Before I begin I must preface my remarks for all of you who do not know who I am. I was fortunate to be born with only one hand! Fortunate? Yes, fortunate. I was born missing my left arm from the elbow down and I can honestly say that I am ok with that. Now to be totally honest with you, I have had my moments. There have been moments that I did not understand why I was created this way. Moments that I wrestled with God over this entire missing a hand deal. But now at 40 I feel as if I am fortunate to be entrusted with a gift that has allowed me to see life from a different perspective. I want to share one of those moments in life that made me see life somewhat differently.

I was 19, that age between 16 (where I had it all together) and 22 (where I wish I had it all together). You know that crazy ‘let-me-get-out-there-and-conquer the-world’ time in life. I had just finished my first year of college and was home for the summer break. I worked construction that summer and drove a forklift for the crew. I was a bad one-armed mamba jamba forklift driver. It sure beat trying to hammer nails into wood with just one hand!

I began dating a girl while I was home for the summer and things were going pretty good in the relationship. My parents liked her, my dog didn’t try to bite her, and two of my friends thought she was all right. These were all of the important things that are vital for a relationship to move forward.

As we progressed in our relationship, I decided that it was time that she meets my grandmother. I know what you’re thinking – not the grandmother test! Yes, it had to happen. It was vital that this young lady have the wonderful opportunity of eating my grandmother’s southern fried chicken. Nobody could even be considered as part of my family unless they were absolutely in love with “Nanny’s Southern Fried Chicken!!” I remember as we sat there for lunch that this girl didn’t eat much that day – that should have been a sign that something was not right. As we left my grandmother’s we decided to go over and spend the rest of the day at the beach.

As we were sitting on the beach, this young lady started being unusually cruel and rude. We had been discussing the serious stuff of relationships; marriage, family, and our possible future together. All of a sudden, she started to become extremely unlikeable.

She said, “I’m not sure I could ever be married to you. I may one day want to know what it feels like to be held by a man that has two hands!!”

WHAT??!!

I checked my hearing, cleaned out my earwax and asked, “What did you say?” She repeated it and then continued to rail on. “You are a freak of society. People stare at you when you walk by. I’m not sure I can be in this relationship and take it any further. I have been noticing how people treat you differently when you come into a crowded room.”

Wow. I know what you’re thinking – did you hit her? Throw sand in her face? Did you bury her in the sand all the way up to her nose?

No, my dad had taught me better than that, but for the first time in my life it did cross my mind. How could someone be so mean? What could be going through the mind of someone like that? Needless to say, the relationship was over. I probably should have just left her at the beach to take the bus home, but I wasn’t thinking real clear at the time!! We got in the car and all the way home I tossed those words over in my mind,

“You are a freak of society.”

“People look at you funny”

“People treat you differently”

“I want someone with two hands to hold me”

As I began to think about what this girl had said it began to dawn on me. Hold On!! I am not the one with the handicap here, she is! I have dealt with this, I was overcoming this, and furthermore, I was the one that wasn’t afraid to pick my nose with my stub. She was the one with the problem – Not me.

After our break-up, we both went on with our respective lives. But as I look back on it today, I often think of how sad that experience truly was, but not for me. I learned some valuable lessons from that one brief moment of my life. I learned that nobody could tell me who I am; I am the one that determines my outlook on my life. I am the one that determines what I am and what I can do and overcome. I learned something else – God doesn’t make junk!! We are created for a reason.

We have a lot of people that live their lives based on someone else’s definition of who they are. You cannot live your life worried about what people think of you or what people may say about you. I know you are reading this thinking, “But you don’t know what they said about me. You weren’t there when he walked out of our lives and left us with nothing.”

I understand that, but you have got to realize that you were not created for failure or for someone running you down. You were created for greatness, to be someone of value and an over comer. Don’t let anyone define you. I realize that I’m repeating myself here, but I want to stress how important this is: Don’t let anyone or anything define who you are. God made you a certain way and He’s given you a choice: Will I let my circumstances define me or will I realize that I have potential to rise about the situations of my life?

The very best day of your life is the one that you start right now and the one that you consciously decide is your own.

The individual that rises up and determines that “I am not going to blame someone else, rely on someone else, or lean on someone else in my life” is an individual that is on their way to success. My life has been a journey to this understanding just as your life is a journey.  Make it your journey!   You had absolutely no control over when you were born, the place you were born or even the length of your life but you do have something to say about the depth, the height, and the width of your life. With the help of God you can control the quality of the time you have on this earth.

Always remember this – God doesn’t make junk! You and I are all fearfully and wonderfully made!

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There’s one thing that I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet and now the dawn of a new decade has begun and the dreams of the next ten years have left the launching pad with a screaming YEEHAW! Life is open to suggestions and not taking any numbers or standing in line and I have a secret.

