Reflection

Another year is coming to an end and I'd like to take some time to reflect on what happened. Well this year like most years anymore flew bye. This year my little girl turned into a toddler and isn't a baby anymore. My big girl turner five.... Wow! This year a was able to baptize someone, get rid of a car payment, put our house up for sale, go on vacation for the second year in a row to Myrtle Beach, my big girl had her ears pierced, I signed up for VLI which is the Vineyard Learning Institute for Ministry, I had surgery on my ear for the second time, I won a employee of the month award, and of course I couldn't leave out that after 15 long years my beloved Bengals won the AFC North Division and have qualified for the playoffs....

I'm sure I have left out some things that have happened. But as I look back I can't help but think that it was a pretty good year, but I know deep down that I could have done more. You know what I mean? I can look back at certain times of the year and think I wish I would have.... Or I could have..... Or I wonder if I'd only.... So much potential. I don't think I have ever had an MVP type year where I looked back and thought "man now that was a great year". Have you ever had a year and thought that you had done everything you could... I have had some great years but never one that I thought I did everything I could.

I'm often very hard on myself. Even in the most positive situations I can see the the negative or the areas I need to improve. I don't know why I am that way, I don't know if it something from my childhood that makes me think that way or if it something that God has given me. I mean not in a negative way. Maybe I am able to see areas of improvement, but I just haven't been able to use it in a positive way. Or maybe I'm just a negative person....

Anyway as I reflect on the past year I can't help but wonder where I missed God's gentle nudge. I wonder what would have happened if I would have followed those nudges. I wonder how my life would have changed or how someone else's life would have changed. I think that is why God nudges us.... To often I think God nudges me and I decide not to follow it because of my fear of how it might make me look. I know that HE would never put me in a situation that I couldn't handle and in those moments I would get the opportunity to glorify HIM. I wonder if in those moments I followed HIS nudges how different my life would be. I wonder how much stronger my faith would be and how much more bold my faith would be. I would say that I would be able to hear God's voice clearer and louder. I also wonder how many people I would be able to touch for God and how many of those would help them invite God into there life. I wonder how many people they would tell about whatever it is that God asked me to do. It is exciting to think about what one nudge could turn into. One touch could turn into conversations with people who most likely wouldn't have conversations about God.

That is Reflection..... To tell people about how someone they didn't even know touched there life. One nudge could turn into a life changing experience for you and the person you touch. Then you could not only Reflect on what happened to you, but they would be able to Reflect what happened to them.

God I pray that I will Reflect more on what you are doing in my life. I pray that I will be able to hear your voice and follow your gentle nudges and trust that you have your interest at heart. I pray that even when I do not see instant results that you have the bigger picture in mind. In Jesus name, Amen.

All or Nothing

All or Nothing.....

I just got off of a phone call from a friend of mine and he said that I was a "All or Nothing" kind of guy. I honestly don't know what to do with that. I know it is true in a large part of my life. I grew up with the mind set.... The only thing that meant anything to me was to win. Sports, games, anything.... You either won or you didn't. "All or Nothing".

As I think about that I am coming to the understand that it isn't a good character trait to have. I know if I look back at my life growing up with that motto I see what that does to you. I have always said that I'm not sure how I had friends growing up with some of my actions toward them. I can recall some of the things I use to say to them over a basketball game. I can remember the exact way I felt when I lost. I was the worst loser....

Looking back I am ashamed at the way I acted. I do not want to live life with the same motto.... Or do I? I wonder if that motto if used correctly could push you into unforeseen successes? I mean if everything you did in life you did with that motto what would happen. In your career. If you gave it "your all" what would happen at work? With your family. If you gave your family "your all" what would happen at home? Think about all the areas of your life and then ask the question, what if I gave it "my all".

"All or Nothing".... I think the unknown of the whole thing is the"All". I'm pretty sure I know what happens when we do "Nothing".

