Rewards and Eternity

Have you ever been notified that you were nominated to receive an award? What was your response? "Me?" "What did I do?" "I didn't deserve it." Today I was present at an award ceremony and I noticed that all of the recipients of the awards accepted the honors with humility and thanks. Most times when we work or do things that receive the attention of others it was not the reason that we were doing those things. If you are like me you probably do your work without much fanfare. You aren't looking for full media coverage on what you are doing, you are satisfied with knowing that what you are doing is making a difference in the lives of others. Now think about this.

As believers we are doing our best to be an example of Christ in a world that has gone mad. At times we wonder if what we are doing is making any difference in this world because we have not received any recognition for what we are doing. May I encourage you today that God is keeping track of all of the things that you are doing for others, and one of these days you will receive the reward for your labors.

Can I encourage not to give up? If you are a mother of small children and you fill your days with diapers and runny noses, know that God is pleased when you raise your children to love Him. If you are facing some other challenge or difficulty, may I remind you that God will see you through this tough time. You need to know that there is coming a day that our trials will not compare to the glory that is in the presence of God.

So don't give up, your labor in the Lord is not in vain!

Who Am I?

Today my thoughts were turned to the Casting Crowns song "Who Am I?" I was thinking about how God has been so good to me and I don't even deserve it! Click on the play button and listen to the words of the song, and see if you don't have a fresh appreciation for the goodness of the Lord.


I was reminded of the goodness of the Lord as I spoke with some dear friends in Louisiana. They were like parents to me and I was like their son. We are still very close, even though we live in different states. Memories flooded in on me of the times with their kids (they are grown now) and times at their house. Here was a college student who had been adopted and loved by people that had such big hearts. There was a time that I eventually spent every weekend with them at their house. I left my toothbrush there and had a spare change of clothes. What would possess a 20 something college student to drive 120 miles round trip every weekend? Relationship. I meant something to them and their family. I was not just the Youth Pastor, I was a part of their family. It was in those moments that I realized that God's goodness is expressed through other people. I remember many a times receiving a "Pentecostal handshake" (this is when money is given to another person by shaking their hand) just when I needed it. God was meeting my needs and He was using my friends. There was another time that my refrigerator was empty (good time to fast, right?) and my friends found out. They called me up and said that they wanted to fill up my freezer. I had been praying to the Lord that morning that He would provide, and then my friends call! So we went to one of those warehouses, and they bought me chicken, meat, etc. I was so blessed. One more instance. I remember moving from Baton Rouge to Amite to be the Youth Pastor, and live next to the church. I was working at a grocery store, and I didn't have any dishes, utensils, or cookware. Well when I came home from work there was dishes, utensils, and cookware sitting in my parking spot. I could go on for hours, but suffice it to say I didn't deserve any of these blessings. But my God is a good God, and that's what He does; He takes care of His children.

How about you? Are you facing a tough time right now? Turn to the Lord and He will meet your need. There's an old song, I believe it is called "Only Trust Him". The song says "Come every soul by sin oppressed there is mercy in the Lord, and He will surely give you rest by trusting in His Word." Trust Him today because He loves you!

Now What?

As most of you know I have just been accepted into the Doctoral Program at Gonzaga University. This is a dream come true that I can pursue my Doctorate. The program at Gonzaga is estimated to take about 6 0r 7 years, and hopefully my Daughter and I will graduate the same year. My desire has always been to teach in Higher Education, and the only way to do it would be to pursue my Doctorate.

I love the environment that is found in most classrooms. The best time in my life was when I was in College and Seminary. I used to imagine the day when I would conduct my own classroom. What a thrill to have students who are like sponges, and long to discuss the lesson at hand. Life change has always been a big deal to me, and I long to be used by the Lord in the lives of others. So what's next?

I await a meeting with my advisor to set up my schedule for the Fall. Then I get ready to embrace this next challenge before me.

How about you, what is the next big challenge before you?

Redeeming the Time

Have you ever noticed that the older you get the more rapidly time passes. When I was a kid summers were forever, but now they seem like a four day weekend. It is almost June and we are already talking about what we will do this summer. But, the weather has been not cooperating. One day this week it was warm and very pleasant. Yesterday and today it was windy and very cold in the morning. It finally warmed up later, but how many more days of this? The Bible tells that we should redeem the time for the days are evil. What does this mean?

• We should make our days count instead of counting days

• We should not fritter away our days with useless activities

• We should take the opportunity to be a good neighbor and a friend to those who live near us. I am convinced that a plate of cookies to a neighbor in a time of need will open the door for our light to shine.

