Over the past few days I’ve been reflecting on my childhood.  Like most everyone, I had my share of ups and downs.  Regardless of how bad things were the one constant thing in my life was my family.  My immediate family was smaller but my extended family reached wayyyyyy out there on many sides 🙂  I was blessed with quite a few cousins, uncles, aunts, etc.  One memory I reflected on was a huge family activity that happened every year.  All of life my paternal grandfather has had a garden.  At the end of every summer, when the vegetables were flowing in from every corner everyone in the family was called over to my grandparents.  The house would be full and flowing with activity as jobs were assigned.  We were making vegetable soup that would be eaten by our entire family throughout the rest of the winter and into spring.  Jobs consisted of dicing onions/potatoes/tomatoes, cutting up the okra (the one slimy vegetable I still don’t care for) or carrots, and more.  On this one particular year I happened to be working on the corn.  I was shucking, “silking” (every good southerner will know what I’m talking about), cleaning, and cutting corn from the cob.  I grabbed the first ear and set about doing as I’d been told.  Before long I was flying through it until……yuck….I ran across a cob that had seen better days.  This one particular ear had a few spots that bordered on rotten, not to mention the slimy little worm who had made his home inside of it.  I called out, “Mamaw-what do you want me to do with this one?”  preparing to throw it away.  She walked over and (in her high pitched voice) said, “Oh, Brian-ee (she’s called me that as long as I can remember), just take your knife and cut away those nasty spots.  Don’t throw the whole thing away.  We can still use the good stuff!”  I watched what she did and repeated it for the next million ears of corn.  Not really a million, but it sure felt like it 🙂

Throughout our lives we make a mistakes.  Some bigger and more frequently than others.  Those around us may reply, “What’s wrong with you?  Why would you do that?  You’ll never amount to anything!…..You’re good for nothing!……You’re worthless!”  They attempt to throw us away.  Instead of throwing us away God says, “Hey–don’t throw that away!  I can still use the good stuff!”  Even better, God can use the bad stuff too!  That the bad stuff, my friends, is called a testimony!  I have come across many people while serving in ministry that have a hard time reconciling someone (God) would want them after all the things they’ve done wrong.  God has this ability not only to see your brokenness but what you CAN be.  He sees your value even when those around you don’t.  That’s the love of your Father!  Recently, a song has been released by an artist named Anthony Brown.  The song is titled “Worth.”  The chorus states, “You thought I was worth saving…so you came and changed my life….you thought I was worth keeping….so you cleaned me up inside….you thought I was to die for…..so you sacrificed your life….so I could be free….so I can be whole….and I will tell everyone I know.”  He gives the “worthless” worth.  He extends grace and mercy when everyone else has turned their back.  Titus 3:5 states, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…”  We will never be good enough….but He’s always right there to love and restore us.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  We don’t have to be perfect, just willing to accept His grace and mercy while being prepared to walk in freedom on He can give.  We don’t need to have all the answers, because He’s the answer!  You’ll never be worthy of the sacrifice, so don’t even try.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else says because He sees your worth–and that’s all that matters!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

It’s odd how the world can continue spinning on its axis and time can seem frozen at the same moment.  Whether happy, sad, frustrating, or scary, certain moments or memories stay with us forever.  The same can be said of my current experience.  My grandmother had a stroke about a week ago.  My family and I have been at her bedside since then.  Waiting.  Nothing to do but wait.  We all have the same desire; that is full restoration of her body and mind.  The truth is, we’re helpless…and it’s a terrible feeling.  This particular experience has been one of the hardest I’ve endured in a long time. To watch a healthy 79 year old woman go from smiling and carrying on conversations to simply not responding at all is heart wrenching.  It seems like a cruel joke or a bad dream you hope to wake from.  Through it all I have found myself praying the hardest seven words of my life.  “Not my will but Your’s be done….,” I muttered with tears in my eyes while driving down the highway.  The crazy thing is, I’ve prayed that prayer before.  This time has been different.  The ramifications of what I have said are very real to me.  These words are total surrender to God’s plan for my life.  Rather, God’s plan for my grandmother’s life.

