Lionel Richie wrote a song in the late seventies.  The chorus says, “That’s why I’m easy……easy like Sunday morning…”  Dear Mr. Richie…….I have never had an easy Sunday morning.  This past weekend was no exception.  Have you ever had a day that seemed so ridiculous you just had to sit back and laugh?  Let me explain.  My daughter needed to be taken to the doctor first thing Sunday morning due to fevers.  We got up early, started on our way, and made it to church by 8:45am.  Upon arrival I found out we had some bulbs that needed to be replaced before service began at 10.  One of the men from my church and I went down to the fellowship hall to get them and set about fixing the issue.  Upon arrival we noticed our fellowship hall had been (for lack of better terms) trashed.  Upon further inspection, we realized the culprit was a possum.  Animal control showed up and hauled him away.  By the time we got home, my daughter had spiked another fever requiring my wife to stay home with her while I went back to church for a prayer service.  I was forced to cover the media portion of our service (on software I was untrained on).  The worship portion began and the computer software I was working on crashed……twice.  I finally get things back up and running.  Thinking things are finally going my way, I shifted in my seat to get more comfortable.  As I shift, I noticed my pants felt awkward.  I reached down to find out what was going on and, wouldn’t you know it, my pants had split leaving an inch and a half opening.  I could have panicked or gotten frustrated, but I could only giggle at how absurd the day had been.

We all have those days.  Some of us have those kinds of weeks.  Some of us deal with unexpected issues that last for a year or longer.  At some point, the instinct it to throw up our hands and simply give up.  Life is NOT easy like Sunday morning.  As I was reading recently about Noah I was reminded of one of my favorite thoughts when reading his story.  Genesis 9:28 states, “After the flood Noah lived 350 years.”  After the flood.  He had figuratively and literally been through one of the biggest storms of his life.  But there was life AFTER the flood.  Harder seasons will come and go, but there will always be life after storms.  There may be things that need to be repaired or cleaned up, but there is life after the storms.  Are you stuck in your own flood today?  Those floods can come in the form of worry, anxiety, frustration, hurt, or in any number of ways.  At some point, they will end and the sun will shine again.  As long as we have God on our side, we always have hope!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Press on, my friends.  Don’t give up!  Storms will come and go but the goodness of God remains the same.  When everything around us seems like it is falling apart, He is the solid foundation on which we stand.  If you feel weakened and don’t have the strength to continue, lean on Him today!  Grab your umbrella, rain boots, and coat.  It may get a little windy, but those clouds will eventually pass.

Have a blessed day and week, my friends!

My wife and I were chatting a few days ago as we were getting ready for work. We were discussing how comical it is that our children get up and get ready for school/daycare but somehow end up in our bed where they stay until it’s time to go. This happens (almost) on a daily basis. For some reason they find comfort being there. I remember my own childhood and doing the same thing. There was something special about climbing into my parents bed and pulling the covers up. Or, sometimes, I would ask my Dad if I could borrow one of his t-shirt’s to wear to bed. I had pajama’s but there was always something special about wearing that shirt. Though it had been washed it somehow smelled like him. He always wore the same kind of cologne and the smell never quite left his shirt even after a round in the washing machine. Even though that shirt didn’t have any special powers, when I was wearing it, I felt protected. I felt a like I had on a bulletproof jacket of some sort. It was the same way with the bed. I just felt like no one could get to me there. I knew my Dad’s presence meant protection from anything and everything. He was my own personal super hero. And now, my children seem to have that same mindset.

That feeling of protection is a powerful thing. Even in the worst of circumstances there’s this sense that everything will be okay and there’s no need to worry. My pastor has recently been preaching on the importance of abiding in the presence of God.  He has actually started asking our staff periodically, “Are you abiding?”  Study of the word abide in Strong’s Concordance reveals the definition to mean to lodge, remain, rest, or dwell. Sometimes I catch myself abiding simply out of necessity.  When life gets hard I run to Daddy-God for protection. Then there are other times I’ve been eating my Wheaties and I don’t feel like I need Him so and I don’t run to Him as often. I have this belief that I’m strong enough to do it on my own so I step out from under His covering. He desires a close and personal relationship with me, while I’m simply treating him like a drive-thru window — “Hey, God! Can you fix this for me?!?” I’m learning the importance of abiding in God even when things are going great. Psalms 91:1-4 states, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” When you’re abiding in His shadow those steps of faith don’t seem to be as scary as you realize He’s there with you. When you’re in the middle of a panic attack, His presence is there to get you through it. When you’re going through a terrible situation that seems hopeless you are still able to find hope because He’s still there with you. Even better, when things are going well there’s still this realization, should you need Him, He’s already there as long as I stay in His shadow.  Are you abiding today?