I think about what the Bible says about this and I can only think about Jesus. He says "Nobody comes through the Father except through me". Now to me that is about as "All or Nothing" as you can get. HE doesn't give you any other way.... Either you accept Jesus into you heart and have eternal life or you go to Hell. I know that sounds harsh. I know that it is hard to believe that only Jesus can give you eternal life, but it's true. It was only Jesus that suffered and took on "All" of our sins at the Cross. It is then that Jesus was able to clean or remove our sin, forever. All you have to do is ask. "All or Nothing".....

Jesus I pray that you help live with this "All or Nothing" idea in a healthy way. I pray that I will be able to have the wisdom to know when to do "All" and when to do "Nothing", in Jesus name Amen.

Tis the Season

It is hard to believe that in a few short days it will be Christmas. It seems like yesterday that it was 90 degrees and I didn't think summer would ever end. But we have since had our first snow storm, well below temps and of course that dreaded Holiday traffic. To be honest I can handle Winter fine it is that Holiday traffic that gets to me. Seriously why does it seem that during the shopping Season all the people that can't drive.... Do? I know that when you go out you should expect a certain amount of delays, but it is amazing to me how many people do not know how to drive.

This brings me to this blog. I often wonder as I go day in and day out if people would know if I am a Christian by the way I carry myself. I wonder this even more this time of year. I mean I find myself getting caught up in the Christmas Season and I love Christmas. On a side note we are trying to sell our house so we have nothing out for Christmas this year and it is killing me. I am going to put our tree up today with the kids and take down on Monday. Anyway don't get me started on that... As I was saying I find myself so caught up in buying for people that I do not give this Holiday Season it's due respect. I mean think about, whether you believe in Jesus or not HE was important enough to divide time. I find that hard to believe that a human was important enough to do that, HE must have been God.

I find myself as I walk through the never ending people at the mall wondering how many people are buying gifts that do not have the greatest gift of all. I wonder how many are so blind by what this Holiday has become that they do not give it the Respect it demands. I know for me I often get caught up in it and I know what this Holiday represents. As I watch everyone I do find myself at times wanting to do whatever I can to give them this gift that is offered. This gift that will change the way they see things or the way they ack. It is amazing that this gift will change your life and all you have to do is ask for it. You do not even have to go to a special store or order it on line or wait for it to ship. It is always in stock and it already knows you by name. It already knows your thoughts, your past, your junk and it is ready to wipe the slate clean. This gift is from our Creator and HE is ready to join you in your life. HE wants to love you and show you how to love, give, receive, serve, etc... All the things we want in life HE wants to give it to you. Everything! I do not mean the House or Car you want. He may bless you with that, but your taste may change. What you think you want may not be what you really want, I know this sounds weird but it's true.

Dream with me a moment... I know for me HE turned my life upside down. If I hadn't asked and received HIS gift then chances are I would be in a marriage that isn't half as good as it is now. I wouldn't be half the man I am now. I could write a book on how God has changed my attitude. But lets say I'm correct about this Free Gift, lets say that it is as good as my little commercial here says it is. What's holding you back? You will never get your life to the point of "good enough" to ask for it, so no matter where you are in life is the best place to ask.... We are never "good enough" which makes to gift even more unbelievable. So why not ask?

Ok what if I'm wrong? Really! Let's say for a moment I'm wrong.... Then my answer to that is the what do you have to lose? I mean if I'm wrong then no harm no foul. Why not give it a try? After all I'm wrong so nothings going to happen....

If you want this Free gift all you have to do is say something like this. "God I'm a sinner and I'm sorry. I want to ask you to forgive me for everything I've done and I'm asking you to come into my life and help me, in Jesus name, Amen". That's it. Nothing weird is going to happen, you may not even notice anything. But I bet over the next few hours, days or even weeks you will be thinking about that gift. I bet you will wonder why you are thinking about it, all I ask is for you to press into those thoughts or feeling. Just maybe your Creator is trying to tell you something and I bet HE will start with "Love You". It is then that this gift will keep on giving your whole life.

God help us (me) find a way to tell people about this gift that you offer. It truly is a gift that surpasses all understanding and we are not even worthy of asking for it, yet you stand at the door knocking just wanting us to open the door to our life so that you can give it. I love you, Amen.