Once in awhile I think to myself, “self, where did the time go?” It seems like only yesterday that our home was full of small children playing with trucks, footballs, dolls, dishes and a puppy. Gone are the days of playing in the park, pushing children in the swings and playing catch in the street. As my wife and I walk through the neighborhood now and see all the young children riding their bikes and their skateboards we often wonder where about how quickly time passed by.
The bedrooms in our home are empty and the house is quiet. The toys are finally picked up and the beds are made and everyone knows who left the light on in the game room. From time to time one of the children will come home for a weekend or for a holiday and it is always wonderful to have them home for a short while. For the most part though, the rooms are empty.
I think to some degree I know how God must feel about the empty rooms in his house. He has a “big, big house with lots and lots of rooms” and he is just waiting for the day when all of his children come home. What a day that will be! I know for me waiting for the children to come home is an exciting time. I check my watch, I have them call before they leave, I call them along the way, I wait by the window when I think they are getting close and the second I see their car I go outside and give them a big welcome home hug. I think I know a little about what God must feel about this children coming home some day.
Can you image how it will be on that day when we get to go to the “big, big house” and there to meet you and I will be the Father of all creation waiting to give me and you our big welcome home hugs? Here is a question, are you ready for that day to come and are you living like someone who is going to spend eternity with God?
You see God has a room just for you in his house and it is currently empty. On that day when all of God’s children get to go home will you move into the room prepared for you or will it be empty? I want to encourage you live today based on where you want to spend eternity. If you want to live in the room God has prepared just for you, then live like it! See you there. By the way, it will be your turn to do the dishes.
Love God. Go Love Others.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sole Searching
Does the name Blake Mycoskie mean anything to you? If not, get to know that name and get to know his cause. Blake is in search of soles. That’s right; he is looking for bare feet that need a pair of shoes. Blake is the owner of Toms Shoes and he is the owner of the idea that is putting shoes on hundreds of thousands of people. As a matter of fact, just this past Tuesday he gave away the one millionth pair of shoes to someone in Argentina.
Here is how it works; when someone buys a pair of Toms Shoes, Toms Shoes gives a pair of shoes away to someone in the world that does not have a pair of shoes. You might be asking why shoes? Their website gives the following reasons:
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
It is really quite a story about a man with a vision to make a difference in the world one sole at a time (well actually two soles at a time) and he developed a plan to make his dream some true. The question for you and me is this; do you have a plan to make a difference in the life of anyone? Forget about the hundreds and thousands for a moment. Do you have a plan to improve the life situation for any one person in this community or world? You see if you don’t have a plan to do something small, but yet meaningful you will never be able to make a difference to larger numbers of people. I have known people that have said, “if I had a million dollars I would give half of it to ….” And they would name some deserving cause. Well here is the thing, if you won’t give half of what you have now to that cause then why would God bless you with a million dollars?
People who truly make a difference in this world start out by making a difference in small meaningful ways and as they are blessed they increase the size of their gift to the world. So, what is your dream for making a difference? Make your plan and start making your dreams come true today.
Over 2000 years ago Jesus came to this earth to do some soul searching of his own and his soul searching has made all the difference in the world. It is one thing to go through life without shoes it is an entirely different thing to go through life without hope. Jesus came to give life and hope to all people of the world. It does not matter if you have no shoes, a pair of Toms Shoes or a pair of Stuart Weitman designer shoes without Jesus the path to heaven is impossible to walk. So get in step, do some soul searching of your own and follow Jesus.
Love God. Go Love Others.
Here is how it works; when someone buys a pair of Toms Shoes, Toms Shoes gives a pair of shoes away to someone in the world that does not have a pair of shoes. You might be asking why shoes? Their website gives the following reasons:
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
It is really quite a story about a man with a vision to make a difference in the world one sole at a time (well actually two soles at a time) and he developed a plan to make his dream some true. The question for you and me is this; do you have a plan to make a difference in the life of anyone? Forget about the hundreds and thousands for a moment. Do you have a plan to improve the life situation for any one person in this community or world? You see if you don’t have a plan to do something small, but yet meaningful you will never be able to make a difference to larger numbers of people. I have known people that have said, “if I had a million dollars I would give half of it to ….” And they would name some deserving cause. Well here is the thing, if you won’t give half of what you have now to that cause then why would God bless you with a million dollars?
People who truly make a difference in this world start out by making a difference in small meaningful ways and as they are blessed they increase the size of their gift to the world. So, what is your dream for making a difference? Make your plan and start making your dreams come true today.
