It's Not About Me

It seems I am trying to remind myself of this every day. How easily it is to become consumed with what I want or what I think is best. This world embraces those who are wealthy, powerful, and self driven. Our human hearts are definitely filled with selfish and sinful desires, and no matter how hard we try to push away the temptations we face -- we cannot trump them on our own. I know, because for many years of my life I battled temptations on my own. I always told myself that I could handle whatever situation would come my way because I am a grown man and I am strong enough to know when to say when. I failed miserably. Again and again.

I faced trials and struggles that forced me to step back and reevaluate my heart. My sweet mother is the one who truly recognized my failure and explained to me that I have to let go of trying to be so independent and learn to be dependent on God in all that I do. No matter what hardships we face, what struggles we encounter or what uncertainties may come our way -- God will provide!

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV)

Praise Jesus that He is strong in the midst of our struggles and He will help us follow His will for our lives!

Amen!

GG
Luke 9:23

What are you passionate about?

Passion. It is what makes grown men yell and scream at a TV while decked out in a game-day jersey, matching wrist bands and eye black. Passion. It is what transforms polite southern ladies into raving, fanatic supporters of her favorite college team. Passion. It is what has damaged life long friendships and ended marriages. Manners and etiquette are tossed aside when college football arrives. In fact, the intense emotion we show for our team is displayed 24-7-365, it just seems to be intensified when the season draws near. A simple two word phrase is all it takes to know where our allegiance lies. "Roll Tide", "War Eagle", and "Go Dawgs" are phrases that will be plastered on FB pages, in front yards, and on vehicles. These cries will be heard continuously throughout this area for the rest of 2012. Nothing tops our passion for college football in the south east!

And this is where the problem lies. Where is this passion when it comes to worshiping and praising our Lord and Savior? If we showed half the emotion on Sundays that we display on college game-day, our churches would be rocking with praise for Jesus! Doesn't our Redeemer deserve more? Shouldn't our passion for Christ be infinitely more visible than our passion for anything of this world? Yet, we are willing to go to extreme measures to defend and praise our beloved football team -- but when it comes to worshiping our Creator and Savior our efforts are lukewarm at best.

Jesus tells us in his Word, "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16 ESV) Jesus wants ALL of us. He deserves ALL of us. Not just on Sundays and Wednesdays but 24-7-365! We need to give up our passions of this world and focus our desires on Jesus. Luke 9:23 states, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." We must die DAILY to our worldly passions and desires and simply follow Jesus!

So again I ask you, as football season approaches ... What are you passionate about?




GG
Luke 9:23

A cry for Integrity

I am sitting on a balcony in Panama City Beach looking out at God's amazing creation. I don't think we are meant to truly understand the depth of God's wonderful power while we are held captive in a sinful world. I can say that I have felt that power this morning though. That's why I am sitting here creating this blog.

I am currently reading "The Resolution for Men" by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. It's content is filled with God's Word calling us to be Christ-Like men filled with courage, honor, integrity and faithfulness. I cannot help but wonder what has happened to the men in our day and time. We shy away from living a life like Jesus because we are afraid it will make us less of a man in the eyes of our peers. We fear the judgement of the world if we were to turn away from what is considered "cool" and turn our eyes upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We continue to strive for success as the world knows it: money, power, women, authority, independence, physical appearance. All the while ignoring the simple yet critical commandment that Jesus has led out before us to follow Him. Satan has skillfully blinded us to the fact that we are leading our families to be a success as it is measured by the world and not by God.

In "The Resolution for Men" it is stated, "There is a cry for integrity in our land. We desperately need men who will keep their word in leading our churches,our businesses, and our government. Leaders stand on their integrity." I feel God calling me to lead but more importantly I feel Him calling me to share my journey with you as I die daily to myself, take up my cross and follow Jesus.

Not all days will be full of sunshine and laughter. Many days will be like today; dark, rainy and quiet. I look forward to sharing the good and the bad in hopes that it will strengthen my walk with Jesus and hopefully help others do the same. Let's cry out to God that He may fill us with integrity so we can be real men who fall in love with Jesus more and more every day and more importantly men who share that love with others through our daily walk with Christ.


- Griff Gordy
Luke 9:23

Location:Front Beach Rd,Panama City Beach,United States