As this year closes and the New Year approaches, where you put your hope and how you have peace in the midst of these times will truly test your faith.
Isaiah 53:4-5 (King James Version)
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
As you watch this video, frame it with how we can have peace in the midst of adversity, oh and have tissue close by...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Rudder
"He went to Jared's"...You've heard the commercials. Well, the closest one around here is at The Mall of Georgia.
The boy's and I wanted to get mom something special from the three of us, so we made the journey over. Thing is, about three miles from the mall, traffic is at a dead stop. The next three miles took about 40 minutes to traverse. But it was worth it. We got mom something we hope she'll like. I am guilty for being one of the huge number that treat Christmas as a commercial holiday. However...
Jesus did not come to Earth so we would have a bunch of presents under the tree, a day off work, or a fantastic feast. He came so that we could have a relationship with the God of the Universe, and to give us a place in eternity. When he arrived on that chaotic night in the manger, he brought with him hope for you and for me. Hope that there is a God who cares. Hope that we will live with him forever. Hope that this world is not the end.
I am clinging to that hope like never before, and appreciating God's presence in the world, and in my life, like never before. We can all rejoice in the birth of Jesus, because it signals the incarnation of hope for all of us.
I hope mom likes her gift.
The boy's and I wanted to get mom something special from the three of us, so we made the journey over. Thing is, about three miles from the mall, traffic is at a dead stop. The next three miles took about 40 minutes to traverse. But it was worth it. We got mom something we hope she'll like. I am guilty for being one of the huge number that treat Christmas as a commercial holiday. However...
Jesus did not come to Earth so we would have a bunch of presents under the tree, a day off work, or a fantastic feast. He came so that we could have a relationship with the God of the Universe, and to give us a place in eternity. When he arrived on that chaotic night in the manger, he brought with him hope for you and for me. Hope that there is a God who cares. Hope that we will live with him forever. Hope that this world is not the end.
I am clinging to that hope like never before, and appreciating God's presence in the world, and in my life, like never before. We can all rejoice in the birth of Jesus, because it signals the incarnation of hope for all of us.
I hope mom likes her gift.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Rudder
If praying is hard for you, just pray like this:: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:9-10
Do you think we were instructed to pray that things on earth would be like they are in Heaven if it wasn't possible? Now at Christmastime, Jesus came here bringing gifts 2000 years ago. He came in order to penetrate this dark hopeless realm the with the light of hope. He came to bring healing to marriages, replace sadness with joy, and fill meaninglessness with purpose. He came to change things for the better for a world that had no hope outside of God.
Ever since the '05 Mustang came out, my son has expressed his desire to have one...I've always said if we are able, we'll get him one when he graduates... College. What if he just drove the gift without taking the time to learn about it? What if he didn't know he could take it out of 1st gear and go faster? Or drive it at night because it has lights?
Christ didn't come to merely give us a ticket to Heaven (a car that you drive only in the daytime at 20 miles per hour). He came to bring us much more-the Kingdom of God on earth. We, as The Church, do not exist just for Heaven, but for earth as well. The cross has a vertical line (Love God) and a horizontal one (Love your neighbor.) If it existed only for Heaven, then each of us would immediately be taken to Heaven. There would be no reason for us to remain on earth. So why has God allowed us to receive this new birth and remain on earth? It is so that we might bring the Hope of Christmas into our world-our families, our workplace, and our communities, and yes, even our enemies. Life begins at the Cross. Especially at this time of year.
Do you think we were instructed to pray that things on earth would be like they are in Heaven if it wasn't possible? Now at Christmastime, Jesus came here bringing gifts 2000 years ago. He came in order to penetrate this dark hopeless realm the with the light of hope. He came to bring healing to marriages, replace sadness with joy, and fill meaninglessness with purpose. He came to change things for the better for a world that had no hope outside of God.
