I thought Saturdays were supposed to be relaxing.  Not so much for me this past weekend.  From the time my eyes opened I had this sense of apprehension and dread with no understanding of where the feelings were coming from.  After a while of trying to figure it out I gave up and went to my fall back, my Plan B.  For me that means busying myself in hopes of forgetting about it.  Probably not the best way to deal, but it’s always been my fallback method.  With a quick survey of things that needed to be done I decided to start preparing all of the paperwork for our taxes.  After only a few short minutes I began coming across bills that had been paid throughout this past year, paperwork reminding me my wife’s cancer scare, unexpected dentist trips that led to high-priced dental procedures, the loss of a loved one, debt that had accumulated for one reason or another.  If I’m being transparent, 2016 was a rough year for my family physically, financially, mentally, and spiritually.  When everything happened, I remembered how all-consuming it all felt.  I began to realize, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I had gone through the fire- fighting battle after battle- but I made it through and didn’t even smell like smoke!  There was very little evidence any of it had ever happened.  Bills that should have taken me a few years to pay were paid in full!  Situations that should have caused me to lose my mind were distant thoughts I barely remembered!  I became so encouraged!  My mood changed instantly.  I felt grateful, blessed, and humbled that God would care for me like He did.

Have you ever watched a boxing match where one guy is getting pounced on?  He gets in a punch here and there but just as you think he can come back…. he gets hit again, and harder.  After a while you just pray for the bell to ring so he can catch a little break to doctor that bloodied nose.  That’s life.  It happens fast and quick.  1 Samuel 30 tells us of David returning with his men from a hard fought, exhausting battle only to find their belongings, wives, and families had been taken.  Though David had been anointed the next King he had been fighting with the current King, Saul, for nearly seven years or longer.  He had even spared Saul’s life when he could have taken it and forcefully occupied the throne.  No doubt in this exact moment he was tired and at his breaking point.  Rather than have a pity party the Bible tells us (v. 6) David, “…encouraged himself in the Lord.”  Next, he prayed to God for direction on his next step.  God encouraged him to go forth into battle informing Him that he would (v.8), “…recover all.”  And he did.  God restored everything that had been taken and more.  Coincidentally, a short time later- after the death of Saul, David became the new King.  Had he thrown in the towel after the aforementioned battle he could have missed his greatest blessing.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Have you considered your breakthrough, your greatest blessing, could be right around the corner?  Sometimes our greatest battles lead us directly to our promise.  Will you give up early?  Or will you keep throwing punches?  The battle will only be difficult if there are spoils involved.  There’s something waiting for you on the other side of that battle you’re facing.  It may feel like you’re losing but, with God by your side, you’ve already conquered the enemy!  Keep fighting, my friends!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

What I am about to share is probably one of the most embarrassing things I have ever done – something I’m genuinely ashamed of.  Throughout my life God has supplied me whatever I needed.  While in middle school I was given a lot of responsibility by one of my teachers and, sadly, I misused and broke her trust.  She trusted me enough to inform me of quite a few things the other students didn’t know, including where she kept a bag of money in a closet from the sale of school supplies to her students.  One day while she was gone I decided to steal fifty cent to get an ice cream in the cafeteria during lunch with the intentions to replace it.  But I never did.  My initial offense became a daily occurrence for a few weeks with the amounts increasing daily.  One particular day I stole over $20 from her.  Each time I didn’t get caught I felt a rush of excitement but was still bothered because I knew I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing.  There was no justification for my sinful actions.  I knew right from wrong and had no excuse.  Once she figured out what was going on she set me up, I took the bait, and I got caught.  I was so ashamed.  The trust and faith I had worked so hard to build with my parents and teacher were lost in a single set of actions.  I still remember the day she called my home to discuss it with my father and how emotional and saddened he was that I had made such a terrible decision.  Even though I had done something so terribly wrong his love for me never changed.  Over time, I built that trust again but I never forgot the emotions and feelings that went along with that entire situation.

