"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. GALATIANS 6:10"
Some think opportunity has passed them by…some think their opportunity has never been there…some have lost the drive…while others have never been concerned about others. Have you ever considered that maybe you were created for such a time as this? Today! 2010! I used to be told I was too young to fulfill of hopes and dreams that could never be achieved. But now that I am older and the grey in my hair grows, these hopes and dreams have become unrealistic expectations.
Why are they unreal? Because you were told…or because you've never seen them in others…or are you just believing the lie? The lie of “how can I make a difference?”
If you're alive, then you have opportunities: give, write a card, dream big, think small, send an email, make a call, send a text, write a check, give a glass of water, pick up trash, do your best, read more, think more, pray more, love more, sing a song, encourage, speak up, move, change careers, speak less, write more, study less, study more. “…while we have opportunity” My hope is that you will stop believing the lie and know you are right where you are supposed to be…some roads have been tough and unexplainable…some unrealistic to think about…but as you look back to that path you just came from know this-you made it! “…let us do good to all people.”
“You can get busy dying or you can get busy living”
“You might not be able to change the world but you can change the world for one person”
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Be a Foot Washer
I have been on the road lately and when I get on the road I think a lot…and for some reason I thought back to the last two years that God has open some doors for me to speak at. In those two years I have seen and witness some amazing moments…first ever school I spoke at, we were able to save the life of a 14 year old girl that heard me that day and call the HopeLine that night. The following year I had a 13 year old girl come up to me after I was done speaking and said these words “I was going to commit suicide today…” the key to that sentence is “was”
Now you might be thinking “why in the world are you bringing up these stories?”…or for those who know me, you might be thinking “how cool to serve in that way “. In John 13:15 we read these words, “I have given you an example to follow.., do as I have done to you.” Now, be careful when reading those words, because those words are not about me but about a greater servant than I. I read these words just the other day:
Be a Foot Washer- Washed any feet lately? You don’t have to wash someone’s feet in order to serve like Jesus. You could spend time playing with a very young child to help a busy mother. You could read to someone who is feeling sick and in need of company. Take a faith step. Wash someone’s feet today!”
Look around you today and how could you wash some feet: be intentional, be open, look, listen, and lastly move into action. You are exactly in the place where God wants you…you have been through struggles for a reason…you are reading this because maybe you need to be reminded that the greatest of us was a “Foot Washer” himself.
Church-stop serving just on Sundays…you’re missing the other six days a week.
Friends-get outside your comfort zone and meet new people to serve…hanging out at the house won’t cut it
Work-are you a servant or a dictator…can people see a servants heart in you?
Stop making excuses, stop telling me why you can’t, stop telling me it’s not your job anymore….because the last time I looked you are still on the earth for a reason. Maybe this was for you or maybe you have been wrong all your life…it’s not too late to become a foot washer.
Now you might be thinking “why in the world are you bringing up these stories?”…or for those who know me, you might be thinking “how cool to serve in that way “. In John 13:15 we read these words, “I have given you an example to follow.., do as I have done to you.” Now, be careful when reading those words, because those words are not about me but about a greater servant than I. I read these words just the other day:
Be a Foot Washer- Washed any feet lately? You don’t have to wash someone’s feet in order to serve like Jesus. You could spend time playing with a very young child to help a busy mother. You could read to someone who is feeling sick and in need of company. Take a faith step. Wash someone’s feet today!”
Look around you today and how could you wash some feet: be intentional, be open, look, listen, and lastly move into action. You are exactly in the place where God wants you…you have been through struggles for a reason…you are reading this because maybe you need to be reminded that the greatest of us was a “Foot Washer” himself.
Church-stop serving just on Sundays…you’re missing the other six days a week.
Friends-get outside your comfort zone and meet new people to serve…hanging out at the house won’t cut it
Work-are you a servant or a dictator…can people see a servants heart in you?
