The other day my oldest daughter asked me if I’d written a new blog post yet. In order to be truthful, I had to answer “No. I haven’t.” I had told her the day before that I had planned on writing a new blog post and I’m pretty sure she has become one of my most faithful readers. And I love that.

So, I’m going to dedicate this particular entry to her. And if you don’t mind, I’m going to share some advice; just a few things (definitely not all) I sincerely hope she has learned/is learning/will learn from watching my life and hearing my stories.

Be in love with Jesus. Your love relationship with Him will shape, guide, and enrich every other relationship you will ever have. Everyday, remember that its Jesus who took our place in death so that we can have life to the fullest possible measure; life now, life later, and life eternally. Life that overflows with joy, peace, hope, grace, laughter, and rock-solid faith that no matter what comes your way, Jesus holds it all together.

Be crazy about Jesus before falling in love with any other guy. Never let a guy take Jesus’ place of first love in your life. My marriage works for lots of reasons. Among them are: your Mom’s patience with me, the grace of God, and the fact that both of us love Jesus most. Its no disrespect to my wife–quite the opposite actually.

Never let comfort dictate anything. So many people are driven by and bound to what’s comfortable. Embrace discomfort as a way of life. Be willing to set aside your own ideas of what’s safe and good to instead take up God’s idea of adventure and obedience. Most everybody plays it safe and as a result gets to the end of their life and looks back with regret for chances not taken. Don’t live like that.

Be the You God created. He only made one. Don’t look around at others and wish you were them. Don’t chase what other people say you should be. You’re You for a reason. God only made one. Be the You God made.

Do what the Bible says. Don’t make excuses. Read it, love it, live it. Plenty of people disagree with that (always have, always will). But it’s really that simple. I’m sure there’ll be lots more to add to this, but this is just what’s on my heart at the moment.

And never forget that I love you.