Teach Me

I often "hear" myself saying in my mind, Lord, teach me to write, to speak, to listen, to lead. But it is only a slight show of humility. I ask to be taught then either go and do the thing in the same manner or I let my frustrated mind become distracted with other things.

Those prayers are good and proper requests but futile when uttered by one who has never honestly cried, Lord, teach me to pray and  then entered into the habit and practice of effectual and fervent prayer.

I Love You More

I watched Fireproof with my lovely wife again the other night. I believe that it is the greatest movie widely available today. It is also one of a very few movies that can bring me close to tears (you know, movies like Hoosiers!).

There is one specific scene that continues to stay at the top of the food chain of thoughts in my ever racing mind. **This may be a slight spoiler for the rare person who hasn't seen the movie.** As Caleb comes to the realization of how destructive his internet addictions really are, he promptly removes the computer and then beautifully replaces it with roses and a simple little card that says, "I love you more". How many things in my life need to be replaced with that little note card?

Paul often teaches this principle of replacement, of put off/put on; lies for truth, stealing for giving. Sadly we often stop the application short with just clearly sinful practices but the writer of Hebrews teaches us to lay aside every weight and the sins that so easily trip us. There are even good things that can get in the way of fully loving my wife. It is true that we love what we spend our time and money on. I need to regularly ask her what it is that she perceives I love and value more than her.