Exodus 3 finds Moses having a conversation with God via a burning bush.  God had heard the cry of His people and was about to release them from under the oppression they had been experiencing for so long.  Verse 15 states, “God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”  Let’s consider what just happened.  God just had a conversation with a fleeing murderer (Moses) about using him to deliver His people from an oppressive ruler.  He also just reminded them (in the scripture listed above) that He was the God of a liar (Abraham), another liar (Abraham’s son, Isaac-who repeated his father’s sin), and a dishonest swindler (the “heel-catcher,” Jacob – God didn’t even use his redeemed name, Israel).  Seems odd he would choose and use so many imperfect people.  So many “screw-ups”, if you will.  And now, a former thief, he uses me to minister and lead the lost to His saving grace.  But I’m glad He did.  Your past isn’t a problem for God.  Why should it be a problem for you?  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  [Romans 8:1]  Hold your head high and press on!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Regardless of your past, we serve a God who offers us a redeeming love that we are undeserving of.  Adulterer’s, liars, whores, cowards, cheats, murderers, and donkey are just a few of the vessel’s He’s chosen to use.  Don’t ever allow the enemy to convince you your past prevents you from your work for the kingdom.

Be encouraged and have a blessed week, my friends!

On December 22nd, 2016 at 2am I was standing by my grandmother’s bedside as she took her last breath on this earth.  As I was preparing to speak and sing at her funeral a few days later I racked my brain for the longest time attempting to solidify some life altering message that would minister to everyone in attendance.  After sitting behind my computer frustrated by the insurmountable task at hand I realized there was no reason for me to create anything new to share.  She had already preached her funeral by the life she lived.  Even from my earliest memories of my grandmother the only thing I could remember about her was how much she loved those around her.  It didn’t matter who you were.  It was a selfless and sacrificial love.  She had this ability to love the sinner unconditionally while despising the sin.  Every word spoken was bathed with so much love and compassion yet was full of conviction only the Holy Spirit can minister.  You walked away from every conversation feeling this odd mixture of emotions and a desire to do better, to be better.  There was no judgement or degradation.  Only pure, unadulterated love.  She wasn’t perfect and, no doubt, made many mistakes in her life.  But she was one of the greatest people I’ve ever known.  She was an anointed woman of God, a soldier of the cross, who fought many battles on her knees in prayer.  She overcame every obstacle in her life with the help of her Lord and Savior.

The life she lived for Christ was the focus of everything she did.  As I’ve stated in a past blog, she didn’t have much in this life.  But she lived and spent every breath God gave her in a posture of praise and worship to Him.  Even after a stroke, brain swell, brain surgery, a coma, and a long stay in ICU she still had her wits about her enough to remember the word of God.  I even had a nurse call me one day, mildly amused, to inform me she was preaching to the nursing staff and anyone who passed her room that day about God’s miracle working power.  She may have forgotten her social security number, address, and birthday but she had no problem remembering how great her God was or the scriptures she had studied throughout her time on this earth.  Her life was always spent helping or doing something for someone else.  In later years when she was physically unable to do much she could still be found praying and interceding for those in need.  In Job 33:4 we’re reminded, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”  Every breath you breathe is a gift from God.  You can’t take your next one without God’s permission.  How are you spending your breath?  In other words, how are you using the life you’ve been given?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Are your wasting time focusing on your frustrations, worries, or personal desires?  Today I hope you will choose to laugh a little more, to help others more, and- most importantly- love without expecting anything in return.  We’re all allocated a certain amount of time on this earth.  Some more than others.  We never know when we will inhale/exhale for the last time.  I encourage you to spend your breath wisely.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

My son is a sweet, loving, and extremely giving child.  He is also an independent and hard-headed little ball of energy.  He likes things done his way and on his time schedule.  When that doesn’t happen he, well-let’s just say, doesn’t put his best foot forward.  Recently I heard him stomping around and yelling in frustration so I went down the hall to check on him.  Somehow, while getting dressed he had gotten himself twisted up in his shirt and was as equally panicked as he was frustrated.  I began to try and help him and he responded, “STOP DADDY, I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF!”  I replied, “Ok, go ahead,” and I stood back while he wrestled further, fussing all the while.  My desire was to reach out and help him but he was set on doing it himself.  Finally he responded at an even greater level of frustration, “HELP ME DADDY!!!!”  I began to intervene and momentarily he attempted to continue doing things his way which, by the way, still wasn’t working.  Finally, in a quieter tone to calm him, I said, “If you will stand still I’ll fix it.”  He stood still, I fixed it, life went on.  But in the midst of my rescue I instantly had a déjà vu moment.  The only difference was, in my mind I was the one fussing and God was the one with the quiet voice attempting to calm me while I flipped and floundered around like a buffoon.

