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Overpaid


My son, JT, and I recently attended an NBA game to celebrate his birthday. We loved the pagentry of the arena and the passion of the fans as their teams made a final push for playoff spots.

We investigated team rosters to better follow the action. Interestingly enough, the online information also included their salaries. These men were all earning between $1-15 million a year to play basketball.

Ironically, it didn’t seem that all of these players were working that hard. The offenses were incredible, but the defense was non-existent. Players weren’t getting back on defense and the lack of effort to guard the offensive players was startling.

JT remarked that his youth league coaches would demand more effort.

We agreed that the coaches weren’t getting their money’s worth out of their teams.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s a good thing that God isn’t so critical of my performance.

I’m flawed. I sin.

I struggle with a hardened heart.

I don’t deserve the rewards that God has promised me.

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

But Jesus died for me. You too. He died so we could be saved from sin. And while I can never repay this sacrifice, I owe it to Him to put away all my sinful habits and to try and be the man that God desires.

I’m overpaid, but grateful.

Please pray for me to be more loving and forgiving. And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

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Kindness

  
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

It had been a really tough week. 

I felt pressure to get a project off my desk and I only had a couple of days to make it happen. I had been in the office late for several nights in a row. Tim, our nighttime facilities worker for our floor must have noticed the stressed, hectic activity over the three-day span. Usually conversational and engaging, he simply cleaned around my office and generally left me alone. 

One evening as I was leaving, I noticed a small package sitting in my outer office. It was a plate of food- leftovers from a luncheon that had occurred earlier in the day. There was a sticky note on the top of the covered plate that said “you’ve had a lot on your plate this week…hope this plate of dinner might help you. Good luck.”

This sort of thing certainly wasn’t in Tim’s job description. But Tim noticed that I was rushed, stressed and probably not that pleasant to be around. This one simple act of kindness changed my whole outlook on the project- and especially my day.

We are often consumed with our own projects, worries and thoughts. I pray for increased awareness to look around me and see how I can help others. It’s not always in those big, courageous acts either. We can lift the spirit of another with a simple, unspoken action.

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

May we all be made aware of opportunities for kindness to others. God bless.

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Flat

I’m flat right now.

Tired.  Exhausted.

Maybe it’s work.  Perhaps its the weather.  Maybe my schedule has created conflict in my attempts to be a good family member and friend.

I’m just in a bit of a funk.

Life contains peaks and valleys.  If you are like me, you don’t tend to embrace or celebrate the good times enough…but really dwell in times when life’s circumstances are kicking us in the shins.  Or the seat of our pants.

I have much to be thankful for each day.  My family.  My health.  My job.  A great circle of friends.  But the trials of life can diminish the good and cause me to dwell on the negative.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

I sometimes forget that I have a loving God in my life.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.  This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.  Psalm 34:4-7

Pride sometimes keeps me from seeking God first.  I think that I can fix anything on my own.

Life soon reminds me that I can’t.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

My prayer is to have the humility to let go…and let God lead me when my spirit is weak.  He’s always willing.

Let me know how I may pray for you this week.  God bless.

 

 

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Not making the team

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Our (not so) little guy, Britton, tried out for a highly-competitive travel basketball team last week.  So did about 35 other kids.

Unfortunately, only 10 boys could make the team- and B was one of the 25 who were left out.

He was crushed.  He’s watched our daughter, Carson, play AAU basketball his entire life.  He knows how much fun it is to travel with team members to cities all over the South and play in fun, interesting places.  On top of it all, he just loves basketball.

The truth is- basketball probably isn’t his best sport.  He’s big, strong and smart, but his feet and coordination haven’t quite caught up to his ever-growing body yet.  Give him some time…he’ll get it all figured out.  It’ll just take some maturation.

Isn’t it wonderful that there are no tryouts (or cuts) when it comes to God’s love?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

Regardless of our flaws and imperfections, we are made perfect through the grace of Jesus Christ.  Through His blood we are all made complete…and can all serve together…on the same team.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28

Pray for me to be a good father and help my children navigate life.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

 

 

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Cracked

Hollianne and I were recently driving back from a dinner when a semi truck threw a rock into my windshield.

The impact created a crack that was less than an inch long.  It was just a little scratch.

The scratch quickly grew.  The damage now stretches across my entire windshield and has started to splinter off in a couple of new directions.  It’s now difficult to ignore the damage when driving the truck.

Isn’t that a lot like sin?

I sometimes let anger or pride overtake me in a weak moment.  It may not be expressed outwardly, but it’s there…just beneath the surface.  And while it might not dominate my day- it stays in my head and heart…and I can dwell on it.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  1 John 1:8-10

Left unchecked, this sin can spread and grow into other aspects of my life.  It can leave me bitter, unfulfilled and angry.  It’s noticeable to others.

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”  Mark 7:20-23

My prayer this week is to recognize the sin in my life- and to have the courage to confront it before it overtakes me.

Please let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

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I ain’t answering

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JT, our middle child, was surprised one day when I didn’t answer an unidentified call to my cell phone.

I explained to him that some people choose to block their phone number- and that when those “no caller ID” messages pop up- I’m not prone to answer the phone.

He didn’t understand the concept.

I explained that I get approximately 40 phone calls a day, and communication is very important for my roles as a worker, husband and father.  But if people choose to have a blocked identity assigned to their phone number, then I reserve the right to not immediately answer.  Voicemail can collect the call…and I can respond quickly.