Ever since the '05 Mustang came out, my son has expressed his desire to have one...I've always said if we are able, we'll get him one when he graduates... College. What if he just drove the gift without taking the time to learn about it? What if he didn't know he could take it out of 1st gear and go faster? Or drive it at night because it has lights?
Christ didn't come to merely give us a ticket to Heaven (a car that you drive only in the daytime at 20 miles per hour). He came to bring us much more-the Kingdom of God on earth. We, as The Church, do not exist just for Heaven, but for earth as well. The cross has a vertical line (Love God) and a horizontal one (Love your neighbor.) If it existed only for Heaven, then each of us would immediately be taken to Heaven. There would be no reason for us to remain on earth. So why has God allowed us to receive this new birth and remain on earth? It is so that we might bring the Hope of Christmas into our world-our families, our workplace, and our communities, and yes, even our enemies. Life begins at the Cross. Especially at this time of year.
The Rudder
Peace on earth good will toward men.
The real reason for the season. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Peace I give you not as the world knows.
Because He came, we can be confident and have peace in a peaceless world. When everything around us seems like it's falling apart...Peace He gives us.
Ps 46- 1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wlFeEtKbhM
The real reason for the season. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Peace I give you not as the world knows.
Because He came, we can be confident and have peace in a peaceless world. When everything around us seems like it's falling apart...Peace He gives us.
Ps 46- 1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wlFeEtKbhM
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Rudder
Brittney Murphy dead at the age of 32.
That was a shocker. You just never know when your time is up do you? That begs the question-Are you ready to meet your maker? Are you doing all you can do today.
There are only two days and they both start with a "T" This day and...That day. This day; today is the only one that matters.
That was a shocker. You just never know when your time is up do you? That begs the question-Are you ready to meet your maker? Are you doing all you can do today.
There are only two days and they both start with a "T" This day and...That day. This day; today is the only one that matters.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Rudder
Regrets from the past. Worries for the future what ifs. These are what feed anxious days and sleepless nights.
1 Peter 5:6-8 (New Living Translation)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Today is your only concern. Why squander the moment about what's done and gone, or may never even happen. I read somewhere that 93% of future what ifs never happen. When you can't enjoy the now because of yesterday and tomorrow it sucks and there is no joy.
By choosing to enjoy the present and live fully by casting those cares, concerns and controlling anxiety on Him, you are free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbcYyOsF50
1 Peter 5:6-8 (New Living Translation)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Today is your only concern. Why squander the moment about what's done and gone, or may never even happen. I read somewhere that 93% of future what ifs never happen. When you can't enjoy the now because of yesterday and tomorrow it sucks and there is no joy.
By choosing to enjoy the present and live fully by casting those cares, concerns and controlling anxiety on Him, you are free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbcYyOsF50
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Rudder
The 1% proposal.
As I go peruse through my journals for cool quotes, I realize many times I was so busy taking notes that I failed to notate who said what...
"The 1% marriage insurance plan-- As a couple, you need to come together on this and commit for at least 30 days, until it becomes a habbit and a lifestyle change. Everyday commit just 1% of your day to your spouse. That's just 16-24 minutes depending on if you consider a day to be 24 total hours or 16 awake hours. Take five minutes to pray, five minutes to make out, and the remainder for whatever happens next. Kids? That's what locks are for! They need to see that your spouse the most important earthly relationship"
1% may still seem like too much time to spend with your spouse working on your relationship, but then that serves to reveal just how far you have drifted apart and what you need to work on. Maybe it's the daily prayer part, maybe it's the intimacy part or maybe both? Remember three of your vows are to Love, Honor, and Cherish; I can't think of a more practical way to engage those vows...Nothing of true value comes easy, but depending on where you currently are, to move out of the rut--that journey takes effort and maybe even 2% of your time.
Jack LaLane (who must be like 100 now) recently said while being interviewed about his juice machine "I still make love to my wife three times a week." His wife then speaks up and jokingly says "Well, you try anyway."
As I go peruse through my journals for cool quotes, I realize many times I was so busy taking notes that I failed to notate who said what...