Closing remarks and encouragement: To abide in His shadow requires you to remain close to Him at all times. Independence and the ability to take care of yourself is a good thing to aspire to. But not when it comes to your relationship with the Master. When you move out of His shadow, you move away from His umbrella of protection. Stay close to Him!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

I was miserable…….and I shouldn’t have been. I was on vacation, after all.  Isn’t vacation supposed to be the happiest time of the year for our families?  Don’t get me wrong the whole trip wasn’t a bust.  But there were certain moments I would have been glad to pack up and head home.  Have you ever been there?  Over the New Year’s holiday our family took some time away for a trip to the beach.  We showed up at the resort and were given our room number.  I didn’t pay much attention to it until we stepped off the elevator.  We were 10 floors up and you could see straight down to the ground.  Sure, there were rails but, heaven forbid, what if one was loose!  I immediately instructed my kids to walk along the wall and stay away from the railing.  After we were safely tucked in our rooms (or so I thought) I begin unloading the luggage cart.  Two minutes later I hear my daughter exclaiming excitedly, “Look, Daddy!  It’s so pretty.”  The little booger and her shadow (a.k.a. my son) had made their way onto the balcony.  Trying to control my emotions and not pass on my panicky feelings I left the sliding glass door open for viewing but instructed them to stay inside.  Again, crisis averted.  The next day offered more stresses.  It was unseasonably warm while we were there (thanks, El Niño) and my kids were able to go down to the shore and play in the sand and on the edge of the water.  Any time they got close to the water I was scared out of my mind.  Having dealt with minor scares around water in my lifetime my fears were magnified with my kids around.  On top of that the sun was shining so brightly and wind blowing so heavily it caused my eyes to water.  I couldn’t hardly see a thing.  My wife sensed my tenseness and tried to calm my fears but her pleas fell on deaf ears.  I couldn’t be consoled.  At times my own fear paralyzed me.  Later we would go to the mall and, again, I felt myself hovering.  I want to instill independence in my children but I always worry someone will take them or they’ll walk off and get lost (too many Lifetime movies, no doubt).  I’m honestly not sure what came over me but I worried almost the entire trip.

Have you been there? No matter how hard you try your mind is bombarded by fears and worries.  For me, some days are good and other days (like our vacation), I’d rather lock my family in a protective bubble and go take a nap.  I look around me and I am see so many dealing with anxiety-type issues.  Why?  I sense it’s because we’ve forgotten who we serve and the power He has to protect us.  Please don’t misinterpret the preceding statement.  My intent is not to diminish the fears and anxiety issues many deal with.  I’ve been there.  But sometimes we all need a reminder.  Matthew asks us, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” [6:27]  We all know the answer to that.  We can probably shorten our lives with blood pressure issues and such due to allow worry to take center stage.  I love the NIV’s version of 1 Peter 5:7.  It states, “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.”  It’s not God’s desire that His children walk around worrying about things He’s already working out.  From our point of view we see mountains.  God’s perspective reveals a speck of dust that could be blown away– if He chooses to.  That’s the BIG God you serve.  But have you considered sometimes He allows certain things in our lives as a stepping stone for something greater?  Job life stands as an example of just that.  Just a thought.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I don’t know what you’re dealing with today but I want you to know you’re not alone.  You’re never alone!  Share this with someone who needs to hear it.  The things we worry about may seem minimal to the casual onlooker–but when our minds latch onto something it’s hard to control our thinking at times.  Be someone’s shoulder to cry on or ear to listen today (or find your ‘someone’ if you’re worrier).  But, make no mistake, every word you say should point back to the One powerful enough to turn the most terrible day around.

