Home Base

Great video. The enthusiasm and excitement among boys ends up being a moment that one would rather forget and quickly. I wonder what words ensued.  


The great moments of our lives will always be accompanied by or preceded with ones we would rather "pass" on. But don't fret; rather, choose to make the best of it. Enjoy the moment.  But it's in these moments that your character is honed and tested. Don't abandon it. Don't dismiss it.  

James 1:4 (NIV)  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Perseverance is something EVERY leader should work on and through purposefully.  It's all too easy and quite common to complete a year or two in one ministry and then jump ship when the next "late and greatest" comes along.  In doing so, I believe may youth pastors and ministers missed out on the harvest that would have been theirs.   

My wife and I have always believed in building home base. You can hit a single or a double, but the goal is to tag home base. That's true in kickball as it is in baseball.  No point in loading up the bases if you never get to eventually tap your foot or plant both feet at home base.  In the same way, we don't want to just do an evangelism event then jump to the next thing on schedule or sponsor an event whether at church or at work and then move one. Our plan of action must be  based on a plan that is intentional and purposeful- get to home base. Do we follow up on new converts? How is the follow up to your hoo rah rah at last week's staff meeting? Do we seek to mentor a new trainee at work or a new ministry team member at church? Thats part of the route to home base.

In closing, what do your bases look like (plan of attack, business plan, vision/goals, etc). You gotta know what first, second, and third look like before you get there. And most importantly, what does home base look like? As one applicant asked me during his presentation, what is considered a "win"?  

Father, thank you for ultimately getting us around the bases to eventually tag home base. Direct us today to be good stewards of our time and resources. Teach us to persevere and see things though.  In Jesus' name.   

The Point of No Return

Proverbs 18:9-10

9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Not too long ago it was a trend to "be lazy". I haven't been following to see if this is still the "in" thing to say to friends but its never caught on with me. Truth is, if I had a choice, I would be lazy. Truthfully, I like the idea of waking up Saturday morning at 11A but then reality hits, and I am reminded of the futile life. What good would that do me? What benefits this life?

A great reminder that running to the LORD is a wise thing. He is our strong tower. Why not? I once was asked, "why do we treat God like Santa Claus by asking him for things?" As I reflect on this more, I am reminded how "Western" this question was.

In America, as in many Western countries, it is the individual, the "me" that we pride on. Though there is something "sexy" about this, it is not the biblical view. Previous to this year, the USA Men's Olympic Basketball team lost twice to teams of other countries with far less "star power". How could these teams beat or team with Lebron, Melo, and DWade? It was simple. The teams played team basketball, while we played more an exhibitionist-individual performance brand. This year we won because of "TEAM".

I'm getting somewhere with this. The notion that we can do it ourself or we shouldn't call on God until we need Him is not biblical. We are to "call to Him" as written in Jeremiah 33:3. We need to continually rely on Him- thats called Lordship. The Western worl prays for a Savior but not many live for the LORD.

How do we differentiate? Simple. In the past week, what has our prayer consisted of? Has it been "God, thank you for the food, thank you for the bed, thank you.....AMEN?" Or rather, has it been "God this is how things have been going? Where are you at work today? What does this mean"? The first is one demensional. You talking to God so he can hear, but you rather not have the reponse. The second is relational. You are seeking God. He is LORD, and you are asking your Lord about life- all of it.

So today, my challenge is to yield to my Lord and Savior Jesus.

Dear Lord, thank you for life, for today, for my rest last night. You are a good God. Where are you at work today that I may join you? Amen.

Maximize the Moment

Word for Today: Maximize the Moment

Proverbs 28:19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

On Thanksgiving Day I hope you had a wonderful time recounting what God has done for you and your loved ones this past year. Expressing your gratitude to God is a door for continual blessings. You probably thanked God for things that have already taken place and also held back on others because you're still waiting for them. You see, God is a well of abundant blessings. He has more.

God blesses us from a spring of blessings that does not end with just the event or that prayer, but He continues to build on things into the future- even things you haven't caught a glimpse of yet. But as God is doing this, continue to do your part.

When God called those in the Bible for great things, they were taking care of daily responsibilities or just seized the moment- Joseph just showed concern for his cellmates, the disciples were fishing, Moses was tending sheep, Mary was helping her family- you get the idea.

So today, with the holiday still fresh on your mind, give legs to those dreams. Continue to do what you've been doing to honor God and your word like saving money to pay off a debt, cleaning your house/room, studying for your midterms, and even setting aside time to study about these "heroes of the faith". God can make the ordinary into extraordinary. You just give legs to His work- keep working.

Enjoy and maximize the moment by making use of every opportunity. Lay a foundation for your dreams by doing all things well and continuing in your daily responsibilities- this gives legs to your dreams. This is what makes a moment worthwhile.

Father, thank you for today that what I do here has eternal value. Thank you for taking care of my present and my future. I ask that you lead me today and help me in finishing what is before me. But Lord, don't just help me do it, make it worthwhile! Amen.