I’m so thankful that God listens to all calls.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  Mark 11:24

Can you imagine the millions of prayers that are directed toward our heavenly Father each day?

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.  Luke 11:9

We are loved so much that He listens to each one.  God knows our hurts of the past, our concerns of the present and our hopes for the future.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  Jeremiah 33:3

If you don’t have a healthy prayer life, I hope you’ll commit to one.  It’s therapeutic, peaceful and personal…just you and God.

And he’ll always pick up the phone.

Please let me know how I may pray for you this weekend.

God bless.

 

 

 

 

 

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Convenience store billionaires

IMG_6800I witnessed false hope in a convenience store two weeks ago.

A disheveled, elderly man was patiently standing in line to purchase lottery tickets.  I knew that Powerball tickets were selling in record numbers, as everyone was consumed with the lottery excitement.  Millions of Americans- just like this gentleman- bought tickets for a chance to win $1.5 billion- the largest prize ever in the history of the lottery.

In all honesty, his chances to win were slim.  Odds were 1 in 292.1 million that someone would pull the correct combination of numbers.  He had a better chance of being struck by lightening or bitten by a shark.

But he had hope.  He pulled out a crumpled mass of dollar bills and bought $100 worth of lottery tickets.  He told me that he and his wife scraped together all they could in an effort to become instant billionaires.

I wished him luck.

My heart sank as I watched him pull away in an old car with a shattered back window.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?  Psalm 56:3-4

I prayed for the elderly couple that afternoon.  I prayed that they would find peace from their financial struggles and security for their remaining years.

And I prayed that they could be filled with the hope that can only come through a relationship with Jesus.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  John 10:11

There’s no luck or chance in our walk with Christ.  He’s here for us today and tomorrow.  We have that promise.

Please let me know how I may pray for you this weekend.  God bless.

 

 

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1.98 GPA 

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I finished my first semester of college with a 1.98 GPA.

I was notified that if I didn’t pull my grades up, I would lose my academic scholarship.  I was completely embarrassed.

My poor academic performance had created self-doubt.  Could I even finish college?  For a day or two I toyed with the idea of dropping out.

Fortunately for me, someone intervened.  A senior vice president at the university, Don Carson, rescued me.  He learned about my poor grades and reached out to me.  Dr. Carson helped me formulate a plan to improve my study habits, got me involved on campus and even gave me a job in his office.  My grades improved dramatically.  His support gave me confidence and a new sense of direction- gifts that I’ll never be able to repay.

Have you ever felt like that?  Embarrassed, scared or not sure of what to do? 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

God has promised us all the support and guidance that we’ll ever need.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Whenever the trials and pressures of this world overwhelm us, we need to remember our God- who is faithful forever.

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 33:4

My prayer this week is to be grateful for God’s promise to protect me when I’m weak.

Let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

 

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Creed

B and me Colorado 2015

I love the cinema story of boxer Rocky Balboa.  He’s the ultimate underdog who personifies hope, grit and determination.

I took the boys to see the most recent Rocky movie, Creed, earlier this week.  It’s the story of a young fighter, Adonis Johnson Creed.  Adonis is the illegitimate child of the former heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed.  Adonis never knew his father, as Apollo died in the boxing ring just before his son was born.  His birth mother also died when Adonis was very young.

Adonis is trained by Rocky Balboa, who finally gets Adonis a shot at the boxing title.  Near the end of the title fight Balboa asks Adonis what he wants to prove.  Adonis replies, “I’m going to prove that I’m not a mistake.”

What a profound statement.  Adonis had carried that burden around with him all his life.  Angry about being an illegitimate child…unwanted.  A mistake.

Have you ever felt like a mistake?  Someone unloved or unwanted?  What burden are you carrying around?

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.  Galatians 3:26

There are no mistakes in Jesus Christ.  Everything and everyone has purpose.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Take comfort that the Creator of the entire universe loves you.  You are no mistake.  You were created for a specific purpose- and you and I need to seek it.

My prayer for this week is to let go of the self-doubt that keeps me from seeking God’s plan for my life.  Please let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

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What it takes to be an All-American

It’s been an enjoyable time of year for college football fans, especially for those who are watching their teams compete for bowl wins- or better yet- a championship.

It’s a time to reflect on players who are chosen to be All-Americans. These athletes are recognized for their ability to run, throw, catch or block.  It’s the ultimate honor for players who have set themselves apart on the playing field.  It doesn’t come easy…but their skills are honed by hours and hours of practice and repetition.

This begs a question.

Am I willing to be an All-American in my walk with Christ?

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

We all have the potential to be great examples, but it takes work.  Discipline. Commitment.

I struggle with this daily.  Am I fulfilling my role as a Christian?  Am I the husband, father, son, friend and servant that Jesus calls me to be?  The answer is often “no.”  I’m not preparing myself for greatness.

I need to remember that someone is watching me at all times.  My wife.  My children.  My parents.  My co-workers.

I need to continually ask if myself if my actions are consistent with a Christ-centered life.  Most importantly,  I need to be honest with that answer and have the courage to make the changes and sacrifices that are necessary.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

My prayer this week is to have the discipline to act “as one approved.”

Let me know how I may pray for you.  God bless.

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