Advent 2015

Today is the first day of Advent. For many this means absolutely nothing. In our American consumeristic culture, it marks the beginning of holiday shopping deals, a season long of special coffees, and making travel plans to visit family.

A youtuber, Maple Anglican, provides a nice overview of what advent is.

Advent actually marks the beginning of the Christian calendar. Advent is a Latin term that literally means "coming". Christians kick off the year preparing our hearts for the second coming of the Christ. You see Christ came the first time to reveal Himself and ransom people for God. His second coming will bring judgement and separation of the sheep and goats. To some it will be met with joy. To others it will be a time of great sorrow and regret. 

This season of Advent reminds me of the story Jesus told of the ten virgins in Matthew 25.

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids[a] took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.[b] 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids[c] got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids[d] came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.[e]

Friends, we must be diligent to prepare ourselves for "that Day". We must make sure our lamps have oil. We do not know the time the Master will return. It will come upon us like a thief in the night.

I know it is easy to get distracted during the holidays. We all want to be able to give gifts and see our loved ones. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Yet, we are commanded to always seek first the kingdom of God. Instead of focusing on what our culture says the season is about, let us fix our eyes on Jesus first and foremost. 

Men, take your family to church. As the dad goes, so goes the family.  Quit putting your hobbies in the way of your family and God. It's not the mom's responsibility to lead your family. It's yours! Quit being a coward. Man up and show your family what it looks like to seek the Lord. That's another blog post for another day.

This Advent season, be diligent in seeking the Lord. Prepare your heart for His coming. Do not say to yourself, "tomorrow I will seek the Lord." None of us know the day or the hour when He will come. Be ready. 

It's Thanksgiving, RELAX

We are officially on the eve of the big day! It's truly a moment for us all to reminisce and be thankful. It's a time for us to enjoy the good company of family and friends. It's also a time for us all to enjoy eating good food!

I can't emphasize the enjoy good food part enough. I have stated in a previous post about healthy living that it's important to have a healthy diet. When I say healthy diet, I'm not talking about binge diets many of us roller coast on. I'm talking about an overall lifestyle of eating healthy. It's important to eat a good balanced diet consisting of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. We need to eat good meat, assortments of vegetables, and fruits. We also need to relax and enjoy the holiday food.

Nothing is worse than being "that guy" or "that girl" who during holidays sticks with water only and snoodily looks at everyone else eating turkey and dressing while rummaging through a salad. Here's some advice from someone who by grace has survived congestive heart failure. Enjoy the holiday food! Eat the turkey, ham, dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato pies, deviled eggs, etc. Live a little!

When I was initially recovering from heart failure in 2003, I was placed on a strict low sodium diet. I went hardcore and monitored every single milligram of sodium in my diet. When I would report back to my heart doctor every few weeks, I didn't hesitate to let them know how I was following "the plan". Well, after about two months of visiting my doctor, he frustratedly told me to "chill out!", in his Indian accent. He said I needed to not be afraid to live a little and enjoy a snickers or slice of pizza every now and then. He wasn't telling me to just drop my diet, however he was telling me to relax.

During this holiday season, RELAX. Enjoy the company of family, friends, and food.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:1-4

2016 is almost here. For many, 2015 was a spectacular year. They grew spiritually, health is the best it's ever been, and their career is taking off. For others, 2015 was painful. Perhaps the loss of a loved one, a break up or divorce, a career set back, or their own health is declining. For these people they can only hope the new year will be kinder. 

Life doesn't always come at us as we expect and rarely does. We need Someone who is stronger than our world. We need Someone who understands what it's like to live on this earth and face adversity. We need Someone who understands as humans we fall and sin. We need Someone who not only knows we fall and sin, but can lift us up out of our weaknesses and sinfulness. We need Someone who will deal mercifully with us and not as our sins deserve. We need Someone who can restore our brokenness. 

I want to encourage you, no matter where you are spiritually, financially, or emotionally, to fix your eyes upon Someone who lives for you. Maybe you find yourself in the group of people where life can't get any better. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Perhaps 2015 was a disaster for you and seemingly all hope is gone. Fix your eyes on Jesus.  

Jesus Christ is perfect theology

John 14:6-9

 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know[d] my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Colossians 1:15-19

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in[h] him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in[i] him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

Hebrews 1:3

3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being

For the Christian, Jesus Christ is perfect theology. Any belief or perception we have about God has to be checked with the Person of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who reveals to mankind who God is. It is also Jesus who reveals to mankind God's intention of what humanity should look like. 

