This past fall we took the kids to Washington D.C. and one of the highlights was going to the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. It was incredible. What greatness he possessed, and it’s a reminder that we too have the potential to impact the world. For that, he is one of my heroes.

Here is the end of his final speech. I pray my life exhibits the same passion.

My kids have been testy and stubborn lately, and I just feel like I’m riding them constantly. Whether it’s their chores, their school work, or just getting along, they want to do it in their time, on their terms.

They get it from me, I know it. Anyhow, I found this poem today, and it really encouraged me. It’s by Denis Waitley, a personal success guy:

Take a Moment

Take a moment to listen today
to what your children are trying to say,
Listen to them, whatever you do
or they won’t be there to listen to you.

Listen to their problems, listen to their needs
Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their littlest deeds;
Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,
Find out what’s the matter, find out what they’re after.

If we tell our children all the bad in them we see,
They’ll grow up exactly how we hoped they’d never be;
But if we tell our children we’re so proud to wear their name,
They’ll grow up believing that they’re winners in the game.

So tell them that you love them every single night;
And though you scold them make sure you hold them
and tell them they’re all right, “Good night, happy dreams,
Tomorrow’s looking bright.”

Take a moment to listen today to what
your children are trying to say
Listen to them whatever you do, and
They’ll be there to listen to you.

If this meant something to you today, please share this on your facebook page.

My hands clasped tightly to the rails. “One step at a time,” I repeated under my breath. It seemed that with every step up, the laughter and splashing faded just a little more. It took me weeks to get this far, all the way to the top, and now I had not only to make it to the end, but to jump. If I were lucky, maybe I would slip and fall in.

The pool was a favorite hang-out, especially in the summer months under the sweltering Georgia sun. I wasn’t that great at swimming, seeing that our previous years were in Alaska and you just don’t get that excited for a dip in a cool pool when the outside temperature is -20F and your older sister tells you that your hair will “instantly freeze and break off the moment you walk outside with wet hair.” To my friends, jumping off the high board was no big deal. They jumped, dove, and flipped off it effortlessly.

Me? Not a chance. To me it was no play thing to assist in my joyful entry into the pool, but a pirate’s plank by which I would be forced at the end of a cutlass to walk off, and take my last gasping breath before being consumed by a bottomless sea.

Many times I climbed the ladder almost to the top, only to back down from this tower of doom. But I had to jump, the other kids had so much fun doing it, and I wanted in on the party. I’m not afraid of heights, never had been. It was the jump. It was the fact that my feet would have to leave anything solid, even if only for a brief moment. I would be out of control, completely at the mercy of the laws of physics and gravity.

I did finally scooch my way to the end of that board, only to stare at the water. The kid behind me yelled, “Jump in already!” and in turning to tell him to shut up, I lost my balance and fell off the end. After my body smacked the water, I thrashed my way back to the top, made my way to the side, and almost ran to the end of the line to do it again. You couldn’t keep me off it for the rest of the day.

I ran into this scenario again recently. See, I like to write, and I dabble a lot. I write on this blog, and I write short stories, but what I really want to do is write novels. Not 300 words, or even 3,000, but full on 80-115,000 word novels. Several years ago I had a great idea, even outlined it, met with a great friend who has published 5 novels and he loved the idea too. I’ve done everything but sit my butt in the chair and write it.

That is, until January 5th, 2012. That day, I started Chapter 1. It took me five long years to take that first jump and plunge into something that’s much bigger than I am. And my feet are off the ground, and I don’t know where I’ll land, but I do know one thing. I love it, and now that I have started writing it, I can’t stop!

The horrible thing about dreams and passions is that when you don’t pursue them, they haunt you and when you get to be an adult, there isn’t always someone behind you yelling, “Jump in already!” So let me be that person.

JUMP IN ALREADY!

Whatever it is that you dream of doing, that you can’t stop yourself  from thinking about, just do it. Don’t waste years like I have, thinking of all the reasons it won’t work, just jump in. Once you do, I’m sure we won’t be able to keep you out of the water.

I love movies with huge open field battles. You know, like The Patriot, 300, and Lord of the Rings. It’s good versus bad times ten thousand. One side lines up on a hilltop facing the opposition who line up on the other, both waiting with weapons in hand, hearts pounding in unison so loud it shames even thunder. The commanders each raise their battle cries and it’s a full on run to trade blows. Blood and sweat mix as each gives everything he has not only to survive, but to conquer.

The musical score begins to slow as the battle fades into a few skirmishes until none are left standing save the victors, and the bad guys are turning tail and running for their mommies.

Here is the moment when the heroes, chests heaving from exhaustion, survey the battlefield. Tears of joy and sorrow fall.

Amidst the fallen enemies are their fathers, their brothers, their sons. Many lie dead, others maimed, but in the midst of their anguish is victory! Their losses are not in vain. For at least that day, evil is vanquished and the air carries the bittersweet taste of freedom.

Sometimes I look around the church and I see pain, sickness, and brokenness. I ask, “Why God? Are these not your people, your children?”