"The 1% marriage insurance plan-- As a couple, you need to come together on this and commit for at least 30 days, until it becomes a habbit and a lifestyle change. Everyday commit just 1% of your day to your spouse. That's just 16-24 minutes depending on if you consider a day to be 24 total hours or 16 awake hours. Take five minutes to pray, five minutes to make out, and the remainder for whatever happens next. Kids? That's what locks are for! They need to see that your spouse the most important earthly relationship"
1% may still seem like too much time to spend with your spouse working on your relationship, but then that serves to reveal just how far you have drifted apart and what you need to work on. Maybe it's the daily prayer part, maybe it's the intimacy part or maybe both? Remember three of your vows are to Love, Honor, and Cherish; I can't think of a more practical way to engage those vows...Nothing of true value comes easy, but depending on where you currently are, to move out of the rut--that journey takes effort and maybe even 2% of your time.
Jack LaLane (who must be like 100 now) recently said while being interviewed about his juice machine "I still make love to my wife three times a week." His wife then speaks up and jokingly says "Well, you try anyway."
The Rudder
Piggyback from an earlier blog as written by Os Hillman:
"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Ps 13:1-2).
Have you ever heard someone jokingly say, "It's not easy being me?" This expression is poking fun at their unique personality or challenges they face in life. Well, it wasn't easy being King David.
His life was a life of extreme highs and extreme lows. He was a shepherd, a political leader, a builder, a prophet, a businessman, a warrior, a lover, a giver, a murderer and a worshiper. He must have been criticized by others as being hypocritical in his early career. In each of these roles he achieved things for God but he also failed God on many occasions. He had a creative-type personality, which is often very passionate with many mood swings. We see this side of him when he unabashedly danced before the Lord in front of his subjects almost naked (2 Sam 6:14).
When David wrote his psalms he was honest about what he was feeling. When he feared his enemies he expressed it. When he could not understand why God was silent, he expressed it as in the psalm above.
However, David never stayed in the place of despair. He often ended his psalms like this one. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me" (Ps 13:5-6).
David chooses to focus on what God has done for him, not what He has not done. If you are waiting for a breakthrough with God, be honest with Him about your hopes and dreams. However, also affirm your faith and trust in Him to accomplish His purposes through your life. Be an overcomer.
"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Ps 13:1-2).
Have you ever heard someone jokingly say, "It's not easy being me?" This expression is poking fun at their unique personality or challenges they face in life. Well, it wasn't easy being King David.
His life was a life of extreme highs and extreme lows. He was a shepherd, a political leader, a builder, a prophet, a businessman, a warrior, a lover, a giver, a murderer and a worshiper. He must have been criticized by others as being hypocritical in his early career. In each of these roles he achieved things for God but he also failed God on many occasions. He had a creative-type personality, which is often very passionate with many mood swings. We see this side of him when he unabashedly danced before the Lord in front of his subjects almost naked (2 Sam 6:14).
When David wrote his psalms he was honest about what he was feeling. When he feared his enemies he expressed it. When he could not understand why God was silent, he expressed it as in the psalm above.
However, David never stayed in the place of despair. He often ended his psalms like this one. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me" (Ps 13:5-6).
David chooses to focus on what God has done for him, not what He has not done. If you are waiting for a breakthrough with God, be honest with Him about your hopes and dreams. However, also affirm your faith and trust in Him to accomplish His purposes through your life. Be an overcomer.
The Rudder
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."
Ah yes, a line from one of those classic songs from the 1800's. Today especially I know first hand how tempting it can be to wallow in our circumstances. They say that 30% of the US is Under-employed or unemployed, in between jobs and struggling to make ends meet.
That one line points out my error. Many times, I try to build my hope on what I can do, what I can bring to the table. I tend to look at my circumstances, and think there is no way out. On my own, that is true. The song goes on to say, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
1 Peter 1:3-7 (The Message)
3-5What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.