I’m sure everyone reading this can admit–been there, done that!  Something goes wrong and, rather than ask for help, we get ourselves in a tizzy attempting to do it all on our own making things worse as we go along.  I don’t see anything wrong with being independent.  I’m a firm believer in pulling yourself up by the boot straps and handling your business when necessary.  But there are certain situations we get ourselves into, when we’ve done everything you know to do, we stand helpless with nowhere to turn.  Those are the moments it becomes necessary to turn to the only person who can help us through our circumstance.  Am I implying it’s wise to do things we know are wrong because we know He will rescue us?  Absolutely not.  Sometimes we place ourselves in situations we know will lead us down roads we never intended to travel.  But He’s such a good Father, always there to provide a way of escape.  That doesn’t mean we won’t suffer the consequences of our actions but He still provides a back door.  Back to my main point—My assignment today is to remind you, when you’re in the middle of the storm He will be your shelter.  He’s a place of refuge.  Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Be encouraged today.  Stop trying to control everything around you.  Stop spinning your wheels.  You can’t fix everything.  But you know Someone who can!  Call out to Him and then step back and watch Him move.

As I type I am sitting by the bedside of my maternal grandmother as she mildly struggles to take her last few breaths on this earth.  Though it may seem odd to many, I just finished packing the items from her room into my car.  To some that might seem disrespectful knowing that she is still here a short while longer but, to me, it makes perfect sense.  Doesn’t everyone pack or have help packing their bags when they’re preparing to move?  It’s true.  She is moving.  In some respect I understand as I recently moved myself, albeit it’s definitely a different type of move.  One of the first people I wanted to call when I finally got my set of keys was my Mamaw (that’s what I call her).  She was one of those people I always enjoyed sharing my accomplishments and blessings with because, on most occasions, she had a hand in helping me pray things into fruition.  I had already envisioned my ushering her through the front door and saying, “What do you think of my new house?”  And I imagined her saying, “Oh, baby doll, it’s beautiful!  God is so good!” to which I would agree.  Because of all her recent medical problems she had not reached a place where she was healthy enough for such a visit.

Her home down here is nothing to brag about.  It was a meager existence but was her little piece of heaven and served as a place of comfort for me.  It was that place where I fell forty feet out of the pecan tree and broke my arm.  It was the place my brother got attacked by the neighborhood dog and I carried him all the way to back to the house.  It was the place I learned how to ride a bike.  It was the place I watched her make hundreds, if not thousands, of pans of biscuits.  In regards to earthly riches, she had none.  But she was one of the richest people I knew.  She had friends and family that loved her more than words could express on paper.  And she had a God that had brought her through trials and unimaginable loss over her 79 years.

She has spent most of her life waiting for this moment.  Her moving day.  She’s been preparing to move to her new home for decades now.  The two of us will be leaving this place soon.  This nursing home has been wonderful to her but we both have somewhere else to be.  She will get to our destination before I will, but it’s always been that way.  No doubt she will have my bed ready and will be pulling a pan of biscuits out of the oven when I walk in through those gates.  I imagine her meeting me at the front door of her new mansion stating excitedly, “What do you think of my new house?”  To which I will reply, “Oh, Mamaw, it’s beautiful  God is SO good!” and then we will both make our way to the feet of the Father to worship him for a few thousand years while those biscuits sit on the table getting cold.

Goodbyes are terrible and I refuse to utter those words.  For now, all I’ll say is, “See you soon, Mamaw!”  You will be missed down here but I wouldn’t keep you here for anything in this world.  You deserve this!  Tell everyone up there I said hello and I look forward to our family reunion soon!

