Hi. I’m Joe.
Discipline
I Do Not Want to Follow You Today
I do not want to follow you today,
And though I know the path you set is right,
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
I struggle now to find the words to say
That, though I do not want to leave the light,
I do not want to follow you today.
I still will read the Bible, still will pray;
Yet, as I stand before the darkest night,
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
God, can I still within your purpose stay
When, with emotions filling me with fright,
I do not want to follow you today?
Storm clouds have come and turned clear skies to grey.
God, must I walk by faith and not by sight?
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
These few concerns before your throne I lay.
Lord, leave me not, though in this temp’ral plight,
I do not want to follow you today,
I do not want to walk the narrow way.
Photo by Konstantin Planinski on Unsplash
Reason to Write
Read to Write
Today, my message may be a bit redundant. I want to highlight a point that almost everyone I read or listen to on the subject of writing seems to say: if you want to be a writer, you need to be a reader. Among the exhortations given to aspiring writers, the call to read is one of the most consistent, and for good reason. And while I know the idea verges on the cliche, I also know it took me far too long to actually understand the importance of reading in the life of a writer.
Thankful for Discipline
I don’t particularly enjoy discipline. In fact, I’m not sure anyone really enjoys discipline. But I’m incredibly thankful for God’s discipline in the lives of his people.
Discernment and Peace
“I don’t have peace” may be four of the most frustrating, painful, and beautiful words you can say in the context of discerning God’s will for your life.
Time to Write
I’ve been blogging for four years now. Compared to many writers, four years isn’t a long time. But when I think about where I began, four years feels big.
Patience
Patience is a discipline I need, for I am sickly.
Patience is a virtue that I do not wish to learn.
Patience in this time of testing cannot come too quickly.
Patience, keep me when the passions burn.
Photo by Ciocan Ciprian on Unsplash
Never for a Moment Apart
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
Presence.
Presence can make the act of sitting through a terrifying movie more bearable. Presence can make a nervous child more courageous. Presence can strengthen and encourage in powerful ways.
Presence can also cause a tempted eye to avoid the glance. Presence can make a child who’s considering disobedience choose to obey. Presence can remind and convict in powerful ways.
Progress
Some seasons of life bring immense spiritual growth. Your heart burns within you as you learn new things about the Lord, about yourself, and about your place in his kingdom, and you likely will remember the lessons for years afterward. But other seasons of life bring feelings of stagnation and coldness. You desire growth, but you can’t seem to detect any progress in your journey with the Lord. I think I’m currently in the latter season. Continue reading
