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Archive for the ‘Motivational’ Category

Jesus On the Highway

Posted in Church, Formation, Motivational on September 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

On Saturday, my youngest son had a cross-country meet in Amarillo.  The last time he ran in Amarillo, my wife and I were not able to make it because of the distance and other commitments we had that day.  So this time, we made sure to be there to cheer him on.

As we were making the trip up I-27, we were almost to Amarillo – approaching Happy – when my wife asked, “Is this the town that has Jesus on the highway?”  As I thought about it, I could remember, sometime in the past, seeing a much larger than life crucifix enclosed in a glass building along the interstate – so I knew what she was talking about.

We quickly realized that Jesus was not in Happy, nor Canyon.  We made it on to the meet, watched Bryson do an amazing job with the 5K and then we ran some errands and had lunch before heading back home.  As we pulled back onto I-27 to head south, the conversation turned back to wondering where we would see Jesus.

As we approached each little town we would both begin looking to the side of the freeway to try and catch a glimpse of Jesus as we passed by.  Finally we came to Abernathy, and there he was.  Standing there on the access road to the interstate was a 30′ tall glass building and inside, at least a 20′ crucifix.  If you have never seen this display, next time you are on I-27 going through Abernathy, look to the west.  It is very impressive.

Since Saturday, I have been thinking about our pilgrimage.  I have thought about our conversation as we looked for Jesus.  And it made me think, how many people in the world are looking for Jesus – not a crucifix on the side of the highway – but actually looking for Jesus.  They come to our churches looking for Jesus.  I can just hear the conversation in the car as they drive up to the church on Sunday morning, “Do you think we will see Jesus in there?”

I can also imagine people watching me and asking the question, “Will he show me Jesus if I watch?”

The truth is, everyone in the world is looking for Jesus.  They may not know it but everyone is looking for him.  They are looking for something more.  Something or someone who can bring fulfillment.  Something that will bring relief from the pressures of work and family.  Something that will bring security and peace in a world that offers neither.  Everyone is looking for something or someone.

As believers, we know exactly what they need; or rather, who they need.  The answer is always Jesus.

So will they see Jesus when they come through the doors of your church?  Maybe the better question – will they see Jesus when they encounter you today?

I wonder where I will see Jesus today?

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That Camp High

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on July 1, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Last week we had high school students at camp.  Yesterday morning we were blessed to hear the students share about their experience in the morning service.  As I listened, I was moved by what God had done the previous week.

I was moved and reminded.  Reminded of my days at camp when I was their age.  Reminded of my own longing to experience God face to face.  Reminded of the importance of helping others experience God in that way.

We call it the “camp high.”  I have grown to dislike that term.  It creates an expectation.  An expectation that when we get away and set aside time we will always come away with a renewed resolve to live more passionately for God.  But even worse, it creates the expectation that the only way to renew our passion for God is by spending a week in a remote area with other believers.

First, let me say that when we do set aside the time and remove ourselves from our daily routines and focus specifically on our relationship with God, God will honor that effort – it may not look exactly as we expect, but God will honor that effort.

Second, we need not think that we must take a week off from our routine and get away as the only way to reconnect with God.  We can do it today.  You can do it right now.  All it takes is a humble heart willing to submit to God’s leadership and love.  God is present with us at all times, we need only pray that God will open our eyes to that presence.

My prayer is that each of us would sense God’s presence today and rekindle that passion to live in The Way like never before.

Be blessed today!

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Want To Spice Things Up?

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on April 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Does your life ever grow stale?  Does it ever seem that each and every day is just a routine that you go through – just going through the motions?

I have to admit, I got home last night after a very long day and I was exhausted.  As I made my way to my bedroom, the thought crossed my mind – “In a few short hours I will get up and do all this again.”  Truth be told, I felt a little defeated in that moment.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my life.  I have been blessed with the most wonderful, understanding and loving family a person could ever want.  I have a calling that I cannot imagine doing anything else.  But every once in a while, when I get a little more tired than usual, it gets to be a bit overwhelming.

Then I come to one of my readings this morning and I read this:

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life – gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life.  To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.  We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.  As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises.    —    Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

When we begin to feel like things are a little stale, maybe we need to review our focus.  If we are focused on the work, then it will grow to the point that it overwhelms.  But, when we surrender ourselves fully into God’s hands and put God in the driver’s seat we shift our focus to God’s desire and heart.  All else fades in importance and we sit back with expectation.