The blessing in all of this is the reminder that I’m not alone.  Jesus prayed this same prayer at the hardest moment in His life on the Mount of Olives.  “He cried out, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” [Luke 22:42]  In His humanness Jesus is admitting His desire not to die.  He is placing God in the driver’s seat regardless of the outcome.  For me, that’s a scary thing.  Common sense tells you I have no desire to lose my grandmother.  Until I got married Mamaw was always my ‘go-to’ girl.  If I ever needed someone to come into agreement with me in prayer she was the one I called.  If I needed to blow off steam I called Mamaw because she had this way of hearing my heart and not my mouth.   At this moment there is genuinely no way to know what direction this will go in.  We are still waiting.  Just.  Waiting.  Funny thing is, even though she’s not mentally here with me right now, she is still with me.  If I close my eyes and pay attention, I can hear her words and encouragement.  I know her response before I ever ask.  She’s the very person who taught me this prayer because she understands the importance of it for her own life.  So, I sit waiting.  For what?  I have no clue.  But I’m not waiting alone.  My Heavenly Father is here.  I don’t need Him sitting in front of me speaking in an audible voice for me to hear or understand.  If I remove myself from the noise, close my eyes, and listen He’s speaking.  But I won’t be able to hear Him if I’m the one doing all the talking–and I had to learn that lesson the hard way.  I guess, all these years, while I’ve been going to Mamaw (in a sense) I was going to God.  She has always been an extension of His love, grace, and mercy for me.  It’s my desire to be the same for others.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Letting go is hard—and I’m not referencing death.  Releasing our will to His will can be freeing.  No sense in stressing over something if you know He’s “working all things for [our] good.”  I’m a firm believer we have to do our part.  When we’ve done all we can do we must step back and allow God to move as only He can.  He can accomplish more in a millisecond than we can in a hundred years.  Those will be the hardest words you ever pray-but you’ll be glad you did.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

I recently found myself reading a well-known biblical passage.  Jesus and the disciples were coming through a village where a woman named Martha opened up her home to them.  Apparently, Jesus decided to do a little Bible study while he was there.  We southerners know good hospitality always includes food so there’s no doubt Martha prepared a spread fit for a king.  Literally.  It was the kind of meal you walk away from the table fussing at yourself for eating so much.  Your pants are tight, you’re having trouble breathing, and you feel like you’ll burst.  In my mind I envision Martha running around working her fingers to the bone while sweat poured from her brow.  After a while she noticed Mary wasn’t with her.  She checked in the other room and, wouldn’t you know it, her sister was sitting at Jesus feet taking part in the Bible study.  “Umm, excuse me, Teacher.  Have you noticed that my LAZY sister is sitting here instead of helping me fix this meal?  Would you please tell her to get off of her backside and help me?” [that quote came from the Brian International Version-ha!]  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:41-42]  If I had been Martha I probably would have returned to the kitchen to fume and pout in private.

I’ve always felt like Martha gets a bum rap (or bad rap as some refer to it).  There was nothing wrong with her choosing to be hospitable to Jesus and His disciples.  It’s actually commendable.  No doubt Martha had a heart of gold.  How many people do you know that will invite (no less than) 13 people over to feed and take care of?  When her workaholic tendencies became the most important thing she loses sight of what was really important.  But Jesus used that moment to teach her a valuable lesson.  The importance of balance in our lives.  I’m learning there is value in being Mary AND Martha.  I see the importance of taking care of and serving others.  Servanthood is a cornerstone of Christianity.  But I also have learned it’s just as important to take care of me.  The perfect example of this ideal can be experienced when you fly in a plane.  You hear the same announcement on every flight.  “If you are traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance secure your mask first and then assist the other person..”  If you work your fingers to the bone and become ‘burned out’ you’re no good to anyone.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  To all you workaholics out there (and you know who you are)-take care of yourself!  It’s okay to do something for YOU every now and then.  You can’t give to others if you have nothing to give.  Doesn’t matter if you’re a pastor, teacher, social worker, daycare worker, stay at home Mom/Dad…the list goes on and on.  Sometimes it’s necessary to just sit at His feet and let Him minister to you.  There’s no shame in that.  Always secure your mask first!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!

My children are two of my greatest blessings.  But, sometimes those two little boogers of mine drive me up a wall, HA, HA!  They are very inquisitive (nosey is probably a better word) and ask questions.  Lots. Of. Questions.  I just want to give them instructions and be done.  It never happens that way.  The first response out of both their mouths, 9 out of 10 times, is, “Why, Daddy?!?”  Attempting to give them space to learn and grow I give another response.  Again, they respond, “But, why, Daddy?!?”  A little more in depth this time because apparently my first two answers were not clear enough.  “But, WHY, Daddy?!?”  After about the fourth time and a total loss of patience I state loudly, “Because I said so!”  Don’t judge me.  You’ve probably done the same, HA, HA!  It’s frustrating.  There’s a reason behind every instruction I ever given them.  The majority of the time my reasoning is grounded in providing a safe environment for them to live and grow in.

