Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.

Two things stand out to me here:

1. Jesus was the son of God, but he still learned obedience. It wasn’t inherent. This makes me feel better about my inability to obey sometimes. The more I learn about Jesus, the more hope I see for myself, only because of Him. I do think that the word “learned” here should be read, like in the original language, as “to acquire the habit” or “be accustomed to”, rather than like a child learning to read.

2. Suffering yields obedience. I believe that the circumstances of your suffering will determine who/what you are obedient to. Jesus suffered for something He believed in and He finished His suffering, so He “learned” to be obedient to God. The kind of suffering that brings complete obedience includes complete endurance of the suffering. No quitting. No letting up. We have to finish.

This is definitely a time of year that lots of people begin programs or make promises that lead to sacrifices and ultimately some suffering. Diets, exercise plans, and Bible reading plans. You know what I’m talking about.

As we suffer through the hunger pangs or sore joints, remember that if we see it through, we will learn to be obedient to ourselves or maybe Someone greater than us. However, this all begs the question . . .

Suffering yields obedience, but are we willing to endure?

One.Love

cd

Q: What is this blog about?
A: I want to stay mostly within 5 main categories.
Worship: My thoughts on worship leading and worship music. My general musings on growing as a worship leader.

Faith: My thoughts and observations on how God is moving in my life. This is my attempt to be transparent and open, within reason, with the good and bad of my walk in an effort to spur others to authenticity in their own lives.

Life: My thoughts on what is happening to me, in general. This is more about the day-to-day or interesting things that are going on.

Bible: My thoughts on what I am reading and how it applies in my life. Hopefully, this will encourage others to see how the Bible applies to them as well.

Creativity: My thoughts on any cool things that I’d call creative. Taking time to notice out-of-the-box ideas can lead to creativity of your own.

Q: Who do I write my blog for?
A: I write for believers, worship leaders, and friends.

Q: Why do I write my blog?
A: I write my blog so that I can put my thoughts about worship, life, and my walk into words. Hopefully, what I write can be encouraging and helpful as well as a mean of accountability for myself. I’d like to show how God is moving in my life and how I am being shaped through my circumstances, whether good or bad.

Q: Why In.Motion?
A: In Motion is a way for me to express the fact that no matter our circumstances, no matter where we are in life, we are always in motion. More importantly, God is always moving in our lives. Let me rephrase that: No matter our circumstances, God is always in motion. This can be a source of hope for those who believe because the Bible says in Romans 8:28, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him”. God moves in the good, God works through the bad, and, undoubtably, God always redeems. That is my hope.

I think that this is going to be a good, fresh restart. I’m hoping that In.Motion can be used to glorify God, to help me grow, and, hopefully, help others grow as well. Also, let me say this: I know I’m not perfect and this is not my attempt to come across as such. I’m going to say dumb things and I might even offend people (I am a sinner). Please know that I write this blog with the intent of building others up and with some degree of foresight. I only want to share how God is working in my life and what I’m learning along the way.

I’d like to invite you along for the ride.

One.Love

cd

It’s like telling a kid to share without showing them first hand. They have heard that sharing is good and they need to do it, but they can’t do it if they aren’t shown it.

Thats how I feel. Frustrated and just a little bit lost. Now don’t hear me say that I don’t agree with the Bible about how important it is to fear the Lord, or that it doesn’t show me how to do so. Actually, tonight I found just the opposite.

I was reading in Proverbs 2 and verses 1-5 paint a great outline for the basis of understanding the fear of the Lord. Solomon gives us five quick points that if we follow and pursue, then we will understand the fear of the Lord.

1. If you accept my words
- Just listen and take in wisdom that is spoken to you.

2. Store up my commands within you
- Internalize all the boundaries and guidelines that the Bible has given us.

3. Apply your heart to understanding
- When seeking to interpret scripture or anything of God, put your heart into it. Make it something you truly desire.

