Starting in January, I began a refocus. A key verse thought I want to guide my life is “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. Accordingly, I decided to take inventory of my life and make needed changes.  Not just physical changes, but also mental and spiritual changes. This included changing the influences I allow in my life – music, movies, television, computer, and books. I am listening to Bible influenced music and radio, I try to watch sports and positive shows on TV, and not get pulled into a worldly-focus, materialistic mental state. I start each day with prayer and promise God that this day is for Him and ask His help in staying focused. I wish I could say I my consistency is paying off, but that would require consistency. I sometimes rush through the morning and not take time to really talk with God so consequently, I fall back into old habits and let negative influences sneak in. I am still a work in progress, getting better, but there is still work to do.

This inconsistency on my part is why when I preach, my toes are curled back in my shoes – I am stepping on mine too! We are in this together. These are the sentiments of the apostles in Acts 15:11, “But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” GRACE! Without the grace of God we are all condemned. With the grace of God we all have hope in Christ. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.”  1 Peter 3:18. (BTW folks in the Tuscaloosa area – this Sunday we will spend the day exploring this wonderful, amazing grace.)

This is my apology – my justification, my defense for my faith in Christ for salvation.

This is my apology – my admission of weakness and plea for forgiveness when I fail you and when I fail God.

• Scott