A WHOLE MAN

“And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (ASV) Darkness is not a real thing. Cold is also not a real thing. They are just words that we have made up to define the conditions of an environment or state of existence at a specific period or periods of time. What do I mean then when I say that they are not real things? Well, what I mean is that the darkness that we see (or cannot see because of) is not because it is overwhelming, but because it lacks light. Darkness is the absence of light. When light comes into existence, because light is something real, darkness is expelled. That’s the same with cold. Cold is simply the absence of heat. It is not that it is cold and then at some point it shifts to being hot. It is simply that the heat that exists is too miniscule that it cannot bring warmth to anything. In verse five, we read that God is light, but not a weak source of light ...

“ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various   trials,   3  knowing that   the testing of your faith produces endurance.   4  And let endurance have   its   perfect   result, so that you may be   perfect and complete, lacking in nothing .” James 1:12 (NASB) The official start to the Crossfit Games Season began last Thursday with WOD 14.1 being released. As you know, I am an avid Crossfit fanatic and I am also a participant in this year’s season. After completing the WOD, there is not really any feeling other than relief to know that it’s over and anxiety in wondering where you will be placed after shakeup. However, I had slightly different feelings upon completing the workout. For those unfamiliar with the routine, it is a 10 minute AMRAP (As many reps as possible) of 30 double unders and 15 power snatches at 75 pounds. I chose to do my initial run outside where it eventually started raining, making it difficult ...

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11b (NIV) This has been a very busy month for me in terms of traveling around. I returned home from Brazil after a long three weeks and, after two days, I now find myself back in a hotel in the great city of Duncan, Oklahoma. Although it is slightly inconvenient to me, in terms of my schedule for studying the word, prayer, and working out to live in a hotel for almost a full month, I have found great comfort in the words from the apostle Paul. A man who has murderous attempts on his life, been imprisoned on multiple occasions, beaten up, shipwrecked three times, and bitten by a snake was able to find a state of contentedness regardless of what situation he was in. Talk about finding complete joy. This is the same joy that the beloved disciple wrote of many times for other believers to embrace. And this is a joy that over the years I have learned to develop and enjoy. That no matter what situation I find...

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1 As I roam (safely) around Brazil during the little free time I have here, I am astounded with the beauty of all that is around me. Growing up in Houston where our mountains have a peak of 50 ft. above sea level I am completely in awe of the scenery around me here in Rio de Janeiro. I am not one to waste time, but when I go out I cannot help but take a moment of time to simply soak in all that is around me. I am reminded of the words from David proclaiming how His creation proclaims His glory. I can honestly say that those words are not enough. The average elm tree has approximately 6 million leaves on it. Have you ever thought about how diverse and creative God is? He didn’t have to make hundreds of different kinds of bananas, but He did. He didn’t have to put 3,000 different species of trees within one square mile in the Amazon jungle, but He did. God didn’t have to create so man...

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2 (NKJV) A little over a year ago I began this blog to track my development in two aspects of my life. The first area related to my spiritual walk with the Lord. I have enjoyed writing my thoughts and learnings throughout this short period of time and have most benefited from my meditation of scripture. It is not just enough to read the scriptures, it is vitally important to glean wisdom and understanding from and through it. There is a quote that goes something like “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Oh how this is so true. This blog provided me a source to express my reflections (albeit filtered and summarized) on certain passages that I had read during the course of that week. It is no lie that when we constantly focus our thoughts and attention ...

“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Above is a picture of the view I have from the hotel that I am staying at in Rio De Janeiro. The weather here is an amazing 80 degrees Fahrenheit and before you get jealous, know that I am here on business and rarely have free time during the week to spend time getting tanner and go swimming. Additionally, the Crossfit Open (if you haven’t registered yet, go ahead and do that now, you can read this after) is coming up on Feb 27th. With me being here in Brazil until February 20th, I know my physical fitness will take a hit, as I won’t have all the equipment I need, and my performance will not be where it could have been. I do plan on dropping in to a few boxes when I can to get a proper workout and maintain some of my strength. Howev...

“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. ” Exodus 14:31 (NIV) There is a story about two best friends who graduated from high school and parted ways to their respective universities. Because of their close relationship, they always made an effort to get together once a year at their favorite restaurant and catch up with one another. One year, after they had finished their meal and were pulling out of the restaurant parking lot, their vehicles collided with one another. The damage was not too extensive to either vehicle, but damage did exist. Like good friends, they agreed to reconcile with one another and let it go. In fact, they decided to seal their commitment with a bottle of wine. After the first friend took a drink from the wine bottle, he passed it to his buddy to take a drink. To this, his friend responded, “I will take my drink after the co...