• We should remember that Jesus is coming soon.
  

The days that we live in are truly evil, but we must remember that the devil has a short time. He knows that his days are numbered, and he is wreaking as much havoc as he is allowed to before his judgment. Listen to the words of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;	20
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,—
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,	25
For lo! his doom is sure,—
One little word shall fell him.

Look up your redemption is drawing near!

Three Words That I Want to Define Me

This weekend at Men's Conference Monty Hipp challenged us to let the right words shape who we are as men. Words can damage us, can discourage us and even keep us back from our God given destiny. I remember the story about the two men who were sitting at dinner, and the one guy began to push all of his beans to the opposite side of the plate. His friend asked him why he did that. At first he just gave no explanation. His friend asked him again and finally the other man said that his Father always told him that he would never amount to a hill of beans! What you need to know about this man is that he is a professional in his field and has many credits to his name. Yet the words that his father spoke over him when he was a young man were still shaping his destiny. Let me ask you a question, what words do you want to shape your destiny?

Here are the three words that I want to shape my God given destiny.

• Faithful: I want to be faithful to God who has called me, and my family who loves me.

• Honest: I want to be a man that does the right thing, even when the wrong thing would be more advantageous.

• Relational: I want people to know that they are more important than programs or positions. I want to ask the question, "how will this affect the people around me?"

These are the words that I want to define me, how about you. Let me challenge you to think about three words that you want to be true of you.

What Youth Ministry Taught Me About Life

From 1991 to 2004 I was a Youth Pastor or worked with Youth in some way in the churches we served. This was most rewarding to serve the Body of Christ this way. Here are some things I learned about life along the way.

• Don't take yourself too seriously (There was a time that I told one young man "Bubba" if he didn't sit down I would grab him by the ankles and shake him until the change fell out of his pocket. I did, but he still didn't listen to me!)

• Don't embarrass young people in front of their friends (I remember when I was not going to let this young person back talk me, and I proceeded to say some very hurtful things about him. That day I not only lost the argument I lost his respect.)

• Don't try and be a hero ( In one of the churches we served in the Pastor resigned under questionable circumstances. We had planned on taking the young people to a Youth Conference in Tennessee, we should have canceled the trip and left the church after the Pastor's resignation. We tried to be the hero when we should have left the church sooner.)

• Don't offer your opinion unless it is asked for ( In one church we served at there was a young girl, she was 15 and she was "dating" a 19 year old. I told her Mother that was ridiculous, and she didn't appreciate that. The truth was the parents had encouraged this relationship. Since then I keep my mouth shut.)

If you ask my wife about when we first started in Youth Ministry she will tell you that I have learned a lot. I wish I could tell you that I learned this from someone else's mistakes, but they were my mistakes.

Here is my thought for today, learn from your mistakes and share your wisdom with others.

I Believe in You

"There are people that don't think you are doing a good job, and they don't think you will make it here; but I believe in you." These words were spoken by Mark a man in the church where I was first a Youth Pastor. These words would encourage me to the point that I would end up being at that church for 5 years! This is the power of encouragement in action. Maybe, I have gotten ahead of myself. Let me give you some background.

The time was Summer of 1992 in Southeast Louisiana, and I had just concluded a less than stellar Youth service. I did not know what it took to relate to youth, I had graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministry. How could I reach these youth? I was discouraged after this Youth service, and I felt all alone. I had moved to this town and lived in the apartment next to the church for a starting salary of $2,400 a year. It was obvious I would have to find another part time job. But how could I concentrate and live up to the demands of the people who had brought me on as their Youth Pastor? This would be a balancing act. How did I do it? I realized that people only have one real need, and that need is to be loved.

I still didn't know what I was doing, and I was still pretty stiff and formal around the young people. One young man asked me if I owed any jeans? I didn't let this stop me, as a matter of fact I began to pray for these young people, and you know what God gave me a love for these young men and young women. I remember when our Youth Ministry started that we had 6 young people in attendance. I was praying for them one day, and all of a sudden I felt inspired to write them letters (remember this was circa 1990) to encourage them. I began to tell them what I appreciated about them, and what I saw in their character. There were some young people that told me that this meant a lot to them. One Mom even told me that her son would get the letter out and read it often. What is my point?

This is it. When I heard someone say "I believe in you." I was now responsible to encourage greatness in others along the way.

I am now almost 41 years old, and today I am the man I am because someone believed in me. How about you, who is it who encouraged greatness in you? It's your turn now, go and find someone and encourage them to do great things for God today.