As I look back over my life I think the things that have held me back over the last decade have been primarily what others think.  Now the inner struggle begins and I wonder if this is the best way to start my first writing of the New Year.  Should I be sitting here on January 1, 2010 looking back over the past ten years, finding places to lay blame on my lack of accomplishment? What will people think of me?  Aargh, see what I mean.

I must soldier on with this process; it just feels like the right thing to do.  I guess that whole saying; those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it is the clause by which I will excuse myself.

I’ve wondered, worried, and conformed to others opinions for more than ten years.  My life has always been lived on the edge and when others wouldn’t try things I would jump into it with full force and no reservation, but there is a side of me that has been very reserved and almost fearful.  It’s a side that says, be careful, you may not be accepted if you pursue what you want to do and not what others think you should do.

I read a quote the other day and it said, Doing things just because you think you should is the lowest form of living.  I don’t know that I agree entirely because there are things that are guided by the rudder of your conscience, but part of the quote resonates within me.  If I’m just living to please others or to accomplish what they think I should do, am I truly living?  That’s a great question, and I’m not quite sure I have the answer.

I know that there are burning passions and desires living inside me to do things that I’ve been afraid to do.  Is that something that I should pursue?  There are a few questions that I must resolve in order to follow this path.

Would this decision conflict with my morals, ethics or the code by which I live my life?

Would this decision affect my family relationships in a negative way?

Those are the only two questions that really matter in any decision making process.  Those truly are the two questions I should have been asking all along.

Bungled Decisions and Bad Calls

In the past I’ve made some bungled decisions and bad calls based primarily on how it would affect people who barely know me.  As odd and counter Jeremy as that seems it’s true.  Those days are over.

I was in Pecanland Mall in Monroe, Louisiana on December 23rd doing some last minute Christmas shopping when my wife and I bumped into her tenth grade English teacher.  It was unique to watch them embrace and then to hear my wife inform her that she was the single most influential teacher in her life.  The tenth grade teacher’s eyes brimmed with tears and she hugged Jennifer tightly and said, That makes my day, no, that makes my year.

The gratitude with which the tenth grade teacher approached this embrace was explained in a few minutes.  She said, I’ve never really known if I’ve truly made a difference.  I’ve often wondered if I chose the right profession.  She continued, I’ve always wanted to be a professional public speaker but I guess that door is closed now, time to let that dream go.  I couldn’t help myself and I blurted out quickly, That’s ludicrous, why live with a regret when you can pursue a passion with the same energy.  I then proceeded to tell her about Colonel Sanders and the long list of all of the successful people that I knew who had gotten a later start.  It inspired and motivated her and she left this happenstance meeting feeling revived and renewed in her pursuit of passion. Then it hit me, I should probably take my own advice.

It’s time to start a fresh and new perspective.  It’s truly time to chase my dreams and live life the way I want to so that I can look back after the next ten years and say, I really went for it.  This doesn’t mean that I’ll quit everything that I’ve been doing nor does it mean that I haven’t accomplished anything that I’ve wanted to.  I actually love my life and I’m extremely content with my life but I’m not satisfied.  I need to tweak a few things and really pursue my passions.

I promise you, there won’t be any dramatic changes, and I’m not getting my nose pierced or attempting to become a world-class alligator wrestler.  I’m simply fine-tuning some dormant dreams that are dying to become realities.

A good friend of mine said this to me yesterday, Sometimes you do what you gotta  do until you get to do what you want to do.  That’s a pretty good quote, I’m not just doing what I have to do, I actually enjoy what I’m currently doing.  I’m just making a dawning of the decade decision to pursue that one thing that I’ve always wanted to do.

My Secret

I know you are probably dying to know what it is and I’m honestly a little bit trepidatious to even release this top secret information that’s been buried for so long inside of me.

Well, here goes; I’ve always wanted to be a country music singer.  Wow, that was actually harder than I thought to get out.  I’m still a bit nervous about what you will think about this revelation.  Now, I’m realizing that you are probably laughing your head off while imagining me with a mullet singing Achy Breaky Heart.  Okay, I didn’t see that reaction coming.  Sure, go ahead and laugh, I appreciate your encouragement.

Truthfully ever since I was a kid that’s been a dream and I actually have tons of songs that I’ve written that aren’t too bad.  At least my dog doesn’t think they’re too bad.

This doesn’t alter my desire to change the world and impact people for the greater good, it just gives me an excuse to truly pursue a hobby and a passion that I’ve always longed for but never danced with.

Buried deep inside all of us there is a dream that we long for and a desire that we entertain but rarely voice or pursue.  What’s yours?

