Make Today Count

I just finished reading John Maxwell's book Make Today Count.

This must-read deals with what is necessary for any of us to be successful in our lives.  It is insightful, practical, and helpful.  In his introduction, Maxwell states the following:

"...the secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.

If you make a few key decisions and then manage them well in your daily

agenda, you will succeed."

Then, to better explain his point, Maxwell explains it mathematically:

"Good Decisions + Daily Discipline=

A Masterpiece of Potential."

The rest of the book addresses twelve areas of our lives that require daily attention and discipline.  As I read about each of these areas, I felt at times like Maxwell had written this book just for me.  It really hit home in my mind and heart.  The twelve areas were attitude, priorities, health, family, thinking, commitment, finances, faith, relationships, generosity, values, and growth.  Each chapter was devoted to one of these important parts of our lives.

Maxwell, who writes from a Christian perspective, is a master when it comes to challenging and motivating.  With a positive tone, he uses real life illustrations, inspiring quotes, and scripture to drive home his points.  And he is a tremendous source of encouragement.

I'm glad I read this book.  It challenged me to take an honest look at my life and consider what I want to do with the rest of my life.  This was time well spent!

Let me encourage you to order this book and devour it.  Trust me, you'll be glad you did.  You won't be the same after reading his inspiring message.

To learn more about this book and order it, just click HERE . 

A Marriage Thought

Early this morning I was reading a great article about marriage by Gary Chapman, Ph.D.  At one point he described the two stages of romantic love.  As I sat sat there soaking up his wisdom, I realized how right he was.

Chapman called the first part of romantic love the "euphoric stage."  This is when you're dating, getting engaged, and enjoying the honeymoon part of marriage.  And this is when there are lots of strong, deep feelings in the air.  He stated this is when we're "pushed along by our emotions."

Then, things change.

Chapman called the second part of romantic love the "intentional stage."  This is when the strong feelings cool down and you come off the emotional high.  In other words, this is when reality sets in.  He explained that when this happens, "we must learn each other's love language and speak it regularly."

Wow, Chapman sure explained that perfectly.  I've seen it myself.  And so have you! 

The intentional stage of marriage is when work and effort are required if we want the relationship to thrive.  It demands understanding, communication, and serving each other.  Survival of the marriage depends on us intentionally taking steps to protect and strengthen it.

When he mentions "love language" he is talking about connecting with our spouse in a way that is meaningful to her or him.  In other words, we are speaking the "love language" of our spouse when we do things that make her or him feel deeply loved.  It's meeting them where they are, and giving them what they need.

Some married people feel loved with words of affirmation.  Others feel loved with things like gifts, helpful deeds, sex, or a peaceful home life, just to name a few.  Everyone is wired a little differently.  The key is for husbands to figure out what makes wives feel loved, and focus on that.  Also, wives need to figure out what makes husbands feel loved, and focus on that.  When both spouses focus on meeting the needs of each other and pleasing each other, the marriage gets stronger, both partners feel loved, and life in the home is happier and warmer.

I really think Chapman is on to something good here!!

Marriage is about more than just warm, fuzzy feelings, roses, and emotional songs on the radio in the "euphoric stage."  Sure, those things are nice.  Who doesn't like that kind of stuff?!  But, marriage is also about a guy and a girl happily taking care of each other's needs because they simply care about each other.  It's about looking after that special someone they married.

Husbands, make sure your wife feels loved by taking care of her needs.  Speak her language and connect with her.  Your marriage depends on it.

Wives, make sure your husband feels loved by taking care of his needs.  Speak his language and connect with him.  Your marriage depends on it.

May God bless our marriages.

And may we husbands and wives intentionally take care of each other.

Nice People Vs. Good People

Some want to be a nice person.

Others focus on being a good person.

What's the difference?

Let's think on this...

Nice people will tell you what you want to hear.
Good people will tell you what you need to hear.

Nice people will smile to your face, but talk negatively about you behind your back.
Good people will say the same thing whether you are in the room or not.

Nice people avoid confrontation if at all possible. 
Good people will lovingly work through problems with people to reach solutions. 

Nice people will compromise their convictions to keep you comfortable and happy.
Good people maintain their values to do what is best for you.

Nice people can manipulate you.
Good people can bless you.

Nice people are those you will somewhat like for a season.
Good people are those you will forever respect and trust.

Yes, there is a difference between people that are nice, and people that are good.

Of course, it is possible to be good and nice.  That does happen.  But always remember there are plenty of people that are nice but not good.

What I've been thinking lately is this:  When my life comes to an end, I want to be remembered as a good guy instead of just a nice guy.  Don't you want the same thing?!

Let's be good men and good women.

Let's live good lives.

Let's leave a good legacy.

And let's remember these words of John Wesley:

"Do all the good you can.
By all the means you can.
In all the ways you can.
In all the places you can.
At all the times you can.
To all the people you can.
As long as you ever can."

What To Bring To Worship

I like this little verse about worship:

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." 

That's Psalm 100:4.  Short, but powerful.  And it serves as a fantastic reminder about what to bring to worship.