It is in the Person of Jesus Christ the law and the prophets are fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). Is it any wonder that when the disciples saw The Lord transfigured on the mountain, Moses and Elijah were seen with Him? Moses (the law) and Elijah (the prophets) are the Old Testament. 

It's all about Jesus. 

Many times our religious life gets off focus and we don't keep the main thing the main thing. In Luke 24, we read the story about two men on the road to Emmaus. They were followers of Jesus. They had walked with Him and seen Him minister to many people. They had hopes He was the long awaited messiah, but after Jesus' crucifixion they had their doubts. Even though they had been around the Lord and did religious stuff, they failed to see the main point. Like these disciples, we can sometimes get caught up in our religious routines and attempt to make God fit our agenda. When it doesn't workout how we thought it ought to, we get sad and upset. Well that's exactly how the two disciples on the road to Emmaus felt. It wasn't until Jesus began explaining from the law and prophets that everything that had transpired the past few days were necessary and about Him. He then went with them into the village and broke bread with them. When He broke bread with them, their eyes were opened to everything He explained to them. Even Holy Communion is about Him. It was as the disciples broke bread with Jesus that He was made known to them. 

We don't have to try and figure out who God is. He has come in the person of Jesus Christ to reveal Himself fully. There are no secrets. He stands at the door of our hearts. Will we open them to Him?

Something to share on loneliness

In addition to utilizing the Book of Common Prayer for personal and family devotions, I have also been using an app on my phone from Holy Trinity Brompton Church. HTB is an Anglican Church in London led by Fr. Nicky Gumbel. The app they created is called Bible in One Year (BiOY). It's daily scripture readings from Old and New testaments as well as the Psalms and Proverbs. Each day has a short commentary on the scriptures as well as a brief essay on the themes for the daily readings. Below is the essay for today's theme. It was too good not to share. 

"I remember reading an article in The Big Issue (the magazine sold by, and in aid of, the homeless) called ‘Single Lives’. It pointed out that most people’s image of loneliness in London is of a frail old lady stuck on the 24th floor of a block of flats. In reality, it could equally be a young, fashionably dressed guy trying desperately to make conversation with a girl standing next to him in a crowded bar. Being surrounded by so many people only compounds the feeling of isolation.

Mother Teresa said, ‘Loneliness and the feeling of being uncared for and unwanted are the greatest poverty.’ Loneliness is one of the greatest problems facing humanity today.

‘The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms,’ writes Desmond Tutu. He continues, ‘We are made for complementarity. We are created for a delicate network of relationships, of interdependence with our fellow human beings... We belong in one family – God’s family, the human family... the greatest good is communal harmony.’

God does not intend for you to be lonely and isolated. Loneliness has been described as ‘a homesickness for God’. God created you for community – calling you into relationship with him and with other human beings."

You can download their BiOY app for free on your smartphone. 

God bless. 

The Church

On November 1, we celebrate All Saints Day. This is a day for those of us in the Church to celebrate the lives of saints living and ones who came before us. They are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in the letter of Hebrews. They are the early church fathers. They are martyrs of the faith. They are the pastors, Sunday school leaders, youth and children's ministry directors, grandparents, and friends who are faithful to Christ.

This celebration was a favorite of John Wesley and one he "peculiarly loved".  It is a time we recognize and give thanks for the body of Christ which is His Church.

Now, we live in a day in which society, even some who call themselves Christians, have a low or negative view of the church. You might have even heard some say you don't need the church to be a Christian. This view is contrary to scripture and apostolic tradition.

So what is so special about the church? I will answer the question from the historic Nicene Creed. This was a statement of faith of the early church that distinguished the apostles teaching's handed down to the body of Christ from heresies. The confession of this creed states, "And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church."

First, the Church is One. Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Jesus Christ has one Bride, not many. He loves her and gave Himself for her. He will never divorce her and is always faithful to her. 

Second, the Church is Holy. Ephesians 5:26-27 says, "26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." Christ Jesus is actively sanctifying His Body. She will be perfected in love. Holiness is not an option for the Church. She is forever set apart for God. 

Third, the Church is Catholic. This might unnerve some of you. However, another term that can be used for catholic is universal. The Church consists of people of all languages, races, and geographical locations. Galatians 3:28 says, "28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave[g] nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." At one time, God's people were considered to be of one national race. Since Christ has come, salvation has come to all people of every nation, tribe, and tongue. 