I’ve decided to live life unlimited in 2010. What about you?  What dream are you too scared to admit for fear that people will laugh at you.  I went first so that you wouldn’t have to.  It’s your move.

Go for it.

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The last verse of the Christmas story is found in Luke 2:20 –

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen…

To me, there is great significance in the fact that the shepherds “returned.” From every mountain-top experience there is a road that leads back to the humdrum of everyday activity and life. So it was with the shepherds..

It is what they did after Christmas that captures my attention. They could have become self-exalted and lifted up in pride. After all, they had just witnessed the grand spectacle of the coming of the Messiah into the world. But they returned once again to those same fields from whence they had started their journey.

It meant returning to the ordinary life…to the normalcy of everyday activities – tending the flocks, guarding the sheep, and caring for the lambs.

True, life would never be the same again. After all, think about what they had just experienced. But here is the key that should not be overlooked – they took the divine glory of the manger back to the daily grind of the shepherding.

Isn’t that what we are called to do?

Perhaps the shepherds entertained thoughts of staying in Bethlehem and enshrining themselves as a memorial to the manger. They could have felt somewhat like Peter, James and John, on the Mount of Transfiguration, who had an idea after that glorious experience of building a tabernacle and just staying on the mountain-top. But evidently that was not the purpose of God. The will of God was for them to return to the valley to do the work that they had been called to do.

How do you come down from those Christmas highs?

For most people today, it is a time of feeling blue and let down. The Malls will be crowded with people standing in long lines to take back things they don’t want, and clothes that don’t fit. And then there is the chore of taking down all the decorations. Somehow it is never quite as much fun to take it all down as it is to put it all up.

Actually, if you let your mind dwell on it, there’s plenty to be depressed about when you think about the excesses and the indulgences – a little too much fun, a little too much food, a little too much money spent. Somebody said, “Last week it was jingle bells; this week it is juggle bills.”

It’s no wonder that psychologists tell us that more people suffer from depression around Christmas time than any other time of the year.

But does it have to be that way? Not if we follow the example of the shepherds, who somehow kept everything in perspective.

The return trip is never quite as exciting.

It can be a long and difficult journey. But not so with the shepherds. Notice again what they are doing as they return home from the manger. They are “glorifying and praising God for all that they have seen and heard.”

This week, it’s back to work and the real world. It’s facing the challenges and uncertainties of an unknown future. Yes, the glitter and the glamour must give way to regular living.

And so…how should be prepare ourselves for life after Christmas? By returning to our fields of labor as ambassadors of the King, worshipping and praising God!

Let’s go forward, fleshing out in the normalcy of life what has been revealed to us at the manger!

The story doesn’t end at the manger – it just begins there.

When we experience the true joy of Christmas, it carries over into the day after, and the day after that, and on into the future, impacting our lives forever.

Happy New Year!

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Christmas seems to be either the best or worst time of the year for people. I believe in the power of displacement. If you want to get rid of the negative thing, give place to the more powerful positive thing and it will push the negative out.

There were three different journeys made to Bethlehem by three different groups of people. They represent three actions that create a beautiful plan of God for your life. My prayer is that during this week of celebrating the true reason for the season, Christ Jesus, you will find a new dimension of God’s holy Presence dwelling, not only in your home, but in your hearts as a family that will negate the negative.

The Promise-Birthers – Mary & Joseph

A flat tire at the moment you are in the biggest hurry. A rip in your only remaining pair of hose requiring you to run by the store on your way to an important appointment. Kids, a big day at the water park cancelled because of an emergency problem mom and dad have to fix. Life is full of unexpected and unfortunate delays. Why do they happen? Why me? Why now?

Sometimes God has to allow these things to inconvenience us onto another pathway to get us back on track with a great blessing, or to save us from destruction. Mary and Joseph did not have a baby that would become the Savior of the world in their plans when they got engaged to be married. But He came, and now she is pregnant with the Son of God.

She is just about to deliver when Caesar Augustus gets the bright idea to find out how many people are in his kingdom. He decides to count them and demands that everyone travel back to the town in which they were born. This hits at the worst time for Mary. She stands staring at that rough-riding mule and then at her pregnant belly, takes a big sigh, maybe, and then gets on preparing for the long, bumpy ride.

What they may not have realized is that the prophets had told that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem. The problem? They lived in Nazareth. Their unexpected inconvenience was designed to get them in line to fulfill God’s prophecy in their lives.

Later on, Jesus would call Himself the “bread of life.” Where is bread made? I n a house of bread.  Guess what “Bethlehem” means. “House of bread”! Yes! God thinks of everything!

Instead of complaining about where you are, start thanking God for His redirect that’s getting you in the right place to give birth to a beautiful promise. Mary and Joseph thought it was bad news at first, but later on they were praising God for the birth of the awesome Blessing in their lives. Jesus wants to be born in your life to bring Heaven down into your heart and home and to shine His light through you to a dark world.

