Tag: encourage

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No Unwholesome Talk

I was preparing for some conversations with young teenagers about the power and influence of the media they consume and they people they associate with on their (our!) own behaviors and thought patterns when I stumbled over this verse quite accidentally.

29 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)

This is a thought that we always remember.  As you end your week, make sure your words are for edification, not destruction.

 

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Midnight Counting

I woke up in the middle of the night last night and thought to myself, “Wow, I just spent a whole day and only talked to 2 people (besides the three others in my family)!”  I just about sat straight up in bed.

But instead, I decided to slow down and think about how many people I did actually talk with. It wasn’t much better.  When I calculated in all the people I spoke with even briefly, I could only come up with 13 people ( and only 12 face to face.)  That’s sort of sad, is it not?

Of course, I did communicate with several others via email and text messages, but it sort of made me feel lonely there in the big house, knowing that out of 7 billion people I only interacted with 13!

However, in reality, that’s how things go most of the time.  We have interactions with small groups of people, but those interacts can have large impacts – and that’s really the key.  Is it better to interact with 100 people with a very light touch, or with a small number but to make a deep impact. ( not saying I make a deep impact with the waitress at lunch, or the coffee bar girl, but I had to count them in the number!!!)

All of this to say, make sure you are making your interactions with other count today – not to create a large tally of interactions, but to make a large impact!

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.   Hebrews 3:13 New International Version (NIV)
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Daily Post

Lifting Up Others

Old Tim Tebow and his Broncos were beat again this weekend, but there are two events from that game that I think about so much more important than the Patriots dismantling of the Broncos.

First, you may or may not have read the ESPN story last week that referenced some of Tebow’s extra curricular activities around the games.  This I think it worth considering.  It’s seems that Tim Tebow will invite one family that has had some issue in their life ( injury, disability, etc) to the Broncos game. He provides travel to and accommodations at the game.  He gets them on to the field before the game, and gives them great low-level tickets.  He also spends time with them before the game and sometimes up to an hour afterward.

And then during his post game presser Sunday he referenced how much spending time with his guest for that week meant to him.

That’s pretty sincere, and a great example.

Your gifts may not be as extravagant as his gifts, but I think you will be able to be just as impactful.  I think it would be interesting to see from the recipient’s perspective which “gift” held the most meaning.  I am going to guess that the time he spends with them, and the genuine concern he shares with them is probably the best.

So today, lets take another lesson from the young man Tim Tebow, as we watch him live his faith.  I am betting that there are people around you today that you can lift up and impact as well.

 

 9-11God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11The Message (MSG)