As we come to the end of this month, I am feeling like this was the fastest month in history!!! My dad's death took a lot more out of me than I realized, and if I wasn't feeling old enough anyways, my daughter Amy, called me to tell me she received her license to drive!

Makes me really think about our life being just a puff of smoke. Tonight I take on the youth and I must tell you I am encouraged about their growth in just four short weeks. I was very concerned about being a "babysitter" (spelled youth pastor!), but last night I had a dream that they on their own volition had taken over the establishment(sounds like the 60's!) removing those who were trying to control people. Is that what young people think nowadays? That they are being controlled. They were organized and tactical against the works of the enemy. The more I work with youth the more I am encouraged and desire to work with them. No preconceived ideas! I thank God in the dream, they chose me to be on their side!!!

The one thing I have noticed in general, is that people don't want to walk uprightly, and that in the dream, that was the young people's problem. They desired holiness at any cost, even being harder than I would be. (This is true. Ever go to a kid's courtroom? They hand out penalties that adults cringe at!

But the real relevance of the dream was not growing older, nor necessarily young people, but walking uprightly. Ever drive a car without an inspection sticker and call it grace? Get a second newspaper for the price of one? How does the world view no inspections and "cheating" at the corners of the law? I had a couple who have come to my church say that they were surprised that a "charismatic" (I put that in quotes, because that simply means a person or church of grace.) church with a long haired pastor desired holiness. I find that there is a problem when the "church" views the church as too loose. The church should be known as people who walk uprightly. When an outsider looks in, they shouldn't see you slacking off at work, but accomplishing more. It was a sad testimony to me, that when I ran crews and had businesses, that the best employees were often not the Christians. We should be the shining examples. Is it little wonder that the world uses the word "hypocrite" when talking about the church?

I personally would like to be recognized as those Christians, who participate in their communities, treat their families with love, do their work properly, and are legal!!! Wouldn't the world want to join our ranks more frequently if they saw us as a living testimony.

The question for you and I is this...

Are we walking in the holiness of Jesus Christ. "Oh brother, you don't understand." Yes, I do. There is no temptation come to man, that God has created a way out. (1Cor.10:13) Or how about the scriptures from Hebrews that says we have a high priest who understands, that faced every temptation known to man and remained pure!!! "But, that was Jesus!" In a man's body with sin all around Him, tempted in the flesh just like you and I. He didn't break the laws of the land-look at the money for Caesar in the fish's mouth.

It's easier to fail by not trying than it is to try and realize we need Jesus in certain areas. Humility isn't a virtue that comes easily(ever noticed that virtues aren't ever usually high on the list with our flesh?) but it has to come.

Today let's purpose in our heart the decision to walk uprightly.