In a sense, we say to God, “Surprise me.”

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Thank a Veteran

Posted in Community, Motivational on November 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at the local Veteran’s Day service.  Our community has an impressive memorial right on one of the main streets through town, and on Veteran’s Day, folks gather at the memorial for a time of remembrance and thanks.

To be honest, I approached this opportunity as just another thing I had to do on an already over-committed Sunday.  It is not that I dreaded it, but I was not passionately looking for another engagement.

As I got out of the car to walk to the memorial and join the folks who were already gathering there, it didn’t take more than 2 seconds to realize the wind was blowing 30 – 40 miles per hour and the 50 degree temperature felt more like 20.  So my attitude did not improve.

But as I stood before the crowd gathered there, I looked on a multitude of faces.  I looked on the faces of men who stood on ships and served in wartime.  I looked on faces of men who flew planes to defend their country.  I looked on faces of men who marched to protect my way of life.  And I looked on the proud faces of widows whose husbands served faithfully.

And in that moment I realized something.  I really have no clue what this meant to those folks.  I have no context from which to develop a real understanding.  So as I stood at the back of the crowd, after my talk, I watched as one by one, the anthems of each branch of the military was played.  What I saw was men and women, many using canes, stand in honor of their branch.

I was humbled and speechless.  The only words I could muster were “Thank you for your service.”

Tell a vet thanks today!

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The World On Your Shoulders

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on October 17, 2012| Leave a Comment »

How much can you carry?  I don’t mean how many bags of groceries at a time from the car to the kitchen.  Although, given my desire to be efficient, I often try and carry all the groceries in one trip – just a little heads up, that doesn’t normally work and has the real likelihood that it will end badly.

No, I am talking about the amount of responsibility you can shoulder at one time.

We often cling to the promise that God will never give us more than we can handle.  While that promise from scripture is true, I wonder if we don’t use that sometimes to justify the amount of commitments we make.  Unfortunately, I am speaking as much about me as I am about anyone else.

I have found that I have a real problem saying “No.”

The problem is that regardless of how much I think I can carry, the reality is the more I take on, the less effective I become in all of it.  And added to that reality is the humbling realization that at some point along the way, I begin to rely on my own strength, brains and experience instead of seeking God first and working through the power I find there.

Take some time today to make a list of all your commitments.  Note beside each one whether it is an endeavor to follow God’s plan for you or just something you took on because someone else made you feel guilty.  Then ask God to help you focus on those responsibilities that will bring people to Jesus.  Our ultimate reason for existence is to love God and love others.  Make sure your responsibilities are keeping you focused on what is of ultimate importance.

Be blessed today!

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Make Your Today Count

Posted in Hope, Motivational on September 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I was reminded, yet again, yesterday of the frailty of life.  We get up every day and go about our daily tasks and To Do lists without a second thought.  But the reality is that none of is guaranteed another day.

Over the weekend, a dear friend and 1st B family member passed away at too young of an age.  Eric was one of those guys who everyone liked.  He had a smile that made others smile and a personality that made us smile as well.

He went to bed in Littlefield, Texas on Saturday night and woke up in the very presence of God.  I am sure he had no idea when his head hit the pillow that he would wake up in another place, but that is what he experienced.

When something like this happens, it forces us to reexamine our own mortality and think about life as a frail gift.  None of us know what tomorrow will bring – but we can see what today holds.

What will you do with your today to make it count?

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How Important Is Your Bible?

Posted in Formation, Motivational on September 20, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, I read an online devotional, Lead Like Jesus, that I receive daily.  Psalm 19:7-8 was included in the post.  The text is a beautiful description of the importance of God’s word and how it is crucial to our existence.  The writer of the Psalm obviously understood the importance of scripture.

In the devotion, the question was posed, “How would your world be different if you no longer had access to the Bible?”

I have to admit, that question has haunted me since.  The right answer is that my world would be totally changed.  But my fear is the more real answer for my life, and many others, is that it might not look all that different.

I have multiple Bibles on my shelves.  I even have two on my phone.  But when I read that question, I had to do some soul searching as to how much time do I actually spend pouring over scripture and letting it pour over me?  Sure, I spend time in sermon preparation and that involves studying specific passages for my talk.  But what about for me personally?

I do spend time daily reading, or at least listening to scripture.  But this question has caused me to rethink my commitment level.

What has it done to you?

