A Youth Pastor and Dad of three dynamic kiddos, William Cumby details life adventures and blends them with current events and biblical truths. A blog for anyone looking for fun, adventure, and inspiration.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Shadows!!! (Stop, drop, and...)
Monday, December 7, 2015
Perfect blindness...
In a recent article, Ronda stated that although it will take some time to rehab her injuries - a rematch is a no brainer. She will fight again!
This fight made me consider the unexpected face-plants and traps that we experience. Understanding that we are created in God's image and that we are supposed to seek God first regarding everything we do - does that nullify us from falling? I've been there...assuming I knew it all. Life sent a flooring kick and smashed the canvas against my face.
Matthew 5:45New Living Translation (NLT) In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
1 John 4:14New Living Translation (NLT) Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
It is a blessing to know that your God sent His only Son to be your savior and your healer! Despite the color of your skin, the size of your bank account, the extent of your mistakes, or the depth of your wounds - YOU HAVE A SAVIOR. You will get up from the canvas and you will fight again.In closing, there is a super cool selfie circulating the internet. Two Canadians found a majestic bald eagle caught in a trap. They saved the eagle from the trap, but before letting it go, they took a picture with it.
Its kinda funny when you think about it.
One of an eagle's most profound features is its eyesight. An eagle has two foveae or centers of focus. This gives the bald eagle ability to see simulataneously in front and to the side of them.
With nearly human sized eyes, the bald eagle can spot its prey from an altitude over 1000 feet. That's like having multiplied perfect vision and a picture better than 4K television.
Yet, even with perfect sight - it was blind to the trap. And, the eagle's freedom came from an unexpected source.
Don't be surprised when the very people you expected to be against you end up aiding you. God sees you in your fallen state and He has prepared your way of escape.
I know you will get up again - I know you will fly again - I know you have a savior - and I know HE will use your circumstance for your good!
The same canvas floor that my face felt a few years ago is now under my feet. I'm up and fighting - you can too!
Monday, November 30, 2015
The Deep End
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Life Sized Detox Water!!!!
Lemons
Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like the comments outweighed the compliments. The weight of negativity felt like a cruise ship anchor chained to your waist as you desperately pushed for an end to the day. Yeah...that was my Monday.When I arrived home that evening, there was a large nondescript bag on the counter. Curious to its contents I walked over an opened it. LEMONS! It was the personification of my day in an outstanding abundance. My grandparents have a lemon tree and our family was the fortunate benefactor of the day's harvest.
Looking at those lemons with their yellow and sour smile, I had a thought.
(sidebar: all youth pastors will find a message in ANYTHING)
Philippians 4:8New Living Translation (NLT)
When Life Gives you Lemons...
1. Throw them Back.
It's like a game of hot potato. Although you were thrown the ball you don't have to keep it. You will receive things that you don't need, but as soon as you recognize their irrelevance in your life, you must immediately get rid of it! I'm not advocating violence or the verbal back and forth of arguing. But I contend that you must throw it back. Throwing it back is the task of completely dismissing the negative labels, toxic relationships, hurtful opinions, or destructive habits from your life. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:12 "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything." Just because you see it and could possibly enjoy it that doesn't necessarily mean you should keep it. Throw them back and keep moving!2. Duck!
3. Make detox water.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Earth Day - you can make things right!
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Help in an abandoned place
It was only 21 years ago that young 20 year old Nyia cradled her new born child and now she decides to leave him. What changed?
Psalm 27:10New Living Translation (NLT)
Even in your lonely place you are not alone. You have a comforter that holds you in the cold and guides you in the darkness.
Monday, April 13, 2015
My Father hung with criminals
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Fancy donkey carpet
The Polo Purple Label Donkey Carpet
Matthew 21:8 (NLT)
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
I walked into the children’s Sunday school classroom and sat towards the side. It was Palm Sunday and I was intrigued to see what the children were saying. The teacher asked a simple question. “Why do you think the people spread their garments on the road?” The response dropped my jaw and made me laugh a bit. A little kid raised his hand and before being called on blurted, “Because they didn’t have anywhere to hang them!”
It was the last week of Jesus’ physical life on earth. Knowing that his time to die was near, Jesus directed his disciples to enter the town of Bethphage to secure a colt for Him to ride. In the Gospel of Matthew 21:2 Jesus said, “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me…”. I find it interesting that Jesus asks for both the donkey and the colt yet only planned to ride the colt. The Gospel of Mark explains that the colt was unbroken. The mother of the colt is only mentioned in The Gospel of Matthew. Wait for it…
Could it be that the mother was brought along to keep the colt tame? Parents need to walk with their children as they carry the awesome responsibility of being a reflection of God.
The thought of Jesus on something so simple makes me even more excited about our Savior. With the ability to ride into the city of Jerusalem on any noble steed or even an army of majestic angels – He chose to ride the back of an untamed colt, a child per se - with his mother in tow. Yes, the colt was to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” But when we expect adult revelation Christ speaks as a child. Here is my first point. I believe that we need to get back to the simplicity of who Christ is to us. Instead of the theatrics that we expect from His entrance into our lives and our circumstances, look for the little things. As a matter of fact look for that thing that makes sense in a place that seems senseless. The colt carried the king and not the mother donkey yet Jesus required them both. When we apply our grown up understanding to God’s grasp on our lives we miss the miracle. However we can catch the blessing if we stay connected to the unconventional and TRUST that God always has a plan.
The story continues…
The disciples removed their garments and placed them on the animals then placed Jesus on the colt. As they made the Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem most of the people removed their garments and laid them along with palm branches for the colt that carried Jesus to walk on. The people cried hosanna because they were looking for salvation or better put, deliverance from Rome. They needed a savior for their soul but only desired a release from the circumstances.
The point…
I can imagine the regalia that the people donned to witness Jesus, the Messiah, entering their city. Then, to see them remove their fancy clothes to make a carpet for an animal to trample is awesome. The reason many people have not been able to truly welcome the savior into their lives is because they are making gestures and not giving their all. I believe they placed down their good clothes for the Triumphal Entry but was their heart in it? Even so - when we give, what is our intent. Remove what is necessary, stop hanging your identity on what you think is substantial, and lay your all at the feet of the one who can make change and provide sense.
It’s that simple.
Are you looking for Him? What will you (completely) remove to welcome Him home?