The Promise-Worshippers – The Wise Men

Several very wealthy rulers from the east set out to worship the King of all kings who they heard was going to be born in Israel. Not knowing where to go, they were given a star by God to follow. This, in itself, was miraculous because these guys were probably not Jews. They were outsiders.

The devil will try to tell you that you are not the right stuff to come worship Christ, but that didn’t stop these guys. When their worldly knowledge and wisdom could not tell them how to find Christ, they found the answer in the heavens. God is waiting for us to admit we can’t make it to Him alone. When we do, He will show up supernaturally.

But, when they got to the city of Jerusalem, they took their eyes off of the star and began to ask people where the King was supposed to be born. This got them an audience with the “devil” himself, King Herod, who had a wicked heart. Taking our eyes off of the things of God and choosing to live according to the knowledge of the “flesh” can lead to our demise. After a very limited answer, they exited the king’s palace and began their search again. They knew the Christ was supposed to be born in Bethlehem now, but no details. When they focused on the heavens again, the star reappeared. God is always right there waiting for us to come back! The star led them straight to the house where Jesus was.

When there they arrived, they first bowed and worshipped Him and then they laid their gifts at His feet – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold declared His Kingship. The incense declared His Godhood as receiving worship. The myrrh declared His death as Man.

When we come to Christ as the Promise-worshippers, we first should give ourselves and then our substance. Some give themselves but not their stuff. Others give their stuff but not themselves. God wants both. This is a beautiful pattern set by the wise men.

The Promise-Heralders – The Shepherds

When God chose to get the message out that Christ was born, who did He choose? Not a king, not religious leaders, but common shepherds. The point is, God is not looking for pedigree, just honest, pure hearts; someone who will hear His Word and then say it just like He said it. He will speak His promise to you through His written word, through dreams and visions, and sometimes a billboard on the side of the road or in a movie theater. God is the originator of creativity.

So, during this Christmas week and all through the new year, let us seek to give birth to the beautiful Promise of Christ through our lives. Let us then worship Him so that He receives glory from every aspect of who we are. Finally, let us proclaim His majesty through our words and actions on a daily basis.

Be born in me, O Holy Spirit
And let my life be lost in Thine
And let the world see only You Lord
Be born in me, O Christ Divine

May the love, peace and joy of Jesus Christ reside in your home and hearts now. You are greatly loved by the Heavenly Father and you have a destiny according to the plan He has made for you since the beginning of time. We love you!

Pastors Kevin & Melissa Herrin

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In the beginning.  What in the world does that mean?  Beginning of what?  Beginning of time, beginning of creation, beginning of the Bible, beginning of God?  What was Moses talking about when he penned those words that are the preamble to the greatest collection of writing to which the world has ever been privy?

In the beginning.

I hardly believe that; beginning, really?  I don’t believe God or His story have a beginning.  I think Moses just made that up because he didn’t know how else to start.  There was no beginning.  We teach and believe so fervently that God is eternal, how could there have ever been a beginning.

What does that mean?

I think what happened was that Moses was unable to fully explain what needed to be explained.  Not that Moses’ description could ever be trumped, but how about this view into what “beginning” means, from God’s perspective, to start the whole thing off?

“In the beginning of what humans can understand.  I’ll tell you how I broke the vastness of existence down into time and space so that you can wrap your little finite minds around it.  Since you can’t even begin to grasp the concepts of eternity and infinite time and power and space, I’ll tell you how it all began; ‘it’ being how I made myself understandable to you.  That’s really all you have the capacity to grasp anyway, what I reveal to you.

“But wait, I’ll throw in there the explanation of how you came into being in the first place.  That’s the part that will actually blow your mind more than anything; the fact that I wanted you around.  The fact that although my breath caused you to exist, and my words are the only source of creation that ever has or will ever exist and despite the fact that your greatest efforts to write laws, theorems, postulates and whatever else in order to try and explain the vastness that is the world around you, you will never even grasp the most finite concept of my existence and being, I still wanted you around.  I wanted you around enough so that everything I did was centered around my desires for you.

“The reason we needed ‘a beginning’ was because of you.  Yeah, I know it doesn’t make sense to you; why I care.  It doesn’t make sense to the angels either.  They don’t get why I love you and watch over you.  They don’t get why I go to such great lengths to put up with you and help you get back to me.  They only get what I tell them.  They don’t get the fact that you make choices.  They don’t understand how I continue to let you make bad decisions over and over and I just go crazy with excitement when one of you makes the right decision.

“If I were bound to the normal human rules that define reinforcement and extinction of behavior, those rules would long ago have caused me to stop trying with you all, but I’m not bound by your rules.  Your rules only exist as you attempt to understand Me.  There is way more disappointment from my perspective than there is joy.

