Humility vs Pride

This post has been very hard for me to write. It has taken several days for me to even begin to compose it. I have had to decide that it is too big of a task for me to complete in one posting, so I am going to have to do this one in installments.

This is hard for me to write because I have always had a hard time even acknowledging, let alone stating positive things about myself. I know I am not alone in this. We are taught from the time we are young children not to boast or brag, but is this always a correct instruction? I know that it is wrong to be a braggart or to boast of things you cannot really take credit for, but is it boasting or bragging to celebrate the gifts, talents, and abilities that God has blessed you with?

For some reason we have allowed ourselves to swallow a lie that says to acknowledge positive attributes is arrogance and to deny them is humility. A good example of this is many times I have performed vocally or given a moving sermon and had someone come up and compliment me on the “job” I did. The first reaction is always to deny that it is true, even when you know you prepared well and performed excellently at the task you were being complimented for doing. But, is it really humility to shrug off a compliment or is it actually the pinnacle of arrogance to deny the quality of that which God has gifted you with, especially when you have used it to draw others closer to Him?

I remember two different occasions that stand out in my memory particularly well. One was a time that I got up in front of a church and sang a song. I knew that I had performed with excellence as far as the music was concerned, but I had also moved the audience with my emotions and dramatic presentation that were applied as I sang. I knew I had probably done the best “job” I had ever done; yet I felt guilty taking any delight in that. Why?

A different time, and this particular setting was really no different that at least a hundred others, but what makes it stand out from the rest is what the Holy Spirit had to say to me afterwards. I had filled in for my father-in-law, one of the dozens of times that I filled in for him; he pastored a small church in a little mountain community, and after concluding the service with their traditional benediction I did as my father-in-law always did, I went to the back of the auditorium during the last verse of the closing hymn to be ready to great the people as they left the service that day.

As usual there were lots of congratulatory remarks about how much they loved to hear me sing or how much they appreciated my sermon. And, I, as usual, shrugged off these compliments as if they were way off base, thinking in my mind that to accept them belittled, in some way, the purpose I had given the sermon or sang the song for in the first place, to draw others closer to God. I distinctly remember being convicted by the Holy Spirit so vividly I could have sworn I was being scolded audibly and in person.

How dare I be so arrogant as to deny the quality of the gifts, talents, and abilities God has blessed me with. There was no humility in my attitude at all.

I wish I could say that I learned my lesson that day and I became free in my flesh and my spirit to soar with the eagles where my gifts, talents and abilities are concerned, but it is still a lesson in progress. I will say that I have learned how to graciously accept a compliment and to stop trying to deny others their right to express how that which God has entrusted to me has blessed them. That is as much a part of humility I have come to learn as being able to graciously accept a compliment because both are acts of worship to God for how he has blessed us in that moment.

So today, even if it causes me to be frowned upon by others who have not yet learned how simple acts towards one another is one of the truest forms of worship, I am going to make my first installment of declaring my gratefulness for the spiritual gifts, the natural abilities, and the God-given talents I have been entrusted with.

As you will see, I should not be so timid in stepping out in service for my Lord, he has truly blessed me with a gift-ability-talent mix that has set me apart for some special purpose (Lest you think that I am starting to brag or boast, I believe that, according to the central message of the book of Ephesians, every human being ever born was created to be a world-changer and that God has destined them for a great purpose that cannot be accomplished apart from them realizing and pursuing that calling for their life.)

Below is a list of the spiritual gifts that I have been entrusted with. While they are not listed in any order of priorty, these are gifts that others have acknowledged as well.

Administration: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by effectively organizing resources and people in order to efficiently reach ministry goals.

Shepherding or Pastoring: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by taking spiritual responsibility for a group of believers and equipping them to live Christ-centered lives. Shepherding is another word used for this particular gift.

Teaching: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by teaching sound doctrine in relevant ways, empowering people to gain a sound and mature spiritual education.

Discernment: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by recognizing truth or error within a message, person, or event.

Knowledge: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by communicating Gods truth to others in a way that promotes justice, honesty, and understanding.

Encouragement: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by helping others live God-centered lives through inspiration, encouragement, counseling, and empowerment.

Wisdom: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by making wise decisions and counseling others with sound advice, all in accordance with Gods will.

Faith: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by stepping out in faith in order to see Gods purposes accomplished, trusting him to handle any and all obstacles along the way.

