The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living

It has recently come to my attention that my life has pretty much gotten out of control. I seem to have things together, but from my perspective, I see that a lot of the “togetherness” is the result of duct tape type fixes. It is time, with the help of God, for me to get those things back under control.

Some of the areas that are out of control include:
Finances - My plan to get out of debt seems to have stalled big time
Organization - I don’t pick up after myself, I don’t file papers, I basically have slacked off big time.
Health - I do very little physical activity and eat a combination of good and bad foods
Work  - As the end of the school year approached, my attitude became extremely complacent toward band and school
Spiritual - I no longer have a regular prayer time or Bible Study plan

I have blamed all of these things on Del Rio, even saying that Del Rio causes me to be depressed.

While I would agree that being this far away from family and many of my friends is tough, I don’t think this is the real reason. I think the ultimate underlying source of my problems is my own neglect of the spiritual disciplines in my life.

So what happens next?
Well, the first and most important change happens in my heart:

I acknowledge that I have a problem, I have neglected God. I put on a good show at church and in public, but that’s all it is; a show. I sort of make-believe life.

“Wow, Wagner! You sure have things together!“

I wish it were so, but I know better than that. I am way off target in my own little private world. So it’s time to control that. It’s time to set things right again.

But you’ve said this all before, what’s different now?
Great question. I don’t know what’s different now. I just know that it’s different. I am embracing discipline. I am coming back to that place where I look forward to denying my flesh for a greater spiritual gain. I already have this sense of freedom that is so incredibly refreshing.

You may not see external changes, but hopefully you will be able to tell a difference in my countenance.

The summer has just begun. It is a time of incredible opportunity. It starts by cleaning my house out, throwing and giving stuff away, and just enjoying life again.

4 Minutes A Day

If you do something for 4 minutes a day for the next 360 days, it is one day of your life spent.

The challenge I set before you is to give God at least ONE day of additional prayer.

For every 4 minutes you pray EACH DAY for the next 360 days (January 9, 2008 – January 2, 2009), it will add up to one day of time.

Find a minute of additional time four times a day. Pray for:

• Your church fellowship
• Your pastor/church leadership
• Revival in Del Rio (or wherever you live)
• Specific unsaved friends and family

October Has Begun

What a fun school year this is shaping up to be! I enjoy my classes, and the kids seem to be working pretty well with us. There are still some grumblings here and there, but things are definitely smoother than they were last year. There is still so much work that we have to do, but it’s coming along, which is a nice thing. I am definitely not at a loss for things to keep me busy.

October has begun, and October is usually a very hard month for me in a lot of ways. I enjoy the marching contests, and I enjoy working hard and seeing things come together. But time is usually not something that I have in great supply, and so I end up forsaking some of those more important eternal things for those that want to demand more of my attention. This year, October will not be that way.

I have resolved to rebuild some walls in my life. Prayer is the most important one. Bible study is another key. I want to see incredible spiritual growth in my life, and part of that comes from building the walls, part of that comes from tearing down walls. My time spent on the computer is to be drastically reduced. The time that I spend at work will be limited as much as it will allow. And the time that I am there should be spent focusing more on the people I get to work with, both students and other teachers.

I am excited to see what the next month holds for me. It will be an awesome journey!