Questions?

I suppose you could say that I have always had an inquisitive mind.
It’s the kind of mind that sought the hiding place of my Christmas presents when I was young; it’s the kind of mind that would ask “Why?” about just about anything (and sometimes still do). Yet in my inquisitiveness, I have some questions that will never be answered. Then, this realization of my finitude causes me to ask even more questions!
The sad thing is that some people spend their whole life searching for answers, yet never accept any answers to life’s most important questions.
“…always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7)
Some questions have answers, we have but to accept these answers.
Imagine if I asked you for directions to your favorite place to eat. Then I call you and blame you for it not being there! You would probably ask something like, “Well, David, did you follow the directions?” Then if I replied, “No, but I knew it wasn’t where you said it was…” Suddenly, logic has left the building.
There is a wellspring of knowledge, truth, and answers to our biggest questions available to us and yet, we often fret and worry because we don’t want to accept the truths that answer our heart’s deepest questions.

Vital questions:

Q1: What do you believe about God?
Theologian A.W. Tozer once wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Indeed, if you think of an powerful-genie, you will be devastated when you don’t get what you “wished” for. If you believe He exists as many different deities, you will often be confused. If you believe that He doesn’t exist, you will have a difficult time explaining that if you should stand before His throne one day. If you believe that He is is Creator, Lord, Savior, eternal and relational, there are drastic implications to those beliefs.

Q2: What do you do, based on that belief?
If our beliefs do not translate into our actions, then what is the point? If I believe that working out is vital for good health but don’t ever do it, I have either allowed doubt to settle in or have decided there is something far more important to take its place in my priority. In other words, if you believe the Bible is God’s Word and necessary for life, do you read it?
If you believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life, have you trusted Him? If you have, why aren’t you sharing that good news with those around you?
In an evangelism class I took many years ago, 2 questions we would ask (and be asked) were:
– Do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in Heaven?
– If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” what would you say?

Indeed, these are some of the most important questions we will ever answer. And I pray that we will not only answer them ourselves, but ask others as well.

Your Questions:

Q1: What is your morning routine?

I usually wake up about 45 minutes prior to whatever activity is first that morning (Work, class, coffee, etc.) This often does not give me much time, but I ensure the first thing I do is start my day with some time with God in His Word.
I will read the verse of the day on YouVersion (or a selection of verses from my Bible in a year reading plan from Ligonier), read a devotional in New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp, and one or more Psalms of the day (for example tomorrow I will read 4, 34, 64, 94, and 124 should time allow). If I can’t get to all of that in the time it takes for me to get dressed, make a cup of coffee (VITAL!!!), and rush out the door, I’ll choose one and save the rest for later.
Then, as I drive to work, class, etc. I usually am listening to a podcast (most frequently: The Briefing by Dr. Al Mohler).

Q2: What is the best way to use social media?

Honestly, this is one I’m still trying to answer for myself. I feel that I go from being overly engaged, to being a hermit that hides away from social media.
I think that social media can be great in at least these two ways for starters:
1) Contact with people you wouldn’t usually get a chance to interact with. You can share pictures and in some small way, stay apprised of what is going on in the lives of family, friends, and acquaintances. (The danger is when social media is the only way you reach out. I hope to not see physical cards, letters, phone calls, and personal visits become a lost art.)
2) Encouragement: This would be opposite of cursing, complaining, gossiping, and any form of language that brings others down around you. Certainly, you can be honest, but if you are really struggling, you should reach out to someone you can meet with, be that a friend, family, or pastor at your local church. We humans are relational creatures, don’t let social media be substitute and certainly don’t let it be a pool for venomous thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
This list of 10 tips for social media I found incredibly helpful in my own approach to using social media.
A good rule of thumb is to apply Phil. 4:8 and change one verb depending on the situation.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about (tweet, post, send, read, share,) these things.”

My Questions – (Post, comment, or email your answers below:)
Q1: What other blogs, books, etc. do you read?
Q2: What content would you like to see more of on this website?