Over 2000 years ago Jesus came to this earth to do some soul searching of his own and his soul searching has made all the difference in the world. It is one thing to go through life without shoes it is an entirely different thing to go through life without hope. Jesus came to give life and hope to all people of the world. It does not matter if you have no shoes, a pair of Toms Shoes or a pair of Stuart Weitman designer shoes without Jesus the path to heaven is impossible to walk. So get in step, do some soul searching of your own and follow Jesus.
Love God. Go Love Others.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Real McCoy
Not too long I was having the tires on my wife’s car rotated and while I was waiting in the lounge area I noticed a recent copy of Texas Monthly which had a picture of Colt and Brad McCoy on the cover. Being a fan of Colt I picked up the magazine and looked at the picture and began to flip through the pages trying to find the article. Before I could locate the article a gentleman who was also waiting on a car asked me if I was a University of Texas fan. I answered him and went on to say, “I mainly am a fan of Colt McCoy. His dad and I went to college together at Abilene Christian.” Then the man said, “So you know Brad McCoy?” And I answered truthfully, “he and I had a couple of classes together, but to say that I know him would be an exaggeration.”
That experience got me to thinking about if I knew the McCoy family at all. It is true that I went to school with Brad and we had a couple of classes together, but I do not know him. I don’t know that we ever spoke with one another. I know that we never “did lunch” or anything like that. He is at best an acquaintance and even that may be a stretch. Going further, I don’t know Colt McCoy either, but I do know people who do know him. Colt and I have never met and most likely won’t any time soon.
I know people who say they know Jesus, but I wonder, do they really know Jesus? They may have called out his name. They may even attend a church which teaches and preaches that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. They may even be a believer, but the question still remains, do they really know Jesus? Okay, let’s get more personal. Do you know Jesus? I mean really know Jesus.
Have you been in the Word of God and read the accounts of the life of Jesus enough to believe that you were there when Jesus walked down the shoreline and through the market place? Have you put yourself into the stories about Jesus and wondered what you would do or what you would say to the Lord of lords and the King of kings? Have you allowed His teachings and stories to speak to you personally? When you read of Jesus loving the unlovable and being friends with the lonely and broken hearted and being meal partners with sinners; do you wonder how he would have treated you?
The real issue is this, do you have a relationship with Jesus or is he just an acquaintance? Think about that for a moment. I believe when it comes to knowing the person who loves you enough that he has given his life for you… well I believe that is the person you really want to know with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. I believe that is the person you want to love for a lifetime. So, I will ask you again, do you know Jesus? He knows you and he desperately wants a real relationship with you.
Go ahead, invite him over. You never know he might just be the friend you have always been looking for. Really, call him now!
Love God. Go Love Others.
That experience got me to thinking about if I knew the McCoy family at all. It is true that I went to school with Brad and we had a couple of classes together, but I do not know him. I don’t know that we ever spoke with one another. I know that we never “did lunch” or anything like that. He is at best an acquaintance and even that may be a stretch. Going further, I don’t know Colt McCoy either, but I do know people who do know him. Colt and I have never met and most likely won’t any time soon.
I know people who say they know Jesus, but I wonder, do they really know Jesus? They may have called out his name. They may even attend a church which teaches and preaches that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. They may even be a believer, but the question still remains, do they really know Jesus? Okay, let’s get more personal. Do you know Jesus? I mean really know Jesus.
Have you been in the Word of God and read the accounts of the life of Jesus enough to believe that you were there when Jesus walked down the shoreline and through the market place? Have you put yourself into the stories about Jesus and wondered what you would do or what you would say to the Lord of lords and the King of kings? Have you allowed His teachings and stories to speak to you personally? When you read of Jesus loving the unlovable and being friends with the lonely and broken hearted and being meal partners with sinners; do you wonder how he would have treated you?
The real issue is this, do you have a relationship with Jesus or is he just an acquaintance? Think about that for a moment. I believe when it comes to knowing the person who loves you enough that he has given his life for you… well I believe that is the person you really want to know with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. I believe that is the person you want to love for a lifetime. So, I will ask you again, do you know Jesus? He knows you and he desperately wants a real relationship with you.
Go ahead, invite him over. You never know he might just be the friend you have always been looking for. Really, call him now!
