The Practice of the Practical

Most of us know the old saying,”If you were arrested for being Christian would there be enough evidence to prosecute you.” We all say we would be found guilty but our daily lives may just conflict with those beliefs.

These are things I have had to consider recently. You have battled terrible health issues for the last fifteen years, you live everyday in pain, you just lost your daughter to cancer. You have been a teacher in the church for over forty years, you write a Christian newsletter (okay, that was just meant to be funny).

While all of these are true I may have been using some if not most of them as a crutch or crutches. The other side of these issues is what they prevent me from doing, or what I believe they prevent me from doing. Yes, I hurt. Yes, everyday, but it doesn’t have to prevent me from doing some things most days. I should also work harder at helping more, writing more, and studying more.

These are hard words to write. It puts my omissions front and center in black and white. You see, I love to teach. I love to read and study deeply. I love intellectual pursuit. It is the practical things that need more work.

I know my heart and my desires but sometimes those do not lead to practice. I need to be a better husband, father, and grandfather. I will be focusing more on others in the coming months, and seeking to “participate” more in daily life. And that means I will finally be getting back to writing. Well, I have been writing but will begin publishing once again. So much to do. So much to say.

What about you? Can you think of sins/acts of commission or omission? Be honest. Do not be afraid to consider where you have failed, where your weaknesses lie, or how you can listen better to the whispers of the Spirit of God. So much to do. So much to say.

Grace & Peace,

Richard

…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own aassembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Heb. 10:24–25)

do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Php 2:4)