I Can Change, If I Want To

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.  But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.   John 7:8-9

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And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.  Matt. 21:29

There was a Canadian television comedy show back in the 90’s that I would occasionally catch. The show would end with men gathered together at a lodge reciting what they called the Man’s Prayer. It would go something like this: “I’m a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess.” Then the lights would go out and the show was over.

It would make me chuckle. For there lied the challenge we all face. We all have the potential to change. Yet whether we do or not is dependent on our internal motivation and desire. Yes, you could make me do something against my natural disposition. But the end result is going to be minimal compliance. Compare that with the internal desire and commitment coming from your soul. We have all seen an idea in the heart and mind when planted grow into a passionate force. Of the two, which action is going to produce the greatest impact?

The other day I witness a couple of my associates battling over a similar situation. They both gave their word to fulfill a promise. They grew up where their word was their bond and they would do all in their power to live it out. Yet circumstances surrounding what they agreed to had change. Rather than renegotiate new terms, they felt obliged to honor their original agreement. In some sense, they wanted to act like God.

God can bring about whatever results HE desires. It does not matter what circumstances or events have changed. Whereas us mere mortals, don’t have the power to make events workout the way we want all the time. Thus, us humans must work through the circumstances as they are.

We have a situation in John’s gospel where Jesus changes HIS mind. His brothers asked him whether HE planned to attend the Feast in Jerusalem. At that time, Jesus said he was not going. But, afterwards Jesus changed his mind. He went. We don’t know what changed, but Jesus reversed HIS original statement and went.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gave a parable of two sons. The father asks the first one to help him in the vineyard. He answered that he will not go. But afterwards went. Dad also asked the second son for his help. The son said yes. But afterwards did not go. Jesus then asks the question, which one did the father’s will?

They both changed their mind. But what changed? What was the outcome?

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. Also circumstances change. You may have agreed to something in the beginning under specific conditions. But later discovered more information that wasn’t understood at the time. Or the goal or support changed from your original premise. In other words, the original agreement was built on certain parameters. If those parameters changed, you don’t have to play God. Let God be God, and us humans be human. God doesn’t change because HE is already perfect. Us humans though are still a work in process. We can all change our mind and plans. If we want to. If we have to. If God’s will is what we truly seek.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Spiritual Gym Rat

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.  I Corinthians 9:24-27

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 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.   I Timothy 4:7-8

My father laughed when I joined a local gym in my mid-thirties. At the time, upon the birth of our daughter, I couldn’t walk up four flights of stairs without gasping for air. Something needed to change or I’ll never see my daughter grow up. So, I joined the gym.

He laughed because his work kept him in physical shape. He was always active. There is a family picture of him doing pushups with his three children sitting on his back. He didn’t have to join a gym. He was a rough carpenter building homes for a living. His eight hours a day made him exert physical muscles that I discovered only at the gym.

But the gym then was a life savior for me. The first day the female trainer took me around and showed how to use all the equipment. The embarrassing time came when she would lift the 65-pound bar with ease and I couldn’t lift it once. That is how far this youthful athlete fell into despair.

But over time and effort the body came back into shape. Climbing four flights of stairs was afterwards a piece of cake. Lifting 65-pound weights in any arm was child’s play. The gym help jump start this body to once again appreciate God’s creation. The preparedness gave me confidence to face any physical challenge that came along.

The apostle Paul often compared athletic training with the Christian practice. When one exercises daily disciplines, one trains the body and soul to face life’s adventures. As the athlete focuses on the prize, the Christ-follower aims at becoming more like Jesus. There is purpose and discipline behind every action. Paul’s conclusion is one who pursues and trains in godliness will benefit in this life as well as for eternity.

I have not been in a gym for a long time. But when I did, it was to jump start this body unto a path of both physical and spiritual discipline. Since then, I have included in my daily morning routine activities to build the body and soul. No more gym required. But the discipline is to continue the importance of training the body and soul. To be ready for the challenges of facing everyday life. Both physical and spiritual health requires a game plan. It just doesn’t happen. Poor health most often happens because of negligence. The same with spiritual health.

So, if you don’t have a daily routine scheduled in your day for both, start. Otherwise, when it comes time to climb those stairs or face evil, you may fail the test. The worst part is all could have been avoided if you took the time to prepare your body and soul beforehand.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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You Believe, Now What?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.   Titus 3:8

You have studied the evidence. You have reviewed all the historical facts. You have pondered the life and death of Jesus Christ. You have analyzed the pros and cons of the resurrection. You are now at the turning point. The evidence is overwhelming. If you seek the truth, you have found it. You now understand. You accept HIS claim. HE is Lord, Savior, and King. So, now what?

As you read Scripture, you find passages which instruct you. As His new disciple, you begin following HIM to the best of your ability. He is now your teacher. You want to know more. But there is much you read and don’t understand. So, you begin to search the internet. You read from different sources. Your head becomes overfilled with options and choices. Where do you go from there?

You ask your friends, neighbors, and others who you also know are Believers. What faith community do they attend? Why is it their choice? You may make a list of two or three faith communities to attend. You meet the people. You listen to the preacher. You do more reading about their denomination. What is their mission? How does that mission agree with what you read in Scripture?

You read where the early disciples spent time in prayer and fellowship together. So, you begin to do the same. After reviewing some tips from a few of your online sources, you begin to talk with God. You search which faith community has a small group you can join. You begin to regularly attend.

As you become aware of a Christ-follower’s Walk with Jesus, you put into practice what you see others do. But before you jump in, you always confirm what Scripture reveals. You also constantly communicate with Father-Son-Spirit. The more you practice, the more you begin to witness God’s grace in your life. Also, the more divine knowledge you acquire, the better you understand God’s work in your life and others.

Your walk will eventually lead you to learn and apply HIS Kingdom ways in your everyday life. You will practice HIS ways in your home, at work, and within your community. You will meet others who likewise practice Kingdom ways. Maybe even form a fellowship with others in the marketplace. A place you can build a platform of serving others through a business. Where you can be a witness of how Jesus leads you to live a productive and meaningful life. A place you can excel at doing good work. Work that is rewarding for those you serve and for all the families involved.

The life of a Christ-follower is a journey of love and adventure. As we learn to dance with Father-Son-Spirit on earth’s floor, we participate with HIM in HIS work. As HE shares HIS life with us, we share ours with HIM. We allow HIM to live HIS life in and through us. We benefit from the process and HE is glorified.

We become HIS witnesses of the Kingdom of God in action. As others come to see your good works, they also come into contact with your God. As Joseph found favor with Pharaoh, so may you. As Daniel found favor with his King, so may you. They realize the God they serve was very powerful. When you introduce the Jesus you have come to know, others will want to know HIM too. HE is not the shallow Jesus the world portrays. HE is the God-Man who makes a vast difference in the lives of those who follow HIM.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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