Worthless....

How does something priceless become worthless?

How does something worthless become priceless?

It makes way more sense to take the evening before to prepare for the next day. But who does that?! I like to wait until morning and the possibility that I will wake up late and have to do everything with limited time. It’s the thrill of the morning!

Of course this isn’t the greatest of plans but I am working on it. After dropping my son at school around 7am, I head to the gym. Inevitably, I forget stuff. I never realize I am missing some pertinent article of clothing until after I have completed my workout and taken my gym shower. Not long ago, I left my belt at home and my 36inch waist pants were guaranteed to cause problems for my 30inch waist. Not wanting to drive home, I decided I would just keep my hands in pockets and hold my pants up all day. After all, I had already purchased a few belts because of my forgetfulness and I refused to buy another one.

Imagine my chagrin when I arrived at work and my boss wanted to meet while walking around campus. I’m pretty crafty but this was gong to take effort. One of the people on our walk notices my wide stance every time we stopped and questioned me. I had to honestly admit, “My pants are too big and I’m just trying to keep them from falling down.” He laughed and said he had an idea. A few moments later he returned with a piece of discarded electrical wire. He said, “Here, tie this around your waist.” I realized then that in need – substance trumps pride. A “worthless” and refuse item became “priceless” and useful fashion.

In the right hands something seemingly worthless can become priceless

In the wrong hands priceless items are treated as a worthless

1 Samuel 17:40New Living Translation (NLT)

40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

When King David was a boy, a great giant was challenging his family and people. King Saul encouraged David to wear his armor to battle Goliath. David tried it on and quickly removed it stating that he was unfamiliar with the armor. Instead he grabbed five smooth stones from a stream. There is a colloquialism that says one man’s trash is another mans treasure. What we have to realize is that we may have treasure sitting in our own trashcans.

The very item you need to be successful could be the exact same item you set aside because you didn’t see its value. I don’t know how many people walked over the same rock that David picked up to knock down Goliath. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that David picked them up. Pick up your rocks and go to war! Maybe you are the set aside item because someone else didn’t see your value. Allow this blog post to remind you that Psalm 139:14 is confirmation that you are valuable beyond measure. Pick yourself up and go to work!

God has given you the right hands to do the job and you are in the right hands to do His work.

Get your mind right!

2 Kings 4:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Elisha Helps a Poor Widow

4 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” 2 “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house? “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

She underestimated the value of what she already had. It’s a mind game. You first have to see the value in what you have. Then, even if you are uncertain on how to appraise or utilize it, take it to someone trustworthy to assist you.

Finally, I really enjoy this television show called Storage Wars where people bid on abandoned storage units. Whoever owned the units for some undisclosed reason stops paying the storage fee and the storage company then auctions the unit to recoup whatever money they can. The catch is that those bidding on the unit cannot touch the items in the unit and they can observe its contents from a distance. It gets exciting when someone steps in at the last minute and pays top dollar for the unit. I believe that you have stored an amazing dream in a forgotten locker. Well, that locker is up for bid and I am confident that the contents are priceless.

Romans 5:6New Living Translation (NLT)

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Sinning is defined as missing the mark. The bible says that cost of sin is death or separation from what gives you life. I thank God that while we were separated from the source that defines our value – HE stepped in at JUST THE RIGHT TIME and paid the ultimate cost. His payment gave you and your dreams a priceless value. Go get your stuff and make something happen!

Walk in Love...

I was often perplexed at how celebrities allow complete strangers to evoke such emotion from them. After all it is some person in Internet world with an opinion but no relation to their day-to-day life. However, anytime something hits the Internet people are poised to post their opinion. After watching recent events in Internet world transpire, I am convinced that public opinion is powerfully scary. Yet, how people react to the opinions is even more significant.

The Rap artist Jay-Z penned in his song Heart of The City  (Ain’t No Love):

“respect the game, that should be it

 What you eat don't make me s*** - where's the love?