6-7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
Due to recent income challenges, I find myself on shifting ground, and my emotions are suffering from that strain. "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven." That's a promise, and He's never gone back on His promises has He?
When I put my hope in Christ, and remember the promises he's made, the obstacles in my life don't seem as menacing. I know God stands with me through everything and my future is secure.
Are you in the middle of circumstances that make you feel weary, frustrated, and maybe even hopeless? Take time every day, maybe even every hour, to focus on your relationship with Christ and the hope he promises.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Pontiac Silverdome
Built in 1975 for $55 million ($220 million in 2009 dollars) Site of Superbowl XVI, Wrestlemania, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions. The world economy spares no one; it just sold at auction for $580,000!
Detroit is one of many places now where you can own a home for a third to a twentieth of the cost to rent the same home. Neighborhoods that used to be hundreds of thousands of dollars back when the auto industry was alive, now can't even bring the $1000 minimum bid prices at auction. To put that in perspective, a new mortgage on that house would be less than $7 a month...If you wanted to live in Detroit with the crime, industry stacks spewing out whatever, the weather etc. Just by collecting cans and bottles, I'm sure it would be paid off in a year. Wouldn't it be great to know you could spend all your time effort and even money on a much more worthwhile place? Especially if it was a priceless gift to you?
Matt 6 Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Our home is not here on this earth...
I'm not trying to pick on Detroit, it's just that I wouldn't want to live there. Compared to Heaven, life here is the pits-Detroitesque, don't you think?
Built in 1975 for $55 million ($220 million in 2009 dollars) Site of Superbowl XVI, Wrestlemania, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions. The world economy spares no one; it just sold at auction for $580,000!
Detroit is one of many places now where you can own a home for a third to a twentieth of the cost to rent the same home. Neighborhoods that used to be hundreds of thousands of dollars back when the auto industry was alive, now can't even bring the $1000 minimum bid prices at auction. To put that in perspective, a new mortgage on that house would be less than $7 a month...If you wanted to live in Detroit with the crime, industry stacks spewing out whatever, the weather etc. Just by collecting cans and bottles, I'm sure it would be paid off in a year. Wouldn't it be great to know you could spend all your time effort and even money on a much more worthwhile place? Especially if it was a priceless gift to you?
Matt 6 Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Our home is not here on this earth...
I'm not trying to pick on Detroit, it's just that I wouldn't want to live there. Compared to Heaven, life here is the pits-Detroitesque, don't you think?
The Rudder
My wife has been on an extended business trip since Thanksgiving. I miss her very much.
Knowing another person intimately is surely one of life's great joys. But eventually, you may think you come to the point where you believe there is all there is to know about them. As ruts lay their trail, we settle into stagnation don't we? Think about a stagnant pond, how does it get that way? No new water enters as the old ceases movement. Pond scum chokes out life due to lack activity and oxygen, and then stinks up the area. Only when things get flowing again, does the stagnancy break up and dissipate.
Understand, this is fairly common in most, if not all relationships. How we respond is the key.
Time apart can serve us well as we put things in perspective. If, when we see them again, we allow ourselves to really observe them as we did when we first met. By doing that, those moment's of spark can reignite into a flame, as we travel down memory lane.
As you listen to this vid let the rain of God's floodgates flow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJVT5LJP7ck&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qttxhgc8d9E&feature=related
Knowing another person intimately is surely one of life's great joys. But eventually, you may think you come to the point where you believe there is all there is to know about them. As ruts lay their trail, we settle into stagnation don't we? Think about a stagnant pond, how does it get that way? No new water enters as the old ceases movement. Pond scum chokes out life due to lack activity and oxygen, and then stinks up the area. Only when things get flowing again, does the stagnancy break up and dissipate.
Understand, this is fairly common in most, if not all relationships. How we respond is the key.
Time apart can serve us well as we put things in perspective. If, when we see them again, we allow ourselves to really observe them as we did when we first met. By doing that, those moment's of spark can reignite into a flame, as we travel down memory lane.
