Dreams of my childhood....

As we age there are little things that remind us of our childhood. It may be music, food, movies or videos, small phrases or stories being told over dinner.  Do you remember the dreams that would keep you awake as a child?  Can you recall the vivid nature and how clearly it was painted in your mind?  Sometimes these are the things that haunt us today.  It may continue to haunt you way into the future, unless you allow God to reveal it. It may be hard or difficult. It might even be easy!

I remember when my family of seven lived in a little 3 bedroom 2 bath home where I shared a room with my two older brothers.  This nightmare haunted my childhood. My dream was about roads all crumpled up then they would all be smoothed over. Almost like a piece of paper. Then when I would wake up, everything seemed to be very distant. Although I may have been in my mother's lap, I felt that I was on the other side of the couch. Even though I could touch my mother's face it as though she was across the room.

I would have this dream multiple times as a child and I can still see it vividly as if I just dreamt it.  Then in my devotions tonight God takes me across this verse, "Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see. (Isaiah 62:10 NLT)". This verse reminded me of my dream.

What dreams have you discarded as nightmares only to be reminded of your promise?  Remember your dreams from you childhood!

Their choice......

There are times when you want to fix something that you see is wrong.  These times we jump right in to places we have not been invited.  We might be parents, coaches, teachers, employers, pastors, mentors, family or worse yet just friends.  We become aware of a situation that needs our attention but we cannot make the proper decisions without being involved. So, we involve ourselves without the said permission of the problomee. 

When should we get involved?  Well as parents until a certain age we might think that we make those choices for them.  As a coach we guide, give direction and hopefully it was received.  This is similar to most other relationships. It should only be given when it is asked for.   We like to jump right in and start cleaning up a mess that we have no business trying to even touch, let alone clean up.  What is that silly definition again?  Oh yeah, knowledge from my mistakes, wisdom from others mistakes.  Sometimes people have to be stupid on their own to learn these life lessons.  You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  By the way, why is the horse a male gender? Is there something trying to be inferred? Another story for another time.

Like the horse, we can only show the route to freedom, they must choose if they want to be free.  Reflect on your own life first.  Remember, how can you lead this horse to water if you're blind yourself.  Fix your own problems so you might be able to give an experienced answer for others.  Remember it is always their choice.  All the answers in the world will not fix a problem that they need to take action on. Give freely as requested and be available when they fall so you can help pick them back up.

Trust.......

It is interesting to think about all the things we trust in.  We know our car brakes will work because they have every other time we used them.  We believe the light will come on when we turn on the switch that allows electricity to the bulbs.  We know there is day light and moon light.  When we swim in a pool we know we get wet, cool off and will dry off with a towel.  We know that pushing a button on our remote will tell the television to change channels.

Now think more deeply than that.  Without first hand knowledge of these things how do we know all of them will happen?  How do we know that we will not be harmed?  How do we know that if we experience something new what the outcome will be?  Many times we will have to depend on what others tell us.  We will have to have faith.  Even the "faithless" have faith.  Those of you who believe in "nothing" do believe in something.  Call it humanism or scientology.  Yes, you do have faith in something.  Is it too much to stretch your mind to understand that everything came from a spoken word?  Think of how much faith it takes to believe as an inventor that your idea is going to work. 

This is the premise of true trust.  The word trust came from a human describing how God interacts on our behalf.  True trust can expand your knowledge.  True trust can link you with a very strong faith.  Where do you let your faith land?  Is your faith landing where there is no foundation, or have you planted it firmly where it belongs?

Where is your anchor?

We think of anchors and all of a sudden we see ships! Carnival, Disney, and many others.  What is an anchor? 

1. any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.

Interesting how the first definition is based on preventing something from doing something else.  It is defining what a anchor does!  It looks at the main purpose!  Why it was created.  Why were you created?  Where is your anchor?

5. a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay: Hope was his only anchor.

It took 4 definitions before it refered to people!  Have you considered your anchors in life?  Where is your perspective?  Are you consistent? Are you easily swayed?  Have you checked the source of your anchor?  Where did you get the information that you decided would be a good anchor for your life? 