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”   1 Corin. 2:9

Betty Jean Harris Lyles

May 19, 1937 – Dec. 22, 2016

Years ago a movie was released titled Ice Age.   As the franchise has grown, millions of children all over the world have been introduced to a few furry cartoon characters and the journey they endure to outrun the pending Ice Age.  Even more importantly we were introduced to the funniest (in my opinion) and most interesting of all the characters, Scrat the Squirrel (pictured above).  Both my children and I think he’s hilarious.  Though he was never meant to be the main character, Scrat always finds a way to steal the spotlight throughout each movie simply by chasing and attempting to hide that ever-elusive acorn.  Just as he gets his hands on it, something happens and he loses it.  Throughout each movie his very life existence, dreams, and goals center on this never ending activity.  Even to his own demise he will chase that acorn.  You could literally build the movie around this funny little furry creature.  The audience watches as he repeats this same action over and over, always expecting a different outcome–and, bless his furry little heart, he never gets it.  Albert Einstein calls this insanity.

Recently, millions of people could be found fighting over extremely discounted items (or so they thought) at all our local establishments.  Black Friday is the time when many are found purchasing new cars, designer clothing and accessories, overly priced shoes, planning exotic vacations, and so much more.  We’re reeled in with those flashy advertisements and walk out wondering what possessed us to lose 12 hours of sleep to fight over a flat screen television.  Admittedly, I’ve caught myself doing the same from time to time.  Rarely when I make purchases do I actually need what I am getting.  We’re like the hamster that jumps on the wheel and runs for hours.  There’s always the glimmer of hope that this time will be different—and it never is.  We do this because we have given certain things priority and/or value in our lives.  The value of an items changes according to who is viewing it.  You can place perfect steak in front of me and, while I can admire it for the way it looks or smells, I don’t find much value in it.  I just don’t care for steak.  If you place it in front of my skinny, meat-obsessed wife you better keep your hands away from her plate or you’ll draw back a nub.  Matthew 6 finds Jesus right in the middle of His sermon on the mount preaching on inward/outward expressions of holiness, private prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and more.  In verse 33 he states, “but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Does this mean if we seek God and skip Black Friday that we will still get really good Christmas deals?  Maybe—but probably not, ha ha!  The ideal being expressed is trusting and seeking God and His will for our lives rather than striving for personal gain.  We can stay on the hamster will of self gain or turn our attention outward to the lost and hurting.    What are you chasing?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  You could buy everything your heart desires and never truly be happy.  You’ll always want more.  “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  Save your energy to chase that which is worthy in the sight of God.  You’ll avoid a lot of hardship!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Has anyone else ever considered how crazy life can be?  I shared a list of things my family had been dealing with in the past few months in a recent blog.  I can now add an unexpected dental visit for myself as I’ve somehow managed to lose a filling in one of my teeth.  I literally began laughing, quite loudly, when my wife told me what she saw.  By this point, my pitiful little credit card is bleeding from the pressure it has received.  Years ago if I had gone through a season like this I would have been so utterly stressed I probably would have had a mild heart attack by now (those closest to me can attest to this).  Honestly, I’m not sure when it happened but, somewhere along the way, I’m learned to shrug my shoulders and just press on.  I deal with things as best I can but I’m never going to be prepared for everything that happens nor for every curve ball life throws.  I liken it to a roller coaster ride on one of those old wooden roller coasters from my childhood.  Like life, these coasters offer a mostly enjoyable experience but have a tendency to shake us around leaving a mild case of whiplash when those sharp turns surprise us.  The up’s and down’s of the coaster, while fun in certain seasons, can cause nausea in other seasons.  I’ve always enjoyed roller coaster rides.  But, I learned early on, if I’ve just eaten, happen to be a little sick, or any number of unexpected stimuli that roller coaster ride can turn into a ride of terror.

