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Archive for the ‘Motivational’ Category

Live With Lasting Purpose

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on May 26, 2016| Leave a Comment »

We have been working verse by verse and chapter by chapter through the book of Ecclesiastes on Wednesday nights in our Bible study.  Last night, we completed our look at the least studied book in the Bible.

This book is not filled with words that you would ever find in a greeting card.  It is a realistic but pessimistic commentary on life.  Solomon was at the end of his life – a full life crammed with accomplishments, wealth, wisdom and power.  But his conclusion, after pursuing all these endeavors and succeeding in just about everything he attempted, was it was all pointless.  He used words like futility, vanity and meaningless.

As I said, inspirational quotes for greeting cards do not appear within these 12 chapters.  But what does appear is an authentic and extremely raw look at life.  The frustration and depression we feel about the world from time to time but would never bring up in a small group at church is exactly what Solomon put into words.

And through his dissection and analysis of this life “under the sun” he learned a valuable principle.  The foundational principle of life he defined was not relevant for his era only.  This principle is foundational today as well.  The timeless truth Solomon uncovered in all his study, thought and experience was this:

Fear God and keep his commandments (12:13)

That’s it.  The answer to the age old question of the meaning of life is made up of 6 words.

This idea of fear is not terror but rather reverence and healthy respect.  It carries the idea of submission and love – of worship.  We only find purpose in life when we approach God in this manner.  What we see “under the sun” is all temporary – pointless.  But when our focus is on loving and pleasing God by following him and his plan for our lives, then even life in the here and now has meaning.

Live with lasting purpose today!

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Jesus Shining Through

Posted in Formation, Grace, Motivational, Uncategorized on May 23, 2016| Leave a Comment »

It has been overcast for several days here.  Part of the haze is smoke from agricultural burns in Mexico.  But nonetheless, we have not seen the sun much for the past few days.  But this morning, I got to the office early.  I was moving back and forth from prayer to scripture reading with my back to the windows.

As I sat, facing the wall reflecting on “pressing on” (Philippians 3:12-14), I saw the wall suddenly illuminate.  The sun had broken through the clouds and smoke.  The wall continued to brighten – except the area affected by my silhouette.  The wall shown with the sun’s light except for my outline.

As I watched and reflected, the brightness was gone as quickly as it had appeared.  But the experience caused me to think.  When Jesus shines, the last thing I want to do is to be a hinderance.  I would much rather be a clear display of Jesus at work and not someone who blocks Jesus’ light and keeps people from seeing him.  I believe the remedy begins with transparency between myself and the Father.  As there is less and less of me to get in the way, there will be more and more of Jesus shining through.

I am a work in progress – clay in the hands – being transformed daily.  But my prayer is that Jesus will be able to shine through me today.

How about you?  Will people see Jesus when they brush elbows with you today?

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Life May Never Be the Same, But There Can Still Be Joy

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on May 18, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Do you ever run into those folks who brighten your day just for being around them?  How about those who you know have experienced great loss and yet God’s joy just shines through them?

This morning I had the opportunity to have breakfast with a friend of mine who brightened my day with his strength of character and the joy that keeps him going.  He is coming up on the anniversary of a tremendous loss – a loss that would be crippling for most anyone.

As I sat across from him and listened to what is going on in his life this week, I could see the change in physical appearance – slight but real.  He endured the struggle of the flooded river a year ago but the storm that caused that initial struggle to survive left bigger struggles ahead.  The loss of his family in that storm quickly minimized his initial struggle.  He lives with that loss every single day.

But since that dreadful day, God has continued to use him as a testament to God’s faithfulness.  The joy he possesses today is a result of a faith in God and the peace that comes in knowing his family shared that same faith.

As I sat with him this morning, my day was lifted to look into the eyes of one who has endured so much but yet with strength and hope.  His joy, even in the midst loss, reminds me we serve a faithful God.  He reminds me that we may not ever get over tremendous loss in our lives but through the strength of God we get through it.  His life will never be the same but that does not mean it can’t be meaningful.

What an example of how its done!

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What Is God Saying?