Disturbing the droning sound of our car tires on the asphalt my wife stated matter-of-factly, “I understand it now.” “Huh?” I replied, confused as I had been lost in my own thoughts.  “I think I understand it now……“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death….”” she said.  Then I knew.  Not many are aware aside from our close family, but during the last few months of the year my wife began experiencing some discomfort in her body.  For a few months, as many of us would, she brushed it off assuming it would go away.  It never did so she went in for a visit with her doctor.  After an uncomfortable procedure we were informed she would need to go in for more in-depth testing as some things were still showing up abnormal.  From that moment forward I watched as my wife experienced an onslaught of attacks from the enemy on her mind.  Day after day I could see the worry she tried so hard to hide, the questions swirling in her head, the frustration of having to wait even longer to find out for sure.  And I knew the root of it all.  The real question she would ask me in private, “Is it…..could it be cancer?”  I watched, feeling helpless, as she walked through each day while wave after wave of emotions and thoughts slammed against the walls of her mind.  One such thought she didn’t share until much later-“Our kids are the same age you and your brother were when you lost your mother.”  It was true as my own mom had been tragically killed in a car accident.  Days were long and filled with emotion.  Almost our entire Christmas break was spent waiting for ‘the call.’

I have to admit, the 23^rd Psalm is definitely one of my favorites.  This Psalm has always seemed (to me) like a true representation of life.  Life is filled with ups and downs.  Being a Christian leaves you feeling like you have a split personality as we are living in two places at once.  Our spirits long for our true home (heaven) while our flesh longs for the things of this world.  It’s a daily struggle.  One minute we find ourselves in those green pastures or walking beside still waters; the next going through the valley surrounded by the shadow(s) of death.  Here’s the part I love so much-even in those scary moments the Shepherd is ALWAYS there.  He never left.  When you’re waiting to hear if you have cancer, whether a loved one will make it, or a myriad of other emotions the Shepherd is only as far away as you’ve allowed yourself to wander.  And He will allow you to wander a little; but He’s always waiting with arms wide open for you to come back.  Not because He has to but because that’s what a true Shepherd does.  Being in the presence of our enemy can seem scary, especially if we’re walking alone.  But, according to scripture, it’s necessary.  We can’t experience the table He has set before us until we endure being “in the presence of mine enemies”.  I firmly believe David’s admission early in the Psalm, “I shall not want,” was a proclamation on his part; a choice, if you will.  He was aware of his Shepherds ability to provide and protect.  He was speaking from experience.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Thankfully, ‘the call’ revealed my wife did not have cancer.  Here’s the interesting thing I realized while walking through that valley with her–  Even if she had been diagnosed, it wouldn’t have changed anything I know to be true about the God I serve.  I don’t know what you’re experiencing today.  But I do know, if you’ll look around you, the Shepherd isn’t very far away.  Call out to Him.  Though you may feel lost, He is never lost.  He will meet you right where you are bringing comfort, healing, or whatever you need!

It’s definitely one of my fondest childhood memories. It’s a moment that always feels and smells like home to me.  If Mamaw (my grandmother) is making biscuits, for that stretch of minutes, nothing else matters.  The sifting, mixing, kneading, and patting all culminate into a light brown mound of perfection.  The smell and taste are like a little piece of heaven on earth.  Cooking biscuits is Mamaw’s job at every event-and I’ve sat and watched her do it hundreds of times.  When I went to pick her up for a recent family gathering I asked if she minded coaching and allowing me to do it in her place this year.  She seemed surprised by the request but gladly agreed to do so.  This was going to be easy (or so I thought).  There were quite a few people at our gathering so a lot of biscuits were needed.  The first batch turned out, well, a little tough while slightly resembling the side of a mountain.  The second and third batch were a little more edible.  While honing this delicate skill for myself she shared the story how her own father paid her fifty cent to make him biscuits when she was a child.  She admitted her first batch (and a few that followed) was under-whelming, though her father (my great-grandfather) never said a negative word.  With each experience she got better until she had mastered her own personal recipe and technique.