I’m sure God feels the same way.  Have you ever been given directions from the Holy Spirit and your first response was, “Why?”  I wonder if He ever feels like replying, “Because I said so!”  In Luke 5 we find Jesus ministering to the masses.  When he finishes he asks Simon (Peter) to, “…launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  Simon states, “…Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” (v. 4 & 5)  Jesus was a carpenter by trade.  Simon Peter was an experienced fisherman.  If I were Peter I most likely would have stated, “All due respect, teacher–I think I know a little more about fishing than you do.”  Regardless, he did what was requested.  This submission led to a miraculous moment bringing in so many fish they had to have help from another ship to get their catch to the shore.  Has God ever asked you to do something that didn’t seem logical to you?  You’re in good company.  There are many throughout the Bible who were asked to do things that seemed abnormal and ludicrous (i.e. Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac).  God is fully aware of our limitations.  There isn’t a single bit of information we can inform Him of that He doesn’t already know.  Have you considered He’s simply looking for a few folks that will respond, “I don’t get it, Lord….nevertheless…..”  He is fully aware how powerful He is.  His request isn’t awkward to Him because He knows the outcome.  We’re the ones that need a constant reminder!  

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I firmly believe God desires to do the miraculous in our lives.  Sometimes we can’t seem to shut our mouths long enough to do what we’re told.  A simple, “Nevertheless…” reply could be the catalyst to see God move in our lives in ways we’ve never experienced.  Sometimes we just have to stop thinking so much and simply follow His directions.  Then we might just experience the miraculous in our lives. 

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!

As many already know, our little family is in the middle of a transition.  After nearly twelve years our ministry assignment is changing.  Over the past month our house has been an absolute wreck.  Cleaning, and purging, and packing—OH MY!  I haven’t really had a routine in two months and I’ve become like a caffeine starved coffee drinker at times.  A few days ago I traveled into the abyss (also known as my daughters room) with gloves, a gas mask, and a biohazard container (who are we kidding-it was a trash can, ha ha!!).  I mustered up as much bravery and confidence as I could find and began the arduous process of cleaning out from under her bed.  While rifling through the dust bunnies, broken dolls of the past, crayons, and leftover Cheetos I hit my breaking point.  I literally said out loud, “I’m sick of this junk….AHHHHHH!!!!”  No sooner had I said it I hit game box under the bed and marbles exploded all over the floor.  I wanted to be mad but I couldn’t.  I just busted out laughing.  (I guess you could say I found all the marbles I had lost over the years-HA!)

You see, I have this special relationship with marbles.  Any time I see them I’m reminded a specific moment in my life.  My wife and I were undergoing fertility treatments attempting to get pregnant.  All the shots, pills, and doctor’s visits were coming to a climax on this one specific day.  We had spent the night with some of our closest friends to be closer to that hospital for the early morning procedure.  When we got up that morning, though I tried to hide it, my stress level was shining through the fake smile I had painted on my face.  Right before leaving my friend walked over to me and, sitting on the edge of the couch, held out a marble to me.  I looked at him (attempting to mask my confusion) as he said, “As small and insignificant as this marble seems to you-imagine what it looks like to God.  This is how small your problems are to Him.  He’s already taken care of this and has gone ahead of you.”  He prayed with me, hugged my neck, and we went on our way.  If you know me or read my blog you know that doctors visit didn’t end well.  Believe it or not, that marble still rolls around my top dresser drawer as I’m getting something out or putting something in it daily.  Every time I see it I’m reminded of that time in my life.  Though things didn’t work out the way I wanted them to I learned that my worries are nothing in comparison to how big my God is.  He’s never concerned with (what I perceive as) the stressful moments of my life because He already knows the outcome.  I’m worrying about the details and God is sitting up there shaking His head saying, “I told you…I’ve got this!”  And you know what?  From experience, I can assure you–He does!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I don’t know what your ‘marble’ is today.  It could be any number of things.  He will always be the calm in the middle of any storm.  Grab a marble and be reminded of how BIG your God is.  I leave you with a few words from the Apostle Paul—“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”  [2 Thessalonians 3:16]  

Have a blessed week, my friends! 