Leadership: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by casting vision, stimulating spiritual growth, applying strategies, and achieving success where Gods purposes are concerned.

Prophecy: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by offering messages from God that comfort, encourage, guide, warn, or reveal sin in a way that leads to repentance and spiritual growth. The original Greek meaning of this word is to speak forth the truth. The gift of prophecy includes both forth telling (preaching), and foretelling (revelation).

Apostleship: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by launching and leading new ministry ventures that advance Gods purposes and expand his kingdom. The original Greek meaning of the word is sent one (literally, one sent with authority or as an ambassador).

Evangelism: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by sharing the love of Christ with others in a way that draws them to respond by accepting Gods free gift of eternal life.

Intercession: The God-given special ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to those prayers.

Helping: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by offering others assistance in reaching goals that glorify God and strengthen the body of Christ. This aptitude is sometimes referred to as the gift of helps or service.

Missionary: The God-given special ability to minister whatever other spiritual gifts you may have in another culture.

Service: The God-given special ability to identify unmet needs involved in a task related to God's work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired results.

Exhortation: The God-given special ability to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement, and counsel to other members of the Body of Christ in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

Hospitality: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by providing others with a warm and welcoming environment for fellowship.

Mercy: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by ministering to those who suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually or relationally. Their actions are characterized by love, care, compassion and kindness toward others.

Giving: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by joyfully supporting and funding various kingdom initiatives through material contributions beyond the tithe.

Tongues: The God-given special ability to speak to God in a language that the speaker has never learned and/or to receive and communicate a message of God to his people through a divinely anointed utterance in a language they never learned.

Father's Day

I have a lot to be grateful for on this Father's Day. I got to rest over the past few days without virtually anything being expected of me. My parents had taken my three kids camping, so my wife and I got to just relax and enjoy each other's company while they were gone. They were gone this morning, but they got home just as we came home from church, so I am getting to spend time with them.

Today we had hot dogs for dinner, which I have to admit a good wiener roast is one of my favorite dinners to share with my kids. We all have a good time eating one of the simplest and cheapest eats around. My daughter and I are spending time together getting caught up on "Dr. Who" episodes. I can hardly believe it is my little princess who has taken after my odd tastes in entertainment, but it is fun to have one of the kids get excited about sharing it with me. I just hope she will want to go watch chick flicks with her dad when she's a teenager. Hopefully the Sci-Fi tastes won't overwhelm the desire for the romantic. I am so looking forward to having someone to enjoy romantic movies with.

Later on the two boys will finish playing "Lego Pirates of the Caribbean" and we will all watch movies together. Then, we will cap the day off by making s'mores. I have bought some giant marshmallows that should melt to cover an entire graham cracker.

My children are all healthy and happy. They still want to spend time with me (I don't have to beg them to). And, my dad is still healthy and with us.

I cannot think about Father's Day, though, and think about my father-in-law. As much as I rejoice in still having my dad with me, I know my wife's heart is a little empty today because she can't reach out to her dad and connect with him on Father's Day. I also miss my dear friend, my father-in-law and lament that my children didn't get the opportunity to have a relationship with him. I know I was truly blessed because of his being in my life and would loved for them to have had memories of him as they grew up as well.

Today I am grateful for:

1. My wife
2. My children
3. All of the past fourteen years I have been blessed to be able to spend investing in their lives on a full-time basis
4. My 50 in HDTV that I am watching "Dr Who" and several movies with my kids on today. It is not necessary for for home entertainment, but it sure makes it a lot more enjoyable watching things on the large wide screen.
5. My large library of movies and television shows all stored, digitally, so that it can be called up at a moment's notice whenever the kids and I get the desire to watch a particular show or movie.

I could go on and on, but I am just really grateful for how I have been blessed and how I am able to make use of those blessings to enrich my daily life.

What a Blessing to Inspire Others

It is really inspiring just to know that you put up a blog post and somebody replies and let's you know that they read and liked your post, but it is an absolute blessing to find that not only did they read your post, but it inspired something in them to reflect back words from their own life demonstrating how your words affected them.

I had just such an occurrence with my first day's postings on this blog. Now, I had written this blog really for no one other than myself. I knew I needed to get in the practice of expressing gratitude and positive attitudes about what is going right in my life, so I will stop falling in the trap of getting depressed over the, by comparison, very few things that are wrong or have gone wrong.