It’s strange to quote Jay-z but his words in this moment are profound. What you consume or do is your opinion and does absolute nothing for who I am as an individual. So, drop the hate and start helping. That’s love.

Because we are in such an over-opinionated society – every one has something to say and someone has to hear it.

2 John 1:6New King James Version (NKJV)

6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Walk IN LOVE.

Have you ever watched how people physically walked? You can tell a lot about person by their walk. Late people run. Confident people walk pronounced. Ashamed people walk hunched over. Nervous people barely walk at all.  But everyone has a destination and each needs the proper transportation to get there. If the shoe or transportation is inadequate the journey is terrible.

Walk IN LOVE.

The love that 2 John speaks of is a commandment and not a suggestion. This same love is everyday and is not limited to certain days.

When I was first learned to walk, my back was misaligned and subsequently my walk was awkward. I knew how to walk but I could not walk well on my own. My parents were encouraged to attach braces to my legs. The braces worked to train my legs and body to walk more adequately.

I believe that everyone has the ability to love but circumstances have affected our ability to do it well. That is why God sent the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8) We have power when receive the Holy Spirit.  Yet, although we have him, we tend to ignore Him when we want to walk our own way. And, like me without my braces – right walking is affected and a fall is coming soon.

As you spend more time with God, your Holy Spirit braces don’t leave you – you just become a stronger walker.

How do you walk in love?

·      Practice Patience

·      Pursue Peace

·      Push for Progress

WHY should you walk in love?

·      It is your assignment

·      Is WINNING the argument worth LOSING your testimony

WHEN should you walk in love?

·      Everyday

·      Sometimes SILENCE is the LOUDEST response

We do not serve a somewhat good God and we cannot be somewhat good in the way we love. This isn’t ooey gooey love - this is respect, attitude, and actions. God’s grace is sufficient for you. He can help you recover from your errors but practice Love daily. It isn’t easy and it will require effort…

Love Period.

When people work to push you from position, don’t forget who you are and where you are going. Instead of running to react, walk in Love and watch God work it out.

Walk in LOVE.

Pressure Points! But where?????

Deep Sea Survivor

How many professional games have you been to and witnessed the exorbitantly long concession stand lines? Have you ever stood in that line? At any point, did you feel sympathy for the individual behind the counter?

I never considered them either until the Thursday I agreed to volunteer at a NFL concession stand. With over 50 thousand guests, free hot dog coupons, understaffed concession stands, disgruntled workers, and new people on the registers - it was a Molotov cocktail anticipating ignition.

Philippians 4:12-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.

The Apostle Paul writes these motivational verses in prison, a place of great physical distress. I can imagine him sitting on a few strands of coarse hay that have flattened from body weight. The air is uncomfortably cold and rank with a stench of death. Three dark stonewalls stand menacingly from floor to ceiling and a solid gate completes the room. Chains constrict him but there is enough slack for Paul to write. He could complain about the walls or consider that the room has an exit.

The pressure of this intense circumstance and the possibility of death are daunting. With just enough light and strength, Paul writes how to live with joy.

His mind is strong and his body has endured a lot, but neither of these things can take total credit for Paul’s survival. Paul eloquently says that his survival is solely based on his internal strength provided by God. It is in his blood. Let me explain…

There are few guarantees in life, however I can confidently promise good days and bad days. Your ability to look back at your bad days is proof you have - you can - and you will survive again.

The bad days contain Pressure Points. In moments of intense pressure – your body/mind will point out a few things. You will either sustain or suffer. Positioning yourself in prayer and pointing to God will help you endure.

Take a moment and consider the massive sea creatures that launch themselves high above the water’s surface and then dive thousands of feet deep. There is something unique that allows them to withstand the bone crushing pressure of those extreme depths.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-deep-diving-sea-cr/

1. Whales come to the waters surface to take in air and expend air through their blowholes. As you experience your up days – that is the time to take in as much of God’s presence, guidance, and peace. Just because you are in a good place does not negate the fact that you need to stay in contact with the God that got you there. Pray, worship, praise, and purpose time for God regularly.