“That’s why I had to set an end to this beginning.  I will have what I desired to have with you in the beginning.  I will have that relationship.  I will have that communion.  I will have that ‘walking in the garden in the cool of the day’ thing back.  That was what I wanted forever; you, Me, eternity.  So as a result of my intentions being the ultimate beginning and end of everything, there will come an end to what you call time that will stop the disappointment and bring all of the joy and goodness together and then we can do what I really wanted to do all along.  I’ve created time as a window of opportunity wherein I can gather up the people who choose the right way and when this ‘time’ thing is over, we can do what I really wanted to do all along; hang out together.  I want friends, I want partners, I want co-rulers and co-reigners.  I want people like you to want to be with me and to be willing to pay a small price for it.

“That’s what I wanted.  So I set up a training and a proving ground called earth and time.  It’s like a little parentheses in the middle of my ultimate purpose and intention.  You’re born, given your chances to prove yourself to me, with my help and encouragement all along the way, and point as many people in my direction as possible. And then you die.  If you’ve made the right choices with your little bit of time, then you get to come be a part of the big party at the end.  If not, then you get the punishment of those who decide they don’t want me.

“It’s sort of like a line in the sand, and I make you decide.  You’ve all started out on the other side (thank Adam for that) and you have to willingly move to My side.  You started out on the side filled with death and destruction.  Negativity and pessimism is the norm on that side of the line, but the amazing thing is that I’m still with you while you’re over there.  All the while I’m encouraging you and extending grace to you in order that you might take the step.  That’s what you get this short life for.  Making that choice.  Make the right one, and you’re set.

“So, the beginning means just that.  The beginning of mortal humanity’s opportunity to spend eternity living in immortality with the God that made it all possible to begin with.  So there you have it – that is the beginning.  The beginning of the parentheses, the clause, the appositive, that is time.

“It’s really just a story of your progress towards me.  It outlines what some of the good choice makers have done and what some of the bad choice makers have done along that journey and how you can embrace the good and eschew the bad.  Emulate the good choice makers and learn from the bad ones.  (Trust me, you’ll fall into both categories yourself at some point along the way.)

“That’s what this is about, so enjoy and follow closely.  You want to be sure you know where the line in the sand is located.  That’s what I’m here for.  I help you see the line and I help you find your way across.  I help you find your own new beginning.  One step from what was old into all the newness you can imagine.  That short step across will be the biggest step you’ll ever take.  Do it carefully.  Trust me, it’s important.”

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Today I took the two oldest chicks from the Young brood for another bike ride. This is a rare thing for me as I am normally working 10-12 hours a day. I guess this is one good thing that’s come from the overtly socialistic state in which we live: work’s slow, so I get to play with my chicks (Comrade Obama, I’m still waiting on my check…, but I digress).

This ride is only the second time that Eden (age 4) has been willing to ride her bike by herself, even though it has training wheels. She’s normally more than happy to simply scoot around on her razor (which has three wheels). But, for some reason, both yesterday and today I’ve been able to convince her to ride her bike.

As we prepared to set out on our afternoon trek, I offered to help her affix her helmet. She promptly informed me, “Daddy, I’m big.” Whilst we were riding, I was trying to coach her through the turns, as well as telling her how to brake as we went down the gradual slopes of Ladera Ranch. Each instruction merited her response: “Daddy, I’m big!”

I have to admit, she hung in very well. Our total ride today was just under five miles (and yes, before any of you jump on me about child abuse, we stopped often). As we made our way back toward home, the bike trail began to incline slightly. She did great. Puffing and panting, she trudged her way up the ever steepening grade, with me giving encouragement all the while. Finally, she could go no further. I dropped my bike to the ground and helped her up the rest of way.

We reached the crest and stopped for a brief respite. Jade, Eden and I flopped down on the bench and shared a bottle of water. I turned to Eden and said, “You’re doing great baby. You’re riding like a big girl!”

She looked up at me, Dora the Explorer helmet all askew and whatnot, the sweat dripping down her little cheeks, and said, “Daddy, I’m big…’cept on the hills.”

Now, I’m not the most “spiritual” duck in the pond, but my mind immediately began to wander (I guess it’s the teacher in me). In my mind’s eye I could see my Father guiding me through my journey to Christ-imitation, speaking words of encouragement to me as I stumble and get things wrong, and I can even hear my somewhat childish response to His guidance, “But, I’m big!”

Then I can see me going through some of the most trying times of my existence, and He’s still there, encouraging. In fact, He’s having to stop and pick me up and carry me. It’s on these uphill climbs that I begin to see just how small I am, just how much I truly need Him in my life.

Yeah, I’m big…’cept on the hills.

