new starts.

I've never been the nicest person in a bunch, my sarcasm gets in the way
I've never been the smartest person my underachieving gets in the way
I've never been in the "best shape of my life"  dr pepper and salt & vinegar pringles get in the way.

The thing is, is that I've try my best to recognize these things daily.
Through out my life I have strived to be nicer, more compassionate, empathetic to more situations and more people.  I've tried to focus more in classroom settings and coaching seminars.  I've joined countless gyms and spent ungodly amounts of money on supplements.

In the end I'd give up, put down a book, grab my dr. pepper, pop some pringles, and laugh at people falling.

What I've come to realize is that two things have been inhibiting me from reaching my goals.

passion and more importantly...discipline.

I realized that I like the idea to want to get multiple master degrees from basket weaving to neuro-surgery.   Compete and do well in a triathlon.  And reach out to people more than applauding when i hear shattered glass at a restaurant.

I want these things more and more in my life.  among other things...yes I have desires.

But to obtain these goals I can't just sit and hear people tell me how great it is to have a basket weaving degree and six pack abs.  I have to do things.

Thing is...I try...but have a huge lack of discipline...and thus...fall back into being a well insulated bafoon.

A while back I had a little epiphany when it came to my walk with God.
I could listen and see people who had become incredibly close to God who were so far from Him.
I went up countless times and sobbed at an altar and made rededications and new commitments to my walk.  The thing is, my walk with God lacked so much discipline.

Did I love God?  Yes undoubtably and unquestionably! I was passionate about God and what he had done for my life and who He is.  But for some reason Sunday to Wednesday was so dry.  Wednesday to Sunday...dry.  Filled with mistakes and rarely asking for forgiveness.

I'd just wait around for that one worship song to play...and then connect with God.
I'd anticipate an altar call to respond to a change needed to take my next steps.

My relationship with God was circumstantial...and had little discipline besides my attendance.

I read somewhere of a pastor who would literally pray every morning
"God help me love you more today"

WOW!  In a split-second I was passionate about doing that.  And then I read into the chapter a bit more and he talked about how this wasn't just a passionate prayer about how he wanted to be closer than before.  He had to discipline his day, his walk with God, to be disciplined to the first thing he focused his day on was his relationship with God...so it could begin moving into other parts of his life.

So if you're trying to get in shape...get disciplines in your life
If you're trying to get an "A" ...or even a passing grade...set up discipline structure.
If you want to be more considerate...be aware of your actions...guard your heart and tongue from being a tool of the enemy.

and lastly. and most importantly.  If you want to take some effective steps with God.  Set up disciplines in that relationship.  Even if it's just waking up and praying "God help me love you more today"

be blessed.