Lastly, the Church is Apostolic. Within the Church can be found the teachings of the apostles. Jude says, "3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." There is no new revelation concerning Jesus Christ and the message of salvation. Ephesians 2:20 tells us the body of Christ is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus being the chief cornerstone. 

What do some of our early church fathers, who we celebrate on All Saints Day, say about the church?

Saint Irenaeus (died A.D. 202):

“[The Church] is the entrance to life; all others are thieves and robbers. On this account we are bound to avoid them… We hear it declared of the unbelieving and the blinded of this world that they shall not inherit the world of life which is to come… Resist them in defense of the only true and life giving faith, which the Church has received from the Apostles and imparted to her sons.” (Against Heresies , Book III)

Origen (died A.D. 254):

“Let no man deceive himself. Outside this house, that is, outside the Church no one is saved.” (In Iesu Nave homiliae )

Saint Cyprian (died A.D. 258):

“He who has turned his back on the Church of Christ shall not come to the rewards of Christ; he is an alien, a worldling, an enemy. You cannot have God for your Father if you have not the Church for your mother. Our Lord warns us when He says: `he that is not with Me is against Me, and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth.’ Whosoever breaks the peace and harmony of Christ acts against Christ; whoever gathers elsewhere than in the Church scatters the Church of Christ.” (Unity of the Catholic Church )

“He who does not hold this unity, does not hold the law of God, does not hold the faith of the Father and the Son, does not hold life and salvation.” (Patrologiae Cursus Completus: Latina , Father Migne)

“Nay, though they should suffer death for the confession of the Name, the guilt of such men is not removed even by their blood…No martyr can he be who is not in the Church.” (Ancient Christian Writers )

Martin Luther said, "Therefore he who would find Christ must first find the Church. How should we know where Christ and his faith were, if we did not know where his believers are? And he who would know anything of Christ must not trust himself nor build a bridge to heaven by his own reason; but he must go to the Church, attend and ask her. Now the Church is not wood and stone, but the company of believing people; one must hold to them, and see how they believe, live and teach; they surely have Christ in their midst. For outside of the Christian church there is no truth, no Christ, no salvation."

Perhaps today we have too low a view of the Church. Instead of criticizing the Bride of Jesus Christ, maybe we should be more reverent of her. Maybe why you no longer sense the Lord's blessing on your life is because you are cursing His very Body? The apostle Paul thought he was terrorizing a sect of people. Instead he found he was persecuting Christ Jesus Himself. He quickly repented. If we are guilty of having a low view of the Church or criticizing her, let's repent quickly like Paul. 

Thoughts on grace

There are few subjects more misunderstood among people as grace. Most people here in the south have heard the saying "we are saved by grace" about as much as we hear someone say "roll tide" or "war eagle".

Yet what does it mean to be saved by grace? Unfortunately, there are common heretical understandings of what it means . One of the more popular heresies is that grace allows us to do whatever we want, regardless of whether it is contrary to God's law because Jesus' death allows us to do as we please without fear of consequence. As if grace is somewhat of a divine cover up. Those who espouse such ideas might even twist scriptures out of context as proof of their teaching. It's almost as if they picture God telling people He loves them just as they are and to please never change whatsoever.

Friends this is not so. God does love us and has done so from eternity, but so much so that He doesn't allow those who belong to Him to remain in their fallen state. So what idea does the bible give us on grace?

Titus 2:11-14New International Version (NIV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

You see the New Testament teaching of the grace of God gives us the truth that grace isn't a system of thought that allows lawlessness. Rather it is an active energy at work in us through the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox Study Bible's footnote on Titus 2:11-15 states "grace is the uncreated energy of God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, through which He gives His gifts to man in tender mercy and good will. It is a formative power, the rule of life of the age to come, requiring our determined participation." This is the same idea on grace that 1 Peter 1:2-4 gives us. It is grace that allows us to be partakers of the divine nature. 

In the New Testament times, there were teachers who infiltrated the churches known as Gnostics. The people known as Gnostics claimed to know God without becoming godly. Sound familiar? 

I want to be clear.  We are definitely saved by grace through faith. However, the grace given by God teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. God's grace empowers us to live godly, self controlled, and righteous lives in this present age. 

