At the moment I feel blessed.

Sure I am still in a desert…been so since 2005.

Big Deal.

God is still faithful.

In fact, He’s been pouring out his goodness upon me lately.

I don’t understand it.

Here’s a list of just a few unexpected blessings (some big, some small):

1. My new daughter Addison on Monday (holding her now, she’s beautiful).
2. A rainbow driving back from the park with the kids on Tuesday.
3. An ace in disc golf.
4. A call out of the blue from Christianity Today interviewing me for my book THE FINE LINE.
5. A Bible Training School in OK just ordered a large purchase of my first book, JTR.
6. An eliptical machine given to me, before I even prayed for one, even though I needed to purchase one (working out with 3 kids can’t happen anymore, except for odd hours after the YMCA is closed).
7. A call from my buddy and former life coach Chet Scott (we are headed out for coffee this morning.
8. The opportunity to preach God’s Word next Sunday (sermon titled: 10 most common misconceptions concerning women and ministry which leads to sloppy theology).
9. Family and friends helping out with new baby.
10. My kids, wife, house, ministry, God, etc….

I am reminded of this verse. Keep it on your forefront. God IS for you too! No matter what Satan says to you.

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all– how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Back in 2004 I formed my own Limited Liability Company, Redeem the Day Ministries.

I have a great advisory board,  vision, (to equip and empower current and emerging leaders to grow as authentic followers of Jesus Christ by providing resources, teaching, training, coaching, and consultation), and logo (well, maybe not the logo.)

But there’s a chance it could all be flawed (even more than the logo).

I ran across this verse on the Catalyst Podcast this morning (Episode 74 – Louie Giglio).

KJV Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

In other words, for those of us that have built our foundation on the Lord Jesus Christ, we don’t need to feel the need to make haste…or rush…or redeem the day…(in the negative sense of the phrase…i.e. ambition, zeal, drive).

God has been telling me lately, “Wait on me Kary. Stand back and watch. Don’t rush ahead. Be patient. I have something great in the works.”

Man, that’s tough for a guy like me. Maybe for you too…to keep believing even when you can’t see.

I guess that’s why it’s called faith.

My lovely wife bought me this mug the other day.

Her hint was subtle, but obvious.

She bought it as an encouragement on this new phase of my journey.

And a reminder.

LET GO!

So here are 3 things I have LET GO:

1. My need for CONTROL.
2. My need for APPROVAL.
3. My need for PRODUCTIVITY.

What are your 3 things you are LETTING GO?

During the last few weeks, the Lord has been combing my heart…asking me:

• Whom do I really fear?
• Whom am I trying to please?
• Who is the object of my worship?

Fortunately, those questions have led to the painful removal of several idols. But freedom is around the corner. Because “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

I leave you with those same 3 questions and a quote:

When the soul seeks nothing in the universe but the smile of God and fears nothing but offending Him, it will gladly consent to pay any price to get perfectly right with Him.

7 days.

Fasting from production.

Instead investing in human relationships.

I’m creating a new blog category: more than machines.

This is the first post in that category.

As a result, I’m including a brief excerpt from my next book due out in about a year.

Enjoy…and try to withdraw from the performance drug.

I dare you.

(It’s only possible by feasting on the fact that the Father is already fully pleased with you because of Christ in you.)

“What do you do?”

We tend to get asked this question more than any other.

Not “Who do you love?”

Or “What makes you tick?”

Or “What are your dreams?”

Nope.

The vast majority of humanity decided the most important thing about a person has nothing to do with the internal, but the external; not about who they are, but rather what they do or how they look.

For men, it all comes down to a person’s profession. For women, (I’m told) it’s a matter of how they dress.

But perhaps you’re one of the anomalies. Maybe you’re the guy who doesn’t care what other guys do for a living—you transcend the profession and possession game. And maybe you’re the woman who could care less how other women look—you transcend lip shades and liposuction.

Maybe for you it comes down to whose kids are better dressed or better at sports.

Or who holds the record at the latest video game or on the monster golf course.

Or which friend has the prettiest house.

Or who’s got the biggest ministry or who’s sacrificing more for the Lord.

We’re human and not committed to dig deeper to get beyond the shallow stuff like the size of a guy’s bank account or a woman’s bra.

More coming soon…