Tag Archives: pursuit

January 4, 2010 · 6:00 am

Don’t Make Noise. Make A Difference.

Why yes, of course, I missed you.  Did you miss me?  Taking the last week of the year to spend solely with my family just seemed like the right thing to do.  I’m glad I did.  But, I did miss talkin’ to y’all.

There are plenty of photos from this season I could post, but this one is my favorite.  It’s Anna Takle, day one, at my parents’ house, in search of gifts that read her name.  One day, I’m going to miss little bodies under a Christmas tree, shaking their presents with smiles planted across their face.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

But, I’d like to experience many wonderful times of this new year.  I heard my dad recently share on how many of us make New Year’s resolutions to work out, eat less – even though, it profits us little.  However, resolving to pursue Christ above all else, love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind profits us much.  I’m letting that be my New Year’s resolution. 

So often, we focus on things that bother us.  We let those things take up more space than our love for God.  How wrong is that?  A couple of days ago, Mark Batterson posted this on Twitter:

“quit criticizing and start creating.   don’t focus on what’s wrong.   do something right.   don’t make noise.   make a difference.”

Wow.  That’s what it’s all about.  The only way we are ever going to get to that point is to stop being so dang negative and start loving God.  Really loving God.  And, pursuing Him as relentlessly as Anna pursued her gifts. 

I bet we might just discover a few gifts, too. 

That’s my resolution. 

Yours?

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July 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

I Need To Choose Him More.

John Henry:  Why did God make us separated?

Me:  What do you mean?

John Henry:  Why is God in heaven, and He made us on earth?  Why didn’t He make us be together?

I admit.  John Henry’s question caught me by surprise.  Let’s see.  How do I answer this so a six-year old can comprehend?  I could take him back to the garden.  Of course, I risk losing him with that story.  So, I just explained it this way instead:

Had God made us in heaven with Him, we would have no choice but to pursue Him.  {How could we not pursue Him if we saw Him face to face?}  God wants us to CHOOSE Him.  So, here on earth, we have the choice to pursue Him.  We may not see Him, but His Spirit is here with us and inside of us. 

Our conversation continued.  And, I was suddenly overwhelmed by a God who wants more than anything for me to always choose Him. 

Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  James 4:8a

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February 24, 2009 · 6:00 am

Russ Taff Anyone?


I’m in a good place with Jesus right now.  Er, as opposed to being in a bad place?  I dunno.  I’m just sayin’ I’m in a good place.  I’ve been doing a lot of digging – both internally and externally.  I have asked Jesus to take all of the stuff inside of me that’s not of Him, and smash it into the ground.  Or something like that.  Whenever I surrender all of me to Him – the good, the bad, and the ugly – He never fails to take it all, and pour into me everything Jesus.

And, folks, everything Jesus just feels good.  Hence, the good place.

Every book and scripture I read is fresh.  It’s full of life.  And, it makes me fall in love with Jesus all over again.  Ever have that feeling where you truly get back to your first love?  That’s where I am.  I am head over heels in love with my Father.  Kind of makes me want to break out the old Mylon La Fevre and Petra albums.  Oh, and God bless David Teems. 

This past Sunday, I heard Craig Groeschel say, “If you want what you once had, you have to do what you once did.”  Of course, he was referring to marital relationships, but you just might be able to apply that to your relationship with the One that matters most.  So, if it takes Petra’s old “The Color Song” to bring you back to your knees, then by all means, listen to it. 

For me, I’ve just needed a fresh surrender to Him.  A dying of myself.  It isn’t the first time I’ve had to die to me, and it certainly won’t be the last.  Because, I am Dusty Takle.  I have young children, and I heart Junior Mints.  Actually, it’s because I am very imperfect.  But, I’m pressing toward the mark…  The word press here means to pursue.  To go after Him with intensity.  And, bury all that is Dusty Takle along the way.  So, Christ can consume me.

This journey with Christ truly “gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by.  Oh what a love between my Lord and I.  I keep falling in love with Him.  Over and over and over and over again.” 

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Philippians 3:13-14

Are you pressing toward Him?

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May 20, 2008 · 7:00 am

The Pursuit of God.


We often hear about how we need to pursue Christ.  And, we do.  But, the other day I read this scripture in the New Living Translation, and I was blown away.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23:6

I’ve read and heard this scripture a gazillion times.  For real.  I’ve usually read other translations that read “will follow me” instead of “pursue”.  For all practical purposes, they both indicate the same thing, but the “pursue” really caught me off guard….in a good way.

How beautiful that the Creator of the Universe pursues you and I?  No where before or after this scripture does it say that it is conditional.  But, it does reveal that it is constant.  This amazes me.  Makes me wonder what would happen if I turned around and ran into Him.  I bet that upon the first breath that comes out of my mouth when I call His name, He immediately puts His nose to mine ready to listen.  I bet that if I’d sit silently and look intently back at Him, that He’d speak to me….maybe even reveal some sort of mystery. 

His pursuit is constant.  All the days of your life.  In terms of romance novels, this one beats all – except it isn’t fiction.

He is pursuing you and I right now.  I’m thinkin’ I need to slow down and spend some time with Jesus.  I’m thinkin’, maybe, I should turn around and run into His goodness and His love.  What about you?

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