Life changes.  Just when we think we have things figured out someone changes the rules.  It can be frustrating.  Our smooth ride turns into a tire that has blown out and needs to be changed.  Our perfectly functioning home can be thrown into chaos in a matter of seconds.  Things happen.  The world is constantly changing.  Sometimes it feels like life is dancing on our nearly dead corpse.  But here’s the hope we have; His word and promises never change.  He never changes.  Just a few scriptures I wanted to share that bring me encouragement–“Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” [Heb. 13:8]  Even when things seem chaotic, He is unchanging.  He is constant.  “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” [Ps. 30:5] Praise God for this one!  Eventually the sun WILL shine again.  There is always light at the end of the tunnel.  Eventually, the pain of that hurt will wane.  Our morning will come!  Just wait for it.  “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” [Ps. 37:25]  Praise God!  Even when I feel alone, He’s right there fighting for me and taking care of me.  As long as I’m His, I’ll never be alone, forsaken, or forgotten.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  [John 14:27]  Thank you, Heavenly Father!  Even in those fearful and tumultuous moments, His peace is there waiting.  We simply have to accept it and walk in that promise.  [Even when I’m waiting for that dentist to begin drilling in my mouth—Oh Lord, I accept your peace!  Ha, ha!]

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Don’t grow weary!  Keep pressing forward!  Those terrible seasons creep up out of nowhere……but they eventually pass!  Storms may leave damage but we WILL make it through it.  Just hold on, my friends!  Just hold on!!!

Feel free to share this blog with someone who may need to read it.    

I’ve had enough and I have to say something…..okay….a LOT of something(s).  I think it’s safe to say that this year’s election season was one of the worst in history.  To admit my own embarrassment of those running for President would be an understatement.  My children aren’t old enough to fully understand everything so I’ve shielded them from it.  Or so I thought.  On Monday, the day before the election, my daughter came and informed me they had been discussing the election at school and she asked who I was voting for.  I admitted I wasn’t voting this year.  Not because I didn’t want to, but because in the midst of the craziness of our transition I had failed to update our voter registrations when we moved.  Truth be told, deep down, I took some awkward solace in that fact.  My daughter stated, “Well, I won’t vote for that woman because she kills little kids!”  Shocked, I gave her an awkward stare and asked her to repeat herself.  She repeated the statement verbatim.  I said, “Where did you hear that?”  She replied, “They told me that at school!”  I asked, “Who is they because that doesn’t sound like something your teacher would teach you?”  She stated, “My friends!” as she continued telling me this elaborate story, never mentioning the word abortion, only eluding to some of the facts in a childlike, misinformed way.  I sat her down and we continued our conversation as I tried to iron everything out.  I explained to her in terms an 8-year-old could understand who both candidates were and what they stood for.  In that moment I felt ill-prepared and somewhat incapable of expressing the true intent of my heart as it had been ripped to shreds and strewn in a million pieces over a period of years that includes this election season.

The realities of our world and society break my heart.  Every day, we are facing issues I never dreamed would ever arise.  My children are growing up in a society that is more “me” driven rather than Christ-centered.  For almost two years, day after day, the candidates on both sides have degraded one another in such hateful ways.  The world has watched the disrespect first hand and now many are repeating the same behavior.  Obama, Clinton, and Trump….OH MY!  We have a MAJOR problem!  I may not be a politician but I am a Christian and a citizen of this country.  A country that was founded on Christ-centered values….and we have a LOT of work to do.  With that citizenship comes certain perks and I intend to submit my “free speech” card at this time.  So, here you go!

Dear Democrats – First and foremost, I am a Christian.  While I choose to vote mostly along a Republican party lines (as their values most clearly reflect my own) I would request you not refer to me as a bigot, racist, misogynist, or any other derogatory term unless the fruit on my tree reflects such—and I will extend the same courtesy to you.  It is your right to vote as you deem necessary and I will do that same as the Holy Spirit leads me.  Had Mrs. Clinton been our next President I assure you I would not have spoken ill of her in public.  While I did not vote for President Obama, I submitted to his authority and respected his position because that’s what the word of God instructs me to do.  I pray you will do the same in the next 4-8 years.  We are all in this together.  While my party’s candidate may have expressed and taken part in negative acts, that does not make me guilty of the same simply by association.

Dear Republicans-I implore you to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  If you desire to receive respect then give respect regardless of color, ethnicity, educational background, financial status, etc.  The orphans and the widows must be our priority.  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” [James 1:27]   It seems Republicans now have all the power, so to speak.  I encourage you/us to use it wisely.  Don’t squander this moment or we will have no one to blame but ourselves.  And while I don’t desire to be a wet blanket on your excitement, please be aware that your responses on social media, in public, and more affect those around you.  If you can’t say something nice, please just SHHHHHHHHH.

