My back is killing me . . .  and I’m so excited!

OK, let’s back up a bit.  I’m sitting here doing what I normally do once or twice a month . . . writing a “blog” (who came up with that word anyway?)   Sometimes it just comes pretty easily – and other times I just stare blankly at my computer screen wondering what on earth could I possible say that would be worth the time of the people who read it.  Exciting huh?

Oh yeah . . . and my back hurts.  Doesn’t usually because I have a strong back.  But, I must have done something weird so my body is telling me “DON’T MOVE!”   Exciting huh?

Let’s see: why am I excited?  Well, I just dropped Teri off at the airport (to fly back to her folks in Phoenix) for approximately the 230^th time in the past 14 years.  (seriously . . . 230 times)  Teri is a saint.  She has faithfully loved and cared for her folks under extremely difficult circumstances that me, or anyone else cannot fully understand.  So, we’re apart once again . . .  exciting huh?

I didn’t sleep well last night because my back hurts.  I just couldn’t get comfortable.  So I did what I usually do in the night when I can’t sleep – I prayed.  So, if you’re one of my kids or you’re from Westside, you probably got prayed for.  And for those of you who are going through tough times – you got “cried” for . . .  exciting huh?

Here’s the thing:  sometimes life sucks.

Here’s the bigger thing:  Jesus!

Now that’s exciting!

Why should we be surprised anyway?  Jesus told us that we’d have trouble.  He also told us to “be of good cheer” because He has overcome the world.  Exciting huh?

Peter also warned us that we shouldn’t be surprised at the “fiery ordeal” as if something strange was happening to us.

We can choose to be like a chicken that pecks at the ground with a two foot field of view
or we can be like the eagle that can see for miles as she soars above the storm.

So, what is it?

• Are you mad at God?
• Are sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Are you at the level of despair that’s “off the scale”?
• Are you just coasting – with no thing on the horizon that brings you hope?
• Are you a success on the outside but hollow on the inside?

What is it?   What’s dragging you down?

Say it . . . then give it to Him!

Well, that’s enough rambling . . . here’s some good medicine:

PRESCRIPTION:  (take 7x a day)

1.  Look to Jesus for the strength to continue

Psalm 42:5-6
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

2.  Try to look at problems in the light of eternity

1 Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. ¹³  Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

3.  Think constantly about God’s Word

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.   (additional help: read Psalm 119 and underline all the benefits of God’s Word)

4.  Never – Never – Ever . . . Give Up

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

You see, Jesus gives us life . . . real life!  He came to die for us so that we’d have hope . . . real hope!  Not just wishful thinking, but confidence in His Word and His ways.  We are not in this alone!  He is with us always!

I am so excited about:

– real life in Christ, loving Him, serving Him, enjoying Him

– the anticipation of whatever is around the corner – God is “up to something” good!

– my awesome wife and kids

– a great church family here at Westside

– the humbling opportunity to do what I absolutely love doing

– telling folks about Jesus

– assisting them in their next step in God

– helping other churches and their leaders mature

Exciting huh?  Oh yeah . . . my back still hurts.

Love you Guys,

Steve 🙂

UPDATE: I wrote this on Wednesday morning.  Teri prayed for me before she left for Phoenix and within hours I was 90% better!  Praise God!!