It is truly wonderful to know that this simple act of trying to learn humility has affected someone else and encouraged them to join me on the journey.

One reader responded with the following email response:

Nectar Guitars & Co. Inc. has left a new comment on your post "Jumping Off the Treadmill":


& Me RPO Sr.

1- wife of 13 years. Just the best there is
2-Children - 1998, 2002, 2005 -(they are eachothers absolute best friends)
3- My brother "Jodo" - We started a business this year that intends to
support our dreams & others.
4- Both parants & a mother in-law that love us & do all they can all the time
5- Our homestead 3 Tree Farms
6- My abilities as an artist
7- Our abundant life. Happy, Healthy & wealthy
8- Musical journey, I play Drums, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Uke, I've
been meandering through my musical journey since I got my first drum
set at 4yrs old. No lessons - just patient parants.
9- The car I drive
10- My willingness to look within and not judge others.


Thought you might like to know why I like your blog.Go,Go,Go!

If you enjoy old style woodcrafts and have an appreciation for handcrafted musical instruments check out Nectar Guitar & amp Co, Inc's blog.

Jumping Off the Treadmill

Today I am jumping off of the world's treadmill. I refuse to buy into the lie any longer that promises happiness and fulfillment with the acquisition of whatever shiny new bauble my eye just can't remove itself from. I, instead, am choosing to live my life in finding happiness through contentment with what God has already provided me right here, right now and making a conscious effort to daily take stock of what those many blessings are. If I turn my focus down to what I have, I may to be able to be so easily lured into trap of incessant desiring.

Just what exactly does John have that he is GRATEFUL for:

1. I awoke today and am breathing. How often do we take this for granted? How often do we complain about whatever state of health we might be in and fail to consider the alternative(s)? The ultimate alternative is that we could no longer be drawing breath and spending time with those we love or pursuing the dreams we long to still achieve. Yes, I have a number of physical afflictions that I do pray and ask God to ease the burden of having to live with, but I have learned that I can still live my life with abundance in spite of my afflictions and I need to be grateful that I have the level of good health that I do have. Many with the conditions I bear are far worse have suffered with them for far less time than I have.

Thank you God for giving me the grace to continue living a good life in spite of my afflictions and thank you that I can live without the assistance or dependence on medical devices or heavy assistance.

2. I have a wife and three great kids. I know many, many men my age and older, and even some younger, who wish they could make the same statement. I have been married now for almost twenty-four and a half years, without interruption and I have lived with my kids all of their lives. I also go to spend all of the early years of their lives as the stay-at-home caregiver. I have truly been blessed to be able to do this. My kids and I have a great relationship and they are all highly intelligent and high achievers.

3. My wife is a wonderful woman who loves me in spite of my habits, hangups and insecurities. She demonstrates her love for me in so many wonderful ways and because of my insecurities often gets treated like she isn't really showing it like she should. She has a highly developed devotional life and she regularly prays for me. She steps in and picks up the slack every time one of my physical ailments knocks me out of my day-to-day routine. She has truly had her wedding vows of "For better or worse, in sickness and in health" put to the test and she has proven her word and her commitment to be faithful and true. I don't know what I ever did to deserve her.

4. My parents are still alive and I have a better relationship with them now than I ever did when I was growing up. I know that both of those statements are not something a lot of people I know can testify to for their own lives. A friend of mine just recently lost his mother after losing both his mother-in-law and father within the past year. My father-in-law, who was a dear friend of mine has now been gone for more than a decade, so my wife can't even make the same testimony. I am truly blessed that my parents are still in my life and I have a great relationship with them that old age has not stolen away from us.

5. I have a good paying job doing something I enjoy. I don't hate going to work everyday like so many men I know. I get to get paid to do something I volunteer to do for free as often I get the chance to, so I think it is a win-win situation.

6. I have a great faith community to be a part of. My church, the body of believers, the ministries I am involved in their, the support from the pastoral staff, the care they provide for my family and the opportunities we all have for growth and to use our gifts and talents for God's kingdom are truly a blessing to have a chance to just be a part of such a community of believers.

7. I own and drive everyday my dream car. It may not be as shiny or as show worthy as I would "dream" of, but I drive the car I always wanted and it is dependable.