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Did you hear the story about the singing cowboy?

His girl had dumped him, his horse had broken its leg, the bunk house had gone up in smoke, rustlers had taken his cattle, his boss had fired him, his insurance was canceled, his bank had gone into receivership, his bill at the ranch was overdue, and his dog had run away — and he sang, “And now I’m getting dandruff.”

None of us are exempt from days like that cowboy. Like an unwanted guest that can’t take a hint, the blahs like to move in and take over. Let’s talk about how we can turn it around.

First, let’s address why people experience the blahs.

I’m sure there’s many reasons, but here’s a few that I’ve observed:

The Need For a Good Feeling Fix

In the book entitled “Life Is Uncertain, Eat Dessert First”, they say there is a natural tendency to adopt behaviors that make us feel good. This behavior can be divided into three parts.

First, we respond well to good feelings. Deep down inside of all of us is a quest to do things that make us feel good.

Second, we try to experience good feelings again and again, being drawn to things that provide us with consistent pleasure.

Third, we become bored or dissatisfied with things that do not bring us some kind of material or emotional reward.  When that happens, we either move on to something or someone else, or we melt deeper into the blahs.

Self-Pity

Pity is one of the noblest emotions available to human beings. Self-pity is possibly the most ignoble.

Pity is the capacity to enter into the pain of another in order to do something about it; self-pity is an incapacity to do so. It is a crippling emotional disease that severely distorts our perception of reality.

Pity is adrenaline for acts of mercy; self-pity is a narcotic that leaves its addicts wasted and derelict.

Weak Faith

The biggest question for a person with weak faith is “Why.” You’ll never make real spiritual progress until you move beyond that question.  And by the way, it’s been my experience that God doesn’t answer that question any way.

It’s Someone Else’s Fault

There was a minor league baseball coach who was frustrated. His center fielder could not hold on to a ball. Whether it went over his head or through his feet, the final result was always that the ball missed his glove. So the coach instructed the player to sit down and watch him as he covered the position. But much to the coach’s dismay, he too missed four straight balls that came his way. Finally, in great frustration and embarrassment, he turned to the young player and yelled, “You’ve got center field so messed up even I can’t play it!”

Why is it so easy to point the blame elsewhere rather than own our situations ourselves?

Unwillingness To Change

You’ve heard it and read it many times before, but it bears repeating… One definition of insanity is doing the same thing you have always done and expecting different results.

Jealousy

“If I had his/her job, car, house, spouse, kids, etc I’d be happy too.”

It seems to me that often after a person makes a mark in this world, a lot of people begin showing up with erasers.

Now let’s talk about how we break through the blahs and live the kind of life Christ intended for us to live.

Run Away From Your Moods

I literally mean, physical activity. Get out of the chair, raise the shades, and run from your moods! Take a walk, mow the yard, play a sport, light the grill, start a garden, ride a bike, knock doors, teach a Bible study, attend a small group meeting.

Remember the four lepers and the question they posed to one another, “Why sit we here until we die?”

Release Your Emotions

Scripture clearly shows us a Savior who expressed His feelings.

He was angry with Satan’s persistent temptation.

He was surprised at the centurion’s strong faith in His powers.

He was exasperated with the apostles when they missed the point of His instruction.

He was disappointed by the weakness of Peter’s faith.

He was sympathetic towards the hungry crowds.

He was mad at the money changers in the temple.

He shed tears over Jerusalem’s coming destruction. ??He was joyful when Peter identified Him as Messiah.

Jesus was always Himself — Himself in the fullness of His intellectual, spiritual, and emotional life.  And He wasn’t afraid to show it.

Do Something For Somebody Else

It’s almost impossible to get bogged down with negative feelings when you’re busy helping someone else.

During a lecture, Dr. Carl Menninger was asked what advice he would give a person if they felt a nervous breakdown coming on. He responded, “Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone in need and do something to help that person. I do not meet mentally ill, discouraged, depressed people who are busy helping other people.”

Spoil Yourself

In life it is important not to just be good at work but to also be good at play. Do something for no other reason than to have fun. The possibilities are endless – read a good book, play horseshoes or table games, enjoy good food, spend time with your spouse, go fishing, play golf, go shopping, or any other thing that you enjoy.

One of my favorite Scriptures that shows how Jesus understood the need to break away and do something just for fun is found in Mark 6.

Mark 6:30-32 (NIV) The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Borrow Some Sunshine OR Stay Away From the Clouds

Simply put: Get around happy people and stay away from unhappy people. Moods are contagious, so make sure you’re around some whose moods you don’t mind catching.

Relive the Good Times

One of my favorite things about being with my dad and his siblings used to be hearing them reminisce about the “good old days.”

What about you? When is the last time you glanced in your rear view mirror to reflect over the good things God has done?