Have you ever had someone like that in your life? You know the type.  They make things look so easy.  They always have the right answers to every question, can quote just the right scripture at the right time, feed the hungry, bandage the wounded, and preach a sermon in a single bound.  They are a Super-Christian!  We think to ourselves, “That looks easy!   I can do that!”  We attempt the same and always come up lacking.  We see the positive results of their actions.  What we don’t see are the wars fought on their knees and the scars left from wounds of yesteryear.  We weren’t there when they fell flat on their face.  We missed the major mistake that could have destroyed their name and ministry.  But here’s the real problem.  We have a bad habit of comparing ourselves to others and assume we too should have the ability to function at the same level.  WRONG!!!  Each experience, success or failure, is shaping us all.  We all have been uniquely made with a specific purpose in mind.  Mimicking or attempting to be something God has not created us to be is a huge injustice to the kingdom.  Recently I read 1 Peter 4.  The following scriptures, specifically verses 10 and 11 stuck out to me.  They state, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” All that to say—be yourself!  You are valuable to God just the way you are.  Set about mastering what God has gifted YOU to do.  Our value doesn’t come from who we are– but whose we are.  Go be a biscuit!  🙂  It’s amazing the lessons that can be learned during biscuit making.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  It’s a new year.  In 2016 be purposeful in everything you do.  Find your niche and get to work for the kingdom!  God hasn’t called you to be a replica of your neighbor.  Find your spot and let the kneading begin.

Hello everyone!  First, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas!  Next, I would like to thank you for your support and readership over this past year.  Blogging, while enjoyable and therapeutic, has been a learning experience for me.  I so appreciate your kind words and encouragement and allowing me the space to make and fix my mistakes.  This message is to inform you all I will be taking the next few weeks off to concentrate on Christmas and my family.  I will be returning in January with some exciting news I look forward to sharing with you all.  I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas season!!

From my family to yours–Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It happened.  And I’m not proud of it.  I flew my ‘crazy’ flag high last night.  Thankfully, the only ones awake to see it were Leroy (our guinea pig) and Bella the Elf (on a shelf)—and I’ve convinced them to keep it quiet.  Around 10pm I just had a meltdown.  I just kind of lost it-though I tried to do so quietly as my wife was asleep on the couch.  When you’re in ministry work Christmas is the craziest time of the year.  This year has more hectic than any other I’ve experienced in a while.  Let’s review–In a span of less than 20 hours yesterday we had three deaths in our church.  I will most likely be taking part in all three of those funeral services.  My heart is aching for those families but there’s not much I can do but pray and be there when they need me.  I will be directing our church Christmas play in less than six days and I’m not convinced the cast is completely ready.  I have a stage and set that need to be decorated and arranged for the aforementioned play.  I am the PTO President and School Improvement Chairperson at my daughter’s school where I will be involved in three different projects in the next two weeks.  I have a doctor and dentist appointment this week I need to attend to.  We have bought and wrapped (thank the Lord) our Christmas presents but, being the consummate over-achiever, I feel like everyone is going to turn their noses at what they’re receiving.  I want to buy everyone huge elaborate gifts as my wife is pumping the brakes and telling me to chill.  Let me break it down into 6 words for you.  Tis the season…..for a meltdown.  And, boy, I sure did.  I could keep listing my grievances but I have limited space and I’m pretty sure you’d stop reading after a while.

So– I quit!  That’s right.  I quit!  Last night when no one else was aware of it I quit everything and went to bed.  In my mind I resigned from every last responsibility and climbed into my sleep number bed–where I intended to stay until December 26.  Fast forward to 6:20 am this morning.  The alarm clock went off and I hit the ground running to begin my day.  An hour later I forgot I had quit everything but it was too late.  My bed was cold again and I had things to do.  You see, I have a problem.  I think I’m a superhero.  I think I can carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and solve everyone’s problems.  I can’t.  It’s not my job and I’m simply not equipped to fix everything.  Then I remembered something.  Thousands of years ago Jesus said something He intended me (and you) to remember in moments like these.  He said, “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]  Well, shoot!  I guess that means I am the problem in this whole equation leading to my Christmas meltdown.  Time to put the superhero cape back in the closet where it should have stayed.  I simply can’t take away the pain these three families are experiencing.  It’s not my job to make sure this Christmas play and all these school projects turn out perfectly.  I don’t have enough money to buy everyone the things I want to buy them.  I can’t carry these burdens by myself.  And I was never intended to.  That’s why I have God on my side.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Chances are, like me, you’re carrying a lot of burdens and frustrations this season you were never meant to carry.  We can’t control everything around us but we can accept the peace He every single minute of every day.  Things will happen.  Nothing is ever perfect.  But peace is a wonderful gift to receive and enjoy when we allow ourselves to.  Take a step back from the craziness and focus on what matters.  Do what you can do and let the rest take care of itself.  Enjoy His peace today!

