College Impact spoken word by Sam Tulin

This is just awesome. I am honored to lead amazing students like Sam. Request your copy of College Impact where ever books are sold. ...Just a thought!

Overwhelmed

Think on this…When creating the College Impact resource I did it with the greatest of intentions with hopes that God would use it to make a difference. The truth of the matter is, that no one really knows if the work they are doing will be well received. Especially, when you are doing something for the first time. That has been my experience.

So, I finished the book and trusted God with the rest. I was anticipating quick responses from the people who had received advanced copies and those who ordered it early, but that didn’t happen. Then I thought, ‘Well I will get feedback from my family because they love me’, to no avail. Then I thought, that since the book was quickly being purchased at my local church, sure my church would read it and nothing.

All I wanted was some feedback. Why, because I wrote it and thought it was good, necessary, and vital, but as a person who was barely literate until the 7^th grade you never know. So I waited, and waited and finally an adult from the church responded with, “I wished I’d had this as a student”. Then my siblings started reading it and they were complementary. That was a big boost.

More and more responses started coming in and I started to see that what I’d hoped for was happening. Students were connecting with the material and it was showing them how to make an impact on their campuses. It’s about what God wants to do through them, and they saw it. I even had one student say that he believed God wanted me to write the book for that purpose.

I am simply overwhelmed. I take it this is what all writers and musical artist experience when they put projects out their hoping that people actually embrace them. So, hearing the rave reviews on the book doesn’t change my resolve, but it is confirmation for what I trusted God to do. It’s encouraging, but now I must do all I can to continue to get the out to students and those who love them…Just a thought

Purchase your copy at http://www.amazon.com/College-Impact-Empowering-Collegiate-Christians/dp/0976273829/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278631154&sr=8-1

Come on In

Think on this…my wife and I enjoy having people over to the house. It’s actually a pleasure to host people and to serve them. I usually cook a lot of food and she labors for hours to get the house ready for our guest. It takes us maybe 6-9 hours of preparation for about 3-4 hours of connection time. It may seem like a waste, but for us it is an act of service that brings blessings to our home.

For the holiday we fed what seemed like the world. There were two soon to be married couples at the house and a college student. Then we had an older couple and their mother as well. There were even more people invited, but they could not make it. The conversation jumped from such trivial issues as the love or hate for thrift stores to weighty issues as breast cancer. The group was so diverse that we all learned from each other.

You see it’s enriching to our lives when we serve others. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 You see we feed and welcome people, because we love them. Then in response God makes sure that we are taken care of. We don’t do it to receive, but its good to know that as we give out of our desire to love on people we have watched his provision in our lives. It’s a blessing to be able to bless others…Just a thought.

Really?!

Think on this…I love sketch comedy and one of my all-time favorite shows is Saturday Night Live. They have a recurring segment called, Really?! It’s aimed at asking that old question that need not be answered. My life in so many ways reflects this sketch.

Leave your job, really?! Walk away from a job that has help you provide for your family for 10 years, really?! That’s like telling a lion to leave a fresh zebra kill to search for food in the desert. Really?! Right a book, really?! That’s like asking Animal from the Muppets to do story time for a high school English class, really?! Become a primary care giver, really?! That’s like asking the crazy cat lady from your neighborhood to keep a brand new puppy, really?!

Trust God with your finances, family, and future, really?! REALLY?! Actually, that is not a bad idea, really! We have a tendency to do only the things that make since to us. But, trusting God is never wrong. The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Psalm 3:5 That is the biggest lesson God has been teaching me, lately. In which areas of your life are you struggling to trust God? How can you trust Him this week? The most secure place you could ever be is right where God leads you. Really!...Just a thought.

(for your viewing pleasure http://www.hulu.com/watch/56636/saturday-night-live-really-michael-phelps )

Patience Please

Think on this…it seems like the theme of my life for the past 10+ has been patience. Patience is one of those character traits that we all wish to have, but like many things it doesn’t come easy. I think about the dreams that haven’t happened yet, patience. There are areas of my life in which I thought I would be so much farther than where I am and again, patience. How is this elusive value learned? It’s developed while hanging on to hope as you wait.

