Steven Gibbs

Discipline or Depression

Reading the New Testament thru in 30 days has reminded me of the discipline of reading my Bible.  How can we develop a discipline?  Discipline for discipline sake is a setup for depression.  As has been quoted, discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.  If all you want most is discipline, eventually you’ll want something else most, like sugar!

So, I’m going to launch a series of posts on some keys to discipline.  Hey, I know there are plenty on this topic, but it seems that it can be a great reminder for us all. 

So, today, let’s talk about targets – Discipline must serve as a roadway towards a target.  If it’s a never-ending highway, you’ll eventually pull over for a pit stop. 

For instance, I make decisions for my marriage based on a target.  I frequently repeat the number “50” in my mind.  Lord willing, I want to be able for my kids to hold a huge celebration for Debby and my 50th wedding anniversary.  I really want more than that, but “50” is such a milestone.  I want them to be able to stand up and give a toast about their parent’s marriage.  While not perfect, we trusted God to guide us through.  I want my wife to be able to stand up and say that I loved her well. 

There are many other factors that will determine this outcome, most of which are out of our control.  But a target (“50”) can guide us to make decisions today that help us choose between what we want now and what we want most.

If you seem to be having trouble with a discipline in your life - health, spiritual, relational - maybe you don't have an inspiring target.  Answer the question, "What's my target?"    

 

John 10

It's shocking how much the word life is used in the book of John.  Seems like Jesus would have used words like REPENT!  Yeah, seems like He would be yelling like that.  Or STOP!  Or GET IT TOGETHER! Or HELL AWAITS!  Or any other numerous judgmental and demeaning words.  But He used life like it had never been used before.  

Up to this point during the fast, there are days when I probably haven't felt a lot like the word life.  However, I think I finally see the dawn breaking.  The tide is turning. Now that I've quit the pity party and all the whining I can hear God say something.

If you've joined us as we pray and fast, you may feel the same way.  Up until now, you've focused on what you'd like or what you're gonna miss out on.  So, since Jesus didn't really say it this way, let me say it to all of us. SUCK IT UP! Do I really need to pull out the "starving children in Africa would love to eat what you're eating" card?  Time to quit listening to what we're doing without, and pray for what God wants to do within.  

Remember:  ME - YOU - US

Reminders

The other night, John and I were getting his clothes out for the next day. I pulled out a pair of shorts, and asked where the matching shirt was hiding. He said, “they cut it off after the golf cart wreck.” Ouch.

My first thought was some regret, some pain. I was hoping that it wouldn’t cause him to have any bad dreams, or be afraid. But why do we go to the negative so quickly on reminders? I should have remembered how far he has come, how blessed we have been with his recovery, how fortunate I am to have so many people care.

In the Bible, God sets up reminders so that we can remember what He has done. There are feasts that commemorate God’s working – see the Passover. There are physical memorials that are used to spur our memory of what God has done. There’s the Lord’s Supper that we use to remember Jesus' death and proclaim it until He comes again.

God knows we forget the good stuff sometimes. Anytime a memory creeps into your consciousness that causes fear or anxiety, try to find something good that came out of it. Then thank God for how far you’ve come.

Roger Clemens

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to defend yourself. Roger Clemens has been very proactive, and sometimes vehement, in defending himself against steroid use. After today’s circus, it seems that he may have gone too far. Roger said it himself, “"No matter what we discuss here today, I am never going to have my name restored."

I’m not sure whether Roger Clemens is innocent or guilty. But what I am sure about is that there are times when people are going to lie about you. The lies may be small, and may not get you in front of Congress, but they will lie. Some will know they’re lying, and some won’t.

The hard part is knowing when to fight, and when to leave it alone. Fighting may bring more problems and actually not be beneficial. As the bible says, the battle is the Lord’s. One of the amazing aspects of Jesus life was the times when he didn’t defend himself against false accusation. He stayed focused on his message, and didn’t let anything distract him. Oh, that we could all live that type of singularly focused life.

Intensity

Man, these last few weeks have been especially crazy for me. Speaking at funerals, traveling, normal Sunday speaking, and our Man Laws just to start. Add on top of that baseball and Debby’s birthday (we’re having a surprise party for her tonight, don’t tell), really make me scrape every minute out of a day.

I normally am up between 4:30 and 5:00 to spend some time with God before the day starts. When I get as busy as I have been these last weeks, I am tempted to work through those times. I have found that I am so much more effective if I continue to protect that time as best as I can. I’m not perfect at it, but strive to truly hear from God every morning, especially when I am speaking frequently. God has a way of multiplying my time and creativity.

Another place I am tempted to cut corners is my exercise. Then my body feels bad, my brain slows down, and I am more worthless than usual. I try to at least get some minimal exercise, even if it is only running 20-30 miles (smile).

Keep your priorities, spend time with God, your family, and take care of your health. If you don’t, then you’ll be laid up for a long time.

Don’t miss Sunday, as we conclude our Life In Suburbia series. I truly am sad to see this series end!