Connections

Get A Grip And Get Going ... It's About Depth And Destination!!

 

Get A Grip And Get Going ... It's About Depth And Destination!!

I have a time-honored tradition about beginning every new year with a 'focused word'!

Perhaps it harkens back to my early faith development days when I was determined to make daily, spiritual progress? Or perhaps to my days serving as a pastor when I desired to lead our congregation in deliberate spiritual progess?

Whatever the reason, I seek to have what I know to be a fresh, focused word as each new year dawns.

That word for this year is ...

Get A Grip And Get Going ... It's About Depth And Destination!!

What I know is that we are passing thru a time that is spiritually challenging, seriously concerning and significantly chaotic!

So much is happening so fast in so many places ... that it is impossible to ignore ... even for those who in the past have found some kind of explanation for it all!

So ... what to do in all of this?

Get A Grip And Get Going ... It's About Depth And Destination!!

Now more than ever we need to develop real spiritual traction! To establish ourselves in much deeper places ... to get a grip!

We need to be able to push forward ... beyond where we have been! To push thru ... being stuck in the same old ruts!

Get A Grip And Get Going ... It's About Depth And Destination!!

We also need to know that we are on a journey and that where we are is not nearly as important as where we are going!

The focus is the destination!

On this journey we will pass thru plenty of deep water, feel overwhelmed and helpless ... but the point is ... we journey on until we reach the destination!

This ... is not that ... so ...

Get A Grip And Get Going ... It's About Depth And Destination! 

That's my focus ... are you in with me? I hope so ... I really hope so!

I love this passage of scripture from Isaiah

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. 

   I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. 
   When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, 
   it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God, 
   The Holy of Israel, your Savior."

- Isaiah 43:1-3 (The Message) -

 

I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon

   ''The Lord will make a way for you where no foot has been before. That which, like a sea, threatens to drown you, shall be a highway for your escape.' 

      - Charles H. Spurgeon - 

 

 I love this wonderful song by Janet Pascal (It Won't Rain Always)

(Click on the link or copy & paste it into your browser) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYOJzX-bP4U

When Good News Is Extremely Rare ... The Reality of Christmas is Exceptionally Rich!

 

I love Christmas!

 

I have anticipated it as much as is possible and have extended it as much as is possible as well! 

 

I love Christmas because it is accentuates so many of the things that make us better people and it gives us enduring hope, eternal peace, as well as exceedingly great joy!

 

This year the message of Christmas is even more precious because we are living in a moment of worldwide crisis at so many levels and the truth is that ...

 

'When Good News Is Extremely Rare ... The Reality of Christmas is Exceptionally Rich!'

 

I am following an online Advent daily devotional that I am really enjoying!

 

It is called, 'Following The Star' and you can find it at http://www.d365.org/followingthestar/

 

Let me share an excerpt from one of the devotionals that inspired my thoughts to you!

 

'Search any news source, pick up any newspaper, or just listen to the morning news and you could be consumed with worry.  There is a limited job market for recent college graduates. Scholarship money is being cut due to a struggling economy. Even holiday jobs are scarce for teenagers this year. We could use some Good News!

(Michelle Thomas-Bush)

 

This is just one expression of the crisis!

 

Add to that the the deeper agonies of nations at war, natural disasters and never-ending personal tragedies that befall so many and it is clear that we are a people in great need!

 

'When Good News Is Extremely Rare ... The Reality of Christmas is Exceptionally Rich!'

 

The angelic proclamation on the night that Jesus was born is generationally relevant!

 

Do you remember the words?

 

'I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Christ the Lord.'

 

Knowing that Christ has come and entered into our world powerfully and personally is our assurance that good news though delayed can not be denied.

 

This is the message that now becomes ours to share and our world longs for this Christmas message ... now more than ever!

 

'When Good News Is Extremely Rare ... The Reality of Christmas is Exceptionally Rich!'

Don't LUMP Your Days ... LIVE Them!!

 

Don't LUMP Your Days ... LIVE Them!!

I am an avowed Christmas fanatic!

If you do not like Christmas then I may be your worst nightmare from September 16th (100 Days 'Til Christmas) until January 6th (the end of the 12 Days Of Christmas).

You see my plan is to redeem these days to share the real message of Christmas ... the good news that Christ has come!!

Lord knows that we need this ... now, more than ever!

Truthfully, as much as I love Christmas, I seriously do not like the ridicuously commercialized Christmas ... oh, excuse me, I mean ... 'Holiday' season!

What this has become is frightful ... and rightfully deemed 'X-mas' because it is truly empty of Christ!

The gadgets, the hype, the pressure to top someone else in giving ... all utterly ridiculous!

Worse still is that we are almost forced to 'lump' all the days together ... to the point that we can hardly enjoy them!

Don't LUMP Your Days ... LIVE Them!!

We need to do our very best to create moments that capture the spiritual realities of Christmas and to craft memories with others that do the same!

