Grow where you are planted

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8

A few weeks ago I decided to go for a bike ride on a Saturday afternoon. I rode through the neighborhoods and eventually made my way to the lake close to my home. It had been a long time since I had ridden a bike but it gave me time to be alone and think. As I rode past the lake I noticed a small stump sticking up from the water about ten feet from the shore. As I looked closer I saw one, very small, yellow flower growing on the stump. There was no dirt on the stump to provide nourishment and there were no other flowers growing alongside the yellow one. I stopped and looked at the flower for a few minutes and took a picture. When the single flower on the stump caught my attention, I immediately thought to myself, “Grow where you are planted”.

I have thought about that little flower several times since that day. It was standing on the stump, in the middle of the water, alone. It did not have any protection from the winds that blow across the lake or the sun that could dry it’s shallow roots. It was totally alone but growing exactly where it had been planted. The flower probably never planned to be planted on a stump in the middle of a lake and it probably does not understand why it is there. After all, what purpose could one little flower, in the middle of a lake, serve?

I prayed today and asked God to help me to grow exactly where He has planted me and to trust His reasons for placing me there. I prayed for the wisdom and energy to grow here and now, and not wait until I think the place is right, free from the blowing wind and sun. I have not been to the lake since the day I saw the flower and do not know if it is still there. Maybe it’s reason for growing there was for me to see it and to be reminded to grow where I am planted.

Chad

End of the World?

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.1st Thessalonians 5:2

I read an article a few days ago about the predicted end of the world. According to a Christian Numerologist, the world will end on September 23rd when Planet X passes close to the earth causing earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. I had several thoughts when I read this article. First, where did this new planet suddenly come from and why has nobody seen it before? Could it be Pluto taking revenge for not being called a planet any longer? Second, what is a numerologist and do we also have atheist numerologists? Next, if you add “ologist” to your job title are you automatically an expert? And my last thought was, if Planet X actually hits the earth, I want it to land on my head. I don’t want to be left here to clean up all the mess! The numerologists developed this theory from Luke 21:25-26, the recent hurricanes and the eclipse, and from a biblical code found in the pyramids in Egypt. I am not an “ologist” but I think he missed a few key points. In 1st Thessalonians, God tells us the day of our Savior’s return will come like a thief in the night. A thief does not tell a numerologists when he is coming! In 1st Corinthians, He tells us the trumpet will sound at the moment of His Son’s return. And, in Mark 13:32 He says, “About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.

September 23rd is also my daughter's 19th birthday so there is absolutely no reason to spend money on a gift if the world is ending. I could spend all the money on her gift but she would not get to enjoy it! There are many other things I don’t have to do this week. I need to cut my grass but the homeowners association will not care how high it is after the apocalypse. I have been planning to start an exercise routine, but who cares now? I can make it as an “out of shape guy” for a few more days. And, we have a football game on Friday night that we need to win. But if we don’t, it’s ok, the world is ending!

I really don’t believe life on earth will end on September 23rd. I believe we will wake up on Sunday morning, go to church as usual, worship our Savior, and anxiously await His return. But, if by chance, the numerologist is lucky and gets it right, make sure you are ready! And, if the world does end on 9/23, what an amazing birthday gift we will all enjoy. Until that moment comes, continue to live a life that glorifies Jesus, and be found full of Him, when the trumpet sounds.

PS.  Just before posting today I read that the numerologist has changed his mind.  Guess I have a busy weekend of grass cutting and exercising ahead.  Probably need to buy a gift also!

Happy Birthday to my Sydney Love !

Chad

Because

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1st Timothy 4:12

I was reading the verse from 1st Timothy and the word “because” stuck out to me and I began to think about the many "becauses" in my life.  First of all, I am saved because of God’s grace and love for me. He does not care if I am handsome, rich, or popular and because of Him I will spend eternity in heaven. I love being a father, I value time with my children, and I will do anything for them because my father taught me how with the example he has set for me throughout my entire life. I think I am mentally tough because of the mental strength that many coaches expected from me. My wife and I love each other to this day because of the experiences we have had together throughout the 28 years we have known each other. My wife and children, and I have a special connection because God placed us together as a family. What is your because? What or who has helped make you who you are today? Think about those questions and thank God for those people each day. Also, is there someone who would say that you are their because?