**Sorry if you see typos-lots to do.  But remember–I just admitted I’m not a superhero any longer 🙂

Everywhere I turn I see smoke screens.  They come in many forms.  You know what I mean by smoke screens, right?  By definition, a smoke screen is a ruse designed to disguise someone’s real intentions or activities.  To be quite honest I’m getting frustrated by it all lately. Both the liberal and conservative media outlets constantly attempt to sway the public one way or another to further their own agenda. People all around us are going crazy over issues that (pardon my southern quote) ‘don’t amount to a hill of beans!’ Dear fellow Christians—please hear me clearly—God doesn’t care about the Republican or Democratic agenda. Personally, I don’t think he cares who will be our next President–He already knows.  God has no concern over a red cup from Starbucks or who the new Speaker of the House is. God doesn’t care about Oprah’s Christmas gift picks for 2015. God doesn’t care about this year’s Black Friday Deals or who the latest celebrity is with HIV. God doesn’t care who People magazine named as their Sexiest Man Alive for 2015 (though I think they should have chosen me-HA!). He just doesn’t care.

Let me tell you what He does care about. God cares about His people keeping His commandments (1 John 5:3). God cares about the lost and longs for a relationship with them (1 Tim. 2:3-4). God cares about the widows and the orphans and desires they be taken care of — as well as His followers not be polluted by the things of this world (James 1:27). God desires His people to preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). God cares about so much more than the latest headlines of the New York Times or the latest issues we argue about on Facebook. I firmly believe He grieves every time we allow those smoke screens to grab our attention.  It’s as if Christendom worldwide has developed a massive case of A.D.D.  The good or bad decisions our President has made will not change the truths given in the word of God. The decisions handed down by the Supreme Court of the U.S. do not dictate what is acceptable and not acceptable. God cares about mercy, love, grace, and turning the other cheek. He cares about Christians acting as they’ve been instructed in His word. When the world is running scared about the next terrorist attack or earthquake that hasn’t happened the God in us should be peace in the midst of the storm. God’s word is unchanging. He will always be the light in the darkness. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The quicker we place and keep our focus on His truths, the quicker we take the power out of Satan’s hands to bring fear, worry, shame, and more. Can we agree to stop trivializing God? Sometimes, God just doesn’t care!

Closing remarks and encouragement: It is my fervent prayer that you are all able to see through the smoke screens in the coming days – as they comes in many forms.  The enemy seeks to cause confusion.  When you feel overwhelmed turn to the only sure thing. God. He isn’t worried about tomorrow. Why should you be?

It was a Sunday morning.  I made my way to my room, wirelessly connected my iPhone, and began blasting gospel music as I prepared to shower.  While brushing my teeth I noticed my 3 year old son had walked in with his little Ninja Turtle snare drum and sticks in hand.  He sat on the floor at the foot of our bed and began beating out the rhythms.  My wife got my attention and pointed in his direction.  We both smiled and I responded, “That’s how I learned how to play the drums.”  I began telling her the story.  When I was around 9 years old I could be found staring at our church drummer during church services, mimicking her every move.  Weeks later my Dad arrived home from work and handed me a brand new set of drum sticks.  In my mind’s eye they sparkled like a diamonds.  He stated, “Come on, lets go play,” with a smile on his face.  I responded, “But I don’t have any drums,” with a glimmer of hope in my voice.  I doubt I hid my excitement very well as I envisioned a new set of drums in our living room.  He said, “Doesn’t matter, come on!” as more of a demand than a choice.  We walked into the kitchen and he made his way to the cabinets and stove to retrieve bowls and pots.  He placed them on the table in an order resembling drums and pointed for me to sit.  As I sat down, confused, he made his way to the living room to turn on the stereo system.  He chose a CD by a group called Commissioned and began playing it.  He rounded the corner back to the kitchen and responded, “Start practicing,” as he walked away.  After taking a few seconds to mourn the loss of the drums I had envisioned, I went to work banging out the rhythms.  In the days to come I did the same.  A short while later I received a call from my (then) pastor requesting a play the drums for a while.  I responded, “Okay!  When do you want me to start?”  “Tomorrow night,” he replied.  I thanked him and hung up the phone.  As I placed the phone on its base fear gripped me.  What have I done?  I found my Dad and recalled the conversation.  His response was, “Okay.”  I demanded, “Wait!  I’m not ready.”  He responded, “Yes, you are,” and walked away.  I did begin playing the drums that following evening at our church and did quite well for an inexperienced 9 year old.  By the time I had finished my story I had already made my way into the shower.  Standing at the sink my wife repeated my former statement as she giggled, “But, Daddy, I don’t have any drums—like he didn’t already know that.”  I too laughed at my younger self as my mind began turning.

