Archive for the ‘General Stuff’ Category

What a tragedy!  The National Championship – the entire reason Colt McCoy opted out of the NFL draft and came back to play for Texas this year, and what happens?  Out…  unable to play due to an injury sustained in the first quarter.  No chance of return to lead his team in the most important game of his career.

That is not all – when interviewed at the end of the game, after choking down the tears and regaining the ability to speak, here are excerpts taken from what he said:  “I would have given everything I had to be out there with my team.”  “I always give God the glory, I never question why things happen the way they do.  God is in control of my life and I know that if nothing else, I am standing on the Rock.”  I must say that I was impressed with his comments at the end of the game and the sportsmanship he demonstrated in congratulating Alabama’s football team twice; especially after the heart-break of being sidelined.

There is just something wrong with a team losing its most valuable player.  McCoy said that he would have given “everything I had to be out there with my team”.  Is this our attitude?  It amazes me at how people can be content merely standing on the sidelines while their team, in need of help, is desperately trying to make a fourth quarter come back.  I am baffled by the number of people who can rationalize their need to be on the sideline, always finding a reason for their actions.

It is time to get in the game!  The time is short and the clock is ticking!  To take a page out of Paul’s playbook:  “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:13-14)  Praise God, His mercies are new every morning – we can forget our failures and defeats last season.  Today is a new day – another fresh opportunity to follow our Coach (the Lord Jesus Christ) and, in His strength, bring home a win!

I have never been a huge fan of new year’s resolutions.  To quote a Michael W. Smith song (I know I am dating myself with this one) often “the road of good intentions doesn’t lead to anywhere”.  I am convinced that most “re-solutions” are not solutions at all.  Because of this, they tend to be short-lived and ineffective.  I know, it seems that I am beginning the new year on such a positive note; a week late for “Bah-Humbug”!

Though I am not a fan of new year’s resolutions, I am a huge advocate of establishing annual goals.  Ever since my two boys were 5 and 3 we have taken time out on January 1st to talk about the previous year.   We discuss what we liked and what we disliked.  We review the previous years goals (we always write them down at this “meeting” and then check them off throughout the year as we accomplish them); and we set goals for the new year.  My boys love this time with their Dad, but most of all enjoy the pancakes and hot chocolate.

How about you?  Did you have goals for 2009?  Did you accomplish them?  What about 2010?  Life goes by so quickly; it is so easy to get caught up in just existing rather than purposefully accomplishing the things that matter most.  I would like to encourage you today – set some realistic, yet significant goals for this year.  Write them down, review them throughout the year, and then go out to breakfast with someone to talk about it January 1, 2011.  You may be surprised by how much God can do through you when you live a life of purpose!

I have to be honest, I completely blew it this morning.  While taking our family vehicle in for servicing, it happened. However, as “it” often happens, we do not realize “it” is happening until we have missed “it”.  As I left my vehicle at the dealership, I was faced with two options:  I could either take the shuttle back to my home, or call my good friend and co-worker to have him pick me up on his way in to work.  Without really even thinking, I called my buddy and was climbing into his car twenty-five minutes later.  That is when it hit me.

Why do we chose to take the safe and familiar paths when God is calling us to blaze new trails; sharing His love with those around us?  I had an incredible opportunity to meet someone new – perhaps someone who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I had the opportunity to carry on a fifteen minute conversation with a complete stranger, a potential open door for the gospel, and I blew it.  Instead I took the easy route and called my buddy.

Granted, my co-worker and I had a wonderful conversation as we traveled to my home.  We encouraged one another as we so often do; however, once again I missed the opportunity to invest the word of God and the life of Christ into someone searching for something more.

Please, don’t do what I did this morning.  The time is short; our lives are just a vapor, and we need to take every opportunity to reach out to this lost and broken world.  We must let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.  They will never see our light if we hide it from them – if we fail to develop relationships with them – if we fail to take the shuttle.