Category: Successful Living

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Pattern of Living

Man and child holding hands walking on a dirt path surrounded by autumn foliage

Sometimes, we hear people say, “Do as I say but don’t do as I do.” This quote is morphed from a warning of Jesus to His followers about the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matt. 23:3 NKJV).

We all have patterns of living. The habitual lifestyle of good or bad actions creates a pattern by which we are known. Others observe us subconsciously and purposefully. Those around us know us by our patterns. We are generally known by our lifestyle. It is not that people are judging us; they are only taking note of their observations.

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Tension: Strengthening by Two Forces

I have been thinking about the concept of tension for a few weeks. In the physical world, you need two opposing forces to have tension. Think of limp rope that is tied securely on one end to an object. It will remain limp until the other end is attached to another object and the slack pulled from the rope. In society and everyday life, people dislike tension in their lives. We gravitate to one side while despising the other end.

We grow stronger by having some tension in our lives. There is no need to look for trouble/tension because it has a way of finding us. We need to see the opportunity of becoming stronger when trouble comes.

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The Tension of Balance

Imagine someone walking on a balance beam with a rope tied to each arm. On either side is someone holding the loose end of the rope. The two rope handlers’ job is not a tug-a-war but one of tension. The tension of the two opposing forces match each other to keep the person on the balance beam.

I have tried to apply balance to my life and encourage it in others. I have found that those who like to view themselves as radicals do not like the concept of balance. Balance sounds like compromise to the radical. I try to be very choosy on which mountains I am willing to die on; molehills are not mountains.

In our current world, everyone seems to be divided into two camps on many issues. Our country is divided into political, cultural, religious, and societal issues with very few clear balanced proposals. It seems that a line has been drawn in the sand and swords are drawn.

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Who Am I and Who Are You?

God met with Moses at the burning bush on the backside of the desert. He told Moses about his assignment. Moses was not so sure if he was up to the task. I am sure he was not the last man to have questions concerning his qualifications.

Moses’ first question was, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exod. 3:11 NKJV). He wasn’t necessarily questioning God’s wisdom but questioning his own capabilities. It sounded like an impossible task. One desert shepherd confronting the most powerful leader in the world sounded more like a death-wish than a career change.

When God calls a person to such a task, the “who me?” question is a good test of humility. In the kingdom of God, those who think they are the perfect choice is a disqualifying attitude. If an assignment can be done with only a person’s talents, then it is not a kingdom job.

God assured him, “I will certainly be with you” (Exod. 3:12). That is the main thing we need to know. The great African missionary, David Livingstone prayed this, “God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours.”

Then Moses needed information about God when the people asked, “What is His name?” Even though the God of the Israelites was often known as the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob; the people had lived four hundred years in a land of many ‘gods’. “Who are You?”

God answered, “I AM WHO I AM.” A rough definition of this is The Self-Existent One. He is the Eternal One who has always existed and all that exists comes from Him. He is the Supreme One over all other entities whether in Heaven above, on the earth, or under the earth. The-Number-One is above all powers, principalities, and dominions. All are beneath Him. He has no rivals. When we go in the name of the Lord, the demonic horde sees the One who is with us! That ought to make someone shout!!

Back to the two big questions. “Who am I?” And to the Lord, “Who Are You?”
We are who He says we are. We can do what He has called us to do. He is the Great I Am. There is no one like Him in all universes that are out there. With Him, there are no limitations. He is boundless. He is All-Powerful. He is Ever-Present. He is All-Knowing. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All you need to know in life is who you are in Jesus. Who is the One you make both Lord and Savior of your life. Now go! Fear not, He is with you.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt

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Balancing God and Self-Sufficiency

I often advocate for a balanced approach to life. People get a little dizzy when their lives get out of balance. Humans have a tendency to lean to the extremes. We can obsess over anything.

I have been pondering about being sufficient in God versus self-sufficiency. As Christians, there needs to be an overriding reliance upon God without becoming child-beggars. The things we can do with our hands and minds are only possible because of God. He gives us health, strength, knowledge, and the ability to reason and create.

When my children were small, they loved the frozen waffles Eggo®. At first, I cut them up with a fork and knife. Then I tried to teach them to use the utensils, but they were not coordinated enough. So, I made them tear them into pieces with their hands before we poured on the syrup. Just a wee lesson on being self-sufficient.

Good parents teach their children to grow up to be responsible adults with reasonable self-sufficiency.

God loves to see His children solve problems, build things, create, paint beautiful pictures, and play beautiful music. He is glorified when we see our own work and give Him the thanks for the ability we have. I’m sure your picture is on God’s refrigerator, but He has one of my coloring sheets on it.

God created us to create. God worked six days to make a place for us and to make us in His image. An aspect of that image is to create as He created. He made everything from nothing. We get to re-purpose pallets into all sorts of cool things.

When we were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, God told mankind that man would eat by the sufficiency of his work. “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground” (Genesis 3:19 NKJV).

“Much food is in the fallow [un-cultivated] ground of the poor” (Proverbs 13:23 NKJV). Many folks are sitting on potential.

Yes, our sufficiency is in God. Our next breath is in His hand. Our next logical thought is in His hand. Our very lives and our next day are in His hand. Yet, He loves to see His children be self-sufficient in life to the degree of being productive adults.

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5 NKJV).

Make God smile, get up and go do something!

Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt

You might enjoy a related blog I wrote years ago, “I Shine My Own Shoes.” You can read it here.

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Murder Grows from the Seed of Hate

Most of us watched in horror as Charlie Kirk was assassinated before our eyes. Many of us viewed the footage where Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee was stabbed to death on a Charlotte train with no provocation. Those of us with any sense of morality or common sense, ask the question, “Why?”

I am relieved to know that so many of us can’t fathom how these things can happen. It seems such a senseless act to destroy another human being—a being made in the very image of God. Our hearts cry and our reasoning minds can’t comprehend the depths of hate.

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Five Spiritual Guidelines for Troubling Times

Jesus never promised us an easy life. He did promise to be with us. Listen carefully to these words of Jesus. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [trouble]; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

How do we deal with the trouble of this world? Consider the next five points:

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