Stop making excuses, stop telling me why you can’t, stop telling me it’s not your job anymore….because the last time I looked you are still on the earth for a reason. Maybe this was for you or maybe you have been wrong all your life…it’s not too late to become a foot washer.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Take it up...
Recently a friend of mine informed me that he and his family were moving away because of…
What if you were to pack up one day and move away because the Lord told you to? Could you? I can already hear some of you saying, “If God told me to of course I would move!” I am talking more about how you know it was the Lord telling you to move because I know some of us are poor listeners…or maybe that’s just me!? So, maybe the Lord has not asked you to pack up your family and move to a foreign land or city…but maybe the Lord did ask you to: Give, pray, serve, witness, love, forgive, read.
The funny thing about that list...it is only between you and the Lord. When was the last time you had a little “me and Jesus time?” Time to listen…time to ask…time to remember that all this is “His”.
Truly, I am going to miss my friend and his family, but I know we serve the Kingdom together and the King is asking him to go. I pray that you would hear the Lord’s voice in whatever He is asking you to do…and not just hear but act.
Matt 16:24 - "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
What if you were to pack up one day and move away because the Lord told you to? Could you? I can already hear some of you saying, “If God told me to of course I would move!” I am talking more about how you know it was the Lord telling you to move because I know some of us are poor listeners…or maybe that’s just me!? So, maybe the Lord has not asked you to pack up your family and move to a foreign land or city…but maybe the Lord did ask you to: Give, pray, serve, witness, love, forgive, read.
The funny thing about that list...it is only between you and the Lord. When was the last time you had a little “me and Jesus time?” Time to listen…time to ask…time to remember that all this is “His”.
Truly, I am going to miss my friend and his family, but I know we serve the Kingdom together and the King is asking him to go. I pray that you would hear the Lord’s voice in whatever He is asking you to do…and not just hear but act.
Matt 16:24 - "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Thursday, April 22, 2010
We need to get past...
We need to get past…complaining about music in church…style of worship…how we serve the lost…the fear of man…excuses for not serving the Kingdom.
We need to remember…the cross…what it’s like to be a visitor again…prayer…worship.
Whose voice are you listening too? Some of you have given up and moved on because that is easier than trying to take a stand: please serve…please pray…please love your family… those around you…and your Heavenly Father. Have you ever thought God place you there in this moment for a reason?
Our God is Greater than anything…death, lies, and even you!!!! People ask why you keep trying to organize events, lunches, participation and sending out all these darn emails. Why-because of our God is greater than Man and the enemies of this world…and He is Risen!
WK
We need to remember…the cross…what it’s like to be a visitor again…prayer…worship.
Whose voice are you listening too? Some of you have given up and moved on because that is easier than trying to take a stand: please serve…please pray…please love your family… those around you…and your Heavenly Father. Have you ever thought God place you there in this moment for a reason?
Our God is Greater than anything…death, lies, and even you!!!! People ask why you keep trying to organize events, lunches, participation and sending out all these darn emails. Why-because of our God is greater than Man and the enemies of this world…and He is Risen!
WK
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Problem with Friends
Growing up in youth groups I started noticing a pattern:
When girls had issues it was a big deal-first someone had been hurt, then the taking sides, then the confrontation, and then always the make up with lots of hugs and tears. Always promising to be BBF’s for life!
Now when boys had issues there was less drama-if the boy even noticed the problem :)…needless to say it was different with boys.
As I’ve gotten older I’ve notice another pattern: that we have a lot of “friends“. It’s natural to say “This is Bobby and he is my friend!” But I would argue that we do not have many true friends but a lot of “so called” friends around us. Two problems with “Friends”:
1) We put everyone in the same categories as Good friends. This is not so good because it allows everyone's comments and opinions to weigh the same. The trouble with that is who can you trust. You have one person who tells you that shirt looks nice and another telling you it does not match your outfit, you have one friend who gives you advice which is the total opposite of the other. Why do you think customer service is such a tough industry? Because words mean things and we let everyone’s opinions matter…if a complete stranger off the street walks up to you and says something to you why should you give that person's comment the same weight as what your spouse says? It happens but we are so good at playing it off. We are good at not letting people in or too close to the real us.
