Inspiration

Love Blessed Me Today

It is not often that I am speechless, but today was one of those days.

My family has been through a very difficult death in the family. Those who know my family understand the situation, for others just know it has been a very difficult death that we have been dealing with.

I teach the young adult Sunday School class at my church. I love investing into these young adults who have energy but have not experienced enough life yet to be full of wisdom. I thrive off their energy and enthusiasm – they put up with my corny jokes.

Our lesson this past week came from 1 Peter 4:8-10 where Peter is telling Christians to love each other deeply. I said for us we can take that in one of two ways – love the same people more deeply, or love more people deeply. We agreed that Peter meant that to be an AND statement – love more deeply the people you are to love and love more people deeply.

I likened this to our favorite dessert. My favorite dessert is blackberry cobbler. I asked would you like more helpings of your favorite dessert, or have more access to your favorite dessert. Of course the answer was YES! We want more and more often! The same way it is with love – we need to love more and more often.

So today I get a call from one of the group members and he asks if I am going to be home. I say sure and he says he is stopping by with a little something for me. I don’t think much of it because I was busy at work and other things I had going on.

Then around 4:30 this guy calls and says he is in my driveway, so I come downstairs to meet him. We exchange a quick hug and he gives me a silver container and says here – my family made this for you.

I was almost driven to tears when I opened it and saw it was a blackberry cobbler – MY FAVORITE!

I was just blown away that this guy remembered what I said (I really didn’t mean for anyone to bring me a cobbler), and actually followed through with it!

The action of showing me love just overwhelmed me to be honest. I was blown away by the generosity to love on me when those who know me know our family has been hurting. This just brought such a joy to my heart because I know it was an action of Godly love being displayed to me! AND it was blackberry which wins every time!!!

blackberry cobbler

I write today to say thank you to that young man and his family for loving on me and my family in such a unique way that really brough joy to my heart. This was such a great demonstration of loving others more deeply that has challenged me to do the same, and now I challenge you.

Love others more deeply as Peter told us “Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others”.

Blackberry Wisdom on Friends

I started a Live Series sharing content from my book Blackberry Wisdom. Each series will include 3 sessions. The first was on friends.

I wanted to share a few thoughts on friends. One aspect I always find interesting and a good conversation starter is on the five types of friends I believe we need in our life.

Adventurer

Artist

Encourager

Fun

Honest

I believe we become the sum of our 5 closest friends, so having a well rounded group of friends makes your life more robust.

Watch each of the sessions here:

Session 1 – Friends: 5 types of friends

Session 2 – Being the friend you want to have

Session 3 – choosing and becoming the best spouse

Paths

While looking at Proverbs 3:5-6 I was struck by one word – Paths.

Different translations will describe v6 as make paths straight / guide you on the right paths / make straight your paths / direct your paths.  But they all use a plural form of path – paths.  Meaning we take many paths in our lives, and we should think about and listen to God – and he will provide correct paths for us to take.

Christmas – the Shepherds

Did you ever stop to think why shepherds were the people God picked to announce the birth of Jesus?  The humble shepherds were the very ones God used to confirm the Deity of Jesus to Joseph and Mary.

That fact, among others, made the birth of Jesus:

Awesome

Designed

Humble

Special thanks to Bill Benziger for letting me get around his sheep.  I certainly did not get approval from the sheep as you will see.

Digging Disciples – Mary, the virgin mother

This week our focus in preparing for Christmas is Mary.  Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus!

Luke 1:26-38 gives us a glimpse into the announcement and proclamation of what was about to happen to Mary.

We find a few glimpses into the simple person of Mary:

  • Angel’s announcement takes place six months after Elizabeth becomes pregnant with John the Baptist.
  • Mary lived in the village of Nazareth
  • a virgin (mentioned twice)
  • Betrothed (engaged) but not yet married

Gabriel announced specifics about the baby to be born:

  1. Mary will become pregnant.
  2. Mary will give birth to a son.
  3. The child must be given the name “Jesus,”
  4. The child will become a great person
  5. His title will be “Son of the Most High”
  6. He will inherit the “throne of His father David”
  7. His kingdom will never end

Just like Mary did not know what would happen in the next 34 years, neither do you or I.

But like her – we should be watching for what Jesus will do in our lives over the next 34 years (and 3 or 4 days)!

Jesus – the hope we have – the hope of Christmas!

Digging Disciples – Defilement of the Heart

This week at Digging Disciples we talk about what defiles a heart, and how to keep yours pure.

Watch this episode of Digging Disciples here

 

Podcast Guest

I had the awesome opportunity to be a guest of Stephen Shaner on his podcast – Are You Awesome Today?

Stephen is a friend and fellow Toastmaster who lives in middle Tennessee.  He has written a book call The Art of Being Awesome!  His book was one of the inspirations I had to complete my book!  You can find his book on Amazon, and it is a motivational short read.

He is also known as the Attitude “Chiropractor”.  I have found that he just has a way of navigating folks to a more positive attitude just by talking to him!

In episode 1 we spoke about the seasons of life.  Seasons is the last chapter of my book Blackberry Wisdom, and a great topic to discuss with friends.

Listen to his podcast here – Are You Awesome Today?

Current Situation Advice

I wanted to share a few thoughts on how to prepare for what I believe are some very uncertain times we are about to have in the USA.

The video is not designed to detail the troubles that are coming, but rather to calmly prepare for those who agree on the current situation.

In short, these details are:

Don’t worry over situations in which you have no control.

Understand the difference between comfort and NEED

Network with like-minded individuals in your community

Have enough food and water on hand that would last 30 days

Have extra fuel and heat sources

Do your best

God is in control.  Through these trials we should allow them to bring us closer to Him!