Life is punctuated.
.
?
!
As I was driving home from my Men's Small Group last night, I was listening to the radio. The station I am listening to these days is a Christian and Inspirational station here in Atlanta. I am not usually out at night and the programming was not what I typically hear during the day. The theme was inspirational stories and songs to lift your spirits and help you see where God is working in your life and where you can be the work in someone else's life.
One of the little snippets that played was a gentleman, who I think is a professional speaker. I didn't get a name but he said something that really stuck with me about "how does your life end" with a period (.), it simply ends with no impact on anyone; with a question mark (?), what did it all mean?; or with an exclamation point (!), meaning your life had an impact.
While we often hear about our mission from God is to pour into others, I have never heard anyone sum it up so succinctly. What if every day, I got up and asked how I could create an exclamation point for someone? What if my actions were driven, not by my own needs but by the needs of others? How would any of that change the way I approached my everyday life?
It is funny how the small things in our lives ultimately link up and tie together, what appear to be random things join into a nice, neat package of clarity. While at our Small Group, we were discussing the ideas of service to our families and how God had given us clear instructions on how we were to love our wives, our children, and how it was our job to serve in our roles as husbands and fathers. Then our group leader asked if any of us had ever thought about what others would say about us at our funerals and specifically what our spouses would say. Would my wife say I had made her life better for having been in it? We all want to assume that is the case but honestly, how many of us can say that we have used our time here and specifically the time with our wives and families to make an impact?
I don't know what this is going to look like but rather than expecting a grand revelation, I am going to think in terms of the small but meaningful things like helping with around the house, being more caring and understanding of others point of view, laughing more (oh how I need to do this at home), and offer a helping hand when I get nothing in return. I believe the process for creating a exclamation point verses a period or question mark is like building a sizable bank account, that it doesn't happen with one event or just over night but during a lifetime of making small but incredibly meaningful deposits in others every day.
Go live your Everyday Faith!
Friday, October 2, 2015
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Is God Throwing Rocks at You?
That's some title for a blog post, isn't it? I used it because I have been reflecting on my wide circle of friends and aquatainces. You see, I have been blessed with the opportunity to make friends with and get to know so many people, literally all over the world. If you think of each person as a stone or rock, then you realize how we are all very much alike but also very different and unique!
The people I know come in every shape, size, color, ethnicity, religon, and nationality. What I have been reflecting on is how these relationships have shaped me into the person I am today. For example, I have a fairly calm and even keel dispsition. Sure, I can get flustered and agitated like anyone but on the whole, I am not usually one to fly off the handle and get my dander up. My Dad was a lot like that but I have also had managers and friends that were that way and because I admired their composure, I took on more of those traits. I am also a tollerant person and with the most recent election behind us, I can tell you that I was able to listen to and respect the opinions of my network without feeling compelled to 'correct' what others might consider 'incorrect' thinking. For that, I can again thank my Dad but also numerous friends who over the years have shown me that issues are far more complex that right wing or left wing, Republican or Democrate, Baptist or Methodist, Black or White. We live in a complex world and to boil every topic down to right or wrong is just not possible. And while I could go on about how these people have helped form me into who I am today, I think the real story here is that God put all of these people in my life and continues to order my steps so that I can continue to grow and stretch into the person he has planned.
You see, I believe God has a plan for my life and to fullfil that plan, he has all of the right people, circumstances, opportunities, and even obsticals lined up so I get where He wants me to go. The good and the not so good people all serve a purpose. Sometimes, the hard to deal with folks are there to help you in ways you don't realize until much later.
I liken the 'difficult' people in my life to rough rocks verses smooth stones. I had a stone tumbler when I was a kid. It was a motorized device that you used to turn rocks into smooth stones. You would fill the container with stones, water, and maybe some sand. When you turned on the tumbler, the combination of turning, water, and sand would eventually wear the rough edges of the rocks down until you had smooth and shiny stones. That is how I see the 'diffcult' people in my life. I may not enjoy being with them but over time, they end up wearing down my rough edges and make me more of a stone than a rough, dirty rock. Everyone in my life has a purpose, just like I have a purpose in the lives of others. That is God's wonderful way of getting us from point A to point B in the grand plan of our lives.
I am very thankful for the people God has put in my life and I am thankful for His continued interest in seeing me grow in His promise of love. Who are the people in your life that are cleaning up your rough edges? Are you letting them shape you and mold you? Are you being a blessing in the lives of others in return? If not, thank God for the opportunities and then go knock some rough edges off. You may find you shine up in the process!
