Have you ever received something that completely caught you off guard and made your day? That’s what happened to me this week when I received this simple thank you note. It truly is very simplistic in nature…just a thank you for serving, but it really means a lot to me. People rarely take the time anymore to sit down and write out a note. In our digital age it is so much easier to just type out a quick email or text. For someone to take the time to actually write a note and mail it, well that’s something entirely different. To me it shows a level of personalization you just can’t get with an electronic message. It also arrived at a perfect time this week. I had some things going on in my life, and receiving this simple handwritten note helped me put things into perspective and brought a much-needed smile to my face.
With that I’ll say “thank you” to the author of this note. You know who you are, and I appreciate your kind words. I’ve thought for some time about the reasons I serve in different capacities at my church, and this simple note helped me see some of those reasons. I’ll share more about that in an upcoming post.
This note has challenged me to take the time to do the same for others. Who do I know that could use the encouraging power of a simple note? Perhaps it might be you.
We throw away broken things, but God don’t. God uses broken things.
The above film is my absolute favorite thus far featured on I Am Second. I first saw it a few weeks ago and shared it via Twitter and Facebook. Since then I have watched it many times and was inspired to write about it. David Ring’s testimony is extraordinary, and he is such an inspiration to others. Many of you know I have the privilege of working around many people with disabilities, and that has changed my whole perspective on those folks. Hearing Mr. Ring speak of others making fun of him hits home, and it hurts knowing how cruel some people can be. Ring is living proof that God does indeed use broken things.
There are so many things he says in the film that I could mention here. I’ll focus on a couple of my favorites. One is this:
I’m not OK, but that’s OK. God loves me just the way I am.
What a powerful statement! I think too many of us spend time trying to be something we are not. We try to be better, smarter, different. We’re not OK, so we try to mask that by being something we think others want us to be. The truth, however, is that we need to understand exactly what Ring said. We’re not OK, but that’s fine. God knows that, and He loves us as we are…in spite of our flaws, disabilities, sins, failures. It has taken a long, long time for me to realize that. I, like many, have felt at times that God doesn’t love me. How could He? But, He does…unconditionally!
Another line from Ring that I love is,
God saw a dead baby, and God brought that dead baby to life.
You can look at this statement a couple of different ways. The obvious is how Ring meant it. He was dead for several minutes when he was born, and God brought him back to life because He had a purpose for his life. I think there is another application here. Think about salvation. God takes a sinner…someone spiritually dead…and gives them life through Jesus Christ. He sees a dead baby and brings it back to life. Let that sink in! Without the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf, we are dead (the wages of sin is death). But His gift to us is life! Praise God!
Finally, David Ring ends by saying this…twice:
Everybody wants to be loved
There is no human being on the face of the planet who could argue with this statement. We all want to be loved. We long for the love of others. But, too often I think we feel the opposite. There is so much hate and violence in the world in which we live. Racism, sexism, discrimination…you name it. But, there is good news! While we may not feel the love from others, there is One who loves like no other.
For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Everybody wants to be loved, and God loves everybody! His Word tells us so. When we understand that, and realize God wants us as we are…scarred, battered, broken...we will feel that love. Will it always be easy? No, but He has promised to be with us to the end of the age. When all else fails, God’s love neverwill.
Have you experienced His love? If not, what are you waiting for? He offers it freely to all who will accept it. Will you accept it and allow Him to use you for something greater? Remember…
We throw away broken things, but God don’t. God uses broken things.
February 7, 2012 – Two major events occurred in my life.
I turned 40 years old
I sat in a courtroom finalizing a divorce I didn’t ask for or want
Here we are one year later. This past Thursday marked my 41st birthday and the one year anniversary of the divorce. As I reflected on the events of the past year I began asking myself some questions about my life now compared to then. I wanted to share just a few thoughts with my readers about this.
When Thursday rolled around this year my first thoughts weren’t of my birthday. My mind went back in time to the previous year. I can vividly remember sitting before the judge and signing the documents. As I said, I didn’t ask for it and it wasn’t what I wanted. But, as I look back on the year since that day, I can tell you now with great confidence that it turned out to be a good thing. Knowing things I know now, I can see it was for the best. I won’t sir here and say I’m glad it happened, but I will say I am a better person because of it. God has opened my eyes to so much over the past year, and I’m so thankful for that.
I can’t go back and change the past…wouldn’t want to. I’m learning daily to live without regrets. What’s done is done. Now, look forward to a hopeful future. That has become a mantra for me to live by. I view each day as a gift from God. Some days are better than others, but God has put some amazing people in my life over the past year to help me through the rough days. Thursday I realized how important so many of those people are to me. I have family and friends who have been beside me every step of the way. (You know who you are.) With these people loving me and walking with me, I’ve been able to really let go of some old hurts and emotions that were doing nothing but bringing me down. Thank God for these people!