When was the last time you asked someone “How are you doing today?” and felt like you got a completely honest answer out of them? You would be shocked if they said “I am really hurting right now?”
2) If someone was a good friend then why would we let them continue to destroy themselves, mess up, have no accountability, etc. How can you call yourself a friend when you allow your “friend” to justify their way of living? I am not talking about deep down secrets of the heart and soul here but the common “pit falls” of life. Drinking, drugs, abuse, sex outside of marriage, etc…
Wait, wait, I forgot we live a world that believes this only happens to “bad” people….
How can you be a true friend if you allow your “friends” to continue down this road? Why are you allowing the world to pressure you into “all opinions matter”. Maybe you are reading this and thinking now, "I know why Walt is a ref"…but I hope you can remember this one thing:
The Fear of the Lord is more important than the Fear of Man!
When girls had issues it was a big deal-first someone had been hurt, then the taking sides, then the confrontation, and then always the make up with lots of hugs and tears. Always promising to be BBF’s for life!
Now when boys had issues there was less drama-if the boy even noticed the problem :)…needless to say it was different with boys.
As I’ve gotten older I’ve notice another pattern: that we have a lot of “friends“. It’s natural to say “This is Bobby and he is my friend!” But I would argue that we do not have many true friends but a lot of “so called” friends around us. Two problems with “Friends”:
1) We put everyone in the same categories as Good friends. This is not so good because it allows everyone's comments and opinions to weigh the same. The trouble with that is who can you trust. You have one person who tells you that shirt looks nice and another telling you it does not match your outfit, you have one friend who gives you advice which is the total opposite of the other. Why do you think customer service is such a tough industry? Because words mean things and we let everyone’s opinions matter…if a complete stranger off the street walks up to you and says something to you why should you give that person's comment the same weight as what your spouse says? It happens but we are so good at playing it off. We are good at not letting people in or too close to the real us.
When was the last time you asked someone “How are you doing today?” and felt like you got a completely honest answer out of them? You would be shocked if they said “I am really hurting right now?”
2) If someone was a good friend then why would we let them continue to destroy themselves, mess up, have no accountability, etc. How can you call yourself a friend when you allow your “friend” to justify their way of living? I am not talking about deep down secrets of the heart and soul here but the common “pit falls” of life. Drinking, drugs, abuse, sex outside of marriage, etc…
Wait, wait, I forgot we live a world that believes this only happens to “bad” people….
How can you be a true friend if you allow your “friends” to continue down this road? Why are you allowing the world to pressure you into “all opinions matter”. Maybe you are reading this and thinking now, "I know why Walt is a ref"…but I hope you can remember this one thing:
The Fear of the Lord is more important than the Fear of Man!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Believing the Lie
When did we start believing the lie….when did we start doubting…when did the church start not believing in the power to change lives? What if I told you that there is a place that hurting people turn to…would you go? What if I told you at this place people were begging for help…would you go? What if I told you at this place you can share the gospel truth of Jesus…would you go?
Sadly many people believe the lies: Through God all things are possible but not in me…To never leave you nor forsake you but I have experienced this in my life so it must be true...That God only cares about his church…Those miracles do not happen anymore…I do not have anytime to give because my schedule is full…that is not my gift…God can’t use me at that place!
Why is it so many of us believe what we see in the news, read on the internet, the emails we receive, what we read in books, hear from our friends…and not believe in what God’s Word says anymore? Stop looking at man and start looking to God! Stop looking horizontally and start looking upward! Stop looking inward (church) and start serving outward! Stop looking for a style of church and start serving at church! Stop asking your church to feed you once a week and start feeding yourself in celebrating the good things He has done!