Isn’t that how we all are?  God calls us to do something for the kingdom and our first response is, “But, Daddy, I don’t have… [you fill in the blank]!”  Have you ever noticed God is never concerned with the very details we place so much importance on.  He’s simply looking for a willing vessel.  We start worry about everything that could go wrong while He’s beckoning us to simply get to work.  But you’re in good company.  Even one of the All-Stars of the Bible, Moses, had his fearful moments when called to do great things for the kingdom.  God instructed Moses to speak to Pharaoh demanding the Israelites be released.  Exodus 4:10 finds Moses saying, “…”Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”” [Ex. 4:10]  Do you think God was shocked Moses had a stuttering problem?  Not even for a moment.  Ignorantly, he continues to remind Him of this fact but God’s will was not to be stopped.  In Moses defense what God had called him to was HUGE!  Scholars estimate the Israelites numbered between 2.5-3.5 million people.  Just figuring out the details to even begin a movement of this sort has my mind spinning.  It’s important to realize the burden to provide the avenue for us to serve the kingdom after we’ve been called to do such falls to God’s shoulders.  We simply have to show up, employ some elbow grease, and follow His leading.  As the old saying goes, “He doesn’t call the equipped…..He equips the called.”

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Don’t sweat the small stuff today.  If God is calling you out of your comfortable surroundings for kingdom purposes His intentions aren’t to leave alone.  Your steps of faith could result in God-sized miracles.  All He needs from you is willingness and submission.  It’s His job to make the crooked places straight.  Will you step out in faith today?

“What if?” Two words that can haunt you until the day you die. It’s the one question we all ask at some point. What if I had taken that job? What if I had quit my job and started my own business? What if I had gone to college and received my degree? What if I had one more chance to tell him/her how I really felt? What if………….[you fill in the blank]? It’s a miserable existence. I know because I have a few “what if’s” I battle with from time to time. Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we even give a place for “what if” in our lives? Look around you. There are many involved in businesses and industry ventures that are highly successful. Their success started with an idea and, in many cases, little else. What makes any of us different from those people. Absolutely nothing– except a willingness to take a chance. Have you ever considered those fleeting ideas may be a “God” thing? We waste time crying out, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” God turns around and asks, “What did you call me?” We like to blame those harebrained ideas on bad pizza or a late-night dose of Nyquil. Have you considered it may be God setting you up for something great?

So what’s holding you/us back? I can sum it up in one word. Fear. Fear is a powerful tool of the devil. If he can strike fear in our hearts he can prevent us from doing things that could lead to greatness for the kingdom. Fear leads to abortions. I know, that was a strong statement-but it’s true, both figuratively and literally. We find ourselves asking, “What can one man/woman do? I can’t do something like that by myself” To answer that question I refer you to the lives of only two biblical characters. Moses and David. One was a murderer with self-esteem issues. The other, an alleged illegitimate child and fornicator. What did they have in common with each other? A desire to serve God. Was it easy for either of them. No. Was their faith and trust in God tested? Most assuredly and, no doubt, on multiple occasions! What happened when they made mistakes? They took the valuable lessons learned, dusted themselves off, and kept moving forward. Failure didn’t affect their desire to move away from their goal. After all, they had nothing to lose. If God promised it, the weight and results hinged on His name. If God promises something He is faithful to see it through. The question remains, will we trust Him even when it doesn’t seem like it will ever happen? Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily!  This is your last and only chance at it, for there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think in the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed.”  What do you have to lose?  Regret.  Regret is the only thing you have to lose.  And, personally, I’d be glad to get rid of that.

Final thoughts and encouragement: Rather than focusing on what could go wrong, focus on what could go RIGHT! Again, if God has promised it- the fulfillment of that promise rests on His shoulders. Let God do the heavy lifting. You simply walk through the doors he opens. Sometimes we over analyze things and abort our promise before it ever has a chance to come into fruition. Stop thinking so hard. Even if you lose you haven’t really lost. You’ve just found out what NOT to do next time.