May we all have God's grace multiplied in our hearts and minds. 

Take care of the temple

1 Corinthians 6:19-20New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple[a] of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

I will venture to say most Christians desire to grow spiritually. We need to be changed from the inside out into the image of our Creator found in the person of Jesus Christ. With that said, part of growing spiritually is taking care of our bodies. 

The writer of 3 John says, "2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul". 

There are things we can do to help our health and overall well being. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle consists of exercising regularly, proper dieting, and rest. Many of the things that physically ail us in modern society can be managed better with proper nutrition and exercise.  Many studies support these statements. According to the Center for Disease Control, exercise had the following benefits:

Control your weight

Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease

Reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Reduce your risk of some cancers

Strengthen your bones and muscles

Improve your mental health and mood

Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you're an older adult

Increase your chances of living longer

 And according to the World Health Organization

• Opting for a balanced, adequate and varied diet is an important step towards a happy and healthy lifestyle.
• Vitamins and minerals in the diet are vital to boost immunity and healthy development,
• A healthy diet can protect the human body against certain types of diseases, in particular noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer and skeletal conditions.
• Healthy diets can also contribute to an adequate body weight.
• Healthy eating is a good opportunity to enrich life by experimenting with different foods from different cultures, origins and with different ways to prepare food.
• The benefits of eating a wide variety of foods are also emotional, as variety and colour are important ingredients of a balance diet

After having congestive heart failure in 2003, I have tried to be more conscious of making healthy choices. Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoy my fair share of holiday foods and treating myself periodically to ice cream or donuts. Yet overall, I try to make sure to exercise regularly and eat a clean diet.

There are a few tools you can download on your smartphone or tablet to assist you in living a healthy life. My favorite apps are myfitnesspal and jetfit. Myfitnesspal allows you to track the foods you eat, count calories, manage macronutrients(fat, carbohydrates, protein) and micronutrients(vitamins, potassium, fiber,etc.). It is easy to to track and enter foods you eat. Jetfit is a workout tool that allows you to track your exercise. I am currently on a weightlifting program and the app monitors my lifts, rest time between sets, and progress. 

What is keeping you from the gym and eating a balanced diet?

Confession

If you grew up as a Protestant like me, when you heard the phrase "confession", most likely you thought it was probably a good thing but something done in private between you and God alone. The Roman Catholic idea of confessing to a priest was merely a papist false doctrine. After all, only God can forgive sins, so what would be the point in confessing your sins to another human being?  John Wesley required four questions to be asked in his Methodist small groups. Confession was an integral part of being Methodist. 

"What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?"

"What temptations have you met with?"

"How were you delivered?"

“What have you thought, said or done of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?"

The early church practiced the act of confession openly in the congregation. They took the idea that their life was not their own very seriously. This is quite the opposite of our individualized American culture where everything we know of is private and nobody's business.

However, a serious reading of scripture will reveal that no sin is really private. In fact, sin not only impacts us, but it has consequences on those we love and the world we live in. If you want proof, read the story of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis.

So what then does the bible say about confession of sin?
*Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
* James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed."

One of sin's biggest lies is that it only effects you and it will be your little secret. Can a Christian walk in darkness and with Jesus at the same time? 1 John 1:5-7 says, "This is the message we have received from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Living in the light and walking with Jesus requires us to live in the light. In the light, everything is exposed and nothing hidden.  As children of light we must live with integrity. When we have blown it, we must own up to it to receive mercy and healing.

Who do we confess to? Of course, 1 John 1 goes on to say that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from unrighteousness. We are to confess to God. Absolutely. Yet, as James says, we confess to one another and find healing.

I have found that if I know I want to walk in the light, I must let it shine in the dark parts of my life as well. Even though it can be painfully humbling, it brings life. Below is an excellent guide found in the United Methodist Hymnal to confess one's sins. 

Most merciful God,
I confess that I have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what I have done,
and by what I have left undone.
Especially troubling to me are the following sin:...

I am truly sorry and I humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on me and forgive me;
that I may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Amen.

Alternate Words of Assurance:

If I confess my sins,
God is faithful and just,
and will forgive my sins
and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Thanks be to God! 

Why the Wesley's were called Methodist

Here is an article from the United Methodist website on why the Wesley's stuck with the name Methodist. It is interesting to note that it was initially hurled as an insult to those in the Church of England who were part of the Wesley small group meetings.