Love God. Go Love Others.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Deeper Water
At the risk of boring everyone with stories about the beach in Destin, I have one more. One afternoon while walking along the beach, I was noticing the small fish swimming next to the shore. There was hundreds of little tiny fish swimming all along the shore with a few slightly larger fish mixed in. Just a few feet out from the shore the fish got significantly larger, but there were no really big fish that close to shore. Later in the day my wife and I were able to watch three dolphins swimming around and jumping. It was really fun to watch. So, what’s the point? Big fish don’t swim in swallow water.
You see, it is okay for small fish to swim near the shore where it is safe for them to swim, but larger more mature fish should be swimming in the deeper water. The deeper water is where the large fish can thrive and survive. The question for you and me is this. How big of a fish are you? Spiritually speaking? As we grow in the Spirit we should venture out into deeper waters.
Deeper waters bring with them more risk, but also more rewards. In the deeper water you will be faced with more challenges, but you will also be faced with more opportunities. We have this promise from God, “you will not be tested beyond your ability”.
There is another reason to swim out in the deeper water and that is where the real blessings of Christianity are found. In order for the dolphins to show off their jumps and flips they must be in deeper water, there is no way they could pull off those moves next to the shore in ankle deep water. The same is true for you and me. If you and I want to see amazing things in our life, then we must trust God and venture out into spiritually deeper waters.,
Right now some are asking, “where is the deeper water and in what way is it different from where I am right now?” If you think about it you already know the answer to that question. Maybe you have sat in church all your life and heard stories about men and women going various places in world on a mission trip and you have thought to yourself, “I wish I could do that some day”. Or, you have always wanted to be able to share you faith with your friends, but you don’t because you are “not sure what to say” or you are “not confident in your ability”.
Maybe you want to help plant a church, or join a team who is already planting a church. Maybe you want to write a book that would encourage others to follow Jesus or just give people in the world an encouraging word from God. Maybe you have always wanted to volunteer to work in a soup kitchen or shelter. Maybe you have a desire to help children learn to read. Maybe you have always wanted to share your resources with total strangers and bless their lives in amazing ways in the name of Jesus Christ. Maybe you have always wanted to start your own business and run it with Christian values and principles.
I am not sure what is on your list of things you would do, if you just had a little more faith, but each of us have something on our list. Today I want you know this – Jesus is calling you and me to join him in deeper waters so you and I can experience all the joys and blessings of being a Christ follower. Go-ahead step out there “O you of little faith” and just see what the Lord does in your life.
Love God. Go Love Others.
You see, it is okay for small fish to swim near the shore where it is safe for them to swim, but larger more mature fish should be swimming in the deeper water. The deeper water is where the large fish can thrive and survive. The question for you and me is this. How big of a fish are you? Spiritually speaking? As we grow in the Spirit we should venture out into deeper waters.
Deeper waters bring with them more risk, but also more rewards. In the deeper water you will be faced with more challenges, but you will also be faced with more opportunities. We have this promise from God, “you will not be tested beyond your ability”.
There is another reason to swim out in the deeper water and that is where the real blessings of Christianity are found. In order for the dolphins to show off their jumps and flips they must be in deeper water, there is no way they could pull off those moves next to the shore in ankle deep water. The same is true for you and me. If you and I want to see amazing things in our life, then we must trust God and venture out into spiritually deeper waters.,
Right now some are asking, “where is the deeper water and in what way is it different from where I am right now?” If you think about it you already know the answer to that question. Maybe you have sat in church all your life and heard stories about men and women going various places in world on a mission trip and you have thought to yourself, “I wish I could do that some day”. Or, you have always wanted to be able to share you faith with your friends, but you don’t because you are “not sure what to say” or you are “not confident in your ability”.
Maybe you want to help plant a church, or join a team who is already planting a church. Maybe you want to write a book that would encourage others to follow Jesus or just give people in the world an encouraging word from God. Maybe you have always wanted to volunteer to work in a soup kitchen or shelter. Maybe you have a desire to help children learn to read. Maybe you have always wanted to share your resources with total strangers and bless their lives in amazing ways in the name of Jesus Christ. Maybe you have always wanted to start your own business and run it with Christian values and principles.
I am not sure what is on your list of things you would do, if you just had a little more faith, but each of us have something on our list. Today I want you know this – Jesus is calling you and me to join him in deeper waters so you and I can experience all the joys and blessings of being a Christ follower. Go-ahead step out there “O you of little faith” and just see what the Lord does in your life.
Love God. Go Love Others.
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