This time last year I was looking for ways to heal the hurt. Now I no longer do that. God has healed the hurt. He has led me to a better place in my life. My relationship with my kids is better than ever! We have really bonded over the past year, and for that I am truly thankful. I’m also closer to my sister as a result of all I’ve been through. And, God continues to put friends in my life at just the right times to keep me focused on the important stuff and not dwell on the past. I am so very blessed!
The biggest question that came to mind this week was this:
Am I happier now than I was last year?
The answer to that is…yes! Do I still feel some hurt and disappointment from the divorce? Absolutely! I would be lying if I said no. But, overall I am a much happier person. As I said, God has opened my eyes to so much. Knowing the things I now know…well, let me just say I can’t help but be happier. Every day I can see how He is shaping my life. I can look back over the trials of the past year and see when He carried me through. When I vividly remember very dark, difficult days, I can remember with equal clarity the peace He gave. God has led to me to a better, happier place in life. I have no doubt that I am exactly where He wants me to be.
To those who read this and know you are one I mentioned above…THANK YOU!! Each one of you has touched my life in a very special way. Some of you may not even realize it. You may have prayed for me, sat across from me & listened, or just did something as simple as speaking a kind word. My friends and family are great, and I love you all!!
When I first watched this video a few days ago I had several things to say. I prepared so much to write in a blog post, but somehow it just didn’t seem right. So, I scrapped it all and started over. I can’t say much. Mr. Munroe said it all. My favorite line is this.
A substitution of blood, on my behalf, so that I could live again.
That is a powerful statement. Can you imagine what it must feel like to receive such a gift? To be born again?
I don’t know the feeling of physically receiving this life-giving blood, but I do know what it feels like to receive spiritual life-giving blood. Jesus Christ did that for me, and for you. He was that substitution of blood, on our behalf, so that we might live. How amazing is that? Even though we may not go through a bone marrow transplant and receive someone’s blood in our bodies, we can know what its like to experience rebirth. Praise God for the sacrifice…the substitution of blood on my behalf!
This past Tuesday I added some new ink to my arm. I already had one tattoo and had wanted another for a while. I just wasn’t sure what I wanted. I decided on something about a month ago and scheduled the appointment. Below is the result.
I know by posting this that there will be some who judge me because of the mere idea of a tattoo. So, go ahead & judge if you will. I say to each their own. I’ve learned not to put too much stock in some of the things people think and say about them.
The people who have already seen this like it and have a common question. They want to know the significance. Not all ink has personal meaning, but this ink does.
The music is for me. I love music…performing it, listening to it, singing it (although that’s best performed in the shower or car ). Those who know me well know I have a passion for music. So, when I decided on this tattoo I knew I wanted to incorporate music.
The flower, a tulip if you couldn’t tell, is for my mother. She passed away 5 years ago this past December 31, and I still miss her. I’ve missed having her around during all the turmoil in my life over the past few years. A little while back I came across a photo of some tulips and thought of her and the idea to use a tulip as the focal point of my new ink. You see, when I was growing up she always had tulips growing in the yard. I remember them well…reds, yellows, purples,…so many colors. The ones I remember best are the hybrid tulips. I was always fond of the red & yellow ones. The tulip was her favorite flower, so I decided to use it as a permanent tribute to her.
I know people have different feelings about and opinions of tattoos, and I respect that. You may think it is crazy to get them, or you may love them. I think it is a personal preference that each person is entitled to. I got my first one in 2010 and it took almost 3 years for number 2. I never thought I would have one, but now that I do I can honestly say I’m very happy with my decisions to be inked. This post wasn’t something I had to share, but it was one I wanted to share. I want people to know about me…whether you like those things or not…and my ink is part of who I am.
I love the commercial above! The first time I saw it I laughed out loud, and I stop what I’m doing and watch when I see it. It certainly is humorous and memorable. Setting humor aside I began thinking about what the commercial says.
Pass down something he will be grateful for.
That line made me think about what I’m passing to my kids. What kind of legacy will I leave? Of course that is much deeper than a car, or the ability to throw a ball. When you consider the tremendous responsibility of raising kids you don’t always think about the legacy you’ll leave. But that is very important. So, I’ve asked myself what I’m passing along to them.
I won’t claim to be the world’s greatest dad. I try my best, but I fall short when it comes to getting fatherhood right all the time. I teach my girls right from wrong, help them with learning skills, and support their interests. I’ve passed along to them a love for music, my weird sense of humor (not sure if that’s good), and some quirky personality traits. That’s all well and good, but my hope is that I’ll leave something more lasting.
I try as best I can to set a good example of being a Christ follower to my kids. Again, I fall short, but I make sure they see my dedication to my faith, even when it isn’t good. I think they need to see that being a Christ follower doesn’t make you good or make you always do the right things. I’m very intentional that they see the work I do (all volunteer) for my church. I don’t do it for show…not at all. I enjoy serving and it is my way to give back. I want my kids to see and understand that “faith without works isuseless” (James 2:20).