2. As whales dive deep, their bones should break from the pressure. Instead, they bend. When you are in pressure places learn to be flexible. Staying rigid will only lengthen the moment and cause unnecessary strain.

3. At the lowest points of a whale’s deep dive, their lungs collapse. The whales rely on enhanced oxygen stores in their blood and muscle. It is at your lowest, darkest, and intense moment that you must release control and rely on what’s in you. Paul, describing how he survives his weak moments quotes God, “My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).Your strength to survive is already in you!

The same blood that fell from Jesus as He was painfully whipped, nailed to the cross, and stabbed in the side is the same blood that provides healing for you today. That same blood is coursing through your veins right now. They expected Jesus to die and stay in the grave – but the blood wouldn’t let Him do it. You have what you need. Generations have shed blood for you to be where you are today. You will survive because you come from a line of survivors, overcomers, and achievers.

Lastly, when the whale darts back up after being at great depths, it occasionally breaches the water’s surface. There are several explanations as to why it breaches the surface. My favorite is that after breaking the surface the immense animal crashes back abruptly. Some marine biologists suggest that this giant gesture is to remove the dead stuff that was attached to the whale. When you emerge from your depths and explode from your past let that dead stuff fall off when you land on top.

Be encouraged! Your down days aren’t forever and what you need to survive is already in you! (2 Corinthians 4:9)

By the way, I survived the concession stand and will be back. The reward is worth the effort!

Keep Climbing!

A Better Perspective

We were given the bright idea to visit a particular church on the island of San Andres. After a while of traveling, our team reached the location and looked up. Firmly planted on a hill with a prominent steeple perched on its roof stood an aged building bathed in white paint.  When our host told us that we could climb into the steeple I felt a rush of fear and excitement. But, my expectations were soon to be overawed by my reality.

The steps from the ground to the front door were easy. The walk through the church and up to the balcony was just as simple.  Through a generous sized door and up a mildly daunting staircase we ascended to the top. Halfway there, an open window shocked us. The view was enough to evoke enough of a pause that we questioned continuing.

John 1:3 (NLT)

3 God created everything through him,

    and nothing was created except through him.

Commonly we look at life without questioning its origin. What if we increased the frequency at which we stepped back and allowed ourselves to be amazed at all that God has created. Recognizing the creator helps you appreciate the creation.

If the view at this point was great – how much greater could the view be from the top? Some people are satisfied with their current view without realizing that they have only halfway arrived. If this is good – what would happen if you went higher? If God is good right now – imagine the future possibilities.

We kept climbing, the staircase got steeper, and the passageway more constricted.

Then, we arrived.

Standing in the steeple of First Baptist Church in San Andres, Colombia, the expanse of the island was clearly visible. The lush green trees, the aqua blue waters, and the even smaller islands in the distance painted a breath-taking picture. Having never been to the top of the empire state building or the crown in Lady Liberty, I was amazed at how far I could see.

If you are unimpressed with your view – Go HIGHER!

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Luke 19:3-4(NLT)

3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

Change your perspective! The view is so much better from the top. Jesus is in your area. Get above the crowd, above the gossip, above your feelings, and above any distraction.

I read a story about a man who attached multiple weather balloons to a chair and then had to be brought down from several thousand feet in the air. When he was asked about the experience, he said, “You can’t just sit there.”

Strive for greater heights in your worship, your marriage, your career, and your personal goals.

When God gives you great dreams, he is telling you that He trusts you to get GREAT results.  

Whatever the great dream, vision, plan, or opportunity God gave you is – don’t bury it! Evict fear and mediocrity then Employ faith and motion.

When you look back you will know that it was GOD that brought you this far!

How long will you watch others live your dreams?

KEEP CLIMBING!

What did you say?!?!

Say What?!?!?!?!?

