Whatcha’ Fillin’ Your Tank With?

It’s late, but then again that’s why God gave us coffee to drink in the morning (for which I am extremely thankful!) So tomorrow me and about 80+ guys will trek on out to the beautiful Maryland highlands to spend some time together. During this time we’ll build friendships, relax, go hiking, play some football, but most of all spend some time learning from God. You may ask yourself, ‘Why Chuck? Why would you want to go away with a bunch of guys, some who you don’t even know, and oh yeah learn from God?’ Well my friend let me tell you why. The famous French philosopher Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” Bottom-line: I’ve filled my life with all the junk that this world has and it NEVER fills me up…like Jackson Brown sang “I’m always left running on empty.” The Bible reminds us in 1 John 2:7, “The world and its desires pass away…” We all know this is true and cannot deny it as much as we want to. Each one of us has driven by a grave yard and knows as the saying goes “we have a date with destiny.” So if we know the world will leave us ‘empty’ then why not ‘filler up’ on something of eternal value, from the Holy Spirit, like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)? Last time I checked I don’t know of anyone deep down who wouldn’t want these things personally for themselves or at least have them expressed to them! Thankfully I have a ‘Band of Brothers’ who spur me on and help make sure that I am filling my ‘tank’ with the things that matter…things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8-9) That’s why I’m going away this weekend and that’s why I pray you have or get a Band of Brothers to help fill your ‘tank’ with what matters too!

Keep Pressing On! (Philippians 3:14) — Chuck