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In the Grand Scheme of Things

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on July 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I was reminded today that life is short.  We get so bogged down in our day to day and we look forward to some event, or that vacation and we begin to think, “I wish that day would come – it’s never going to get here!”

I remember as a child, if I were doing something I didn’t particularly like to do, it seemed time stood still.  Even as adults we get this feeling from time to time.

But when you zoom out and take a look at the bigger picture, life is really short.  In the grand scheme of eternity, our time here on earth is a blink of the eye.

So what will you do today to make that blink meaningful?

Live each day as if it were your last!

Be a blessing today!

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What Do You Say To a Group of Missionaries?

Posted in Community, Missions, Motivational on May 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Tonight I have the opportunity to address the group of students, doctors and nurses and sponsors who are on the mission trip to El Paso.

What do you say to a group of folks who have taken a week of their time to travel hours from their homes in order to minister to people they have never met?  Do you say “thanks?”  Honestly, I don’t think any of them are looking for a thank you for what they are doing – certainly not from me.

Do you tell them that what they are doing is dabbling in the eternal?  That what they are doing will have forever implications and impact?  Yes, I should probably say that.  That sounds good.

But what I am drawn to say is less altruistic – almost selfish and self-serving.  But I have thought and prayed about this for a long time.  What I am compelled to tell them is that what they are doing may just have more impact on them than any impact they may be making in the life of another person.

There is no denying that a result of a trip like this is a renewed passion for Jesus – a boost to our commitment.  Some might even call it a “spiritual high.”  And if the motivation for making a trip like this is all about what you will get out of it – well then, that just seems wrong.

But here is the reality.  Yes, we will meet people and we will impact their lives for a day – and hopefully, that impact will have everlasting results to their reality.  But at the end of the week, we are leaving – heading back to our reality.  We will remember the good things we have done for a time but what difference will it really make?

Here is the difference.  Getting out of our comfort zones and serving is part of disciple making. It plays a huge part in our becoming.  As believers, we are called to be disciples – apprentices.  A large part of that process is selflessly serving others.

So what do I communicate to the group tonight?  I tell them that what they are doing has kingdom impact both in the lives of others and in their own lives.  It is part of what it means to be an authentic Jesus follower.

Yeah, that is what I will tell them.

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A Leadership Lesson at a Baseball Game

Posted in Leadership, Motivational on April 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Earlier this week I went to watch our hometown baseball team fight for a chance to go to the playoffs.  It was a beautiful evening and there was a great crowd.  The guys played well and ultimately won the game.

At a pivotal point during the game, we had a runner on third and a runner on second.  The batter hit a grounder toward third base.  The third baseman did just as he should, he advanced on the ball, fielded it and then . . . froze.  He had a runner headed for home, a runner headed for first and behind him, a runner making his way from second to third.  He raised his arm to make the throw home but then looked toward first.  Then he swung around to try and see if he could tag the runner passing by behind him but he was way out of reach.  By the time he turned back around, it was too late to make a throw anywhere.

Because of his indecisiveness, a run scored, a runner advanced to scoring position and now he had another runner on first.  Not a good day in the life of that third baseman.  I looked at the man sitting next to me and said, “there is a sermon illustration in there somewhere.”

I have thought a lot about that play since Monday and what we witnessed has a lot of application to leadership.

  1. A leader has to be prepared.  Life is going to come at us like a blazing grounder.  We need to be able to think on our feet.  A good way to enhance our chances of being able to make decisions quickly is to have our heads in the game.  We need to remember where the runners are and where they are headed.  Sometimes it may feel we have too many plates spinning and there is too much to keep up with.  If that is truly the case, we might have some hard decisions to make as to what needs to be delegated or even discontinued.
  2. A leader needs to weigh the options.  Even though the ball may be screaming his way, the third baseman has to be able to see the field.  We must determine what the viable options are in each situation.  Having the ability to weigh the options takes practice and experience.
  3. A leader needs to commit.  Once the options have been surveyed, the leader has to commit.  Failure to commit costs everyone.  Often we balk at commitment because of the fear of failure.  Fear of failure can cause us to freeze.  Just as the baseball player watched a run score and two runners advance, all while he was standing there holding the ball, the leader who fails to commit most likely fails.  Weigh the options, make a decision and stick with it.  There is always an element of risk but that comes with the territory.

No one ever said leadership was easy.  Sometimes we have to make tough decisions.  But the key is making the decision.  Indecisiveness is costly – take the risk and make the throw.  Otherwise, you are just standing there holding the ball while the play goes on without you.

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