It was a hot day in May made especially ‘toasty’ by the garb I was sporting.  I was covered in black from head to toe.  No, I wasn’t going to a heavy metal concert.  It was my college graduation and my excitement couldn’t be hidden.  I had worked hard for four years (well, I’d goofed off a good bit too) and was now being rewarded with a piece of paper valued at over $40,000.  That piece of paper signified my intentions to save the world one worship service at a time.  I look back at that young guy, giggle a little, and (as a good southerner should) just say, “Bless his heart.”  Sure, I had taken a few tests and read a few books over those years but I was far from ready for what was to come.  Those first few months of ministry work were grueling, to say the least.  I was living by myself for the first time and paying bills on my meager paycheck.  If I’m being transparent, ‘adulting’ wasn’t as enjoyable as I had anticipated.  I remember attempting to do everything on my own and be what I thought everyone expected me to be.  I put on my red cape with the “S” emblazoned on it and fell into superhero mode.  I failed miserably.  I couldn’t do it on my own.  I was wearing myself down and burning myself out quicker than I ever expected.  Then I did something unthinkable.  I starting asking people for help.  I began empowering others by giving them authority that had been entrusted to me.  I wasn’t being lazy, rather, I had learned the importance of having a support system around me.  I learned that ministry work isn’t as much about what you can do on your own as much as it is working with those around you to accomplish a common goal.  By sharing the load I allowed them to be creative in their own ways while giving them ownership of the ministry they were a part of.

In Exodus 17 we find something similar going on.  The Israelites had encountered early opposition while in the desert. A group of wandering raiders known as the Amalekites had attacked the Israelites.  As Moses, Aaron, and Hur watched from a hill nearby, young Joshua led the troops into battle. Exodus 17:11 informs us, “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, Israel prevailed, and when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed.”  Realizing what was going on, Aaron and Hur’s response was to allow Moses to sit on a rock while they held his arms up for him.  This continued until the Israelites totally defeated the Amalekites.  Moses was a strong, anointed, and gifted leader (despite his lack of confidence in himself) to the Israelites that accomplished a lot in God’s name.  But, he had weaknesses like the rest of us and needed help.  Coincidentally, none of us can do it all on our own either.  Over the past (nearly) twelve years I have served at the same church.  Our intention upon arrival was to hold up their arms.  Little did we know they would bless us more than we could have ever imagined possible. I have been surrounded by one of the most wonderful groups of Aaron’s and Hur’s I could have ever asked for.  Through my physical/mental/spiritual moments of weakness they have held my arms up when I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own.  For that, I will be eternally grateful.  Today, I honor those people.  I couldn’t begin to name them all but they are best known to my family as the Dillon Church of God.

D.C.O.G.- I am grateful to have found myself numbered among you over the years.  Thank you for teaching me, loving me, caring for me…and just putting up with me (I know you love my wife and children the most, ha ha!).  We may be separated by distance but you will always be close to my heart.  I despise ‘good-bye’s’ so I’ll just say, “See you later!”  And though my words will fail to fully express my thoughts and emotions–from the bottom of my heart—Thank you.  Just.  Thank you!

Like many women I know, my wife has this thing with bugs.  She hates them.  ALL. OF. THEM!  With time she’s actually gotten better about killing them for herself, though this one particular incident was the exception.  She came through the house as I was working out and- with a putrid look on her face- said, “I tried to kill a bug and I think he got in your clothes….because I can’t find him.”  I said, “Did you look for it.”  She responded, “I just can’t.  He was huge.”  As I walked back to our bedroom I had flashbacks of the 90’s movie Arachnophobia and shuddered a little.  Not knowing what I was walking into I proceeded carefully.  I began perusing through my clothes piece by piece and doing the shake down to set this massive predator free.  After the second or third piece it came tumbling to the floor and ran to the hall.  I caught the vermin and stepped on him.  He was actually tiny in comparison to the image I had in my head.  I asked my wife, “Is this it?” referring to the freshly murdered corpse of this miniature creature at my feet.  She responded, “I don’t know, but he was HUGE!”  Again I went back to shaking my shirts expecting ‘big momma’ to fall out as I assumed I had only killed her offspring.  I began a second round of shaking, then a third.  Nothing.  After a few minutes I realized I had already rid the world of the ‘HUGE’ bug (You’re welcome – by the way).  As I scooped him up with a napkin I giggled at how insignificant it was to me but how massive it seemed to my wife.