Dear President Obama—There is no doubt in my mind the burden you have carried for eight years has been the greatest of your life.  While I do not agree with many of decisions you have made for our country, I respect your position and authority and thank you for your service.  I hope you will take the lead of your predecessor and, going forward, keep your opinions to yourself.  I genuinely hope you enjoy sleeping late and spending time with your family.  No doubt, you have missed quite a bit of that over the past few years.  It is my desire you take your time left in the spotlight to help restore and heal the rift you have had a hand in causing during this season.

Dear President-elect Trump—You, sir, will also have my respect because of your position and authority.  But make no mistake, I expect more from you than what I have seen in months prior.  I do not condone your actions and find them quite embarrassing.  My children are watching you.  Because of your influence I hope you will humble yourself, turn from your wicked ways, and seek His face.  If you are the Christian you have bragged to be in recent months, I implore you to act like it.  Your actions haven’t reflected the Bible that I read.  Also, respectfully, you are not capable of Making America Great Again, sir.  Only my Lord and Savior has the ability to accomplish that feat.  I will be covering you in prayer and hope you will show love, respect, and kindness to those you will now be serving regardless of who they are.  Yes, sir.  Serving.  …”Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” [Mark 9:35]

Dear fellow Christians—Just because the election season is over doesn’t mean it’s time to get off of our knees. Regardless of who became our next President it was STILL our job to point people to God.  NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!! We STILL need God to heal our land!!! Trump nor Clinton were EVER the answer to our problems. God is the way, truth, and life!!!!  I encourage you to abstain from idle chatter.   Matthew 12:36-37, “And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak. Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.”  STAY ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!! Someone was always going to win and someone was always going to lose. Regardless, the King of King still reigns on His throne!  Let’s get to work!  Regardless of what happens after 12pm on January 20^th, 2017 we have no reason to fear.  As I heard it said a few months ago, “My hope ain’t in Obama, Chelsea’s momma, or Trump’s drama!”

We are responsible for our own actions.  To those on BOTH sides who think it is okay to attack others (physically, spiritually, emotionally, etc.), you’re WRONG.  And not because I say so, rather “…for the Bible tells me so.”  Folks, our children are watching our every move.  They are listening to our every word.  We will ALL be held accountable for our actions someday.  “”If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” [Matt 18:6]  I may not agree with the decisions you make but it is not my place to judge you.  I will leave that painstaking work to the Holy Spirit.  I choose to love you and point you to the one with the power to forgive you of your trespasses.  I will not judge you because I’m busy with the plank in my own eye.

Pray it with me, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable and in thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer.”

Let’s join together to stop the work of the enemy!

I love you all!

Months ago I was volunteering for an activity at my daughter’s school.  While the students were playing I noticed my daughter near a set of bars that resembled what kids from my age bracket referred to as “monkey bars” or a “jungle gym.”  She was having some difficulty and wasn’t able to reach the bars.  My first instinct was to go and help her but for some reason I decided to wait to see how she would handle this obstacle.  A few seconds later I watched as another little girl I’d never seen before, unprompted, went down on her hands and knees so my daughter could climb up on her back to reach the bars.  A few seconds later she was swinging and having a good little time.  Minutes later that same little girl was repeating the same action for someone else.  I instantly realized I was in the presence of a little girl with a servants.  The little girl couldn’t have been any older than 8 or 9 but had already learned the importance of servanthood to others.  She never asked for anything in return, she simply helped out and ran to play elsewhere.  Truth be told, I felt a bit of admiration as well as a healthy dose of conviction.  I questioned when was the last time I had gotten on my hands and knees to help someone like that, whether physically or spiritually.  What is my concern and/or reason for not doing so?  Getting my hands and clothes dirty?  Or not doing so because it was inconvenient?

