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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 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 they are slow to respond (big discussion on who they take after in those moments) they say very matter offactly, 'Make Good Choices'!

It is interesting to see how effective that really is!

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 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!!

 

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'

The Promise Of New Life Is Not Just The Promise Of Spring ... It Is The Promise Of The Savior!

The signs of Spring are increasingly evident here in Brussels ... trees budding, flowers blooming, lambs skipping in the fields & people smiling as they take in the warm rays of the sun! 

Am I stirring up a little 'Spring Fever'?

I sure hope so because the fact is that ...

The promise of new life is not just the promise of Spring ... it is the promise of the Savior!

There is something life-giving about seeing the awakening in the world around us! The beauty is simply outstanding! I have dozens of photos on my phone because everywhere I go I see something that captures me!

It is exhilerating actually!

We should enjoy the renewal of life in the creation but equally we should experience the resurrection of the Spirit in our hearts because ...

The promise of new life is not just the promise of Spring ... it is the promise of the Savior!

Our hearts should be brimming with life and there should be a keen awareness that all things are becoming new!

This is the season to stir our hearts, shift our perspectives and shape our attitudes!

He who freshens our world with the signs of new life can also fill our hearts with all things new!

The promise of new life is not just the promise of Spring ... it is the promise of the Savior!

Now that should leave all of us, 'feeling mighty fine' as they say in the South!!

The Joy Of Belonging

 

 
I have just returned from Chisinau, Moldova.

This was my first time in this city and yet I did not feel alone, in fact I felt warmly welcomed!

You know why?

The Joy Of Belonging!

You see I was invited to the city to meet with an incredible group of European church leaders and I knew that someone who would meet me at the airport, take me to the hotel, make sure that I had everything I needed and be there to take me back to the airport at the end of the event.

I did not know who any of these people would be but I was certain that they would be there because it was all a part of ...

The Joy Of Belonging!

Now I can show you photos and tell you the names of the wonderful people who quickly became friends!

I am often in situations where the diversity of language & culture seem to dictate that meaningful connection is just impossible and yet the bonds of belonging always prevail!

The Joy Of Belonging!

I love that feeling and am grateful that I can experience it in ever-expanding levels in such a variety of ways!

However, I am even more grateful that I can know the joy of belonging to God!

 The promise to us is this, 'I am my Beloved's and He is mine' (Song of Solomon 6:3)!

How amazing is that!

I belong to God and He belongs to me!

To know His warm embrace and tender care is beyond description!

I love the words of 'I Stand In Awe Of You'  by Hillsong United!

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above
And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

There is such security, strength and satisfaction in knowing this and living in the reality of it!

The Joy Of Belonging ... the gift that keeps on giving!

I am already looking forward to my next opportunity!

How about you!

Fully Devoted!

 

 

This year February is a very special month for me!

First of all  ... (let me say that again ... note caps to emphasize priority)!

FIRST OF ALL ...  because we will celebrate Valentine's Day, which is our moment to express our hearts to those we love!

Secondly, (and I mean seriously second) because we enjoyed the Super Bowl which is for some, a very special event!

Now I get it ... I love people & I like things, animals & places!

I love my wife & I like football!

Check!!

I am passionate about both but here is how it works for me.

I am a hopeless romantic!

I write my own little poems for special days and special people, I love giving gifts and sharing expressions of love is very special for me!

I love doing these things for those I love and I love having others do them for me!

I know Ruthanne loves knowing that I love her & she enjoys all the love expressions!

We are fine to here!

I am also a devoted Pittsburgh Steeler fan!

Good times or bad (well we don't actually do bad) I am ... FULLY DEVOTED!

Tough loss for us in this year's Super Bowl but I remain ... FULLY DEVOTED!!

Not sure about next season but I can tell you in advance that I will be ... FULLY DEVOTED!!!

I had this all clear in my head ... heartfelt expressions for those I love & unswerving devotion to my Steelers!

My categories were great and quite handy for me, but now I know they are flawed!

You see the problem is that Ruthanne values devotion  actually more than all the romantic stuff!

So now I am in a little crisis!!

 It seems that I have to learn how add demonstrative devotion to my love expressions for those I love!

• God gets all my love and all my devotion!
• Ruthanne gets all my love and all my devotion!

We are to be 'fully devoted' followers of God and marriage partners!!

This is where 'full devotion' is merited and required!

As for my Steelers or your ?? ... well they get my support but it ends there!

Good thing it's the offseason so I can work on this!!

FULLY DEVOTED ... yes indeed and now with upgraded understanding I will be able to live that out in a way that honors God, blesses the especially loved ones in my life and keeps my Steelers in the proper category!

Anybody else need February to be a learning month!!

Learning To Live & Lead From The Front!

 

 
Well, 2011 is now with us and I trust that you have embraced her with great hope and expectation!!

As the new year began I understood that my focus for 2011 would be centered on this thought/phrase, 'Learning To Live & Lead From The Front'!

Often in times of great challenge or struggle we seek to be survivors, to somehow endure the tough times. I love survivor stories & am amazed by the sustaining strength that God supplies to His sons & daughters!

But ... just seeking to survive is not enough!

We who are the people of God should not be looking to survive but to overcome and be ...

'Learning To Live & Lead From The Front'!

The Bible is full of incredible examples of people who in hard times made this their aim & goal!

One of the examples is Gideon!

The shocking subtraction of his army is stunning! He begins with 32,000 but then by God's instruction, tells all those who are afraid that they can go home and ... 22,000 did! After another test which apparently was intended to reveal readiness, the 10,000 became 300.

Now think about it ... with 32,000 men Gideon could have felt quite confident but with 300 how would you feel?

Exactly .. and Gideon too was quite doubtful!

He is then instructed by God to go at night at night and listen to his men. He arrives just in time to hear a man speaking about a dream & just as God had promised he was greatly encouraged. He awakens his men, divides them into 3 companies of 100 & gives them trumpets and empty jars with torches inside!

With this they were going into battle against their enemy!

Gideon then utters what are for me among the most amazing leadership words I have ever heard!

 “Watch me, follow my lead & when I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do"

Pretty clear isn't it!  Here is a guy who is ... 

'Learning To Live & Lead From The Front'!

Gideon rallied his men and they gained a great victory!

So shall it be for us!

God will give us a faith that is especially strong and easily seen! A faith that empowers serving & expects significant response!

With that we will make a great difference in our world!

So are you ready?  Got your game face on?  Are you convinced that now is the time?

If so, let's go and determine to do all we need to do to take on this challenge of,

'Learning To Live & Lead From The Front'!

2011 watch out ... here we come!!

12 Days Of Christmas

 

 
Well ... it's the 12th day of Christmas!

I love these days because they give us the opportunity to contemplate Christmas!

For most of us the days prior to Christmas are days of celebration and they are often quite chaotic as well!

These 12 days after Christmas are days of contemplation and are days that can be much more centered on the things that have deeper, personal value to us!

It is the perfect way to to balance the Christmas season & begin a new year!

It certainly works for me!