If you and I were to enter a temple, we first would walk in through a gate.  That would be the beginning of our journey inside.  The initial step.

So check back with the first part of the verse:  "Enter His gates with thanksgiving."

As we enter a time of worship let's first thank God for all of His many blessings.  Thank Him for how good He is to us.

Did God put a roof over your head, food on your table, and clothes on your body?  Thank Him.
Did God give you strength and energy to accomplish important tasks at work or home?  Thank Him.
Did God forgive your sins and save your soul?  Thank Him.

First, bring a heart full of thanksgiving to worship.

Now, let's go back to our verse.

After we initially enter through a gate, we would then find ourselves in a court.  That is the second part of our walk into the temple.  Part two of our journey.

So check back with the second part of that verse:  "and His courts with praise."

As we continue a time of worship, we are to praise our awesome God for who He is and what He does.  This means to acknowledge, admire, and celebrate His amazing attributes.  Brag on Him.  Compliment Him.

God is holy and sinless.  Praise Him!
God is powerful and unstoppable.  Praise Him!
God is wise and knows everything.  Praise Him!
God rules supremely over everyone and everything.  Praise Him!

Let praise saturate the time of worship.

So there you have it.  That's what to bring to worship.  Thanksgiving and praise.  Two gifts to lay at the feet of God.

Leon's Legacy

Last night a pastor told me something I'll never forget.

He explained that years ago his life was going in the wrong direction.  He was abusing alcohol, using filthy language, and throwing his life away.  Then, the pastor told me this:  "One night I was in a car with your Grandaddy and he started telling me I need to let Jesus save me and change me."  As his story continued, he explained how he eventually did turn to Jesus.  His life was never the same after that.  He was forgiven of his sin.  He began living differently.  And he became a pastor.  His life was dedicated to telling people about Jesus.

Here's what I'm thinking:

My Grandaddy, Leon Richardson, got saved by Jesus and decided to spend his remaining years living for Him.

Then he told a wild, rebellious young man that he needed to do the same thing.

So this wild, rebellious young man got saved by Jesus and decided to do the same thing my Grandaddy did.

Finally, years later, this wild, rebellious young man is now a retired pastor who is still talking about how my Grandaddy bravely spoke up and told people about Jesus.

I stood there are realized that Leon Richardson left quite a legacy!  He invested his life in matters of spiritual and eternal significance.  He did good things that people still talk about today.  Even though he has been dead and gone for years now, his life still has a positive effect on people today.

Leon's legacy is a good one.

One day you and I are going to be dead and gone.  We will no longer be on this Earth.  Our face will not be seen and our voice will not be heard by anyone down here.

What kind of legacy will we leave behind?

Will people's lives be different because of things we said and did while we were alive?

Will people speak of us with a twinkle in their eye and a smile on their face because of how we spent our years on this Earth?

I hope so.

Let's make the most of our remaining years.  Let's live for Jesus, treat other people right, focus on things that truly matter, and make this world a better place.  Let's handle our days in such a way that future generations will be affected positively for years to come.

God has given us the gift of life.  We should make it count and do something important and lasting with it.  And when we do, future generations will be blessed because of it.

The Goal Post And The Goose Egg

A few days ago, I was throwing passes to my son on a local football field.  We were having a fantastic time!  My throws were long and on the money.  His catches were really impressive.  My 9 year old was running routes and making catches left and right.

Then, it happened.

Emerson made an amazing catch in the end zone.  But he was running fast and his momentum carried him to a world of hurt.  He ran head first into the goal post.  I was standing about 20 yards away and could hear it.  He fell down, grabbed his head, and cried out in agony.  I sprinted as fast as I could and took him into my arms.  Within 30 seconds, a big goose egg appeared as his forehead began swelling up.  I sat there with my boy and watched him hurt.  Fortunately, I could see that he was not passing out or throwing up, so I quit thinking as much about a possible concussion.  But my heart still ached as I watched my boy cry in pain.

With tears rolling down his face, he looked at me and asked, "Daddy, is it going to hurt like this forever?"  I held him close and assured him that the pain would soon go away and all would be well.  That bit of good news put him at ease.  And, soon enough, he was just fine.  A full recovery followed.

Maybe you're hurting right now emotionally, financially, physically, professionally, or spiritually.  Life's been painful for you lately.  You might be looking at God, your Heavenly Father, and asking, "Is it going to hurt like this forever?"

If so, then remember these truths...

God loves you more than you can imagine.

God will comfort your mind and heart through His Holy Spirit.

God will not let you hurt forever.

God will one day welcome you into Heaven, where He will wipe every tear away from your eyes and shield you forever from sickness or suffering of any kind.

I've been where you are.  There have been some tough days in my life too.  The good news I can tell you is this:  God has looked out for me and seen me through.  So you can rest assured He will do the same for you.

Friend, I am sorry you hurt.  I truly am.

Let me assure you, better times are ahead.

You will not hurt like this forever.

Where Our Hearts Should Be Set

I was talking yesterday with a good buddy over a chicken wing lunch about something I've been learning lately.  And it's helping me in my life.  This is it:

The Christian life is about so much more than avoiding sin.  Far more!  It's actually about loving God and enjoying His presence.