While stopping at a house in Capernaum Jesus called the disciples unto himself after noticing them arguing while on their journey.  Their argument was over who was the greatest.  Jesus instantly squashed their ridiculous conversation by stating, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” [Mark 9:35]    Societal norms now dictate we strive for positions of influence so we can make more money or achieve any number of things that have no eternal value.  I am a strong proponent of someone bettering themselves by way of a college degree, a better job, or the like.  But I also find it important in every situation we must question our motives.  As Christians we all know, “..to whom much is given, much is required.” [Luke 12:48].  It’s imperative we view every promotion as a tool to further kingdom work and His purpose for our lives.  This life is not about achieving a place of dignity or preeminence.  That feeds the fleshly man-that man we have to crucify every day.  This life and our ministry as the hands and feet of God are about getting on our hands and knees and helping someone in need.  The higher we rise in any position, the lower we must become.  A great friend of mine recently send me a text that stated, “A real leader serves people from the bottom up.”  That spoke volumes to me.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Being on our hands and knees isn’t comfortable…but it’s not a far-fetched idea.  After all, we should have been on our knees anyway… praying.  Right?  The idea that someone, or anyone for that matter, is unworthy of our care/help would be like Jesus choosing to only die for the forgiveness of a select few rather than everyone.  A promotion, while yours, was never for/about you.  Everything good that comes our way is a set up for kingdom purposes and fulfillment of His work on this earth.  There’s nothing wrong with being thankful for a God-sent promotion.  But don’t confuse God’s blessings with permission to flaunt our influence.  We should be in the business of giving a hand up rather than a hand out.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

As many of my friends and family know, I’ve been spending a lot of time in the hospital lately.  My grandmother was diagnosed in July with cancer. Very soon thereafter the cancer was removed and the road to recovery began. A few weeks later, as things seemed to be going well, she had a stroke. Four days after that her brain began to swell requiring emergency surgery to remove a piece of her skull to prevent further damage due to the swelling. Between moving into a new home, my wife and me starting new jobs, my grandmothers stroke and the two separate surgeries, my children transitioning into new school settings, my wife’s two unexpected dental procedures, a flat tire (and it was a brand new tire, but I digress), traveling over 600 miles weekly for almost three months…..is your head spinning yet – because mine has been?  Let’s just say, I haven’t had any problems sleeping at night. This has been one of the busiest and most difficult seasons I’ve ever endured. Yet, in the midst of all this chaos, I must admit it has been one of the best seasons I’ve ever experienced.  Sounds like I’m speaking out of both sides of my mouth, doesn’t it?  It’s all because of the hospitals I’ve been visiting.  Not the sterile facilities filled with doctors and nurses.  I’m referring to my churches (the one I left because of my job change and the church I am now a part of).

Common sense tells us someone’s entire reason for visiting a hospital is to receive specialized care/help they can’t provide themselves.  Isn’t that what a church is?  A hospital for the hurting?  I’m not just referring to broken arms, band aid’s, and heart attacks…I’m talking about mangled hearts and homes, broken and abused people who feel forgotten.  As Christians we serve as nurses.  The nurses job isn’t to go rogue and begin diagnosing issues.  A nurse’s job is to implement the care plan set forth by the doctor and aid the patient in the process on the road to recovery.  The nurse is an extension of the doctor—but make no mistake, they are not the doctor.  As nurses, [our] job isn’t to attempt to fix someone else’s problems rather pointing them in the direction of the Great Physician.  “Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.”  [1 Peter 2:24]  I’m not sure this nurse (me) could have made it without the prayers and encouragement of my fellow nurses.  To you – and you know who you are – I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  But to my Physician – Thank You for being with me even in some of the most difficult times of my life.  You always send the right people at the right time to remind me just how powerful You are.  Your healing power astounds and leaves me speechless.  I am humbled by Your greatness!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  It’s not over until God says it’s over.  My grandmother should be dead and in a grave by now…but apparently God isn’t done with her yet.  No one knows what the future holds…..but I know who holds my/our future.  Even in the midst of the craziness I have watched as He has visibly worked all things for [our] good……and it has made me love Him even more.  If you’re sick, take a visit to the hospital.  If you’re not sick, continue nursing.  Regardless, don’t grow weary, my friends.  Your ‘due season’ [Gal 6:9] might just be around the corner!