When I decided to step out onto the waters and pursue a life of full time service to God and people I thought things would move faster then they have. In my mind I was walking into the great future and everything I desired would be on the other side of my obedience. No, that did not happen. I was diligent to finish my book and to send books to key relationships that I have nurtured. Now, all I can do is wait. Wait for what, you ask? Wait for people to read the book. Wait for those who have read it to book to tell others about it. Wait for people to ask me to come and speak on the matter. Waiting.

I realize one key thing. I am one connection, one endorsement, one mention away from everything I have worked so hard to accomplish with this book to gain momentum. The thing is, I am not on some ego trip, it’s all about accomplishing what I believe God has for me. Even when doing what God has for us there is often a time of challenge and struggle. Jesus had his time in the wilderness; David had to tend his father sheep, Moses lived in exile. This is my time to develop the patience I need to fulfill God’s desired purpose within me. The Bible says, “I pray to God—my life a prayer—and wait for what he'll say and do. My life's on the line before God, my Lord“ Psalm 130:5-6 What are you waiting on God to do in your life? It’s a hard lesson, but a good one…Just a thought

Purpose-versary

Think on this...I just crossed a major anniversary in my life. No, I am not referencing my 10 year wedding anniversary, that has just past(that is an awesome thing). My Purpose-versary is the 1-year celebration of my leaving corporate America to walk in what I believe God has for me. This was a major transition in my life and I have learned lessons that have drawn my heart closer to Christ. It’s not an easy path that we have been on, but it is one on which we are glad to follow God on.

You see there have been some things that have required us to live differently then before. With one of our incomes being eliminated and the other person working for a church (nobody works for a church to get rich) things have been tighter then ever. We aren’t able to have the things with which we have become accustomed. Even our ten year wedding anniversary was scaled all the way back from Japan, to a Japanese restaurant.

Instead of a steady check for coming as a form of income now my income is based on speaking engagements and book sales. Neither is moving at a substantial pace, although I am grateful for the opportunities that have come. So, we are ever in a hurry up and wait situation. Self-employed people understand that struggle all to well.

Then you must consider my son’s special needs into the equation. He has nonstop therapy sessions, equipment needs, basic requirements that come with having his challenges. Those financial needs have only increased as he has grown. Life is challenging at best!...[Expanded blog http://www.damianlboyd.com/college-impact-blog/ ]

The Power of a Father

Think on this…with Father’s Day approaching I am thinking about the power of a father. We need not look far to see the effects of poor examples of fatherhood. I see it often as a minister. There are many people that come to me for pastoral care that are dealing with issues stemming from their dads. Some people struggle with abusive dads that have destroyed their since of self worth, and left them with little esteem. Others are left trying to teach themselves lessons that should come from a father, but due to his absence they have to figure it out on there own.

Then you have the overly permissive fathers out there that either didn’t have a backbone enough, or didn’t know how to put healthy boundaries in the home. Their children have a tendency to explore so many pursuits that they can wreck their lives. There is still the adoring fathers out there that can, with great intentions smother, their children and give them the false impression that life is about them. Then when those kids grow up they run into a world that is not centered around them.

The harsh truth is that fathers have a lot of influence over who their children become. It’s not easy being a good, well-balanced dad. It takes everything you have to figure out how to show the right amount of discipline, guidance, and affection. I don’t want my son to have to deal with issues because I was ineffective in my raising him. Especially when my son will use my relationship with him as a template for his relationship with God. That’s a lot of pressure. But, I wonder how many people’s lives would be better if more fathers would wrestle with these thoughts.

Whether or not you have had an exceptional dad in your life or not its good to be grateful for positive they have done. Sometimes we need to be grateful for the areas in which our fathers were good, even if that is hard to identify. If you had no father at all(like me) then thank God for the father figures you have been able to interact with. Why? The bible says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction." Malachi 4:6 You see, God cares about the fathers in our lives. Honor the men in your life that have taken on this vital challenge and responsibility...Just a thought