We’ve all heard that looks can be deceiving.  We know from experience that perception and reality don’t always tend to match up.  Fear (or the lack of fear) can affect how we view the things around us.  What may seem simple and infantile to some may seemed magnified and strike deep fear, worry, or regret in others.  The situation with my wife caused me to laugh as I’m not afraid of bugs.  But put me in the vicinity of a snake of any size and, well, let’s just say those around me will get a good laugh at my expense.  Have you ever experienced anxiety over something and, months later, realized you had blown things out of proportion?  I dare say we all do.  Psalms 56 finds David as he’s been captured by the Philistines in Gath.  In verses 3-4 he states, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  This coming from a man that experienced some type of battle all his life.  He could have chosen to allow himself to be overtaken by the worries of his current reality but his experiences had taught him the answer to every issue he encountered.  Trust in God.  Sounds simple but we tend to make it hard.  Think about it.  If we could learn to reflect on our past and what God has brought us through the moment adversity hits we wouldn’t be nearly as stressed or worried.  We would know He’s already worked it out.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  From our point of view we see mountains standing in our way.  From his point of view it all looks flat and easily maneuverable.  Maybe the answer is simply shifting our view?  Better yet, maybe we should just look back.  If He brought us through that, surely he will bring us through this.

Have a blessed week my friends!

For the past week and a half most of the world’s television screens have been tuned in to the 2016 Olympics.  It has always been a thing of excitement (for me) to see the world’s greatest athletes in their respective specialties come under one roof and compete against each other.  The same can be said of two specific rivals named Michael Phelps (from America) and Chad le Clos (from South Africa).  Their beef with each other goes back to the 2012 London Olympics with le Clos narrowly beat out Phelps (the favored winner) by .05 seconds to win the gold in the 200m Butterfly event.  Since that time there has been ‘smack talk’ making its way around the media circuits by these two.  It was apparent from the beginning of this year’s qualifying rounds that these competitors were looking beat the other.  Le Clos seemed to taunt Phelps at every turn.  While le Clos could be found expending his energy to stare down the man he intended to beat, Phelps eyes remained on the pool.  Michael Phelps arrived in Rio with a few different goals in mind and seemed blind to everything else.  The final heat of the 200m Butterfly began, coincidentally, with the rivals competing side by side in the final race.  Even in the middle of a competition le Clos seemed more worried about his competitor than concentrating on running his own race (see the picture above).  By the end of the race a victor had emerged and his name was Michael Phelps.  Le Clos will go home with nothing (as he placed fourth) to show for the race other than a few pictures and a few videos that reflect how he acted during the Olympics.  Had he concentrated more on himself and the task at hand I dare say he may have done quite a bit better in his race.

As Christian’s we’re all in a race.  Not necessarily to see who can grow a church the fasted or have the largest choir.  Rather, it’s race against time.  The end of time, that is.  We all are instinctively born with the desire to accomplish.  Maybe your thrill comes from hunting, shopping, couponing (the latest rage), competing in sports, “keeping up with the Joneses.”  As Christian’s we also have something that should drive us, it’s called the Great Commission.  Matthew 28:19-20 reminds us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  When you join His team your life (should) become less about your own accomplishments and more about others.  Reaching the unsaved, teaching new believers biblical truths- while studying to show yourself approved a worker unashamed and handling the word of truth.  Too many times we find churches competing against each other for members, or to have the greatest music program, or any number of (dare I say) ignorant reasons.  It’s not important what denomination we’re members of.  The quicker we realize we are all in this race as a team, the easier it will be to accomplish the works we’ve been entrusted to do.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Christianity is a team sport.  We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no “I” in TEAM.”  If you see a brother/sister in Christ that has fallen, help them up.  If you see someone in need, give them a hand up (notice I didn’t say a “hand out”—big difference between the two).  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14

Have a blessed week and press on, my friends!!!

Customarily, our church kids are in Children’s Church throughout our services.  This Sunday was a little different as they were preparing to minister a drama learned at our annual VBS.  From the beginning of the service I noticed an adorable little girl (I later learned she was 2 years old) on the front row in a pink dress just dancing and praising her little heart out.  With each song she danced a little harder.  At one point she just abandoned the norm and danced her little self to the front of the stage.  Her mom took a few steps forward and pulled her back to the front pew.  She glanced up at her mom as if she had been rudely interrupted and went back to dancing.  When I saw both the little girl and her mother the Holy Spirit quickened me and reminded me of Matthew 19:14 as Jesus states, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  If you pay attention to the Bible you’ll find Jesus has a soft spot for children and widows (side note: there are nearly 30 scriptures that speak to this fact).  Children tend to be a more pure, untainted form of mankind.  They don’t recognize man-made boundaries or limitations.  Those are taught.  They are simply living in the moment and what you perceive is raw feelings and emotions.  I had a front row seat to watch a session of unashamed worship to the Lord.  That little girl blessed me as she worshipped with abandonment; but I felt convicted as well as I feel her praise most likely outshone my own.