The people I know come in every shape, size, color, ethnicity, religon, and nationality. What I have been reflecting on is how these relationships have shaped me into the person I am today. For example, I have a fairly calm and even keel dispsition. Sure, I can get flustered and agitated like anyone but on the whole, I am not usually one to fly off the handle and get my dander up. My Dad was a lot like that but I have also had managers and friends that were that way and because I admired their composure, I took on more of those traits. I am also a tollerant person and with the most recent election behind us, I can tell you that I was able to listen to and respect the opinions of my network without feeling compelled to 'correct' what others might consider 'incorrect' thinking. For that, I can again thank my Dad but also numerous friends who over the years have shown me that issues are far more complex that right wing or left wing, Republican or Democrate, Baptist or Methodist, Black or White. We live in a complex world and to boil every topic down to right or wrong is just not possible. And while I could go on about how these people have helped form me into who I am today, I think the real story here is that God put all of these people in my life and continues to order my steps so that I can continue to grow and stretch into the person he has planned.
You see, I believe God has a plan for my life and to fullfil that plan, he has all of the right people, circumstances, opportunities, and even obsticals lined up so I get where He wants me to go. The good and the not so good people all serve a purpose. Sometimes, the hard to deal with folks are there to help you in ways you don't realize until much later.
I liken the 'difficult' people in my life to rough rocks verses smooth stones. I had a stone tumbler when I was a kid. It was a motorized device that you used to turn rocks into smooth stones. You would fill the container with stones, water, and maybe some sand. When you turned on the tumbler, the combination of turning, water, and sand would eventually wear the rough edges of the rocks down until you had smooth and shiny stones. That is how I see the 'diffcult' people in my life. I may not enjoy being with them but over time, they end up wearing down my rough edges and make me more of a stone than a rough, dirty rock. Everyone in my life has a purpose, just like I have a purpose in the lives of others. That is God's wonderful way of getting us from point A to point B in the grand plan of our lives.
I am very thankful for the people God has put in my life and I am thankful for His continued interest in seeing me grow in His promise of love. Who are the people in your life that are cleaning up your rough edges? Are you letting them shape you and mold you? Are you being a blessing in the lives of others in return? If not, thank God for the opportunities and then go knock some rough edges off. You may find you shine up in the process!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Now go out there and make some mistakes!
Many years ago, I worked for an electric utility. It was my first job out of high school and was the way I put myself through college. The job was a meter reader. Yes, I was the popular guy that walked from house-to-house reading the electric meters that would eventually be the basis for your monthly electric bill (please remember this is a Christian blog and keep the comments clean :-) I would occasionally drive a pick up truck on my routes and as you can imagine, the more you drive, the more opportunity there will be for accidents. Of course, it happened to me and to say the least, I was devastated. Would I loose my job? Would it end up costing me money? It wasn't even my fault but I was responsible for the truck, what would happen to me?
Well, as with any large company and one with plenty of people to do 'investigations', my accident was assigned to the local safety manager. He was a nice guy and we had met before but now things were different. I wasn't the newbie that he could train, I was now the one being investigated. I will never forget what he told me, he came right out and said "the people that don't make mistakes are the ones not working." Basically what he was saying was that if you are out there trying to do the right thing and trying to do your job, there will be times when things happen that are unintended. Mistakes. Everyone makes them and if you aren't making them, then you are doing it wrong!
I was reminded of this story today when I read this blog post from someone on LinkedIn. It made me think about how I made mistakes at work but it also got me to thinking about the mistakes I make daily in my walk with Christ. But just as the safety manager tried to settle me, so too does Christ. None of us are perfect and we will all sin each and every day. Rather than beat ourselves up over our mistakes and failures, we need to learn from our mistakes and try to do better each and every day. What a great feeling to know that yes, I made mistakes today but the sun will come up tomorrow and I will have a chance to get it right on that day. What a wonderful gift! As long as we are trying, we will make mistakes and as long as we keep trying, God will continue to love us and prosper us in all that we do, mistakes and all!
Are you so afraid to fail or make a mistake that you end up doing nothing? Step out in faith and be willing to dust yourself off when you fall down, and you will fall down. Just don't let the failure or mistake define you, instead learn from it and grow in Christ!
Well, as with any large company and one with plenty of people to do 'investigations', my accident was assigned to the local safety manager. He was a nice guy and we had met before but now things were different. I wasn't the newbie that he could train, I was now the one being investigated. I will never forget what he told me, he came right out and said "the people that don't make mistakes are the ones not working." Basically what he was saying was that if you are out there trying to do the right thing and trying to do your job, there will be times when things happen that are unintended. Mistakes. Everyone makes them and if you aren't making them, then you are doing it wrong!
