I awakened late on Sunday morning, but with a strong push I made it to the chapel earlier than my usual last minute arrival.

I greeted our volunteers and walked inside, where I spotted one of my medical school professors who attends regularly. We started chatting and in the conversation I happened to ask his age. In response, he confessed that it was his birthday and he was turning 73! I congratulated him and we stopped talking as the choir began to sing.

Before I left to go to the main service, though, I wrote a birthday note and invited him to come over to the café for a meal. After the chapel service ended, we had a lovely breakfast. He lives alone and was not going to celebrate with his son until the following weekend. Thus, it made me extra happy that God got me there early and used me to offer a birthday blessing for His child!

It reminds me of how important it is to have margin in my life so I can be available to serve. I am too often like the religious guys in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan – too busy with my own agenda to take time for a neighbor.

As it turns out, filling our lives with activity robs God of the moments He needs to bring us into those divine encounters that bless us and make us a blessing. Studies show that those who are hurried or preoccupied often don’t even notice the needs around them, or when they do, excuse themselves from helping.

Consider leaving a little earlier today and leave God a little time to get you where he wants you to be. It is in the margins that we can help those who need us.

Here is a moving video of some German students, reminding us of life’s brevity and the power we have to make a difference.

The shoe space in my closet it crowded, due in part to the generosity of Randy Reeves, my executive pastor, who gave me some awesome shoes. So yesterday, when my friend Randy Watts was visiting, I asked if he knew someone who could use some ropers and another pair of shoes that I didn’t need. He did, so I waved goodbye to them as he pulled away in his white pickup.

The boots served me well for many years and I was attached to them. But my feet had outgrown them, and I needed to let go.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation that reminded me that I still harbor some ill feelings from a few years back. God convicted me, and affirmed it through Randy, that I must be honest and share my hurt and frustration and let go, regardless of the response.

Like a closet, our hearts have only so much space. To live freely and love fully, we need room to grow. Holding on to things limits us, and what we have in hand may keep us from grabbing onto fresh possibilities in each day.

Whether a good thing, like a pair of shoes I no longer wear, or something bad, like resentment, we must cast it off to move on with Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.     Hebrews 1:1-3

Enjoy this Michael Card song about the freedom of letting go.

Ever feel like you got nothing to give? All of us have times when we feel we have too little time, energy, motivation, money or power to do what we wish to do.

These are the times that our decision to use what little we have can make all the difference. In the eyes of heaven giving our small offering is huge.

 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”                                                                – Mark 12:41-44

Sometimes, just getting out of bed takes all the energy and will-power we can muster. But when we give the little we have, we honor God and our faith is stretched. Plus, heaven notices even when no one else gives a second glance.

Psychologically, pushing over the hump and taking action when we have little to give is referred to as a “small win”. Whether in exercise, eating right or serving others, small wins over time reap big rewards. They teach us to use the little we have and trust God for the rest. Over time, we gain strength.

As Jesus promises, “To everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.                                                               – Luke 19:26

Claim the little power that you have and put it to use. The coins given by the widow at the temple were referred to as mites. With very limited value from a worldly standpoint, in heaven’s eyes they were precious.

No matter how we are struggling, all of us have our “mites” and we can choose to put them to good use. Those positive little actions and decisions can change our lives and impact heaven and maybe even our world.

Mighty mites!

We had dinner last night with our dear friends, David and Cathy Peake. Cathy prepared a delicious prime rib, and in our conversation, she shared that she just completed several items on her list of goals for 2015 in the final two days of the year. As they say, “Better late than never!”

Cathy’s list for 2015 gave her a target for accomplishment and having written them, she didn’t forget them. Indeed, studies reveal we are much more likely to reach goals that are written. I know I more focused and productive on days or weeks I have a written list of things to do.

My mom is a big fan of lists, and if she performs a task that wasn’t written down, she goes back to add it to the list, just so she can feel the satisfaction of crossing it off. We are made for purpose and accomplishment is inherently rewarding.

Whether or not you are a fan of new year’s resolutions, I encourage you to activate your imagination. Think about the year ahead. Want to plan a getaway with a loved one? Wish to learn a new skill? Need to restore a broken relationship or finish a project? Is this the year to read through the Bible or go on spiritual retreat? How about a health or fitness goal?

Write down things that come to mind and prioritize. The most important things will likely never happen unless you activate intention and desire. Then submit your list to God and make it your aim to find your joy in Him.

