What if?

Think on this…what if your life is supposed to me more than it has become?

What if your life is not an accident?

What if you were born for a greater purpose?

What if all mighty God does love you?

What if God has a plan for your life?

What if everything that the Bible says is true?

What if Jesus did come to the earth?

What if Jesus actually lived a perfect life, died on a cross for your sins, was raised from the grave, all to give you a relationship with God?

What if all of the bad things you have ever done have already been atoned for and God is just waiting for you to embrace it?

What if those random thoughts of going to church, getting to know God, and reading the Bible is God’s way of trying to get your attention?

What if God is able to do more than you could ever ask or think?

What if God is whom He says He is, and will reward you for deciding to trust Him with your life?

What if?

…Just a thought.

Coaching

Think on this…I am a football coach for my wife’s flag football team. I never thought I would enjoy coaching women. Yuck! Stupid girls! But, I have fallen in love with these women and have come to appreciate their willingness to learn and develop into true football players. We recently started prepping for the upcoming season and I am working them out.

It’s fun to watch them get mad at me for making them run. To be honest, I get a kick out of making them do more then they would like to on their own. That is the job of a coach, to push, train, develop, and fight for them, and with them if necessary. It is all for one reason, so that they can be as successful as possible. It’s all about helping them win.

I realized recently, that’s what the Holy Spirit does with us. God is always pushing and working with us to help us grow and be all we can be. It doesn’t always feel good when He is leading us, but the end goal is our victory. That is so encouraging to a former loser like me. The Bible says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 When we follow the leadership of the coach, victory is in our sights…Just a thought.

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger Woods Y’all

Think on this…with Tiger Woods’ recent public statement about his infidelity, it is interesting to watch the reactions of reporters and cultural critics. It’s odd to hear people’s opinion of his apology, because I can’t help but wonder how I would feel in that situation. This is not to excuse his bad behavior. But, how would you like it if others judge your every apology?

Did you really mean you where sorry for cutting someone off in traffic? Are you truly apologetic about your bad attitude? I know that I can’t stand it when people think they know what I am thinking. Now, Tiger may or may not be sincere, I don’t know. The one thing I do know is that I am way under qualified to figure it out. We spend way too much time trying to judge others motives, and so little time ensuring our own are pure.

The Bible says, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“ Matt 7:2 I know I don’t want to be held hostage by other people opinions. I believe him, because he said it. Anymore then that is speculation at best…Just a thought.

I Keep Forgettin

Think on this…if you are a child of the 70’ and early 80’s you probably remember the Michael McDonald song, “I Keep Forgettin.” That anthem has been repeating in my head lately, and it made me think about my own life. The truth is, I keep forgettin who I am and who I am supposed to be. Why, because it’s easy to forget the things that we ought to never forget.

I don’t know if it’s just the human condition, or my own weakness, but I tend to have a long memory when it comes to my faults and a short memory when it comes to my strengths. I can be so focused on where I fall short, that I miss the fact that I have greatness on the inside of me. I think that is true for most people. I can be so comforting with others as they learn to live above their depravity. I am awesome at reminding people of their journey and the potential on the inside of them. But, when it comes to me, I keep forgettin.

So, what is the solution? I have to remind myself constantly, so that I never again forget. There is a catch though; in my own ability I am a wreck! What I have to remember is, who Christ is in me. Trust me, all who knew me before my conversion would echo that statement. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 That is something that is too important to keep forgettin…Just a thought.

Quality Time

Think on this…it’s rare that I get a moment away with my wife. I love that woman, but life has a way of keeping us focused on the daily grind. We are left filling our days with stuff that is not connected to the romantic notions that we would rather indulge. We connect periodically, and I am happy for the fact that we are still going strong after 10 years.

We used to get away more, but life with a child of special needs has its demands. So, when we can get a moment with each other we cherish it. We were in one of those windows and it was awesome. If you are a regular reader then you may have notice a slight delay in my posts, but I was with my woman. And it was so good. I love that woman!

We are learning to invest more time in our relationship, in the light of our difficult circumstances. If our relationship doesn’t work then our family doesn’t work. If we focus more on our son and his issues then we do one another then we all loose. I must continue to treasure her above all, but Jesus. That is the role of a husband. “Be happy with the wife you married when you were young.” Proverb 5:18 …Just a thought

Happy to be me!

Think on this… I have spent many years worried about my looks, my hair loss, and my overall value. It is exhausting to be burdened with what everyone else thinks of you. That time could have been better invested in other ways. Maybe you can’t understand that way of life, and I am happy for you if that is your story. But, if you identify with the value struggle then this will hopefully encourage you.

I worked hard to be like other people. At first it was my friends Damon and Mike. Both were outrageously confident and I love surfing in the wake of their strength. Then there was my cousin Kyle who by his own admission was, “Not conceded but convinced.” I even tried to walk with his bowlegged gate. Then I wanted to be like my pastor and command authority. I would try to speak in his deep tone. All of these failed because that was not who God had created me to be.

So, I had to discover the beauty inside of me. I am special, and God has a plan for me. I am so unique that he wired me to do what only I was meant to do. God knows how flawed I am, and He loves me anyway. So, who am I to think less of myself then I ought. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 I am who I am by the grace of God and if you don’t like it, that is your problem. …Just a thought

Promise Keeper

Think on this…a friend of mine once told a story that both encouraged and challenged me. He told a story about his son, who before he passed away said this of his father. “He has always kept his promises to me.” His son died knowing that his father’s word was always dependable. Upon hearing that, I was quietly moved, as I want that to be said of me.

Years ago there was a saying; “My word is my bond”. In the urban community it became, “Word is bond.” We said that with so much enthusiasm, although I think we missed it’s meaning. That phrase carries the promise that if I say it, you can count on it. There was no maybe, might, or possibly in that statement. If I say it, that settles it. There is so much power in that concept. I think we give ourselves too many excuses for why we are justified in not keeping our word.

I wish I could say that I have never faltered in this area. But, I endeavor to be the type of man who can be trusted to do what he says he will do. I have discovered that it takes a couple key characteristics to do that. First, we must not commit to anything we can’t do. Second we must have a, whatever it takes approach to keeping our word. The bible says, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 I invite you to join me in becoming a promise keeper…Just a thought.

Black History

Think on this…I love being a black American, African American, and/or a descendant of enslaved Africans in America. I don’t really have any hang ups on which of these phrases chosen to describe me, I love it. I value my history. My ancestors were taken from their homes in Africa, probably sold off by someone who looked like them. Then they were subjected to a torturous journey across the ocean jammed into ships like sardines and many died. Upon arrival they were sold like cattle in open squares. Forced to work, bred like beast, raped, etc. Then once they were free endured lynching and unjust laws. Years later we still wrestle with the ramifications of all of these atrocities.

All of that and one thing still grabs my heart; we are still here. In spite of all that has been done to us and all that we have done to ourselves, we are still here. We have overcome, and are still overcoming. I don’t think this is a license to hold grudges, but I see one outstanding quality, resilience. I know it’s my custom to reference scriptures, no one scripture seems appropriate, and I don’t desire to have blogs with 20+ verses. So, I will end this blog with the words of an old Negro spiritual. “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last”…Just a thought.