4. Call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding
- Seek insight and wisdom from mentors, disciplers, or leaders in your church about your life’s situations. Don’t hold these things in your heart, because the Bible tells us that the wise seek wise counsel.

5. Look for it (wisdom/understanding) as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure
- Hold wisdom and understanding as important, and more so, as anything worldly thing we could want.

Then, once we pursue and desire all of these things, it says that you will understand the fear of the Lord. I may not know what it looks like specifically in my life to fear the Lord, but I know where to start.

Do you know what it looks like to fear the Lord in your life? I’d love to hear what you think that looks like.

One.Love

cd

Got it? . . . Good.

Now, didn’t we all hear that word growing up in movies and stuff. The really edgy kid who wants to do something bad to look cool would say this to the kinda nerdy kid who doesn’t want to drink beer or get in trouble. Think Judd Nelson talking to Molly Ringwald in “The Breakfast Club”.

No one wants to be the prude.

Why?

No one wants to be left out . . . but that’s another post entirely.

My point is this: I think that our view of prudence is vastly different than its original intent. We have taken this concept, that could save us a lot of trouble if we gave it some weight in our lives, and made it into something that isn’t desired. Why do I bring this up? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Proverbs 1:3-4
[In reference to seeking/attaining wisdom}
“(3)for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; (4) for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.”

Think back to your definition of prudent. Maybe you though of phrases like “No Fun” or “Lame” or maybe a good ole’ fashioned “Stick in the Mud”. Whatever your definition was, it probably doesn’t have a positive connotation. Here’s what it really means:

Prudent – acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

Interesting.

There’s no mention of missing out on things, or letting fun/mischievous events pass us by. Having prudence in our lives means that we are living with regard to our future. The decisions we make today effect where we are down the road, and prudence means that we are all to aware of this.

Solomon mentions this word twice, very closely together. This has got to be a point he wants us to really take hold of. He has seen how little decisions can become something that we didn’t see back when. To seek wisdom is, then, to seek prudence. To always consider, “In light of my future, what is the wise thing to do?”.

So, I urge you to take a few minutes and consider your future. Don’t try to control it or plan every detail, but think about the man/woman you want to become and think about what needs to happen for you to get there. Then, begin to live your life in such a way that will aid in your walk there.

One.Love

cd

Here’s the basics: It’s foundation is the SOAP method. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it before, but it merely stands for the order of how you take scripture in. Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. I think the most important part of this whole process is how you start. Before you even open your Bible, take a moment to pray that God would show you one thing. Just one thing. Just one piece of something that you can really focus on and try and unfold. That’s where my problem has been. My mind wanders a lot, ask SB. So, when I can really focus on something, it helps immensely, and this process not only allows me to really take in what I’m reading, but It encourages me to apply what I read to my life.

If this all doesn’t make sense, allow me to share with you my entry from tonight . . .

Scripture: Mark 10:43-44 “Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (NIV).

Observation: This was a revolutionary idea. I don’t think anyone have ever emphasized or encouraged servanthood as a way to lead or to build up leaders. Using serving as your motivation to lead eliminates pride, envy, and other destructive things ego fosters. As a servant, your focus is helping and coming alongside/under who ever you are serving. Serving lightens the load for someone and encourages/elevates others. When people can see that your motive is to help and serve themselves and others, they feel appreciated and respected.

Application: When I think “Is this my job?”, I need to refocus and serve. No questions asked. I want to be able to see where I can serve daily. I need to stop hesitating and asking questions and just start doing. This won’t be easy or fun, but it is essential to becoming a leader that is focused on Christ.

Prayer: Jesus, I ask that You would open my eyes to opportunities where I can serve. How can I do more than just slide by? Give me places to offer more to You and others. Allow me to love the people I couldn’t on my own. Le my motives come form a desire to serve. Show me what hold me back from being able to fully allow myself to serve, so that I can work and grow.

What are you reading?

One.Love

cd