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on May 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I had the blessing of meeting with a group of local pastors yesterday.  We gather several times per year.  There is always something humbling about getting together with folks who are in the trenches with me and listening to what God is doing in other churches and ministries.  We often isolate ourselves and begin to think what we see is all there is.  But when we remember we are part of something so much bigger than what we see day to day, our load seems to get a little lighter.

I also had the privilege of leading the discussion at our gathering yesterday.  We talked about the importance of taking care of ourselves – particularly our own souls.  I belieListening With Hand to Earve that when I stand before God’s people each week, I will have nothing of value to say if I have not spent time with God the week before.  So we started with that idea.

One of the questions I asked the pastors to reflect on (and ask themselves regularly) was “What is the last thing God said to you?”  So I ask that question of you – and myself – today.

At first blush, we might shrug the question off with a pious, “God speaks to me everyday through his word.”  While that is true, I challenge you to be specific and concrete.  What specifically has God said to you lately?

Over the next couple of posts, I will be sharing some things God has been saying to me.  And I challenge you to share with me, one thing God has been saying to you lately.  You can leave a comment here or just email me with your thoughts.  I always love to hear how God is moving in the lives of his people.

Spend some time today searching your heart for the answer to the question.

Be blessed!

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Giving Our Best

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on May 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Sunday, I was in my office early. I had not slept well through the night – waking up almost hourly with the sermon on my mind and heart. Each time I awoke, I would begin to pray for God to speak into me and then speak through me the next morning.

It is not that I had not prepared for the sermon. Truth be told, I had more information in my notes than with many sermons. I felt my points were clear and the content consistent with the text. So I couldn’t understand the anxiety. Even now, two days later, I am not sure what was going on.

I would like to say that through the worship experience, people were moved to action. I wish I could write about how God used my turning to him to really make a difference in the hearts of his people.

I trust God moved in the hearts of the people, but I didn’t see an overwhelming display. But this experience has reminded me of an important truth – it is never about me. I can put hours into a sermon and feel good about how it will go but what I have to remember is that my role is not to invoke some kind of response. The point of the sermon is never to manipulate.

My role is to be faithful and trust completely in the Father. My calling is to work hard during the week and go to the pulpit with my absolute best each and every Sunday. Then I must trust God to take it from there.

Remember today that God wants your best – the very best you can do – and leave the outcome to him.

Be your best today!

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Words

Posted in Hope, Motivational on May 4, 2016| Leave a Comment »

This summer I have two occasions to lead a special worship service in Spanish.

I will be the first to admit that I struggle enough in English that to think I could lead a service in another language is a little daunting.  But using a translator, I think, will detract from the impact.  So I have had a dear friend working to translate my manuscript into Spanish so that I can read it in the heart language of the people in the service.
Words-2Yesterday, my friend called to ask a few questions.  As she was working through the document, she ran across a couple of places that she wanted to be clear on my intent and meaning so that she could translate the statements to communicate my heart.  We talked through it so that I could explain my heart and thoughts.  Once the images became clear, words were not a problem for her.

I have been reminded through this exercise that words are important.  But they derive their importance from the message they are intended to convey.  Words are the vehicles we use to communicate what is in our hearts and minds.

So we should choose our words carefully.  Our words can build up or they can tear down.  So make the most of your words.  Make sure the words you choose to use today are a true reflection of your heart.

Use your words for good – to lift, to comfort, to encourage.

Be a blessing today!

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Lesson Learned In the Houston Airport

Posted in Community, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on April 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Shoe shineToday I am in transit back to west Texas for a meeting. I rarely spend the money for a shoeshine but I had a little time in the Houston airport and my shoes looked terrible.

So I stepped up on the chair and waited as the gentleman next to me had his shoes shined by a quiet, older man. There were no words exchanged between any of us as I sat down. The businessman was busy considering his connection and the man with the polish was hard at work, business as usual.

But something changed the entire experience.

Out of the blue, a Southwest flight attendant walked up to the shoeshine man and with a bubbly delivery said, “Good morning honey bun!”  She gave him a hug and asked how he was doing.  After a brief exchange, the flight attendant looked at each of us in the seats and said, “You gentlemen are about to get the best shoeshine you ever got.”  And then, she was off about her day.