What an opportunity we have to separate the season into single, special, significant days!

To truly celebrate Christmas ... in our hearts, homes & houses of worship!

So  here's the plan!

As we are preparing for the Advent let's make every effort to celebrate single days, filled with significant expressions, to be shared with special people!

We will have to re-think everything we normally do so that we can redeem every possible opportunity!

Don't LUMP Your Days ... LIVE Them!!

This is going to be good!!

Really, really good!

- Terry -

 

Make Good Choices!

 

'Make Good Choices'

If you are within my 'global footprint' then you know that I have identical twin grandsons!

If you are within shouting distance then you know that I have endless 'Caleb & Luke' stories and ... if you are closer than that then you are screaming, 'Enough already'!

Kristi & Andrew are amazing parents and they are clearly committed to doing their very best to provide 'boundaries' that will keep their little boys safe.

When they ask the boys to do something and Caleb or Luke are slow to respond (big discussion on who they take after in those moments), they say very matter of factly, ...

'Make Good Choices'!

It is amazing to see how effectively this works!

The last time I was with them Caleb was having abit of a day but when his mom looked at him and said the three critical words (you know), he understood that he needed to do what he was being asked to do.

The fact is that our Heavenly Father speaks the same words to us! 

• In Deuteronomy 30:19 we are urged to 'Choose life'
• In Joshua 24:15 we are challenged to 'Choose who you will serve'
• In Proverbs 8:10 we are told to 'Choose instruction over silver' 

Over and over again we are reminded to ...

'Make Good Choices'!

God is clearly committed to doing His very best to provide 'boundaries' that will keep His children safe.

Like Caleb & Luke we are learning to say yes ... less reluctantly!

In doing that we find favor ... and get fewer 'time-outs'!!

And that is a very good thing ... very good indeed!!

Reasons To Cry ... Realities To Celebrate!

Lately, it seems that our world has been battered with great trouble!

The world's attention has been captivated by an economic crisis that is pervasive, natural disasters that are relentless and unending turmoil that has toppled governments!

Then, in addition to all of this, each of us are battling hard with our own major personal challenges, which at times seem impossible to overcome!

In all honesty there are plenty of 'reasons to cry'!

Our world is groaning, our hearts are breaking, our families are struggling, our health is deterioating ... so many 'reasons to cry'!

However, I can assure you that for every 'reason to cry' that we have to face there is a corresponding 'reality to celebrate'  ... well, actually the realities far out number the reasons!

Greater still, the strength of the 'realities' cancel out the sting of the 'reasons'!

Our groaning world has a Redeemer, our broken hearts have a Savior, our struggling families have a Father and our deteriorating health has a Healer!

The fact is that beyond the 'reasons' there are 'realities' ... and in knowing this we find our comfort!

So, when we are surrounded with all the 'reasons to cry' let's do our very best to see the 'realities to celebrate'!

In doing this our hope will be renewed, our hearts will be refreshed and with these gifts in our hands we can reach out to those in our world who know all too well that there are 'reasons to cry' but desperately need to know that there are also 'realities to celebrate'!!

We are among those who are doing what Isaiah spoke of, 'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation and who can say, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

How wonderful to be able to share such good news!!

How very wonderful indeed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer ... SERIOUSLY!!

I love summer!

 

I have spent most of my time in Brussels, Belgium and Malmo, Sweden and the fact is that these two cities really do 

Summer ... SERIOUSLY!!

 

We enjoy many long days (18+ hours of light), special summer food (too much to describe), great events (festivals, shows & street parties) and an intentional change of pace!

My favorite summer activity is to enjoy the Malmo small boat harbor! Any time on any day works for me!

The photo above is just a teaser because being there is so amazing!

Summer ... SERIOUSLY!!

 

Another thing I love about summer is that we have the opportunity for an increased time of reflection & renewal.

I am using this phrase, 'Summer ... SERIOUSLY' as my focused ministry theme this summer and here is what I am asking others to consider with me.

 

The two dominant themes of the Gospel of John are the presentation of Jesus & the priority of truth! We tend to hear alot about the first message but the second one may not be as obvious.

 

Consider this!

 

Only John makes mentions of the fact that on 25 separate occasions Jesus prefaced His statements of truth by saying, 'Verily, Verily' or 'Truly, Truly'.

 

These 25 statements make the priority of truth a clear, intentional and pervasive reality.

 

It is critical that we establish the priority of truth at every level it is intended to impact! 

John is quick to tell us that, 'We can know the truth and the truth will set us free' (John 8:32).

Here are the significant things that we need to know:

♦ He Tells Us The Truth – Reality of Revelation   

♦ We Tell Others The Truth – Reality of Redemption  

♦ I Tell Myself The Truth – Reality of Restoration

Summer ... SERIOUSLY ... it can be if we can embrace these truths!

So enjoy these special days of summer in every way you can and do your best to take on the priority of truth!

If that happens you will gain more than you could ever imagine and make this one great

Summer ... SERIOUSLY!!