If you will take a moment and read 2 Samuel chapter 6 you will find the story of King David and the Ark of the Covenant.  He was so wrapped up in his praise to the Master he became undignified in his actions.  With every 6 steps a bull and fattened calf were sacrificed as he danced praising and worshipping God with all His might.  When he arrived home dancing in (what would now be considered) his underwear his wife Michal despises him for it.  She was ashamed of his actions and failed to realize the importance of that holy moment.  She was more worried about public perception rather than joining in the praise party.  Like Michal, the world doesn’t understand our praise so they attempt to silence it.  It’s time we Christian’s become like David (and that little girl from my church) by refusing to be silenced!  He’s been too good not to praise Him!!  We can be stripped of everything we hold dear but they CAN’T TAKE OUR PRAISE!!!  “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord; praise ye the Lord!” Ps. 150:6

Closing remarks and encouragement:  It might be time to dance in your underwear.  Well, do that at home in private.  But, here’s my point–we have to stop worrying about how we’re being perceived and just praise the King of kings and Lord of lords!  Let the world sit in judgment of our actions.  We can sit back with a smile on our face knowing one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!  Don’t lose your praise!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Ever feel like you just can’t get ‘it’ right?  You find yourself making mistake after mistake?  Been there, done that.  At times I feel useless. I find myself struggling with my emotions, anxiety, and thoughts while worrying over things that don’t deserve my brain power or time.  The root of my issue, I believe, comes from my passion for life.  I like to get things right.  I take pride in doing things with excellence.  Along those same lines my ‘passion’ gets me in trouble.  In many situations I jump to conclusions before thinking things through.  I’m opinionated and I speak out while failing to bathe my words in love, grace, and mercy.  As I was doing a little studying this week I found myself identifying with someone from the Bible.  Peter.  Man, he was a screw-up.  It’s almost comical how much of myself I see in him.  If he made a mistake it was a BIG one!  But I also admire how he lived his life with ‘gusto.’  I identify with his passion for knowledge.  He spoke out and questioned Jesus on many issues, I believe, because he truly had a desire to understand the mysteries of God.  When he set his mind to do something he was steadfast and dependable.  He lived up to his name.  Good or bad he was, as Jesus changed his name to reflect, a rock. [Matt. 16:8]

While reading through the book of Mark recently something stuck out to me that I hadn’t considered before.  In chapter 16 we find Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), and Salome coming to anoint the body of Christ after his death.  When they arrive they find an open tomb and have an unplanned meeting with an angel.  The angel tells the women [v. 7], “”…But go, tell His disciples and Peter [emphasis is my own], ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.'”  Why did He single out Peter?  ‘John the Beloved’ was the favored one—the teacher’s pet, if you will.  Wasn’t Peter a disciple as well?  I have no proof but I suspect Peter, driven by grief, guilt, and of his own volition had probably separated himself from the group following his denial of Christ.  For Peter this announcement was more than just a resurrection announcement.  I believe this was a reminder to Peter of God’s love for him and forgiveness of what he had done.  Regardless of his mistake there was a redeeming love that was calling out to him.  That love was beckoning him to leave his past and concentrate on his future.  A love that was encouraging him to, as Isaiah 43 states, turn away from the former and concentrate on the new thing that was springing forth.    After the ascension, Peter took his part of the world by storm.  He used his mistakes as fuel to do better….to be better.  I want to remind you today that you’re never ‘just another screw-up’ to God.  When God looks at you it’s from the eyes of a Father.  Those eyes glare at you with love and excitement.  He knows your potential and ability and wants the best for you.  Mistakes or not, you’re His child.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  It doesn’t matter if you’re the ‘passionate’ type or the ‘apprehensive’ type.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a dreamer or prefer employing logic in your decision making.  Each person plays their own part in the kingdom.  Each part of the body of Christ is just as important as another.  Bottom line-He forgives, loves, and forgets the past…..and you should to.