Sadly, this world is filled with people who say, “My life did not turn out the way I wanted because…”, “I could not reach my goals because…”, “I am the way I am because…”.  Or, worst of all, "God could never love me because...".

Remember most of all, you are special because God made you in His image and because He made you to serve Him on this earth. He made me a coach because He knew that I would be around hundreds of young men who will need direction, love, and help. He made my wife a mother because He knew that my children would need someone to love them unconditionally and to care for their needs. He will give us the strength we need because He promises to always be with us.

Chad

Nothing's Impossible

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day”. Winnie the Pooh

My daughter had a project to do a while ago and needed Winnie the Pooh quotes. Pooh has always been one of my favorite characters so I started looking for quotes from one of my heroes and liked the one above. I remember going to Disney World when my children were little and we always had to see Pooh Bear. I never let it show but I would be as excited as they were about seeing him. Pooh is great because he sees everything differently than all the others around him and was always positive that the very best would always work out and the best in people would always show through.

As humans we often allow the world to tell us what is possible and what is impossible. In sports we allow the world to tell us that we are too small, too short, too slow, or not tough enough. In school we allow the world to tell us that we do not fit with a certain crowd because we do not wear the same clothes or drive the same car.  As I have gotten older and developed more opinions I look at the problems of society and think it is impossible to change. How do we change the attitude of a person with racist beliefs? How do we change a young person who has grown up learning it is ok to steal? How do we change a person with a heart that is so hardened that he or she feels no emotion toward another? After reading Matthew 19:26 I thought to myself, I cannot change them. It is impossible for me to change people but I can be used by God to help Him make a change. I can be a person that treats people of a different color with the respect they deserve and I can model a life of respect and trust of others. I can have high expectations of the young people around me and hold them to a higher standard than the world and I can have empathy for the hurting people around me. It is impossible for me to change a person’s heart but God is able to make changes in their lives that will last for eternity.

The world we live in tells us that many things are impossible because of our level of education, our family background, or the mistakes we have made. God does not care about those things and will use us if we are willing. I prayed today for you guys to allow God to do the impossible in your lives. He has great plans for each of you. Plans for a great future, plans to change a small piece of the world, and plans for eternity with Him.

Chad

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

Today is my dad’s birthday and I hope he will read this and know how much I admire, respect, and love him. I have been blessed to live my entire life with an earthly father who will run immediately to help me. The number of years may keep him from getting there as quick as before but, watch out, because he is coming! My brothers and I are far past the age of needing our dad to care for us, protect us, or to correct our behavior. We are actually all reaching the point of our lives when our dad may need our help, although he won’t admit it. I am thankful for a dad who prepared me for the difficult moments of life while also reminding me to look for the joy that is all around us each day. I believe the quality that I admire the most about my dad is his mental toughness. There are many men on this earth with a larger bank account, more powerful jobs, and more education, but none compare to my dad’s mental toughness. He has a special ability to remember others in prayer, give of his time and energy to help another person, and to see people as God would see them. He quietly goes about helping an elderly person in his church, but will stop the moment he receives credit. He cares for countless family members but never does so with the expectation of being repaid. All of which take mental toughness. The type of mental toughness needed to put your personal agenda and ego aside and do whatever is needed for someone else.

My dad would not like for me to brag on him in a letter but below are a few verses that always make me think of him. I am blessed to have an earthly father that embodies God’s Word and is still an example to me and my children.

1st Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
I am thankful to have grown up in a home where my dad was always keeping watch over me because I had been entrusted to him.

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
I am thankful for the example of quiet prayers for me and my brothers that continue today.

1st Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
In a world of people promoting themselves, I am thankful for a dad who simply loves without boasting.

Happy Birthday to My Dad!