See, I think it's possible to become so obsessed with moral uprightness that we fall into this works based religion that is all about performing for God and trying to earn His approval, which really is not possible.  When we travel this road, we run the risk of becoming moral hypochondriacs who always fear we are doing something wrong.  I just don't think that's a healthy way to live, and I really don't think that's how God intended for us to spend our years on this Earth.

Please, I beg of you, don't misunderstand me here:  YES, we are to be holy, pure, and righteous in word, thought, and deed.  NO, we are not to live evil, rebellious, immoral lives.  Our heart should be set, however, first and foremost on this:  Loving God and enjoying His presence. 

I'm noticing that when I focus primarily on my relationship with God, obeying Him tends to become something I more naturally want to do.  If I'm close to Him, I don't want to offend Him.  See what I'm saying?  I'm operating more out of a love for God than simply some sort of duty or fear.

In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus said, "You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and foremost commandment."  More than anything else, He wanted us to focus on loving the awesome God who already loves us.  That was (and still is) priority number one.

Perhaps some of us need to set our hearts more on bonding WITH God instead of performing FOR God.  

Maybe we need to focus more on a grace-filled relationship than a performance-centered religion.

That's what God is teaching me these days.  And it's making sense to me in a new and fresh way.  I think it's what life is really about.

Zack's Safe Spot

My son has a teddy bear he has named Zack.  He is a soft little guy with camouflage skin and a South Carolina Gamecock shirt.  Emerson sleeps next to him every night.

Yesterday my boy and I were about to walk into another room when I saw him put Zack under the covers of a bed.  Then he said, "Dad, I always put him under the covers so that if anything goes wrong, he will be safe and hidden."  I smiled and told him that was just fine with me.

Zack's safe spot is under the covers.

Christians, our safe spot is in The Lord's hand.

" ... no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."  Those words are recorded in John 10:29. And they remind us of  our security in Him.

Nothing and nobody can snatch or steal us away from our Heavenly Father.  His grip on us is firm.  Our soul is safe if we are in His hand.

No matter who you are, where you are, or what your circumstances are, just remember this:  There is an awesome God who lovingly wants to hold you tight and keep you secure.  Find your protection and peace in Him.  

I'm glad ole Zack is ok under the covers.

But I'm way more glad we are secure in The Lord.

There's just no better place to be than in His almighty hand.

Who Really Has Who

I saw a guy this week wearing a hat that read "Got Jesus?".

Then this brief conversation took place:

Me:  "Hey man, that's a cool hat."

Hat guy:  "Thanx!  Glad you like it."

Me:  "I've got Jesus in my life.  But I'm really glad He has me."

Hat Guy:  "Amen!  I know exactly what you mean.  I'm glad He has me too."

We shook hands and parted ways.

I'm sure glad Jesus gets a hold of us.  He loves us when we sure don't deserve it.  He forgives us when we fail.  He calls out to us when we wonder off in the wrong direction.  He intercedes for us.  He provides guidance for us when we are clueless about what to do.  And, best of all, He leads us to our eternal home.

Ultimately, it's Jesus who has us.

We are like little sheep.  And He is the Good Shepherd who is always looking out for us.  What a blessing it is to belong to Him.

Does Jesus have you?

Aunt Eva's Pond Warning

My Aunt Eva is a wonderful lady.  I've always liked her and enjoyed her company.  And I've known her for years.

When I was a child, I once stayed with her and Uncle Steve while my parents were out of town.  We were visiting her parents in Sumter, South Carolina after going to church.  There was a pond across the road from their beautiful home.  So I asked Aunt Eva if I could go outside to see the pond.  "Sure," she warned, "but be careful.  Don't get too close to the water.  You're wearing a suit and I don't want you to fall in."  I assured her I would be safe as I walked out the door.

Across the street I went.

By the water I stood.

And, yep, into the pond I fell.

I'll never forget walking back to Aunt Eva.  I was so embarrassed that I didn't consider her warning.  She was (and still is) a sweet lady.  So she didn't fuss at me or anything.  Actually, she smiled and laughed about it.  But I knew I should have listened to her.

See, Aunt Eva warned me because she understood things I didn't.  She knew that boys can get reckless and not be careful.  She probably knew that the soft ground by the water could easily fall into the pond.  There were reasons she warned me to be careful.

Her warning was issued because she was looking out for me.

God issues us warnings too.  And He does it for the same reason:  He lovingly is looking out for us.  He cares about us as His children and wants to protect us from falling into sin.

He warns us about things like laziness, bitterness, pride, dishonesty, greed, infidelity, gossip, and impurity for good reasons.  An obvious reason is that He is holy and does not want any of His people in sin.  But I really think there are additional reasons He warns us.  For one, God knows that getting close to those morally unhealthy things will only cause us problems and pain.  The consequences can be far more severe than just messing up a Sunday suit.  Ultimately, God warns us because He loves us.  We matter a great deal to Him, and He wants us to avoid all the problems that inevitably will come with stumbling into sin.

Let's listen to warnings that God gives us.  He knows best.  He knows things that we often fail to consider.  And He is only looking out for our best interest.