Phil 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Laugh Your Way Through Difficulties

Recent studies indicate that not only do emotions cause facial expressions, but facial expressions generate emotions. So try smiling and see if your moods eventually follow suit.

A dear friend and mentor in my life, Bishop Joseph Garlington, has a mantra that he and his family live by: “If it’s ever going to be funny, it might as well be funny now.” I’ll admit I’ve attempted to live by this same concept. It’s not as easy as it sounds.

Keep Balance In Your Life

I’m not going to hypocritically act as if I’ve got this one conquered, but it is something I strive for. You and I are tri-part beings – spirit, soul, and body. Like a three legged stool, there’s great stability when we’re in balance and have all three legs touching the ground.

Rom 12:11 (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

The bottom line is that Christ did not come that you could have a so-so, blah-filled life.  He came that you might experience abundant living… even if, like the singing cowboy, you too have dandruff.

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Richie and I just watched Julie & Julia, the biopic about Julia Child, gourmet, and Julie Powell, the woman who cooks her way through the famous cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Julie Powell, a temp clerk, lived an uninspired life and looked to her love of food as a guiding light. She purposed to make it through Mrs. Child’s collection of 524 recipes in 365 days, blogging all the while (The Julie/Julia Project). Before I go any further, count this as a recommendation: watch the movie (also available on iTunes) or read the book. Warning: There are a few choice words in the movie, the book, and on the blog.

This is more than a chick flick. This is more than spectacular character acting (silver screen demi-goddess, Meryl Streep, portrays Julia Child). This is more than a glimpse into cooking history; Julia Child is THE woman who brought French gourmet to the average American table. It is more than a feel-good tale. This is better than Food Network. Trust a foodie!

WHY THE FUSS?

1. Real-life success and fairy tales actually do exist.

2. We all need to find our passions in life, whether they be hobbies or purpose or just a way to let off steam. For some, that may be cooking, tinkering with an old car, gardening, journaling, or whatever. God created you, the individual, with certain interests. The Great Creator made YOU creative in some way. Notwithstanding your spiritual purpose to spread joy and love and peace,

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15, KJV)

you have a natural purpose.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV)

Those who built Solomon’s temple did so with their seasoned talents and abilities–they were skilled craftsman donating their expertise to His work.

“Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded.” (Exodus 36:1, KJV)

Whether it was their occupation or their hobby, it was something they did day in and day out, so as to become professional. God’s work is done with excellence and passion, right? Even the Apostle Paul used his occupation as a tentmaker to minister–an in-road, so to speak.

“And because [Paul] was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” (Acts 18:3, KJV)

3. Therapy doesn’t always have to be on a couch talking about your job, your family, or other such stressors. It really can be in working with your hands.

“If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.”
(Ecclesiastes 10:18, NIV)

4. How rare for Hollywood to endorse strong marriages. Both women, Julia Child and Julie Powell, married loving and supportive husbands.

5. A reminder that YOU can happen to life and not let it happen to you. Take control of your emotions, of yourself. Decide that by the very simple act of choice, you are on a journey that is victorious, consistent, and doesn’t accept failure. You only fail when you stop trying!

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6, NIV)

At a very young age (before Food Network), I loved watching Julia Child on PBS. I’m only slightly embarrassed to say that at that age (and sometimes even now), when I cook, I “host my own show.” This movie was an extra treat for me–childhood sentimentality.

Next on my to-do list, try cooking Julia Child’s Boeuf a la Bourguignon. Am I looking for inspiration or therapy? Maybe, but a bite out of history, a good meal, and a hubby’s happy tummy make for the best recipe to success I can find!

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Miserable? Most of us have been there, some more than others. If you haven’t been there, pack your bags. Your time is comin’…

(Great way to start a post about no negativity, huh?)

I know this post isn’t dripping with positivity just yet, but let’s take a little time to be brutally honest here.

Have you ever felt like you’re not where you should be in life? Maybe you’re working a job you hate only because you have to make ends meet. I know there are many people who fall into this category. I’ve been there myself. Maybe you’re even involved in church ministry, wondering why you don’t feel fulfilled even though you felt “called” to do the work of God.

There’s got to be an answer to the misery and dismal condition many of us find ourselves struggling with on a daily basis.

Here’s a few questions you need to ask yourself first…

Question 1: Are you passionate about what you’re doing?

Passion is a big subject – way too big for a single article to cover. But it’s important to recognize whether you are truly passionate about what you’re doing. What would you be doing if money were no object? The answer to that question (and it shouldn’t be “laying around watching TV all day”) will give you some indication of what you’re passionate about.

Question 2: Where do your talents lie?

