A WHOLE MAN

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11b (NIV) This has been a very busy month for me in terms of traveling around. I returned home from Brazil after a long three weeks and, after two days, I now find myself back in a hotel in the great city of Duncan, Oklahoma. Although it is slightly inconvenient to me, in terms of my schedule for studying the word, prayer, and working out to live in a hotel for almost a full month, I have found great comfort in the words from the apostle Paul. A man who has murderous attempts on his life, been imprisoned on multiple occasions, beaten up, shipwrecked three times, and bitten by a snake was able to find a state of contentedness regardless of what situation he was in. Talk about finding complete joy. This is the same joy that the beloved disciple wrote of many times for other believers to embrace. And this is a joy that over the years I have learned to develop and enjoy. That no matter what situation I find...

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1 As I roam (safely) around Brazil during the little free time I have here, I am astounded with the beauty of all that is around me. Growing up in Houston where our mountains have a peak of 50 ft. above sea level I am completely in awe of the scenery around me here in Rio de Janeiro. I am not one to waste time, but when I go out I cannot help but take a moment of time to simply soak in all that is around me. I am reminded of the words from David proclaiming how His creation proclaims His glory. I can honestly say that those words are not enough. The average elm tree has approximately 6 million leaves on it. Have you ever thought about how diverse and creative God is? He didn’t have to make hundreds of different kinds of bananas, but He did. He didn’t have to put 3,000 different species of trees within one square mile in the Amazon jungle, but He did. God didn’t have to create so man...

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2 (NKJV) A little over a year ago I began this blog to track my development in two aspects of my life. The first area related to my spiritual walk with the Lord. I have enjoyed writing my thoughts and learnings throughout this short period of time and have most benefited from my meditation of scripture. It is not just enough to read the scriptures, it is vitally important to glean wisdom and understanding from and through it. There is a quote that goes something like “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Oh how this is so true. This blog provided me a source to express my reflections (albeit filtered and summarized) on certain passages that I had read during the course of that week. It is no lie that when we constantly focus our thoughts and attention ...

“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Above is a picture of the view I have from the hotel that I am staying at in Rio De Janeiro. The weather here is an amazing 80 degrees Fahrenheit and before you get jealous, know that I am here on business and rarely have free time during the week to spend time getting tanner and go swimming. Additionally, the Crossfit Open (if you haven’t registered yet, go ahead and do that now, you can read this after) is coming up on Feb 27th. With me being here in Brazil until February 20th, I know my physical fitness will take a hit, as I won’t have all the equipment I need, and my performance will not be where it could have been. I do plan on dropping in to a few boxes when I can to get a proper workout and maintain some of my strength. Howev...