As Monday morning came with a brighter sky and tired eyes, my legs struggled to maneuver out of bed. I was recovering from an active weekend. By 7:00 AM I was in the weight room, preparing to torture my back muscles and try to get my mind and body to wake up! Forty five minutes later, I was in my house, wishing it was nap time already. Then I remembered that students were going to be showing up for Monday morning prayer very soon. I quickly showered and readied my self and the youth room. By 8:20 we said "Amen" and the students were heading out the door, and into their school. As they left, I sat down and thought, "How did I go from exhausted and tired, to absolutely charged and ready for the week in just minutes?" I started praying once more, praying for the students, praying for our town, praying for life in general, and in a single moment, I knew that God was the one enabling me to feel so full of life. It was one of those moments where vision came so clearly, compassion entered my heart and compelled me to love more. I was flooded with the thoughts and plans God had for me. I was almost distracted from praying by all the things I felt like God was leading me to do. "Call this guy, tell him you're worried about him and praying for him." "Let the high school office staff know you have their back and you want to spoil them today." Call the mom of the student who was taken by ambulance to the ER last night after youth group, make sure everything is alright with them." The thoughts kept coming.
Not only was I ready to tackle the plans God had for me, I could hardly contain the excitement I had to be part of them! In one simple sentence, I was rich. Rich with joy to love God's people. Rich with peace, knowing God was at work today, helping me change my self and others. Rich with compassion, seeing people as God saw them, full of potential and not cast out. Rich with an energy that felt as though I could run a marathon. Yes, after a morning where sleep sounded better than office work, my God poured His riches upon me and encouraged me to be the vessel He needed me to be.
I was taken to Psalm 1:1-3 "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." (NLT)
I felt like that strong tree, planted by the river, my roots were firm, my branches were receiving life, and my actions were the fruit, coming forth in all seasons. I had been focused on our God, drawing near to Him. His response to me was exactly what this scripture said it would be. Life, joy, richness, prosperity.
Unlike what the world chases, my riches are not found in money. In fact, take all my money away and I still have everything I mentioned above.
I challenge you to go back and reread that scripture. Then spend time meditating on the ways of our God. He will do just as the verses say, plant you by the river and bring you life and prosperity in every thing you do.
Be blessed today.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Peyton Manning, best QB ever?
Seeing as my blog is based on this "Honest Thoughts" series, I'll be sharing random thoughts that land themselves within my mind throughout the week!
This last Monday night, I had an open schedule, which doesn't happen often. My wife was hosting a Miche party over at the church leaving me home alone, and it was Monday night, leaving only one thing left for me to do. Watch Monday Night Football! The Denver Broncos were hosting the Oakland Raiders. The entire pre game show was focused on beating Peyton Manning and his seemingly infinite knowledge of defenses. For those of you unfamiliar with the NFL and its future hall of fame quarterback, Peyton Manning, he is, to say the least, one of the greatest who has ever played. He is most known for his ability to "audible" and change the play at the line of scrimmage. He looks over the defense, sees what they are lined up to dish out, and he will decide what play is best for countering their attack. It goes without saying that his athletic talent and ability to sling the pigskin is at a level most quarterbacks will never achieve. With that being said, here are some of my thoughts on this quarterback who has set new records during each of his first three games this season.
1. I admire Peyton Manning for his knowledge of defenses. He spends hours upon hours studying his next opponent. He has an answer for just about every play the opposition brings. Although he may not succeed on every snap of the ball, he has the upper hand before the game even starts.
2. He won't settle for just playing the game. He has admitted that when his passion for the game and desire to really compete leaves, he will leave the NFL. ("As soon as I'm just hanging on or just playing to fill a certain amount of years, that's when I'll be out." Peyton Manning Still Going Strong, espn.go.com)
3. He won't settle for anything but giving his best. He is one of the greatest to play the game because of the work he puts into his job.
(Switch gears...)
How many people in this world are genuinely interested in being the best they can be in their current position?
As a youth pastor, my job includes visiting the schools and connecting with students. During the week, I may be asked to be a substitute teacher, I may be planning an event for our youth ministry, preparing for one of two weekly services for our junior and senior high students, or studying and praying for spiritual growth and seeking vision for our ministry and church.
I can't help but think- what if I strived to be the best I could possibly be by putting in the hours of preparation and study to counter my opposition. What if I knew what is going to happen before the devil sends it my way? Peyton Manning isn't just an example of how to be an all time great in the NFL, he is an example of how to be the best in any area of our lives.
Where is your passion? Are you striving to be the best or to just fill a gap? Are you putting in the hours to counter the oppositions attacks? Do you have the faith to say, "God can use me to break the mold, to set records, to be an ignition source for a wildfire of salvation"?
My thought: Be the best at what you do, not for recognition, not for having your name on a record plaque, but because God needs us to be at our best. His kingdom will grow when we give our best. His glory will be revealed in our lives with hours of prayer and study. Strive to be the best so others may see God.
Matthew 5:16- In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Go! Strive to be your best! Give God the glory!
This last Monday night, I had an open schedule, which doesn't happen often. My wife was hosting a Miche party over at the church leaving me home alone, and it was Monday night, leaving only one thing left for me to do. Watch Monday Night Football! The Denver Broncos were hosting the Oakland Raiders. The entire pre game show was focused on beating Peyton Manning and his seemingly infinite knowledge of defenses. For those of you unfamiliar with the NFL and its future hall of fame quarterback, Peyton Manning, he is, to say the least, one of the greatest who has ever played. He is most known for his ability to "audible" and change the play at the line of scrimmage. He looks over the defense, sees what they are lined up to dish out, and he will decide what play is best for countering their attack. It goes without saying that his athletic talent and ability to sling the pigskin is at a level most quarterbacks will never achieve. With that being said, here are some of my thoughts on this quarterback who has set new records during each of his first three games this season.
1. I admire Peyton Manning for his knowledge of defenses. He spends hours upon hours studying his next opponent. He has an answer for just about every play the opposition brings. Although he may not succeed on every snap of the ball, he has the upper hand before the game even starts.
2. He won't settle for just playing the game. He has admitted that when his passion for the game and desire to really compete leaves, he will leave the NFL. ("As soon as I'm just hanging on or just playing to fill a certain amount of years, that's when I'll be out." Peyton Manning Still Going Strong, espn.go.com)
3. He won't settle for anything but giving his best. He is one of the greatest to play the game because of the work he puts into his job.
(Switch gears...)
How many people in this world are genuinely interested in being the best they can be in their current position?
As a youth pastor, my job includes visiting the schools and connecting with students. During the week, I may be asked to be a substitute teacher, I may be planning an event for our youth ministry, preparing for one of two weekly services for our junior and senior high students, or studying and praying for spiritual growth and seeking vision for our ministry and church.
I can't help but think- what if I strived to be the best I could possibly be by putting in the hours of preparation and study to counter my opposition. What if I knew what is going to happen before the devil sends it my way? Peyton Manning isn't just an example of how to be an all time great in the NFL, he is an example of how to be the best in any area of our lives.
Where is your passion? Are you striving to be the best or to just fill a gap? Are you putting in the hours to counter the oppositions attacks? Do you have the faith to say, "God can use me to break the mold, to set records, to be an ignition source for a wildfire of salvation"?
My thought: Be the best at what you do, not for recognition, not for having your name on a record plaque, but because God needs us to be at our best. His kingdom will grow when we give our best. His glory will be revealed in our lives with hours of prayer and study. Strive to be the best so others may see God.
Matthew 5:16- In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Go! Strive to be your best! Give God the glory!
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