Tarzan and A Pastor!

Recently a friend (thanks David Porter) wrote about something his grandson said that made me laugh!

He writes, "My daughter and son-in-law responded with parental pride when six year old, Micah, announced that he wanted to be a pastor like his dad. The next day he asked his mom, though, 'Mom can I be two things?'

His mom assured him that it was possible so he asked her, 'Can I be Tarzan and a pastor when I grow up?'

This provoked alot of laughter and lots of helpful(?) comments from friends and family alike!

Tarzan & A Pastor!

It does sound fun and is a combination that no one I know has ever tried, but I am pretty sure that Micah can not pull it off!

However, I also know this ... that he, like all of us, will have great joy in finding and fulfilling God's intended purpose ... whatever that may be!

The fact is that God has plans for us ... all of us ... and as Jeremiah so powerfully declares these plans are to bless us and not harm us, to give us hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11)

Tarzan And A Pastor!

Micah, keep dreaming and more than that dare to be all that God has destined you to be!

The rest of us are following your lead!!

Grab the rope and let's go!!

Every Good And Perfect Gift Comes From Above!

What a thrill for Ruthanne & I to be at the spiritual dedication for our grandsons, Caleb & Luke!!

My dad & his wife Darlene, my brother Gary & his wife Vickie, our daughter Kari, all drove in to be with us to celebrate this very special moment! Andrew's sister Erin & her daughter Makaylee, who live in town, were also there to be a part of the family group!

These little boys are miracle babies who were born at 29 weeks weighing 2 lbs 13 oz & 2 lbs 11oz! Caleb has overcome all his issues & Luke is one by one, doing the same!

To present them to God and acknowledge them as gifts from Him was the greatest desire of our hearts! We know that His plans have prevailed for them and their very presence is an expression of that reality!

James 1:17 reminds us that, 'Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows'.

Identical twin grandsons, strength that is equal to my days and the wisdom to recognize Him in all things are just a few of the 'good and perfect gifts' that I cherish!

No doubt you have your own list of equally valued gifts from above! His love for us is ... amazing!

Take the time today to see all that you have been given and to offer a sincere prayer of thanksgiving!

I am squeezing my little gifts, Caleb & Luke, every chance I get!!

Every good and perfect gift comes from above ... knowing that we have a God who never changes spawns a hope that is eternal!

Focused - Clear, Distinct, Sharply Defined

There is something quite powerful about being focused!

I have noticed that the athletes who play hard & win often are
...

focused players!

I know that effectual, fervent prayers that accomplish much are
...

focused prayers!

I am aware that those who live productive & fulfilling lives are
...

focused people!

Personally, I enjoy all three!

In my own way, I have tried to nurture and give value to this quality by being more focused than ever before about the way I live my life.

Focused - Clear, Distinct, Sharply Defined!

It has been suggested that we ask ourselves often, 'Are the things that I am living for, worth Christ dying for?'

In asking that question we refine our focus!

It is important that we live for the right things! Things that are worthy of us & more importantly ... worthy of Him!

Along the way I have been able to discern what I want to live for & I am focused on it!

In one simple phrase this is it,

'Love God, cherish my family, value my friends, enjoy people & aspire to work together with others to encourage them in life & leadership development'.

I find my greatest joy in living for these things & the more focused I am the greater my joy becomes!

How about you?

Maybe now is the time for you to be more focused than ever before so that you can know greater fulfillment than you have ever known!

Focused - Clear, Distinct, Sharply Defined!

The Church Is Like A Clydesdale!

I am guessing that you are saying to yourself, 'Where is he going with this'?

• Is he just fishing around for a new metaphor to introduce into the church jargon?
• Has his love for horses gone mad?
• Where is he getting this stuff?

Well, to answer your questions no, no & Janet Conley!

Most of you will know of the ministry of Bayless Conley! His biblical teaching is rich, relevant and reaches across every pre-conceived barrier (www.answersbc.org).

His television programs are well received here in Europe and our church, Brussels Christian Center, has hosted him on two different occasions.

In his recent newsletter his wife, Janet, begins her column with these words,

'Have you ever heard of a Clydesdale horse? If not, it's an amazingly big and strong horse. In fact, it can pull 2 tons all by itself! But did you know that if you two Clydesdale horses are yoked together, they can pull 46 tons? Amazing, right? This is such a wonderful picture of the body of Christ'.

The Church Is Like A Clydesdale!

The more connected we are, the more we learn to stand, serve & struggle together ... the stronger we will be!

We have just proven all of this to ourselves again!

On Monday, 130 days after he was born, our little grandson Luke was finally released from the hospital and is now home with mom, dad & Caleb, his identical twin brother!

Many great lessons have been learned along the way including ...

The Church Is Like A Clydesdale!

It's more than a catchy phrase ... it's a profound reality!

And living it is amazing!!

So ... cowboy up!!

Massive Moments/Ordinary Opportunities

Super Bowl Sunday'

Those are the only words that you need to speak for some people and they can fill in all the rest!

* They know the venue, the starting time, the two teams who are competing ... (in case you don't know it's the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals).

* They also know that this is Super Bowl 43 and many can give you a historic overview from Super Bowl 1, which was played on January 15th, 1967, in Los Angeles and won by the Green Bay Packers 35-10 over the Kansas City Chiefs ... and a myriad of other details!

This is the biggest sports event in America and will be watched around the world... including by my 'band of brothers' here in Brussels who will stay up all night to see the game!

As you can see this is a 'massive moment' ... a seriously BIG DEAL!

Yet, Monday morning will dawn and things will go back to being very ordinary!

That's how it is ... in football ... and in life!!

Massive moments/Ordinary opportunities!

We enjoy the hype, but must also endure the harsh reality that most of our days are 'ordinary' and it is how we live those 'ordinary' days that matter most.

I think it was my friend John Palmer who said, 'The only problem with life is that it is so ... daily'.

Good point huh!

I will enjoy the Super Bowl and all the hype of this 'massive moment' and yet I know that it is what I do on the ordinary Monday that really counts!

My desire is to, 'redeem the time and make the most of every opportunity'!

Where have we heard that before!!

A Serious New Year Resolution

Many of us begin the new year making a list of 'resloutions' of things that we want to stop ... or start.

You know things like:

* Read my Bible more, watch my TV less
* Eat my veggies more, cheat on chocolates less

Now these are wonderful things to do and, to some degree, are a challenge for us.

However, if you want a real challenge try this!

Lynne Chandler, is a friend who wrote a devotional entitled, 'Word Power'.

In it she issues ... A Serious New Year Resolution!

'I recently heard of a church that declared a “fast” of negative and critical speech for 40 days.

It transformed the church.

I challenge you to try just one day without a negative word or critical comment.

It is much easier said than done.

If you can do it for one day, then try one week, then one month and so on.

I promise you that you will see a side of yourself that you’ve never seen before and that your life will be changed.'

Now that is 'A Serious New Year Challenge'!

Doing the other things will help us but this will change us ... and those around us!

Lynne ends her article saying, 'My prayer for this coming year is to be an encourager of the brethren, to help others step into all that God has called them to by believing in them and speaking words of affirmation and grace to them.

May the fruit of my lips bring life, hope and healing to those around me. Would you like to join me in my quest?'

Well ... would you?

I sure want to!

Here's to ... 'A Serious New Year Challenge'