 

Powerful Words Profoundly Spoken!

 
 
  Powerful Words Profoundly Spoken!

Today is Independence Day and as always, I will be one very proud American ... and since I live in Brussels, Belgium my celebration will be pretty much a 'one man show'!

No parades, no fireworks ... but I will enjoy a picnic with other Americans (and all the good stuff) and I will say the Pledge Of Allegiance, standing in front of a small American flag with my hand over my heart!

31 words - that's all but these are ...

Powerful Words Profoundly Spoken!

Reciting these words evokes something deep within us!

Our hearts should be moved and our spirits stirred every time we hear these 31 words ...

Powerful Words Profoundly Spoken!

The fact is that if we can honor these words and live out our covenant as we pledge we want to do, then we can persevere in our mission and we can remain, 'one nation, under God, indivisiable, with liberty and justice for all'.

Sadly, these words can quickly become ordinary ... and quicker still they can become obselete!

The sacrifices made, though great, will be forgotten, the struggle to survive becomes less urgent  and the sincerity of the covenant is lost!

 Today we have the opportunity to renew these words in our hearts and proclaim them with resounding passion!

So, join me, will you?

Stand up, face your little flag, place your hand over your heart and say it with me,

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Powerful Words Profoundly Spoken!

May God keep our nation united and our republic strong as we remain humbly in His hands, always ready to defend liberty and provide justice for all!

That's the promise of the pledge!!

Come to think of it ... today may be a great time to review other covenants that we have made ... with God, our families, or with others. Words that we have spoken, promises that we have made and covenants that we have established.

Perhaps we need to bow our heads and prayerfully renew our commitment to our own ...

Powerful Words Profoundly Spoken!

That's the cost of the covenant!!

 

Red Skelton on 'The Pledge of Allegiance'

** Love this video clip! Perfect for today!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiZeTrtyoCQ

More Than We Know/Faster Than We Think!

 

When it comes to the pace of God's activity we can always say that He is doing ...

More Than We Know/Faster Than We Think!

I know that in our world today there is surge in the pace of the news about troubled nations, natural disasters, economic crisis and a host of other disturbing issues that should indeed concern us ... but that is not all of the story!

There is also a surge in the pace of some very good things going on in our world!

There are abundant reports of new breakthroughs that relief great suffering, new initiatives that positively impact the desperately poor and new movements that produce change and renewal!

There is no question about the pace of good news ...

More Than We Know/Faster Than We Think!

The fact is that we are not likely to hear about the good news or be made aware of the pace of God's activity through the popular media, so we need to tell the stories to each other!

I love being a bearer of 'good news' and a herald of God's activity! I love to tell the stories and do that every chance I get!

This week I listened to a young Bosnian lady who had an incredible story of deep personal & spiritual change!

The details are amazing and powerfully prove once again that pace of God's activity is hastening and that He is doing ...

More Than We Know/Faster Than We Think!

I know it's true and I want you to know it as well because that changes everything ... immediately and forever.

So if you need to hear good news about God's activity ... I've got stories to tell!



 

 

Thinking About Mom And Feeling Very, Very Grateful!

 Tomorrow is Mother's Day in America.

This is the first time I have been in America for Mother's Day since ... well I do not remember when actually.

So like everyone else here I am ...

Thinking about mom and feeling very, very grateful!

There are Mother's Day sales advertised for many of the stores, Mother's Day specials announced for alot of the restaurants and Mother's Day services arranged for most of the churches.

It is almost impossible to not be ...

Thinking about mom and feeling very, very grateful!

Like many my Mother's Day will focus on my memories of mom rather than moments with mom. If you still have your mom, honor her in every way!

 My mom was special to me for so many reasons!

She had a simple but secure faith, she loved sincerly without judging and she was a peace-maker.

Actually she was more than that! My mom was a true peace-seeker, a real peace-speaker and a devoted peace-keeper.

Can you see why I love her and why I am ...

Thinking about mom and feeling very, very grateful!

I know that others loved my mom greatly because of the vitues and most importantly ... she was loved by God!

Mom gave me alot in life and now that she is gone the example of her life still guides me.

The fact is that this keeps me focused on the things that I really want to live for and reminds me that the influence of my life lingers.

I want to live like she lived, love like she loved and leave the kind of legacy that she left.

Thinking about mom ... and feeling very, very grateful!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

 

 

He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!!

 

  
 

Easter 2011

 

'He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed'

 

These are the words that we will hear exchanged between Christians tomorrow and I love these words of proclamation and affirmation!

 

These words inspire living hope, unlimited possibilities, great faith and perfect love to all who hear them and grasp their reality!

 

'He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed'

 

The early disciples, the established church, the estranged, the empty-hearted ... all can find new life in Him!

 

No matter who you are or what you may be facing this truth remains ...

 

'He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed'

 

Share this greeting often, speak it out with great expectation and you will see how life-giving it is to others!

 

'He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed'