I hope today has not passed you by? I hope you have not forgotten what this day is about? If it has, it is not too late to call, email, or stop a veteran to say “thank you”!
A thank to these men and women for being real heroes and serving a cause that is not always popular in the sight of some, the real heroes who serve behind the scenes in victories, the real heroes who do not passing the blame in a defeat, the real heroes who stand up for the weak, the real heroes who serve others no matter where they must go…
The lessons we should all learn from these men or women who serve this country: learn from the past so we do not commit the same mistakes again as a country, listen to their stories so we never forget and can pass them on, see the sacrifice they made to make this country great!
Real heroes are among us now - thank them, serve their families, love them when they return, pray from them daily! May we never forget this day again!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
What if I am on the wrong side of this?
What if I am on the wrong side of the issue? I know for some that’s a tough pill to swallow but it is possible-right? Possible that you could be wrong and that the other person is right? Possible you made an error in judgment? Possible you do not have all the facts?
I remember a story of a school bully and a young boy. The bully was the one who took things from his classmates at school. If he wanted it he took it type of bully in school, so one day the young school boy heads to his locker to retrieve his favorite pocket knife to head home. So, he opened up his locker and his knife was missing…this made the young boy very mad and he knew only one boy would dare do such a thing. The young school boy made a beeline to the bully and confronted him,”Where is it!” The bully just laughed and said, “What are you talking about?” So, just then…just like George McFly in Back to the Future… the young boy clinched his fist and clocked the bully right in the face...the bully hit the ground with tears in his eyes. “Where is my knife” screamed the young boy! “I don’t have a knife!”
So, with shock and amazement the young boy believed him and all the while was scared to death because he just hit a kid in school. So, he ran home as fast as he could…into his home and straight upstairs to his room! Sweating and worried about his future he sat on his bed….what did he see on his dresser? An old red pocket knife lying right where he left it that morning when he went to school?
Have you been there before? So sure you were right that you missed it? So deaf to what the other person was saying that you missed the point? So worried about winning the argument that you sacrifice your friendship? So bent on viewing church your way you forgot it was God’s way that really matters?
So, what if you are on the wrong side of your latest debate? What if you were on the wrong side just yesterday? Or this past Sunday? So, whatever the case, it’s not too late! God works through you and I for his glory and purpose, good or bad, right or wrong….we mess up and make mistakes! Like Rocky said “…its not how many times you get knocked down that matters, its how many times you get back up that counts”
I remember a story of a school bully and a young boy. The bully was the one who took things from his classmates at school. If he wanted it he took it type of bully in school, so one day the young school boy heads to his locker to retrieve his favorite pocket knife to head home. So, he opened up his locker and his knife was missing…this made the young boy very mad and he knew only one boy would dare do such a thing. The young school boy made a beeline to the bully and confronted him,”Where is it!” The bully just laughed and said, “What are you talking about?” So, just then…just like George McFly in Back to the Future… the young boy clinched his fist and clocked the bully right in the face...the bully hit the ground with tears in his eyes. “Where is my knife” screamed the young boy! “I don’t have a knife!”
So, with shock and amazement the young boy believed him and all the while was scared to death because he just hit a kid in school. So, he ran home as fast as he could…into his home and straight upstairs to his room! Sweating and worried about his future he sat on his bed….what did he see on his dresser? An old red pocket knife lying right where he left it that morning when he went to school?
Have you been there before? So sure you were right that you missed it? So deaf to what the other person was saying that you missed the point? So worried about winning the argument that you sacrifice your friendship? So bent on viewing church your way you forgot it was God’s way that really matters?
So, what if you are on the wrong side of your latest debate? What if you were on the wrong side just yesterday? Or this past Sunday? So, whatever the case, it’s not too late! God works through you and I for his glory and purpose, good or bad, right or wrong….we mess up and make mistakes! Like Rocky said “…its not how many times you get knocked down that matters, its how many times you get back up that counts”
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Better Watch Out...
“…you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why…” recognize that song - I'll give you a hint: in one month you will hear it far too many times!
Have you ever heard something and it made you do a “double” take? Some of you are wondering why in the world I quoted "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" well, it's because I've got the words "you better watch out" stuck in my mind. One of the many things I have learned about those “better watch out moments” is that they come out of nowhere! They happen to anyone! And they hurt!
Not sure what I am taking about - Ever had someone hurt you with their words? Ever heard a rumor about you? Ever had a friend lie to you? Ever had a medical emergence? Ever had a pipe burst? Ever lost a deal because of an error you made? Ever ran out of gas? Ever been in a wreck? Ever missed your flight?
Those are just a few of the “better watch out moments” that many people face today, yesterday, last week, and everyday in this thing called Life! So now what? What next? We all have heard “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” on TV, but how do you do that? We all know how to stress over it, we all know how to gossip about it, we all know how to worry about it…but the question is how do we deal with it?
Steer into the storm! Remember the passage where it reads: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Cor 10:13). So, steer into the storm because the Lord will provide you a way! Steer into the storm because the Lord will help you endure! Steer into the storm because God wants you to…just maybe he is wanting to teach you something, show you something, or more importantly show others.
“…you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why” because Jesus has overcome for you and I!
Have you ever heard something and it made you do a “double” take? Some of you are wondering why in the world I quoted "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" well, it's because I've got the words "you better watch out" stuck in my mind. One of the many things I have learned about those “better watch out moments” is that they come out of nowhere! They happen to anyone! And they hurt!
Not sure what I am taking about - Ever had someone hurt you with their words? Ever heard a rumor about you? Ever had a friend lie to you? Ever had a medical emergence? Ever had a pipe burst? Ever lost a deal because of an error you made? Ever ran out of gas? Ever been in a wreck? Ever missed your flight?
Those are just a few of the “better watch out moments” that many people face today, yesterday, last week, and everyday in this thing called Life! So now what? What next? We all have heard “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” on TV, but how do you do that? We all know how to stress over it, we all know how to gossip about it, we all know how to worry about it…but the question is how do we deal with it?
Steer into the storm! Remember the passage where it reads: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Cor 10:13). So, steer into the storm because the Lord will provide you a way! Steer into the storm because the Lord will help you endure! Steer into the storm because God wants you to…just maybe he is wanting to teach you something, show you something, or more importantly show others.
“…you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why” because Jesus has overcome for you and I!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
How your pipes?
Have you ever had pipe issues before? Could not get one to stop dripping, could not get one unclogged, or just could not believe how much it costs to clean out your pipes. Some of us when we have these problems try to do something that others of us would not dare to do! We try to fix it ourselves!
Recently I had to speak at a meeting on the topic of confession as well as facilitate a time of confession. This was uncomfortable for me because I was not sure how to approach it. Was I supposed to go around the room asking for everyone to share their inmost secrets with the group and tell us of the sins in their life? Were we having group therapy now? Needless to say that was not the approach I took because it really does not matter to me what they would have said because it only matters to God.
I decided to speak on the example I have heard used of your Christian walk being like a “Facet Pipe” and those areas in your life that are not pleasing to the Lord is the “junk” in those pipes. So, how can God use you or should we say how can God flow through you if your pipes are clogged? Pipes can look good on the outside but the inside is more important-right? Going to church, going to your job, or your everyday walk can look good on the outside…but it’s the inside that matters!
So, are your pipes flowing or are you dipping? Are you confessing and turning over any “clogs” in your life or are you trying to fix it yourself? Are you ignoring the advice of some experienced plumbers in your life? Are you missing those opportunities around you to be a blessing to others because your pipes are not cleaned out? Ask God for help…turn it over to the real expert on the subject! That plumber has the real pipe cleaner solution for your life.
Recently I had to speak at a meeting on the topic of confession as well as facilitate a time of confession. This was uncomfortable for me because I was not sure how to approach it. Was I supposed to go around the room asking for everyone to share their inmost secrets with the group and tell us of the sins in their life? Were we having group therapy now? Needless to say that was not the approach I took because it really does not matter to me what they would have said because it only matters to God.
I decided to speak on the example I have heard used of your Christian walk being like a “Facet Pipe” and those areas in your life that are not pleasing to the Lord is the “junk” in those pipes. So, how can God use you or should we say how can God flow through you if your pipes are clogged? Pipes can look good on the outside but the inside is more important-right? Going to church, going to your job, or your everyday walk can look good on the outside…but it’s the inside that matters!
So, are your pipes flowing or are you dipping? Are you confessing and turning over any “clogs” in your life or are you trying to fix it yourself? Are you ignoring the advice of some experienced plumbers in your life? Are you missing those opportunities around you to be a blessing to others because your pipes are not cleaned out? Ask God for help…turn it over to the real expert on the subject! That plumber has the real pipe cleaner solution for your life.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Draw the Line
I like movies! More importantly I love using them in references or in quotes when I speak or write, but I have to be careful now because of a simple fact-I am getting old! The other thing I like is "Simple" truth! A couple of Sundays ago I went up to my pastor after the morning service to greet him and shake his hand, but then another member walked up and said, “Great message this morning, simple and to the point…”
Later that day two things hit me-1) That man was not complaining about our pastor's message being simple but was thankful to be reminded of the simple truth 2) A quote came to me from an old movie called Star Trek 2 “The Wrath of Khan” where Spock says, "They knew exactly where to hit us." (do not ask me how these things come to me like this...in short, God made me special.. J)
If you are old enough to remember or are just a Star Trek junky you will recall the scene in “The Wrath of Khan” where Captain Kirk and his ship was first attacked by the vengeful person named Khan. Spock's quote came after that first attack…”They knew exactly where to hit us”
Are those words not true in our life? Don’t our enemies know exactly where to hit us? So, if your answer is an absolute “Amen”, then what? What do I do with that information? I know there are those who would say “Just pray about it”. While I believe that is true I also believe there is more…”Wait, more than prayer?”…Yes, with God’s guidance and help through prayer you are now called into action! God has given you a mind, friends to help, resources to use, and maybe today this email…
So, what am I saying? If the line to not cross is really at the Fifty yard line of a football field, should you not draw your line in the sand at the twenty? If you do not want your child to hit a home run in the “sex game” and get pregnant or get someone pregnant should we not teach them how important it is to not even step into the batter's box? If you know FaceBook is replacing God’s time should you not find another way of telling people what you are doing at this moment-who cares what you are doing at that exact moment in time? I know someone who does, God!
If you are on the other end of the scale and do not know where you are the weakest then - ask your spouse, ask a friend, ask your pastor, or better yet pray to God for help to show you and start the process of setting up your lines in the sand far away from the “true” line you are trying to avoid! You're going to mess up, you're human and that is why we need to draw those lines…here is one last quote:”You can learn from listening or you can learn from taking your lumps.” Translation, what is God asking you to change today or what line do you need to draw for Him?
Later that day two things hit me-1) That man was not complaining about our pastor's message being simple but was thankful to be reminded of the simple truth 2) A quote came to me from an old movie called Star Trek 2 “The Wrath of Khan” where Spock says, "They knew exactly where to hit us." (do not ask me how these things come to me like this...in short, God made me special.. J)
If you are old enough to remember or are just a Star Trek junky you will recall the scene in “The Wrath of Khan” where Captain Kirk and his ship was first attacked by the vengeful person named Khan. Spock's quote came after that first attack…”They knew exactly where to hit us”
Are those words not true in our life? Don’t our enemies know exactly where to hit us? So, if your answer is an absolute “Amen”, then what? What do I do with that information? I know there are those who would say “Just pray about it”. While I believe that is true I also believe there is more…”Wait, more than prayer?”…Yes, with God’s guidance and help through prayer you are now called into action! God has given you a mind, friends to help, resources to use, and maybe today this email…
So, what am I saying? If the line to not cross is really at the Fifty yard line of a football field, should you not draw your line in the sand at the twenty? If you do not want your child to hit a home run in the “sex game” and get pregnant or get someone pregnant should we not teach them how important it is to not even step into the batter's box? If you know FaceBook is replacing God’s time should you not find another way of telling people what you are doing at this moment-who cares what you are doing at that exact moment in time? I know someone who does, God!
If you are on the other end of the scale and do not know where you are the weakest then - ask your spouse, ask a friend, ask your pastor, or better yet pray to God for help to show you and start the process of setting up your lines in the sand far away from the “true” line you are trying to avoid! You're going to mess up, you're human and that is why we need to draw those lines…here is one last quote:”You can learn from listening or you can learn from taking your lumps.” Translation, what is God asking you to change today or what line do you need to draw for Him?
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