Well it’s the longest day of the year and there’s lot of sunlight out there. So get out and enjoy it! And remember what a wonderful gift you posses as you go
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 NIV)
Keep Fighting!
Oh and Happy Birthday West Virginia!
I refreshed my knowledge of this great gem in Paul’s letter to Timothy this morning.
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 1 Timothy
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just read that, and boom, we had power, love and self-discipline? And why is it that we seem to want to favor timidity instead of boldness?
As you go about your day today, think about how different your life could be if you trusted the spirit and let go of the timid nature and grasp the power, living full of love and discipline?
Sometimes you are just led to a certain message, and today this one seemed to just jump out to me, so if seemed there is probably a good reason share this today.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11
Hope it helps keep you focused on the proper things.
Be good, and do good!
Last night I had a sobering experience. I traveled a very familiar road after work across town. Like I have any many nights, I worked my way through East Chattanooga, squeezed through the tunnel, watch for bullets as I drove past Kanku’s, and turned past the trailhead at the Levee. I pulled in to school and parked in front of the Kindergarten classes and walked into Amy’s classroom as I have done on countless evenings. What I didn’t realize was what would await me as I walked into the cafeteria, sweet tea in one hand, and a Chick-fil-a sandwich in the other.
For the next hour, I sat across the school cafeteria table from my oldest son and listened to the high school guidance counselor discuss high school class scheduling, college preparatory classes, scholarship funding and a four year plan to get your child through high school. I sat among friends, having shared experiences with many of the other parents since pre-K, and yet as I looked across the table, I could not help but to feel excitement for him and sadness for myself.
I am sitting at the end of my time of directly leading him as I shift to a different leadership position in his life, but he is on the precipice of the 8 years that will really start to shape him and
although he is reluctant to admit it, he has a lot of dreams and aspirations in his head.
When I returned home, I was checking out my task list and noticed I had a task to check out this mini-movie called Change The World.
It seemed so appropriate. As he heads off with dreams I can only imagine floating around in his distracted teenage head, I can only hope that he holds on to those dreams and remembers what he was created for. And I hope that he continues to dream and to follow those dreams despite the difficulties that will lie ahead for him.
Most of you are past that point in life, and maybe your dreams have been extinguish. I hope you can spend a little time remembering the dreams of your youth and that despite the callousness of the world, you will find the motivation to not settle and to keep pressing on.
Are you willing to dream? Are you willing to capture that energy and excitement of your youth again? Are you willing to day by day change the world? It’s what you were created for.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:6-10 (New International Version, ©2010)
Well, Its Monday, and I with the way this one started, I definitely can relate to Garfield. Last night, we came home to the realization that what was left of the homework was just a tad bit ( try 4 hours tab bit) more then what we were led to believe was left. Add on top of that a production issue at the ol’ office, the guy that might be able to fix it sleeping in bed 5 time zones ahead and a body that just wanted to go to sleep and what you have is a Monday morning that no one wanted to see arrive! So at 2am I was still awake, trying to figure out how to make a HP Laser Jet print duplex with Windows 7. (Which I did figure out – finally!)
So it was only natural that this morning I climbed back into the comfy bed 3 different times before finally deciding that that would not do, and I had to take on the day.
Actually, it was during these “snooze” periods that I pondered my options. I could use the excuse that I am tired, that I was up late, to make the day miserable on those around me. I could choose to hate the day, to be grouchy and to take my temporary discomfort out on the world. OR, I could choose to look at my blessings. I have Windows7, a Color Laser Printer, and the brain to be able to fix it. I had friends to help me with the production problem at work, and I knew that my Irish friend would tackle this issue with gusto when he arose. And I am blessed with a smart child, that, despite his procrastination (which he genetically acquired from me I think), has numerous talents and incredible creativity. So I sprang from my bed, make breakfast for the boys, and hit the road for a little 3 mile run, realizing the gift that contentment really is.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (New International Version)
So with that I say Bring It Monday.