8. I have a lot of things that even in recent times I would have thought unattainable and I have had many opportunities to use them for God's glory and to bless others.

I have a great camera and now have some studio lighting equipment to go with it.
I have a new MacBook Pro after being without a "real" portable computer for many, many years.
I now have an iPhone which was not even available for service in my area until just a few months ago.
I have an iPad.


I am doing really good and have been blessed. I have so much to be happy for and so much that I have to make great use of to bless others with. I am doing very well and God has been very good to me.

What Another Blog?

I wish I could say that I just came up with this idea all on my own, but that is okay. It was a great idea and I need to do it. So, it does not matter whose idea it was, all that matters is, now, is that I follow through with it.

I recently started a new job. That in and of itself is not that big of a deal except that this marks a big shift for my life. Not to belittle what I have been doing for the past fourteen years of my life, because it was a very important thing as well. For nearly fourteen years I have been a stay-at-home dad. A very important and so much more than full-time job. But my youngest has now finished kindergarten and will be going into first grade and I am not needed at home full-time, so I am freed up to return to the work force. This will impact my family financially in many ways, but it also means that some other things that we, and especially me, have enjoyed because I have been home all of these years will change.

But all of that has little to do with what this post or this blog has to do with other than to set the stage for where I am going with this post and why I am starting this blog. Forgive me for rambling for a minute or two, I will get to the point quickly, I promise.

Anyway, I have started a new job and I drive almost an hour each way to get to work and then back home each day. Some people would think that unacceptable and others would say, "that's nothing." There was a time, several years ago, when we still lived in California and only had one child at the time and I took a short-term contract to go and work for NASA as an IT support tech. This was a fun job and it will forever give me the ability to throw, "When I used to work at NASA..." into conversations just for fun. But, when I worked at NASA it was about an hour and a half commute from home, if there was no traffic. The only problem was it was in the heart of the Silicon Valley and you had to compete with SF Bay Area commuter traffic to get there.

I quickly learned that there were patterns to the traffic. If I left home at the right times, I would get to work in about one and a half to two hours, but if I missed that window, it could take up to five hours. To illustrate this, let me explain how this worked out. If I left home at 5:00 am, I would get to the parking lot of my office by 6:30-6:45 am and could sleep until 8:00 or 9:00 am, depending on how early I wanted to start my work day. If I left the house at 5:15 am, I wouldn't get to the parking lot of my office until around 10:30-11:00 am. The same was true on the way home, but I eventually figured out that if I missed the window on the return trip I could stop at a restaurant, have desert and sit for about a half hour and another window would open up within in an our of the last one.

But what I learned to love about commuting wasn't problem-solving traffic patterns, which, by the way I am a problem solver by nature and figuring out any complex puzzle like that brings extreme delight, rather I learned to love spending time with God and taking in a steady diet of good solid spiritual teaching. Everyday on my drive to work I would spend time pouring my heart out to God about everything in my life and then about half-way through the commute it would be time to tune into one of the largest Christian radio stations on the West coast and catch Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram, which was followed by Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie. These were two men that I greatly respected and they both just always seemed to cut right to the marrow of where I was living and challenge me at an intellectual level as well as a spiritual one. Then on my way home, in the late afternoon I would catch Focus on the Family followed by Family Life Radio.

Now, out here in New Mexico we have KLOVE and Air 1, which are good, most of the time and we actually have quite a few other local Christian radio stations. I have tried listening to them but there signals don't reach very far and their programming seems to be targeted at two feet in the grave crowd. I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone who listens to those stations regularly, but their programming mix just doesn't fit with my tastes or needs.

While lamenting about not having that same special spiritual feeding times, like I had before when I commuted to work, my pointed out the obvious fact that her uber technical, gadget loving, super internet savvy husband should not have been oblivious to, "You know you can download the shows you miss as podcasts and play them back on your iPhone through your car stereo to listen to on your way to and from work everyday."

I quickly went online and started downloading all of the available podcasts from iTunes and some directly from the broadcasts websites. I have been catching up on the past few years of Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram now for the past two weeks and, as usual, he is hitting right were I am living. Two of the series, "Biblical Priorities" and "Contentment" have really convicted me and that is why I am starting this blog. Sorry I had to take the long way to get to the last few sentences of this paragraph, but I hope you see it as worthwhile.