Growing up, I understood “loopholes” to be opportunities to get ahead. Mind you I wasn’t the type to take advantage of people’s misfortune, but I still viewed loopholes as opportunities for gain. I mean, if you can avoid the hurdles don’t you get to the finish line faster? I’ve discovered that I was partially correct: loopholes ARE opportunities… opportunities to get snagged.
I am still grieving the loss of one of my favorite pairs of cargo shorts. A faithful staple in my wardrobe that met its demise when a side pocket hooked up with a door lever. It turns out I was vulnerable, and the momentum of my pace tore a large rip in the side of my beloved shorts. (I’ll save you the horror by not uploading the picture).
While not much could have prevented this particular accident, I am actively looking for the preventable loopholes in my life. These are the subtle open invitations to the “snag” of the enemy. Sometimes, it seems easier to ‘let things go’ while entertaining noble intentions of someday dealing with my character flaws. But as they say, “your talent will get you places, but your character will keep you there.”
“Your talent will get you places, but your character is what will keep you there.”
Like my ill-fated cargo shorts, momentum + vulnerabilities = danger.
Here are some of the “loopholes” I am tying up…
- +Protecting the time reserved for private worship and prayer
- +Critical attitudes
- +Unforgiveness
- +Being “busy”
- +Misguided ambition
- +Willingness to increase in my giving (financial, time, love, encouragement, etc)
“Fire is released to a hungry generation”
One of many memorable moments at 
was an ordinary guy in a critical season of life. He was beginning to get glimpses of God’s direction for his life. Like so many have done before, Pastor Bill needed clear confirmation that he was clearly understanding the things God was showing him. He asked God for “a sign”- that Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty would somehow publicly acknowledge his future in ministry. In Ulf Ekman’s last service attending 