Eventually I will post  why I chose to become a Methodist in the near future. Until then, enjoy the brief lesson on the early days of the Methodists.

Ordinary people, ordinary acts, extraordinary results

This week I was reminded of how sometimes the things we do that might not seem like a big deal can have lasting impacts on others. For instance, when I first became a Christian at age 21, I was coming out of the world. In my resolve to follow Jesus, I had renounced my previous ways of entertainment and lawless living that I was so familiar with. This was a difficult time in my life. I knew in order to live out my new found faith, I needed to be in a new environment. What was a new twenty-one year old Christian to do on Saturday nights? Fortunately, the church my parents attended were beginning a new college age ministry. There were a few awkward meet and greets to begin with but after a few weeks, the teacher invited me and a few others to his house on Saturday nights to watch college football. This was a great time to get to know each other. Over a few more weeks more of our small class began to meet at his house on Saturday nights. One night, we had a new visitor. She was beautiful and had my attention. I made sure to talk with her before I left and set a date. Eventually we married and now have our own family. Another couple met at these gatherings on Saturday nights and are now married as well. All this happened because of a selfless act of an ordinary teacher who opened his home after working all day.  

Another instance I learned of this week involves my uncle. He joined the peace corp and taught science in Africa. One of the many students he taught was a kid named John Dramani Mahama. He eventually became the president of Ghana. You can hear more of this story here. My uncle had an incredible impact by doing a seemingly ordinary act. 

There are many more stories I could share about people who have impacted others in a positive way by doing ordinary mundane acts of service. I'm sure you can recall several yourself. Most of the time these acts of service don't seem glorious, they aren't in the limelight, they require sacrifice, and more times than not we don't see the fruit until way down the road. But I'm learning it's all worth it. 

Prayer and the busy life

This morning my pastor challenged our church to be more of a people of prayer using Ephesians 3:14-21 as a call to intercede for each other and ourselves. The text itself is a prayer the apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers. I personally was challenged by the call from our pastor and intend to pray the Ephesian prayer for my bishop, pastor, and family. But when?

Let's face it, we live in a busy world and many times we have good intentions that never come to fruition. Our spiritual life is no different. As important as communion with the Savior is, many of us let our days, weeks, even months slip by without praying.

I have found that the spiritual life must be disciplined and intentionally cultivated if I am to make any progress in sanctification. We read in the New Testament the followers of Christ went to the temples at certain hours to pray. The Book of Common Prayer has personal and family devotions based on these hours of prayer called the Daily Office. There is morning, noon, early evening, and compline (right before bed). These serve as excellent tools for personal or family worship.

A cool aspect of using the Daily Office for prayer and worship is that all around the world, there are other believers following the same biblical format. There is a power in unity. What an excellent thought that you are worshiping and praying the psalms with personal prayers to God along with believers worldwide!

Now I rarely get to pray the Daily Office at all four times, but I do pray at least one on a regular basis. This works well with my busy work schedule. I work rotating shifts consisting of two weeks on days and two weeks on nights. I also make sure to spend quality time with my family. The Daily Office helps me maintain a disciplined prayer life. This is not the only way to discipline one's prayer life, but I believe it to be an excellent one and effective at that. What practices or tools do you have to ensure you are growing in Christ?


Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. - Psalm 55:22

Hello there!

About seven years ago I meddled in the world of blogging. I eventually took it down as I didn't have the time I wanted to keep it updated. I continued to lurk sporadically through various blogs ranging in subjects from theology to food to you name it. I have been blessed and challenged by other ordinary folks who take their time to type their thoughts out for all to see.

I am still a busy person. I am a husband and father of two girls in their teenage years. I also work a job that requires me to work two weeks on days and two weeks on nights. I also enjoy grilling, exercising, practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and studying Christian theology.

Why orthodox gravy? Well, I'll be the first to tell you it wasn't my first idea. However, the name sort of stuck and wouldn't go away. I went with it. Orthodox is something I actually try to live my life in accordance with. When I mean orthodox, I am referring to general Christian orthodoxy or as C.S. Lewis coined "Mere Christianity".

Gravy? Well I am from the heart of the south, the great state of Alabama. No one makes gravy better than we do. Not only is there brown and white gravy, there is such a thing as chocolate gravy! Gravy describes the south perfectly.

Anyways, I plan on blogging about all sorts of stuff  on theology, parenting, sports, grilling, etc...

Enjoy