Chad

"Show Up and Shine"

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

I love to watch the sunrise in the morning and I get to see it every Friday morning during football season. On Fridays, the football team and coaches have breakfast together at the stadium. By the time I get to the room high above the field, the sun is just beginning to rise over the trees around the stadium. All the other days of the week I get to school before the sun rises and I sit in a dark room watching football film until the sun is up. I look forward to Friday mornings because I get to see something awesome. The sun makes me think about a lot of different things and I always feel a little closer to God when I see it. The sunrise reminds me that another day of my life is beginning and He is in control. He can make the sun rise each day so He can easily handle my life and problems. The sunrise reminds me that I have another opportunity to be a husband and dad. I also get another day to be with the young men I coach. It reminds me that a new day full of unique problems and challenges is beginning and I can see those challenges as an opportunity or a disappointment. Most of all, the rising of the sun reminds me to let my light shine among the many people I see each day. Just like the enormous sun that never skips a day, God is expecting me to “show up” each morning and shine until it is time to rest for the night. My light usually does not shine as brightly as I would like for the entire day, but I pray that it will.

This morning, when the sun had risen above the trees, I could no longer look through the windows because of the blinding light. I prayed this morning and asked God to shine brightly in our lives. I also prayed that the light of His Son living within us will shine brightly to the people we will see today.

Chad

The Red Zone

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.  Psalm 60:12

In the game of football, the term “red zone” is used a lot. The red zone is the area on a football field from your opponent’s 25 yard line to their goal line. It is the toughest part of the field for several reasons. The number of plays the offense can use is limited, the field becomes smaller (only 25 yards instead of 100), there are not as many open places on the field to run or throw, and the defense stiffens in an all-out effort to keep you out of their end zone. As an offense nears the end zone, the level of tension rises and many players and coaches cannot perform. Most coaches and offenses can move the ball with awe inspiring precision throughout the other parts of the field. However, when they reach the red zone, the most valued real estate in the stadium, they fail to perform at a high level, stumble due to the pressure, or fail to finish the drive. There are hundreds of teams that can pile up yardage between their goal line and the red zone, but never seem to finish the drive and score.

There are many people who live their entire lives like the high power offenses who cannot score. They are free-wheeling through life, racking up yardage, and appear to be on their way to scoring a great victory for our Heavenly Father. But as they near the goal line, the finish line, and the victory, the opponent gets tougher, the work is too difficult, or a penalty sets them back a few yards. They never overcome the setback and never reach the end zone.

I believe God prepares us to score a huge victory through the blessings He gives us every day and the trials that He gives us the strength to overcome. Like a coach that puts his or her team through conditioning drills in hot weather, practices them until the skills are perfected, challenges the team, and encourages the players, God uses the events of our lives to prepare us for a great victory. Many times, just like the members of a team, we half-heartedly do the drills, never perfect the skills, fail at the challenges, and even miss the encouragement He provides. He has prepared us for a great victory, but when we reach the red zone, we are not ready for the pressure and we fail.

I prayed today for God to prepare me and you for the victory that He has for our lives. He wants to use us to change someone’s life, change a part of the world, and most of all, glorify His Son. 

Chad

Wox!

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. Psalm 145:5

My parents are on a trip to the beach today to visit some family members. My mother sent a text to me around ten o’clock to tell me where they were, they had stopped for breakfast, and what singer’s CD was in the player. At the end of the text was the word, “Wox”. I think she intended to text the word, “Wow”, but on her 1980’s flip phone she must have hit the wrong button! I had a good time with my new word today.

I have looked back at the text several times today and I realized something about her and the text. Only my mom would use the word, “Wow, or Wox” to describe breakfast on the outskirts of a small town in what I am sure is a hole in the wall restaurant!  Like most people, I think my mother is awesome but how has she been able to grow older but still keep a “childlike” sense of amazement? And, why do I let the exciting parts of my life become routine? I think it may be because she has never lost her love for her Lord and Savior who makes even the most routine events possible. She knows He is in control of the “big” events, but He is also present and making the “small” things happen too. I believe she has never lost the joy of seeing another place, meeting different people, and just being alive. Maybe she has never grown tired of seeing God’s creation, even if it is along the interstate in the middle of south Alabama.

I believe many people form a habit of looking for bad in everything instead of looking for the good, even if the good is actually all around them. I know I am guilty of this and you probably are too!

I prayed today and asked God to lift my head up from the concerns in my life, open my eyes, and let me see the splendor of His majestic works. I also prayed that, even during the middle of a busy life, I would also see all that He has created. Maybe you will see something today that makes you say, “Wox”.

Chad