I was reminded of this story today when I read this blog post from someone on LinkedIn. It made me think about how I made mistakes at work but it also got me to thinking about the mistakes I make daily in my walk with Christ. But just as the safety manager tried to settle me, so too does Christ. None of us are perfect and we will all sin each and every day. Rather than beat ourselves up over our mistakes and failures, we need to learn from our mistakes and try to do better each and every day. What a great feeling to know that yes, I made mistakes today but the sun will come up tomorrow and I will have a chance to get it right on that day. What a wonderful gift! As long as we are trying, we will make mistakes and as long as we keep trying, God will continue to love us and prosper us in all that we do, mistakes and all!
Are you so afraid to fail or make a mistake that you end up doing nothing? Step out in faith and be willing to dust yourself off when you fall down, and you will fall down. Just don't let the failure or mistake define you, instead learn from it and grow in Christ!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Measuring Success
I believe every day that God wants me to be happy. That doesn't mean He will never let me be sad and as a wise man once said to me, "you cannot know happiness without knowing sorrow". Okay, I am paraphrasing but it does make a lot of sense.
Today, I read a blog post by Sir Richard Branson, founder and CEO of Virgin Group. I won't say I am an avid follower of all things Sir Richard but this post got my attention. Basically, what he is saying, if you chase happiness, success (and money) will follow. If you chase success, then maybe not so much.
So, my point today is not to really discuss business, although I do enjoy my work, it really is to point out that being happy or pursuing things that make you happy will lead to success. Do you like to help others? Are you doing something that will leave the world a better place or improve the lives of others? Those are things that can make you happy and if they do, then don't you count that as also being successful? I certainly do and I know for sure that God does.
Go out and choose to be happy, look for ways to make a difference. Success will be measured in more ways than a paycheck or a balance sheet.
Today, I read a blog post by Sir Richard Branson, founder and CEO of Virgin Group. I won't say I am an avid follower of all things Sir Richard but this post got my attention. Basically, what he is saying, if you chase happiness, success (and money) will follow. If you chase success, then maybe not so much.
So, my point today is not to really discuss business, although I do enjoy my work, it really is to point out that being happy or pursuing things that make you happy will lead to success. Do you like to help others? Are you doing something that will leave the world a better place or improve the lives of others? Those are things that can make you happy and if they do, then don't you count that as also being successful? I certainly do and I know for sure that God does.
Go out and choose to be happy, look for ways to make a difference. Success will be measured in more ways than a paycheck or a balance sheet.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Jesus Take the Wheel
Do you remember this song from a very new American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood? It was her first commercial hit after winning the Season 4 (2005) American Idol competition. If it isn't familiar, it is about a single mother traveling on an icy road to her parents home, her baby asleep in the rear car seat. It is late at night, she hits a patch of ice while driving and the car spins our of control. As she realizes what has happened, she releases the steering wheel and prays for Jesus to take the wheel. It is at that moment she realizes she is trying to control her life when it would be better to let God take control. The car comes to rest, safely on the side of the road and the near accident turns out to be a wake up call to make a change in her life.
I am reminded of this song and it's meaning because of things going on in my life. I am at a place where I will soon have to make choices. Choices that will impact where I live, my work, and how I spend my professional and personal time. In other words, really big changes to my life and that of my family. I can't say that I am excited or that I am afraid, although, I am sure those feelings are there. No, what I feel is uncertainty. However, I continue to believe that God is working on my behalf and that I will make it through these choices and still be on the path He has for me. What I am beginning to realize is that whatever path I do end up going down, whatever choice I make, it isn't something that is final. What I mean is that it is part of my journey. Is this THE job God wants for me? I'm not sure but if it is, He will make it known and if it is not, He will make that known too. I know what I want but what does God want? I am sure to find out soon enough. Perhaps this whole process is a set up for the big dream he has put inside me or maybe THIS is the big dream and I just can't see it yet. Regardless, I am handing over the wheel to God and going to let him do the driving. In a way, it is kind of nice to leave it in his hands because I know He won't steer me wrong.
How many times do we fight God over the plans he has for us? Are you in a job that you know you need to leave but are staying because you are afraid of change? Are you associated with the wrong people but you won't give them up because you worry no one will be your friend? Deep down, you know God has big dreams for you, things that can only happen if you let go of the wheel and let Him take control but it is hard. He won't fight you for control but he will tug on the wheel from time-to-time to see if you are ready yet. How do you know it is His plan? How do you know He will take the wheel and get you safely to your destination? Because He has promised you he will take care of you and God never breaks a promise.
What are you holding on to and do you need to give God the wheel? Can you let Him do the driving?