We place anchors to stand against the tide!  What tides are you facing?  Have you placed your anchor in the truth that can only hold your anchor fast to where you have chosen?  We are only as strong as our weakest link.  Time to consider what you're standing for is based on the ROCK of truth or simply sea bed mud that can give way to any current willing to shake it?  Where is your anchor?

I am......

As a believer of the Christian faith, I believe that I am created? Not only am I created but I am created in the image of God? Not only am I created in the image of God, but He has passed down to me some of His talents and abilities. I am not saying that the human race could be considered equal, nor am I saying that we could god-like?  I am saying that Jesus was fully human and fully God while living a somewhat "normal" human existence.  Now Peter was not God but he walked on water! What does that tell you of the potential that God has placed in your un-tapped life?

Now let's go back when God sends Moses to the children of Isreal to call them out of Egypt.  Moses asks, "What do I say when they ask who sent me?"  In other words he wants to know Gods name that the people will recognize Him!  Do you remember His answer?  "I am that I am!"  Great name right?

Leap forward to the Now!  We study about Gods character?  We study about when we become saved we exchange our old character for His character!  Because we have admitted wrong doing, we repent (stop doing the wrong behavior) and receive Jesus reputation for our old wrong reputation.  It a character exchange!  This is the exciting part!  You no longer can say, "I am a loser."  God is not a loser!  

Every time you say, "I am" you are calling God and yourself a name. You need to use an adjective that will best fit God's character!  I AM capable! I AM ethical! I AM faithful! I AM truthful!  I AM peaceful! I AM phenomenal!  I AM enthusiastic!  I AM energetic!  I AM compassionate! 

Now you tell me who I AM.........  You are also.....

Re-inventing your passion

What do you do when you find yourself going through a mundane life?  Do you enjoy living mediocrity? Why then do you continue down a consistent path of no surprises, no excitement, and no energy?  How do you make a change?  Is it a gradual transition?  Do you just shock the system and drop everything for the change?  What is your passion?  Do you have one?  Have you tried anything new that got your motor running?  Let's consider ways to try new things.

First sit down and talk with those who know you best.  People who aren't trying to manipulate you for their gain is a good place to start?  After talking with your circle of influence, write down all the ideas and create a plan to the top three.  These plans of the top three should be detailed out to who, what where, why and how for starting!  

Now that your plan is written, you must take the first step.  The great news of reinventing your passions is nothing new, but is so important that you are passionate about your life.  If you don't get passionate about anything then you will be frustrated at everything!  It could be as simple as......______!  What are you willing to do to plug in and enjoy life again?  It's not hard and takes just a couple easy steps and you get to spend time with people who care and love you! Now go and get crackin!

Do your best!

As a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, a father and other to many people take this to heart.  Every day I take my son to school and after listening to the Daily Audio Bible #DAB for the past nine years we have somewhat of typical statement when I drop him off.  Today he surprised me.  We as parents expect to motivate and encourage our children to try harder, go further, but most importantly we tell them "Do your best!"

As he got of the vehicle I will say things like, "I love you, Remember who you are, Focus today and Do your best!" Of course I say I love you every time but i rotate the others in and depending on our conversations on the way i may use ALL of them as he gets out of the vehicle.  Today after saying, "Do your best!"  My son responds to me, "You too!"

Have you ever thought of doing your best for your kids?  Everything we do we think it is for us or for our family or for loved ones or customers.  Focus on doing your best just for your kids.  Not for financial gain, not for fame, not for furtherance of goals, but just to make your kids proud.

As a son, I always wanted to make my dad proud.  As a brother, now grown, I like to think that I make my siblings proud.  As a husband I know my wife is proud.  As a friend I believe they are proud.  As a colleague or other I believe that there are some that are proud.  I have never thought to make my children proud. As a Christian we want to do what God has called us to do.  As a Christian I am proud of others who take that leap of faith to follow God's calling and walk in Him.  As we do this one thing, we will make all the above proud.  What are you doing everyday to bring Him glory and satisfaction to all those people watching you in your witness.  Do your best!