Consider this: Your greatest work may yet be ahead of you. Don't let age keep you from being used by God.
For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill... (Eccl 2:21).
He didn't begin this job until he was sixty-nine years old. He had already had a successful Hollywood movie career and decided to try his hand at politics. He would be known by one job more than any other. He would also be known as one of the United State's greatest statesmen. He had a faith that was genuine but not intruding or very public, but you knew where he stood. He always treated people, even his detractors with grace. He was known for his extraordinary love he had for his wife.
Ronnie, as his wife always called him, will always be known as the President who brought down the Soviet Union's evil empire Communistic bend. Those short 8 years will always and forever define him far more then the 50 years of his former career.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Commit Everything
Psalm 37:4-5 (New Living Translation)
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation)
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I have to say, the transition from running my own business for 20 years, to working under a chain of command can sometimes be annoying...from my perspective anyway. Expectations, systems, and SOP's so dated come into play as well. The cool thing is to apply the wisdom of the verses above. Once filtered through those lens, worry, stress, anxiety, performance envy etc, all take a back seat to the greater reason of our work to begin with!
Being salt, light, and doing our best with the tools God has given us, means we can leave results confidently with Him. Mostly, just knowing He knows, and knowing He knows tomorrow leaves me anyway, with a big "Whew!"
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation)
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I have to say, the transition from running my own business for 20 years, to working under a chain of command can sometimes be annoying...from my perspective anyway. Expectations, systems, and SOP's so dated come into play as well. The cool thing is to apply the wisdom of the verses above. Once filtered through those lens, worry, stress, anxiety, performance envy etc, all take a back seat to the greater reason of our work to begin with!
Being salt, light, and doing our best with the tools God has given us, means we can leave results confidently with Him. Mostly, just knowing He knows, and knowing He knows tomorrow leaves me anyway, with a big "Whew!"
Friday, October 15, 2010
...A Zillion Years Ago
A funny thing happened the other day while I was shadowing another sales executive; we went into a business and the owner recognizes me from the good old days in real estate in the late 90's and early 2000's. He used to work as a lender at Wells Fargo. He's now running a Pizza House. He's content, however, he misses the days where he would make $50-60k a month...I suppose anyone would.
He went on to explain his story how his his niche market dried up and the 7 houses he had acquired, were lost to foreclosure. He said he is blessed to have a job and makes just enough to feed his family. I concurred, and explained a little of my story, and how through it all God has still blessed us with less but more importantly, that I don't have to worry about what was or is to come. I too, am blessed to have landed a B2B advertising sales position.
It is so comforting to know that God already knew that at almost age 50, I would be starting a completely different career, and He knew that a zillion years ago.
He went on to explain his story how his his niche market dried up and the 7 houses he had acquired, were lost to foreclosure. He said he is blessed to have a job and makes just enough to feed his family. I concurred, and explained a little of my story, and how through it all God has still blessed us with less but more importantly, that I don't have to worry about what was or is to come. I too, am blessed to have landed a B2B advertising sales position.
It is so comforting to know that God already knew that at almost age 50, I would be starting a completely different career, and He knew that a zillion years ago.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Planting and Watering
As Christians according to I Corinthians 3:6-8 we can plant, and we can water, but it is only God that does the rest.
"6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work."
So here's my rift; I've seen so often a condemning spirit so to speak, where rather than in a loving compassionate way, some will just blast the hell out of someone for doing or acting a certain way. Of course it doesn't help when Hollywood always seems to portray Christians in that light either. That is why especially in the New Testament, many times it is written to Love your neighbor (everyone), and Christians are called not to rip the tares or weeds out because many a good plant is thrown out too; Let God do the reaping and harvesting leaving me and you to water, pray, and encourage those around us. The reality is that ultimately God is responsible for His kids.
"6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work."
So here's my rift; I've seen so often a condemning spirit so to speak, where rather than in a loving compassionate way, some will just blast the hell out of someone for doing or acting a certain way. Of course it doesn't help when Hollywood always seems to portray Christians in that light either. That is why especially in the New Testament, many times it is written to Love your neighbor (everyone), and Christians are called not to rip the tares or weeds out because many a good plant is thrown out too; Let God do the reaping and harvesting leaving me and you to water, pray, and encourage those around us. The reality is that ultimately God is responsible for His kids.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Poopy Diapers
"Come as you are, but don't stay as you are." That's both the theme of Ephesians 4:11-12 and the motto of my church.
I think The Message version says it best-
14-16No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Poopy diapers are expected as younguns, but if I'm in my 40's and still pulling that crap, obviously, I haven't been applying this verse. Right?