I am reminded of this song and it's meaning because of things going on in my life. I am at a place where I will soon have to make choices. Choices that will impact where I live, my work, and how I spend my professional and personal time. In other words, really big changes to my life and that of my family. I can't say that I am excited or that I am afraid, although, I am sure those feelings are there. No, what I feel is uncertainty. However, I continue to believe that God is working on my behalf and that I will make it through these choices and still be on the path He has for me. What I am beginning to realize is that whatever path I do end up going down, whatever choice I make, it isn't something that is final. What I mean is that it is part of my journey. Is this THE job God wants for me? I'm not sure but if it is, He will make it known and if it is not, He will make that known too. I know what I want but what does God want? I am sure to find out soon enough. Perhaps this whole process is a set up for the big dream he has put inside me or maybe THIS is the big dream and I just can't see it yet. Regardless, I am handing over the wheel to God and going to let him do the driving. In a way, it is kind of nice to leave it in his hands because I know He won't steer me wrong.
How many times do we fight God over the plans he has for us? Are you in a job that you know you need to leave but are staying because you are afraid of change? Are you associated with the wrong people but you won't give them up because you worry no one will be your friend? Deep down, you know God has big dreams for you, things that can only happen if you let go of the wheel and let Him take control but it is hard. He won't fight you for control but he will tug on the wheel from time-to-time to see if you are ready yet. How do you know it is His plan? How do you know He will take the wheel and get you safely to your destination? Because He has promised you he will take care of you and God never breaks a promise.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
What are you holding on to and do you need to give God the wheel? Can you let Him do the driving?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Stepping Out In Faith
I struggle a lot. Some times it has to do with my words, maybe giving thoughtful prayer, or in relationships. I am sure that I am not that different from anyone else but these struggles still are part of my life and like so many, I want to address them and not let them continue.
One area where I struggle is in stepping out in my faith. It isn't so much that I am conflicted but that I am confused. Should I volunteer for a mission at church or is that my calling? Should I focus on a certain job or is God waiting to bless me with something greater that fulfills my dreams and gives me the destiny He has in store for me? Should I start that book He has put in my heart to share My Everyday Faith with others? Now, as I start to write some of this out, it seems like I never get anything done for the apparent conflicts in my life! Still, I believe that we all struggle with big and small acts of faith every day.
Just like I did with prayer, today, I vow to focus on getting in agreement with God and stepping out in my faith. Some of these things are things that God clearly wants me to do and for whatever reason, I am not ready or comfortable committing. Still others are not so obvious and I need to learn to let God lead me and trust Him to make the way where, in my simple vision, I can't see a way.
Are you stepping out in your faith? Are you trusting God to lead you down the right path? How about we all take just one step today that is a bit outside of our comfort zone but clearly on the path God has for our lives. I believe if we do that, God will bless us in ways we have never imagined!
One area where I struggle is in stepping out in my faith. It isn't so much that I am conflicted but that I am confused. Should I volunteer for a mission at church or is that my calling? Should I focus on a certain job or is God waiting to bless me with something greater that fulfills my dreams and gives me the destiny He has in store for me? Should I start that book He has put in my heart to share My Everyday Faith with others? Now, as I start to write some of this out, it seems like I never get anything done for the apparent conflicts in my life! Still, I believe that we all struggle with big and small acts of faith every day.
Just like I did with prayer, today, I vow to focus on getting in agreement with God and stepping out in my faith. Some of these things are things that God clearly wants me to do and for whatever reason, I am not ready or comfortable committing. Still others are not so obvious and I need to learn to let God lead me and trust Him to make the way where, in my simple vision, I can't see a way.
Are you stepping out in your faith? Are you trusting God to lead you down the right path? How about we all take just one step today that is a bit outside of our comfort zone but clearly on the path God has for our lives. I believe if we do that, God will bless us in ways we have never imagined!
Monday, September 24, 2012
My Everyday Words of Faith
How many times a day do you say things like this:
Even if it is once a day, that is one time too many! God loves you and created you for great things. But we have to do our part too. You see, God has given us great power with our words. If you say negative things, things that are not in agreement with God's words, then the fullness of His goodness will never get to you. Sure you may have a good life but just think of all the goodness and grace you are leaving out of your life by not agreeing with His words!
You can do all things through Christ and when your words align with that mentality, there really is no limit to what God will do for you.
So, think positive thoughts, align your words with God's words, and step out and believe that what you are saying (and ultimately what God is saying) will come true.
- I can't...
- I'm not...
- I don't believe...
Even if it is once a day, that is one time too many! God loves you and created you for great things. But we have to do our part too. You see, God has given us great power with our words. If you say negative things, things that are not in agreement with God's words, then the fullness of His goodness will never get to you. Sure you may have a good life but just think of all the goodness and grace you are leaving out of your life by not agreeing with His words!
You can do all things through Christ and when your words align with that mentality, there really is no limit to what God will do for you.
So, think positive thoughts, align your words with God's words, and step out and believe that what you are saying (and ultimately what God is saying) will come true.
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