So, what am I passing on to my kids? I hope I am leaving a legacy of being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. My goal is that they will see the passion I have for the acts of service and want to do the same. As a Christian parent, I think the best things you can pass down to your kids is the understanding of the importance of being a sold-out Christ follower and the service that goes along with it.
I’ve noticed something when I drive. I see this sign everywhere, but I see very few people obeying it. Why? It is such a simple concept. It’s easy to do. So why do so many ignore it?
Dictionary.com offers several definitions to the word yield. Three of them involve giving up.
to give up, as to superior power or authority
to give up or surrender (oneself)
to give up or over; relinquish or resign
When you look at these definitions it becomes clear why people ignore the signs. No one wants to give up their position, rights, self. It’s human nature. We want to be in control…on top…numero uno.
Is there any wonder why people also choose to rebel against God? After all, yielding to His will would mean giving up (as to superior power or authority), surrendering oneself, and relinquishing ones rights. No one wants to do that, right? No, that would be contrary to what the world pushes on us. Be all you can be…take care of yourself…take control…live for you. But, I offer that living for yourself and the world brings emptiness and despair. Yielding to Him, however, brings life. Listen to the words of Paul.
But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ — the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death
Philippians 3:7-10
Paul had lived for himself and the world prior to a supernatural experience that led him to Christ. From that moment he devoted his life to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. He yieldedto God’s will, and that led him to write the words you just read. Can you and I saw that? Can we truly say we are at that point in our faith where we have yielded to Christ and count everything gained as loss? I dare say we are not. I know I’m not certainly not there yet.
Paul goes on a few verses later to say that he has not reached the goal yet, so he presses on.
I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Paul had yielded to God, but he hadn’t yet reached the final goal…the promise of God…eternal life.
As Christ followers we have yielded our lives to Him. At some point in time a decision was made to give up ourselves and relinquishour power. But, just like with driving, we forget what that yield sign means and start thinking about ourselves again. I don’t want to keep doing that. I want to be like Paul and press on toward the goal…eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord! I want to live second…put Him first in my life. It’s not always easy, but He never said it would be. Yielding is hard. Giving up ones power, rights and self is very hard, but if we want the prize that God has promised, that is exactly what we must do.
I pray that you will join me. Will you be second? Will you pursue the goal…the prize of eternal life? We can do this together, as brothers and sisters. Pray for me…I will pray for you.
A few weeks ago I published a series of posts to launch the new book Live Second: 365 Ways to Make JesusFirst. The book has really been eye-opening to me. In fact, I was so impressed I decided to buy a copy for my 15-year old daughter for Christmas. Now for something fun and exciting.
She and I have decided to start reading the book each day of 2013. We are going to each read the daily devotion and then discuss it. I’m very excited to hear her thoughts and how the reading impacts her. I have asked her to take this very seriously and be ready to talk about it. I told her I would like to use some of her thoughts in a future blog post about a selected reading, or maybe even have her write a guest post. I look forward to doing this with her throughout the year. I pray that this project will change both our lives as we seek His will and live secondin 2013.
Today is the last day of 2012, and it marks my last blog post for the year. I struggled for a while to come up with the right topic for this one. My first draft was a recap of 2012…all of the highs and lows of my year. I quickly scrapped that because, in the words of the wise Rafiki from The Lion King,
It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past.
So I chose to let 2012 stay in the past and instead look ahead to 2013 & the future.
I’m dubbing my 2013 “The Year ofBetter“. I’m not making resolutions…I don’t believe in them. Instead, I’m setting goals and making some important commitments to be a better me. What will that look like?
Be a better Christ follower
Be a better dad
Be a better friend
Be a better brother
Be a better employee
Be a better leader
Take better care of myself (body, mind & spirit)
Be better at being second
There are many changes that I need to make in the upcoming year to achieve my goals. I am determined to make them happen. For too many years I’ve done the same old things over and over. I don’t want to just be mediocre any more. I want to be better, and that starts with being second.
The Bible tells us in Matthew 6 to seek His kingdom first. If I achieve the goal of being second, then I’ll be a better Christ follower, and all the other goals will be easier to accomplish. I’m not saying it will be easy. On the contrary! I think this may be a very challenging year for me. Being a faithful Christ follower will bring challenges. I’m expecting them to come, but I’m ready. If 2012 taught me anything it was new ways of facing struggles. I’ve learned a lot over the last year and enter 2013 with a new perspective on trials and struggles. I know they will come, but in the words of Paul…
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
I invite you to follow along with me in 2013 via this blog. I hope to give you regular updates on how I’m doing with my Year of Better. I also would like to hear from my readers about your plans & goals for the upcoming new year.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 4,100 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 7 years to get that many views.