As you listen to this vid let the rain of God's floodgates flow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJVT5LJP7ck&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qttxhgc8d9E&feature=related
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Rudder
It's Sunday morning and I'm channel surfing while waiting for the house to stir. I see this guy talking about relationships in a rut and renewing the spark. He's trying his best to put a humor spin on a tough subject to broach.
A rut is by definition is a well worn path that makes change very difficult to get out of. Ruts are problematic enough that many times effort is lost by not even trying. Unfortunately, that train of thought, habit of response (or lack of), or pattern of behavior, by not examining right responses, shortchanges the most important relationships.
I'm sure you've heard different versions of the joke of the three levels of sex in a marriage; The three levels are; house sex, bedroom sex, and hall sex. House sex is the first few months of marriage where you have sex all over the house, the kitchen, the living room, on the couch etc. Bedroom sex is the next few years just in the bedroom and only certain times during the week, as you settle into a routine. Hall sex when you pass in the hall -"F-you."
Sorry for the F-bomb, but you get the just of the joke. When I worked for the Navy, one of the weekly courses I broadcast Navy-wide was Divorce Care. I don't think it's "Classified" so I can share. In more than 90% of the cases on exit interviews of divorcee's, once their sex life dropped off, for any number of reasons, divorce was the next step. As you know, more than 63% of everyone you sit next to in church this morning will divorce or already has. Pretty sad comentary on the church!
Sunday mornings, Satan's minions are alive and active stirring up arguments so getting to church can be a big deal, and thoughts can be so preoccupying that you don't hear what the Spirit is saying. So this guy closes his by saying "Get out of a rut, don't just have sex, lock the door, make some passionate love before church, and Sunday night!
The Bible says God made everything and called it "good. When he told man and woman to become one, he called sex "Very good."
A rut is by definition is a well worn path that makes change very difficult to get out of. Ruts are problematic enough that many times effort is lost by not even trying. Unfortunately, that train of thought, habit of response (or lack of), or pattern of behavior, by not examining right responses, shortchanges the most important relationships.
I'm sure you've heard different versions of the joke of the three levels of sex in a marriage; The three levels are; house sex, bedroom sex, and hall sex. House sex is the first few months of marriage where you have sex all over the house, the kitchen, the living room, on the couch etc. Bedroom sex is the next few years just in the bedroom and only certain times during the week, as you settle into a routine. Hall sex when you pass in the hall -"F-you."
Sorry for the F-bomb, but you get the just of the joke. When I worked for the Navy, one of the weekly courses I broadcast Navy-wide was Divorce Care. I don't think it's "Classified" so I can share. In more than 90% of the cases on exit interviews of divorcee's, once their sex life dropped off, for any number of reasons, divorce was the next step. As you know, more than 63% of everyone you sit next to in church this morning will divorce or already has. Pretty sad comentary on the church!
Sunday mornings, Satan's minions are alive and active stirring up arguments so getting to church can be a big deal, and thoughts can be so preoccupying that you don't hear what the Spirit is saying. So this guy closes his by saying "Get out of a rut, don't just have sex, lock the door, make some passionate love before church, and Sunday night!
The Bible says God made everything and called it "good. When he told man and woman to become one, he called sex "Very good."
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Rudder
$36,690
That's the monthly amount required by the lenders to pay back debt on a plan as proposed by Consumer Credit Counselors (CCCS) yesterday. That is the institution many lenders and crdit card companies require you to use for a five year payback plan.
When I heard that number I started laughing. She said "What a great attitude you have." I told her I can't worry about it because it is out of my control. "Well, obviously you are going through this to be an influence on others going through the same thing. So many people I council are in such despair."
In an earlier blog I commented how we go through stuff many times so we can relate and help others.