When you do, you can be sure He remembers your desires even when you forget them.

 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.                    Psalm 37:4

But write your goals, don’t talk about them! This 3 minute TED talk will tell you why.

https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself?language=en

Bethlehem. The name means, “house of bread.” Fitting that Jesus, our “bread of life” (John 6) would enter the world through the portal of this poor, little town. And how fascinating that His first place of rest was a manger – a feeding trough. From the moment of His birth, Jesus came to feed us.

No doubt He wishes to meet our physical and emotional needs, but he came to do more. He came, taking our flesh and blood as His own, so that in time, we might take in His flesh and blood.

A foreigner, He assimilated into our world, an extraterrestrial made man. Now as we eat of Him, that foreigner invades every cell of our bodies. And so we assimilate the life of Christ into us, a daily renewal. He became like us, so day by day, we become more and more like Him.

In some traditions, the bread and wine of communion is referred to as the “real presence”. This Christmas, make sure to focus on the very real presence of Christ among us, rather than on the presents we give and receive.

And be present! Savor the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the flavors of Christmas! Look deeply into the eyes of those you love, listen to the hearts of those around and breathe in deeply of the joys of living. But most of all, celebrate the bread of life.

Taste and see that the Lord is good!  Psalm 34:8

Enjoy Jesus today!

Begin with the end in mind!

This year I have lost so many friends and colleagues. We lost four men in Restoration alone. One of our missions pastors, Jamilyn Hull, was killed in a motor vehicle accident and our Grief Share leader, Gloria High, died of a heart attack. In addition, two men my age decided to end their lives by suicide, and a third died after a freak accident in which he broke his neck. I have known Gloria and these three men for over twenty-five years each. And even more painful, some dear friends lost their son in a motorcycle accident this May.

All these losses have made me ready to see this year end and make me cognizant of the fact that the day is coming for all of us. 2015 was also the year I passed the age my father was when he died.

And although my Dad accomplished quite a lot, he had dreams and goals that he never realized. We know there will be a day of reckoning, when we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Will we be prepared for our final exam? I want to be ready!

As this year draws to a close, think deeply about what you have experienced and what you have brought to the world in 2015. Now imagine yourself a year from now. What do you wish to have accomplished in 2016?

If you do a good job of imagining, you can begin 2016 with the end in mind.

Ask God to reveal your heart’s desire and His desire for you in 2016. Write down all that comes to mind and put it somewhere where only you can see it. Then commit your ways to Him and find your joy in Him every day.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.     Proverbs 3:5,6

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

Psalm 37:4,23

Watch what happens when you delight in and defer to Him. This dark world needs your light!

Love y’all!

Paul

P.S. Don’t die on me!

I recently enjoyed reconnecting with my cousin, Cindy. When I was six weeks old, her mother cared for me while my mom was hospitalized for spinal meningitis. Soon after, my Aunt Helen adopted Cindy and her brother, Duane. Now, Aunt Helen and Uncle Fred are both gone and Cindy’s brother has also passed away. Once again feeling a bit “orphaned”, Cindy reached out and it was wonderful to be with her again.

All of us have had human parents and our connection to them is a big part of our identity. But it is when we feel disconnected that we reach out for more.

God wants to adopt us all. But to some extent, we must let go of our human identity in order to reach out for a new spiritual connection. We must experience enough pain, frustration, or loss that we reach out for more than our humanity has to offer.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:4

We are made for relationship. So if you are feeling broken as a human or cut off from others, reach out! Reach out to God, your heavenly Father, and to those who can be spiritual family to you.

The cool thing is, when you reach out, you give God and others the pleasure of connection.

Thank you, Cindy!

Play!

On a road trip recently, Teri and I stopped at a service station to service ourselves and our vehicle. As I stepped out of the restroom, I found myself walking behind a rather large woman who was obviously enjoying the music piped in through the establishment’s speakers. She had her arms in the air and was moving her body to the beat. She was having a good time and completely unconcerned about what I or anyone else might think. Her playful attitude and big smile made my day, and made me think, “I want to be like her!”

Jesus invites us to become as little children and children are masters of play. If you are doing nothing in your life just for fun, you are missing out and robbing yourself and others of joy.

Work is important, but play is essential to the abundant life Jesus has for us.

Do me a favor. Find a way to play today. Make a fun moment and enjoy it. I’m pretty sure Jesus will join you!