But that brief exchange impacted that shoeshine man.  His eyes changed.  His hands moved more passionately.  He was a different person.

But that was not all.  Now, the businessman was engaged.  He looked at me and with a touch of arrogance, said, “I travel all over this country and I am in and out of a lot of airports.  I don’t get my shoes shined just anywhere.”  Up to that point, I had no reason to think this man had ever used the services of this particular shoeshine man – and for that matter, I still don’t.

But because of that flight attendant and her encouragement, the dynamic of our 6 or 7 minutes together changed.

Encouragement is a powerful and contagious force.  It can change a person’s day.  When given and received consistently, it changes a person’s life.

Who will you encourage today?  Go out of your way to change someone else’s day today.  You won’t be sorry and I can assure you, the recipient of your kindness won’t be sorry either!

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Getting Back To the Source

Posted in Formation, Grace, Motivational, Uncategorized on April 11, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I am reading through the Gospel of Mark with our deacon body this month.  It has reminded me that there are key ideas that are important to Jesus.  We learn these principles by studying the Gospels and what Jesus actually taught when he walked the dusty roads with his disciples.

I often have to remind myself that I need to go back to the source.  It is easy to get caught up in what others say about what Jesus said, and fail to study Jesus’ actual teachings.

In Mark 7, we find a key principle important to Jesus.  He pointed out that it is crucial to make sure we base our faith and actions on God’s commands and not the traditions created by humans.  It is human nature to try and take God’s commands and apply them to the way we live.  And at some point, there will arise opinions on how we live out those commands.  Over time, these opinions become practice and before long a tradition is formed.  When those traditions supersede the commands themselves, we have moved away from God’s intent.

Today, make sure to go back to the source.  We have done a good job of creating religions but too often we focus on the religions and not the relationship.  So focus on that relationship with God today.

Be blessed.

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The Rich Life

Posted in Community, Motivational, Uncategorized on April 7, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Sharing CoffeeThis morning, I had the opportunity to meet some men for breakfast – just to spend some time together and get to know one another better.  I had no agenda – just community.

I arrived early and got my first cup of coffee for the day.  As I looked around the sparsely crowded restaurant, I noticed the age of the place.  It is not run down, but the traditional, old diner feel was certainly present.  I am not sure how long the Town and Country Cafe has been in operation, but I am pretty sure it has been a local spot for many years.

I looked at the booths and tables and I thought about all the conversations that have taken place throughout the years.  I imagine business partnerships have been formed around those tables.  I know those tables and chairs have seen a great number of families out for a breakfast or lunch.  And I know a lot of coffee has been consumed as old time friends have told their stories.

What overwhelmed me was the fact that the very reason I was there is also a major reason the place has kept its doors open – community.  People were created for community.  We need one another.  The relationships that are formed in community are the spice of our lives.  Our lives are enriched by the people we get to know.

God has blessed us with the need for one another.

Spend some time today cultivating one relationship – send a text, or better yet, pick up the phone and actually call a person (yes, that portable device that is always with you that you use to check the weather, Facebook and email still makes actual phone calls).  Or even better, meet them for lunch.  Your life will be richer for it.

Be blessed today!

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Intended Purpose

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on February 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Last September, I was back on the campus of my alma mater for a meeting.  As I drove down Ambler Street headed to the school, I saw a portable sign with an interesting message.  It was one of those signs that can be pulled around and then placed where you want it – the kind you can change the message by manipulating plastic letters.  The message was so intriguing that I turned around and went back to take this picture.

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This image has inspired me each and every time I have thought about it.  The owner, out of frustration, changed the message on the sign to address the circumstances.  The purpose of the sign is to communicate – to promote – to inform.  But due to the vandalism, that purpose was diverted.

Earlier this week I talked about purpose (you can read that post here).  How often do we get distracted and move away from living out the purpose for which we were created?  How many times per day do we allow our circumstances to pull us away from what is really important?

Stay focused.  Yes, there will be situations that pull us away.  There will be a current that will cause you to drift.  But stay focused on your intended purpose – serving God with all you have – and when you lay your head down tonight, you will be able to do so knowing you have made a difference.

Be a blessing today!

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