At this point I just need to live in God's economy. As I learn to seek Him as the object of my life's energy, my purpose, goals, ambition, and yes, significance, all need to line up with His will. This world will always be dynamic, changing and unstable. But God is the one constant, as many have witnessed in the past couple years, the world shifting like sand beneath our feet. People all over are experiencing a new level of insecurity because their hope was misplaced in things rather than in God. Fear of the future, despair, anxiety and restlesnes all linger just beneath the surface, when all that is seen is the tip of the iceberg.
"Be content with what God sent." When I am content with what I have today, I can rest in His promise that "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." God is basically saying that in man's economy I am vulnerable; everything can be swept away and forsaken...except Him.
As I am refined to place everything under His Lordship, my role as a steward becomes clear by being generous with all entrusted to me. Not so in man's economy where sucess is measured not in lives but in toys and accumulation of stuff.
That's the monthly amount required by the lenders to pay back debt on a plan as proposed by Consumer Credit Counselors (CCCS) yesterday. That is the institution many lenders and crdit card companies require you to use for a five year payback plan.
When I heard that number I started laughing. She said "What a great attitude you have." I told her I can't worry about it because it is out of my control. "Well, obviously you are going through this to be an influence on others going through the same thing. So many people I council are in such despair."
In an earlier blog I commented how we go through stuff many times so we can relate and help others.
At this point I just need to live in God's economy. As I learn to seek Him as the object of my life's energy, my purpose, goals, ambition, and yes, significance, all need to line up with His will. This world will always be dynamic, changing and unstable. But God is the one constant, as many have witnessed in the past couple years, the world shifting like sand beneath our feet. People all over are experiencing a new level of insecurity because their hope was misplaced in things rather than in God. Fear of the future, despair, anxiety and restlesnes all linger just beneath the surface, when all that is seen is the tip of the iceberg.
"Be content with what God sent." When I am content with what I have today, I can rest in His promise that "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." God is basically saying that in man's economy I am vulnerable; everything can be swept away and forsaken...except Him.
As I am refined to place everything under His Lordship, my role as a steward becomes clear by being generous with all entrusted to me. Not so in man's economy where sucess is measured not in lives but in toys and accumulation of stuff.
"Despair causes us to contract, pull in, give up."
Chris Canalas is a High School football player confined to a wheelchair as a result from breaking his neck on a tackle.
Chris fell into a deep depression and days at a time would lock himself in his room, refusing to eat and refusing to go to therapy. The reality had sunk in for Chris. He would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He would never run down a football field again.
In an effort to help cheer Chris up, his father decided to take him to a football game. While watching the game, one of the players made a tackle, went limp and was carted off the field. At that moment, Chris turned to his father and said, "We need to go to him and help him. I know what he is going to go through and you know what the family is going to go through." From that moment, Chris and his father started an organization to help football players with spinal cord injuries.
Chris found the strength and courage to move forward when presented with an opportunity to help others by sharing his experience. However, he did not do this alone. He had the support of his father who stood by him through this process.
At times we may wonder why we go through tough times, maybe not as tough as Chris's, but different; some financial, some relational.
John 14:33 says "In this life you will have troubles, but do not lose heart, I have overcome this world."
Chris Canalas is a High School football player confined to a wheelchair as a result from breaking his neck on a tackle.
Chris fell into a deep depression and days at a time would lock himself in his room, refusing to eat and refusing to go to therapy. The reality had sunk in for Chris. He would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He would never run down a football field again.
In an effort to help cheer Chris up, his father decided to take him to a football game. While watching the game, one of the players made a tackle, went limp and was carted off the field. At that moment, Chris turned to his father and said, "We need to go to him and help him. I know what he is going to go through and you know what the family is going to go through." From that moment, Chris and his father started an organization to help football players with spinal cord injuries.
Chris found the strength and courage to move forward when presented with an opportunity to help others by sharing his experience. However, he did not do this alone. He had the support of his father who stood by him through this process.
At times we may wonder why we go through tough times, maybe not as tough as Chris's, but different; some financial, some relational.
John 14:33 says "In this life you will have troubles, but do not lose heart, I have overcome this world."
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