There are still men and women who believe…some might be called crazy, radical, out there, strange…some might even be called the word Christian. Look around you and see the opportunities and people that have been placed around you. Be available and allow God to show up in your life! Be patient for His timing! Plant the seeds now because God will send the rain! God can overcome all things-stop listening to those who tell themselves he can’t!
I have seen God show up and change people’s lives-do you believe me or do you think I am lying too?
Sadly many people believe the lies: Through God all things are possible but not in me…To never leave you nor forsake you but I have experienced this in my life so it must be true...That God only cares about his church…Those miracles do not happen anymore…I do not have anytime to give because my schedule is full…that is not my gift…God can’t use me at that place!
Why is it so many of us believe what we see in the news, read on the internet, the emails we receive, what we read in books, hear from our friends…and not believe in what God’s Word says anymore? Stop looking at man and start looking to God! Stop looking horizontally and start looking upward! Stop looking inward (church) and start serving outward! Stop looking for a style of church and start serving at church! Stop asking your church to feed you once a week and start feeding yourself in celebrating the good things He has done!
There are still men and women who believe…some might be called crazy, radical, out there, strange…some might even be called the word Christian. Look around you and see the opportunities and people that have been placed around you. Be available and allow God to show up in your life! Be patient for His timing! Plant the seeds now because God will send the rain! God can overcome all things-stop listening to those who tell themselves he can’t!
I have seen God show up and change people’s lives-do you believe me or do you think I am lying too?
Forgiveness is...
Has anyone hurt you before? Has someone lied to you in the past? Ever had someone at church hurt you with words? When someone mentions parents does that bring back bad memories? How do we forgive…Forgiveness is not: revenge, getting even, getting the last word, hurting someone back, or payback
Forgiveness is supernatural…how can you explain when someone has physically hurt you…and you forgive them. How can you explain when you have been falsely accused…and you forgive them. How can you explain being made fun of…and you forgive them. How can you explain those closest to you turning their backs on you…and you forgive them…with a world crashing in all around you and you have done nothing wrong…and you forgive them.
Forgiveness is supernatural…do you read these words and think “how?” “Father forgive them because they know not what they have done…” If you are a believer forgiveness is supernatural and is hard to explain to a world that is “looking out for #1, just do it no matter what the cost, destroy everything in your path” Maybe its not your job to explain…Maybe your job is to just live the type of life that others can point to…Maybe you should stop carrying those burdens around that are slowing you down…maybe your only role in the process is to point them to Jesus and say…I am not sure how he did it but he forgave!
Prayer: Lord may I learn to forgive others by following your example…may I live the type of life that points to you…I am sorry for the mistakes I have made in the way I have lived my life to this point…may your supernatural love and forgiveness become real in my daily walk. From this day I want to change and become more like you…AMEN.
Forgiveness is supernatural…how can you explain when someone has physically hurt you…and you forgive them. How can you explain when you have been falsely accused…and you forgive them. How can you explain being made fun of…and you forgive them. How can you explain those closest to you turning their backs on you…and you forgive them…with a world crashing in all around you and you have done nothing wrong…and you forgive them.
Forgiveness is supernatural…do you read these words and think “how?” “Father forgive them because they know not what they have done…” If you are a believer forgiveness is supernatural and is hard to explain to a world that is “looking out for #1, just do it no matter what the cost, destroy everything in your path” Maybe its not your job to explain…Maybe your job is to just live the type of life that others can point to…Maybe you should stop carrying those burdens around that are slowing you down…maybe your only role in the process is to point them to Jesus and say…I am not sure how he did it but he forgave!
Prayer: Lord may I learn to forgive others by following your example…may I live the type of life that points to you…I am sorry for the mistakes I have made in the way I have lived my life to this point…may your supernatural love and forgiveness become real in my daily walk. From this day I want to change and become more like you…AMEN.
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