I wasn’t the only person in the Hicks family to graduate this year!

Well, I have played the part of a sloth, physically speaking, for several months now. Due to various distractions, primarily finishing school, all things having to do with physical fitness have been on the back burner for me. And, trust me, it shows/feels. I am not happy with it, but God is good in that He gives us options to do something about it.

Thus, since I am finished with school, I really have no reason to not step-it-up a few notches and get back into an exercise routine of sorts. The struggle, though, is cutting back on two things I really enjoy: food and beer. Okay, three things: I really like sweet tea also. Since finishing up my college courses a few weeks ago, I have been walking/jogging on and off.

I have begun today a bit stricter regiment which includes a bit of weight training with some small dumbells I have. I have drank primarily water today, and lots of it, along with three portioned meals.I will keep this up for a time, until my stomach (internal) shrinks back down, requiring less to fill me. Then I can be a bit less careful about eating things I actually enjoy, because I’ll be filled up with a lot less.

I walked/ran a few miles today, and will do so again tomorrow, hopefully developing a habit to get back into things. However, I am considering an investment into the sport of Road Biking at the end of June. A friend of mine has been doing this for a few years, so I might try to feed of his wake in getting started. Dr. James White is apparently also an avid Road Biker. My reason for considering this instead of doing what I’ve always done before (run) is because I think it will be a lot easier on my knees.

Until I get started with the Bike, though, I have to stay doing something regularly; so I would appreciate any and all prayers as I try to get this part of my Pilgrim’s Progress back on track to the glory of God. Thanks!

Here’s a comforting thought:

When we get to heaven we will no longer have to be concerned with how our communication (or lack thereof) might be interpreted. Instead, everyone will just *know* what the other person means.

This is not so while on this temporal earth. So now comes the discomforting present reality. Our communication in our present condition is one marred by sin, and one thing we know about sin is that it makes one stupid. I sense a syllogism budding forth:

1. Sin makes you stupid.
2. All people have sinned.
3. We’re all stupid.

O! do I ever know that this describes me with frightful accuracy! For example, a few months back a professing Christian brother strolled over to my blog and stirred the pot by belittling my use of certain older language. There’s no doubt that this was foolishness on his part, for it wasn’t an affirmation of the sentiment found in my blog post. It certainly wasn’t to my edification. Nor did it serve any beneficial purpose whatsoever to anyone. Instead it was a needless, below-the-belt, comment.

And here is where sin came in. I had several options. I could have deleted his comment, ignored his comment, or just politely respond and say, ‘Thanks for your thoughts.’ Is this what I did? No. Why? Because sin makes you stupid. It mars your communication. It makes you lust after defending yourself when it’s not even necessary to do so. I responded to his comment with scorn and sarcasm. I really “showed” him. I even spent time authoring subsequent posts…all to his comment that had the relevance and importance of minutia.

Okay, so it’s one thing to let your communication be driven by that mad dog residue of sin when you’re battling it out with someone who is trying to provoke you in an unChristian manner. However, what happens when you can’t even properly communicate with those whom you love? Do you know how sin has affected my communication in this context? I get impatient. I grow easily irritated. I do not take constructive criticism as such, but instead see it as accusation and belittlement.

I’ll also admit this: Even though I am an intense and passionate person, due to sin’s residue lining the walls of my heart, I don’t take into consideration sometimes that other folks can easily misinterpret my intensity and passion as anger. I don’t even realize it, but in the heat of discussion my volume exponentially increases. Sin stinks. Not only is it (most importantly) treasonous toward the Most High God, but it is damaging to ourselves and our loved ones.

One of the damages that will accompany us in this life is that of miscommunication. I feel like I’m the King of that Failure right now. I’m so glad that God has saved me and will continue to mold me into a better friend and communicator. Until that time, Friends, I ask for your patience, forgiveness, and understanding as I stumble through my most-of-the-time poor conversations, blogposts, letters, etc. I look forward to the day when I can communicate perfectly with each one of you in the presence of God and all His saints. Amen.

To My Best Friend:

You know who you are. Please accept my profound apologies for not being a better respondent in our communication. I have wounds and histories in the past that, combined with indwelling sin, render my communication as coming across very rough and seemingly insensitive. I assure you that I am thankful for our friendship and hope that God, in His mercy, will perpetuate our Christian love for one another into eternity. You remain steadfastly in my thoughts and affections, I suppose I just don’t communicate that very well.

Blessings to each of God’s elect this Lord’s Day!

I am about to partake of the bread and wine at the Lord’s Table. I have been struck anew at the privilege of being called a son of God. I am so thankful that He’s a friend to sinners (some), for I feel like I’m much more classified as a sinner than a son. 

So as I partake this morning, after much examination, I trust not in my own failures; I trust not in my own accomplishments; I certainly do not trust in my “righteous” acts, nor can I place my trust in my transgressions of His Law. No, friends, I trust in but one thing: God’s promise that He will save me to the uttermost by virtue of His imputed righteousness afforded me through His blood. For my good intentions, the greatest of my righteousness, my deeds…all of these are counted null and void due to the condition of my nature.

So I gladly cast away all thought and hope that might be found in myself…even my own feelings of inadequacy. I plead my fears and failures before the throne of grace and cast myself at the mercy of Christ, Who will save all those Who call upon His Name. Yes, it is in this objective fact that I place my trust; for God is not a liar, and He will save His sheep. He is my Shepherd. Child of God, if you have believed His promise then trust not in your own works or inward feelings. Trust in His promise.

Blessed be His Holy Name!

EDIT: It might help if I actually put the link in! ;) 

This is just an encouragment for you to visit the Christian Theology team blog I was asked to be a part of. I have no idea what they were thinking when asking me, but I’m honored nonetheless. What’s even greater is that the fella who asked me was the lead singer of one of my favorite Rock bands! One of them was called Precious Death, and then later Blackball. Suhweeet!

Anyway, sometimes I post there what I’ve posted here. Like today. But sometimes I post dated articles from my archives. And sometimes I write something new. But hardly ever. My post on T.U.L.I.P. from some days back generated a substantial response today. Anyway, you can avoid my posts, but check out Doug, Mike, Clay, Chris, et al for some invaluable contributions. Blessings to you all this Lord’s Day.