In the 1980’s there was a popular toy collection called Micro Machines. The selling point was their tiny size and their commercial’s rapid talking announcer. The gentleman’s name was John Moschitta, Jr. and at one time he held a record in the Guiness Book Of World Records for speaking at 586 words per minute. But, the attraction to the toy seemingly faded just as fast as Mr. Moschitta could speak. Recently I traveled to San Andres, Colombia for a mission trip.   

Sitting on the front row I watched in amazement as my pastor addressed the congregation. It was a foreign church and we were on foreign soil. Yet, he spoke with power and clarity - it was as if the platform were as comfortable as a pair of familiar shoes contoured to every curve of his feet. He held the audience in the palm of his hand and he was only doing introductions. Before I knew it, my pastor was introducing me with his hand pointed in my direction. Wait - what?! Me?! I'm here to support and not speak. He beckoned me to take the stage and make a short address to the congregation. Hold on! I'm not prepared - this isn't my moment - I'm wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and toms. I stood and approached the stage. Not wanting to disappoint I grabbed the mic and went in! I was talking fast and trying to give everything I had. 

Then....

A voice whispered in my ear - "slow down"

It was a comforting admonishment from my pastor. He trusted me to speak but I needed to reduce my pace. It wasn't a sprint, and a microwave message was not needed. Short does not mean swift…

I settled in like a racecar in top gear.  The advice helped me recognize that power is not in speed but in confidence. 

Zechariah 4:6N (NLT)

6 Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Teaching in San Andres to the youth

Although I wanted to make a lasting impression, a quick delivery would have only left temporal results. We must realize as parents, spouses, friends, siblings, leaders, and even employers that our words carry weight and everyone cannot digest your statements at the same pace. If you want what you have to say to last, take your time.

Genesis 1:3-5 (NLT)

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, spoke it all into existence. Yet, even He took his time speaking…

I challenge you to seek God first when you speak. Then, throttle your words. Lasting impressions take time to set.

Super Dad has a Day Job and Works Nights!

I would like to believe that I am an averagely responsible person. I don’t lose my keys often and I do a decent job of remembering to wear clean underwear. However, there is one responsibility that I do not mind sharing. Whenever I have the opportunity to be with my son mano y mano for more than 24 hours I get nervous. There is so much to consider – did he eat, what time did he take his medicine, is chicken fried rice considered a balanced meal, and do we have to take a bath if we don’t smell? Thank God for loving Grandparents! Usually I call in for back up or beg grandma to just to keep him at night.

Determined to conquer my fears and take a giant step towards being Super Dad, I committed to just the two of us for a week. (Don’t judge me! I already know it’s too late you are already shaking your head)

It wasn’t that I wasn’t willing to keep him, I wasn’t sure if I was able - alone. Of course I turned to my Super Dad training manual and God gave me the best instructions.

Jude 1:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

Check this out! The first part is standard. God deserves all glory always! The second part caught me. It says, “who is able to KEEP you”. As Children of God we make mistakes, we fall down, and mess up. But we have a Super dad who not only is able to keep us but also is willing to do it – ALWAYS! The translation of “keep” in this context means to “guard”. God guards you from your foolishness by consistently providing a way of escape (1Corinthians 10:13). He doesn’t say that temptation and sin will not occur but that God willingly keeps us. And not only keep you but guard you from allowing whatever that is to forever remove you from His presence. I can present all types of protective measures for my son but He has to adhere to my instructions.

Then, as any proud dad who has to prove to mom, after intense scrutiny, that her child is the same way she left him, He makes sure that any mistakes you created are COVERED! His love is a charge and commitment to you until you are presented in Heaven or upon His return. He glories in improving and maintaining His Children. God guards us and helps us to guard our children.

What will be the outcome of my week with mini me? I’m not certain. But I am confident and I am willing to guard Him like my Heavenly Father guards me and present Him with exceeding joy!

I challenge you to remain in the protective custody of your Father day and night. Allow Him to keep you. In His presence there is peace, protection, provision and power.