"Cockle doodle do!"

My morning started in typical fashion.  I woke before the sun, kind of laid there, and listened to my roosters crowing.  If they are anything, they are consistent.  They are surprisingly consistent.  Rain or shine, snow or sleet (God forbid), those boys wake up and crow.  They could work for the United States Postal Service.  I am pretty sure I could tell you which rooster crowed when I hear them.  Each has a unique voice. 

Our God is also consistent.  Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us:

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Our God is consistently new every morning!  We can know and trust that no matter what kept us awake the night before; no matter what is weighing heavy on our hearts; HIS mercies are new every morning!  While He remains the same however, we change.  But the cool thing is He gives us each a unique voice.  Just like I know the voices of my roosters, He knows each of our voices.  And unlike me, who might occasionally get it wrong (though not often ;), He never does.


In my first blog post I mentioned having a word for the year.  My word for the year was "purpose."  I have asked myself how many different posts I can make that contain unique insights into "purpose."  Each of my roosters is unique in personality and looks.  Each of those qualities has an impact on their purpose at Smelser Farms.  While each of them is there to protect his little flock, some of my roosters' purposes are strictly 'eye candy.'  They are fun to look at and watch.  Plumage, combs, etc. make them really fun to observe.

Others have the purpose to reproduce.  The expectation is that they cover their ladies and hatch good little biddies.  Interestingly enough, the same characteristics impact both purposes.  While 'eye-candy' is contingent on preference of variables, breeding use is dependent on consistency of those variables.  They must look a certain way to be useful in our breeding program.  Both types of roosters are valuable for different purposes.  

Just like the unique qualities of each rooster determines his purpose, the same is true of us.  God created us with unique qualities that help determine our purpose.  1 Corinthians 12:4-7 tells us 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

I am really digging verse 7: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. My handsome chicken boys don't all share the same purpose, though they are each able to perform the same tasks.  No two look alike, similar to be sure, but not identical.  As believers in Christ, God has given us each of our strengths and weaknesses for His purpose.  Will we be obedient or will we do what we want?

You see unlike my roosters who don't exactly have a free will, we humans do.  God provides all the tools to figure out what our purpose is, but, He allows us to decide if we'll accept it.  The question is, will you accept His perfect will, or will you go with His permissive will?  I can hatch the eggs from any coop at Smelser Farms, but the result will be inferior and imperfect birds that have little more than ascetic value.  They won't perpetuate breed type and standard of perfection.  

The thing is, I have chickens for more than just laying eggs.  The TRUTH is, God created you for more than just laying eggs.  He has a plan and a purpose for your life, and that plan and purpose will glorify Him if you are obedient to your unique calling.  He will use each of the unique qualities He has given you (plumage, comb, feet, egg color, etc.) to carry that purpose out!

"PURPOSE - with, on, and for."

Like most folks, reflection is part of the year changing.  I have contemplated what my #1 should be for 2020 and I have committed to a few things:

1. I will read through the entire Bible again this year.

2. I will engage my wife and kiddos more intentionally.

3. I will lead my church obediently.

4. I will be a better steward of ALL I've been entrusted with.

5. I will live a life of intentional gratitude.

6. I will pursue additional academic study.

7. I will harvest my limit of deer.

8. I will breed better chickens.

9. I will get and remain healthy.

10. I will boldly live out my faith.

Some are typical and normal, others... not so much.  I've observed folks coming up with a single word to define the coming year.  So, naturally I've been mulling that over.  However those of you who know me likely see the humor in that prospect.  I am much more apt to come up with a defining thought or phrase.

As I have considered this, a favorite song continues running through my head.  The song is entitled, "THIS IS A MOVE."  Following are some of the lyrics:

Mountains are still being moved
Strongholds are still being loosed
God, we believe
'Cause yes, we can see it
That wonders are still what you do

And bodies are still being raised
Giants are still being slayed
God, we believe
Yes, we can see it
That wonders are still what you do

We are here for you
Come and do what you do
We are here for you
Come and do what you do
We set our hearts on you
Come and do what you do
'Cause we need a move
We need a move
We need a move, yeah
We need a move

This song is my battle cry for 2020. I want to be certain that I receive all that God has for me. He is an omnipotent, omniscient God who has so much more for me than I ever embrace. We often doubt His all-sufficiency and without realizing, we don't live what we state we believe about His Word. He is the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER! You know what that means? It means everything He did back in Bible times, He can still do! Yeah, yeah... I know this doesn't sound like a typical Baptist pastor, but I can't preach that God is all of these things and then not live like He actually is.

I want to walk by faith and not by site. I want to live in victory and not defeat. I am fully cognizant that all of life isn't good, but His Word states clearly in Romans 8:28, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  "All" includes the unsavory parts of life too.

Yeah, WE NEED A MOVE, but in order for that move to happen, we must be obedient to His Word.  And listen friends, partial obedience, is still disobedience.  His Word is clear.  I cannot conform the Word to my agenda, I need to conform my agenda to His Word.  Can God still move mountains, loose strongholds, raise bodies and slay giants?  YES!!! BUT, don't miss the lyrics in the chorus:

We are here for you
Come and do what you do
We are here for you
Come and do what you do
We set our hearts on you
Come and do what you do
'Cause we need a move
We need a move
We need a move, yeah
We need a move

As you consider my musings regarding 2020, ask yourself 3 questions:
1. Do I need a move?
2. Am I here for God?
3. Is my heart set on God?

If your answer to #1 isn't "YES," we need to talk!  We all need to experience more of God.  We all should be praying that His Holy Spirit has complete freedom to move in our lives.  Oh yeah, as we do that, we can expect that He will reveal some areas in our lives we'd rather not address.  Don't shy away.  Remember Romans 8:28?  As one of my former pastors used to say, "All means all and that's all that it means."  Those difficult things are difficult for a reason and as we submit those areas to Him, He is glorified.

#2 is about what motivates you.  Is your relationship with God #1 and is it the first consideration in your decision making process on any issue?

#3 is easy to assess.  What you spend your time, energy, and money on is a clear indicator of what your heart is set on.

Now, back to that one word for the year...  I can't believe I have narrowed it down, but my one word is PURPOSE.  I want to live with PURPOSE!  I want to live on PURPOSE!  I want to fulfill my PURPOSE!  I want to be a better man of God, a better husband, a better father, a better pastor, and a better friend (in that order).

I assure you my thoughts in this blog will be more cohesive and coherent
at some times than others.  However I commit to transparency and and honesty.  Feel free to comment and message questions and prayer requests.

May God bless,