Have you ever sat down and written a list of the things you are good at doing? You might be surprised at how difficult that is to answer. There’s a wonderful book and assessment called StrengthsFinder 2.0 that helps you to pinpoint your strengths and narrow down where your strengths truly lie. I highly suggest going through the guide. It will definitely open your eyes.

Question 3: Where did your current direction come from?

When I was growing up, there were several people I admired that wanted the best for me. Some of them felt led to tell me what God wanted for my life. They meant it sincerely, but they should have allowed room for God to speak to ME about it, as well. You may have experienced something similar.

Were you really “called” by a well-meaning family member or friend instead of truly being prompted by the Holy Spirit? Be brutal with the answer to this question. This could be a part of the problem.

So, you have the answers to the questions above, but you’re probably still wondering, “What good does all this (possibly depressing) information do me?”

Not much good just yet. Hold on a bit longer.

The Intersect

The answer to the questions you have about your purpose lies in what I call the Intersect. The Intersect is the “magical” place where the favor of God resides and fulfillment is achieved. It’s that seemingly unattainable place that we spend much of our lives searching for.

We’ve made finding our place in life (the “will of God”) more nebulous and difficult than God really wants it to be for us. He didn’t design His will to be unachievable! He desires the best for His children.

“If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!” - Matthew 7:9 (AMP)

There’s a school of thought that says desire is all that is needed to do the work of God. I disagree. Despite what you may think, talent and abilities DO count in the will of God. Why would God give you abilities that aren’t in line with His will for you?

He wouldn’t.

He gives us our abilities and “bents”, even our idiosyncrasies, for a reason.

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” - Frederick Buechner

So then, the favor of God exists at the intersection of your talents, your calling and the need for your abilities.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are doing work that is unfulfilling, dreary, and passionless, reexamine your talents, strengths, personality, and passions. Step back and realize that God made you unique, to fulfill a unique position in His kingdom. It may not be a “platform” ministry. So what? If you think church work is the only real calling of God, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Are you good at finances? Music? Speaking? Information technology? Art? Do you have a passion for any of those things? Follow that. God placed it in your heart for a purpose. It’s YOUR purpose.

(Editor’s note – I’m a huge fan of Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love and No More Mondays. Check out his blog. If you enjoyed this blog post, read his recent post here. That post is the inspiration for my article.)

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Have you ever noticed those people who go through life devoid of true interaction with anything other than themselves? These sad individuals are constantly surrounded in a shroud of negativity that clouds their judgement and blocks meaningful connections. I was once one such sorry soul, but a life-changing event positively altered my existence; I discovered GOD.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Here he goes on some lame conversion story.” But you’d be wrong. While I had known about GOD for my entire life, had even claimed to be filled with GOD, I existed empty, void, negative. The god I knew was only full of judgement, but the GOD I discovered called me to a deep intimate relationship. It was (and is) amazing. It was almost like GOD turned to me and (in a Joey Tribbiani voice) said, “How you doin’?” I was hooked.

The most amazing thing about this relationship with GOD is, the negativity has disappeared. Where I was once judgmental, I now extend mercy. Where I once pulled away from interaction with other people, I now embrace new friends and acquaintances. All because of intimacy with GOD.

In my opinion, the reason that so many so-called “Christians” live such negative lives is because they haven’t discovered the difference between existence and life. The Jews have a phrase they use when toasting a drink, “la chaim,” which simply means “to life.” However, this phrase doesn’t simply indicate a toast to life, it indicates a conscience choice of life over existence. We exist when we absorb but never give out. The only time we truly live is when we give out of ourselves. To choose life, we have to give life. For example, the money in our wallets exists. But when we take that existing money and give it to someone in need, we are giving life to them, thus altering the money from mere existence to life.

To truly live, we have to spill ourselves out to the world in which we live. It is physiologically impossible for you to stay depressed when you are helping someone else. The giving of ourselves gets our focus off of us and onto others. When we stop focusing on ourselves, it is easy to let go of our negativity. Could this be the “more abundant life” that Jesus talked about – a life dedicated to giving to others?

Think about it, GOD gave so that we could live. This is GOD’s character. When we discover GOD, we discover the power of giving ourselves away. When we give ourselves away, we release the negativity of simply existing. When we choose life, we choose GOD.

I chose GOD and He changed everything about me. No, this is not a product nor cure-all that “you too” can receive by sending in your check or money order for $19.95 to some obscure address in White Plains, NY. This is a choice that you have to make – either to live without GOD, or to be intimate with Him.

I dare you to try it.

I dare you to try GOD.

(Editor’s note – This article was written by Monte Young.  Monte is the Assistant Pastor to Pastors Jeff and Sandra Morgan at Southcoast Worship Center in Orange County California. Monte’s first book, Clear, was just published and is available for sale at his online store at livingclear.net.)

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