerable ones need the adoring looks and dribblings that I make available during these special episodes. So good people, make noise and be happy.

Road Sage

If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Lewis Carroll

"Now where am I going?" I say to myself as I head out to my first job of the day. This happens quite often. It's like a premature launch. I get dressed, shaved, vitamins, coffee, toast, out to the truck - oops, comb my hair, back to the truck - oops, get my keys. Then I'm off to somewhere in Downey. But where?

I suddenly realize that there is a mantra ringing in my head. ...Lakewood, left on Florence, left on Downey Sanford Bridge... I've been repeating it since I left the computer to grab my coffee and didn't hear it till now. It's like a loop running around in my head waiting to catch my attention. Now I know where I'm going.

It was so cool to have instructions in my head, I thought I'd check out if anything else was in there (I'm ignoring your comments). I remembered that I had an all powerful God to face the challenges I would be having today. "Be strong and Courageous!" I put aside the gnawing in my stomach and rested in the Lord's ability to get me through it all. I have all his leadership and creativity at my right hand. Blessed be the name of the Lord!