As potential salt and light, I am supposed to bring flavor, preserve, be an example to model, coach and tons more. When you think of Salt and Light what they do in practical ways, applied spiritually. The takeaway is that together, we become an added benefit to a world that feels alone, hopeless, or is in some kind of difficulty or pain. As Christians, we know God sees our pain and offers hope and help no matter the source of our struggle
I think The Message version says it best-
14-16No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Poopy diapers are expected as younguns, but if I'm in my 40's and still pulling that crap, obviously, I haven't been applying this verse. Right?
As potential salt and light, I am supposed to bring flavor, preserve, be an example to model, coach and tons more. When you think of Salt and Light what they do in practical ways, applied spiritually. The takeaway is that together, we become an added benefit to a world that feels alone, hopeless, or is in some kind of difficulty or pain. As Christians, we know God sees our pain and offers hope and help no matter the source of our struggle
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
You are Special
In Max Lucado's book/film production "You are Special", he renders how each of us are a "dot" or a "star" and we can valued in other's eyes that way based on how many dots or stars we have..
Picture this; God took everyday mud, mixed in a bit of his own expression, and created the most valuable collector's item in the world--you! God thinks of you as a masterpiece, even if other "experts" are skeptical.
Throughout our lives, panels of "experts" judge us. Based on what is of value in the current culture, they check out our quality of expression and subjective beauty, frown over the wear around the edges, and ultimately declare our worth based on dots and stars. Rarely do they want anything to do with our restoration process. Yet from God's perspective, our worth transcends the here and now. His opinion of us does not change based on popularity, performance, position...Priceless!
I mention this because now I am in an office environment and can overhear many a conversation from other cubicles. It's amazing how self worth can both reflective and refractive in day to day interactions.
You are special. I am special, and God doesn't make mistakes!
Picture this; God took everyday mud, mixed in a bit of his own expression, and created the most valuable collector's item in the world--you! God thinks of you as a masterpiece, even if other "experts" are skeptical.
Throughout our lives, panels of "experts" judge us. Based on what is of value in the current culture, they check out our quality of expression and subjective beauty, frown over the wear around the edges, and ultimately declare our worth based on dots and stars. Rarely do they want anything to do with our restoration process. Yet from God's perspective, our worth transcends the here and now. His opinion of us does not change based on popularity, performance, position...Priceless!
I mention this because now I am in an office environment and can overhear many a conversation from other cubicles. It's amazing how self worth can both reflective and refractive in day to day interactions.
You are special. I am special, and God doesn't make mistakes!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday Morning Mojo
"The way in which we think of ourselves has everything to do with how our world sees us and how we see ourselves successfully acknowledged by the world."
--Arlene Rankin
"Your attitude determines your altitude"
--Zig Ziglar
"If God had a fridge, your picture would be on it"
--Dunno
"God so loved you that He gave His son, just believe and have the best life ever and ever after."
--Jesus
--Arlene Rankin
"Your attitude determines your altitude"
--Zig Ziglar
"If God had a fridge, your picture would be on it"
--Dunno
"God so loved you that He gave His son, just believe and have the best life ever and ever after."
--Jesus
Friday, October 1, 2010
Where to Put Your Trust
Luke 6:47-49 (New International Version)
47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Eastlake church, our home church here in SoCal had a great example based on this verse below is a excerpt-
Author and apologist C.S. Lewis wrote, "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing... you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of... You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself."
With the exception of towns and cities where GM and other maufacturing plants closed down, starting in 2008-10, the zip codes around EastLake Church were ground zero for the mortgage crisis, earning a place in the top ten for U.S. home foreclosures. Even people that didn't own homes were faced with downsizing their American dream. Others in related industries lost jobs they held for decades. Some blamed God, becoming angry with him over their losses. Others turned to him and have been restored in ways they never dreamed- even if their personal residence is long gone.
We are God's workmanship and he loves us. There are many circumstances that "hurt abominably" and don't make sense, but we can still trust him to use these tough times to build a better house. We just have to open the door and let Him in!
47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Eastlake church, our home church here in SoCal had a great example based on this verse below is a excerpt-
Author and apologist C.S. Lewis wrote, "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing... you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of... You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself."
With the exception of towns and cities where GM and other maufacturing plants closed down, starting in 2008-10, the zip codes around EastLake Church were ground zero for the mortgage crisis, earning a place in the top ten for U.S. home foreclosures. Even people that didn't own homes were faced with downsizing their American dream. Others in related industries lost jobs they held for decades. Some blamed God, becoming angry with him over their losses. Others turned to him and have been restored in ways they never dreamed- even if their personal residence is long gone.
We are God's workmanship and he loves us. There are many circumstances that "hurt abominably" and don't make sense, but we can still trust him to use these tough times to build a better house. We just have to open the door and let Him in!
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