He answers, “Yes, they are. We wage a war against the incredible foes of the flesh and the devil, and many are wounded and crushed in the battle. But be comforted, because after their pain, after their sorrow, even after their loss there is victory. It has not been in vain. Though it may not be their lot to hold high the Banner of the Prince of Peace on the field of victory, their legacy is that they have made the way for those after them. They have shown that the cause is worthy and the price of their lives a bargain.”

So be encouraged, “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15)”

Obediphobia [oh-bee-duh-foh-bee-uh]: the fear of obedience.

It isn’t a real word, but it should be, and my picture would be next to the definition in the dictionary. This post started out as a devastatingly incredible post about how awesome God is, and that every word He says is done.  “Let there be light. Earth turn. Stars shine. Tide roll. Bees pollinate. Heart beat.  On and on it goes, every word He speaks is obeyed.

God gets what He wants, right? Wrong.

Enter me.

About half way through writing this post, I couldn’t write it any longer. It read of everything I am not. God has given me several tasks, most of which I have outright refused to do.

My greatest sin right now is disobedience.  He says do, and I kick my heals together, and for no reason other than self-seeking stubbornness, I say, “No, I’m not doing it.” Of course, maybe not those words exactly, but that’s the interpretation to my excuses and inaction.

I’ve thought about how to do what He’s asked, prayed about what He’s asked, planned about how to accomplish it, now all that’s left (and with all the preparation should now be the easy step) I am left with the “Do.”

When my butt hits the chair, there’s a giant fear. Fear that what I do is mediocre.  Fear that what I write will offend others. Fear that people may actually like it, which sounds ridiculous, but it’s real.  Fear that obedience could cost me relationships with friends and family.

In the end, it’s just another excuse to be selfish, lazy, and disobedient.

Jesus, my example, the One I say I want to be like, obeyed and it cost Him His life: His innocent life. And it wasn’t taken from Him, He gave it.

That’s right, He gave it.

He drank the cup of suffering when He had nothing to gain for Himself but knowing that He was doing what God asked Him too.

I beg of you, save yourself from this gut wrenching disease of obediphobia. Look in the mirror today and ask, “Self, what has God asked me to do?” Then do it.

I am.  Ready or not, here I come!

Here’s a little ditty from Todd Agnew, which sums these thoughts up better than I have written them, and was the inspiration for the original post I started.

So I have recently taken over managing the gumball machines and kiddy rides at our local mall and today I received my first check.  I pulled it out of the envelope and smiled and then thought about how I’m making 10% of the machine’s take, and how little that is compared to the 90% CTM makes. Imagine what I could do if I made the 90%!

Then God whispered to me, “That’s what I thought too.” Ow, that hurts so good.

Click to buy

Generally I read a book on the way to work (I walk), today I walked out the door checking Twitter. My friend Kelly Stone (@KellyMarieStone) reTweeted: “RT @michaelgungor: A bit of a fiery rant about Christian media, wine, and yes, zombies. (http://bit.ly/t3Zfzz). Compelled by curiosity I followed the link.

Wow. Amazing. It turns out its the blog of Michael Gungor, who I have previously never heard of, and his post is a few of his thoughts on “Christian” media.

By “a few of his thoughts,” I mean 2,969 words of awesomeness!

You have to read it (click here).  I know you’re thinking, “3000 words? really?” But you know, it’s worth it.  Some things can’t be packaged into tiny 250-300 word capsules. Maybe that’s part of the wonder I felt when reading it, that Michael didn’t care to shorten his thoughts, or abbreviate his point into separate posts. He just put it out there: Ready or not, here I come.

And that’s also the point of his post, that “Christian media” has become more a marketing machine than culture of artistic impression, and God forbid, creativity.

His focus is music, but I would also agree this point is true with books.  I read quite a bit, maybe more than the average Joe (my bookshelf), but most of the fiction I consume is not Christian, as it generally annoys me in the first few pages.

I am writing a novel and in doing so have read the “bibles” on writing, and the “what not to do” sections could be filled by many “Christian” novels written by the higher selling authors. They have a “feel” to them that’s easy to pick out, much like Christian radio stations, which are easily distinguished even before the “Jesus loves me” lyrics can be heard.

Not that it’s entirely bad, but the eerie feeling is one of inadequacy, of missing the empirical standards set by many secular authors like Stephen King, Philip Roth, Dan Brown, and John Irving.

I know my ideas may never be bought into by the larger marketers (oops, publishers), but that’s why I must create it. That is why I cannot settle for the subpar, call it “Christian” and expect people to like it. The Christian public may buy it, but like me, they are likely tired of the same old crap they get handed.

And so I raise my Guinness and toast to writing the way I want, to making my posts 2,969 words if I must. *chug chug*

For those of you still reading, Gungor’s music is amazing, and I leave you this video.  If you want to buy their album, as I did, click here: Gungor – Ghosts Upon the Earth.

This past August, my good friend Bill and I went camping at the Stillwater Reservoir east of Loweville. Wow, what a beautiful place. It was incredibly peaceful. We arrived after 7pm, set the tent up, and then started a fire for dinner.

Our first attempt wasn’t too great, but after rearranging the wood and finding more dry kindling, (and a touch of gasoline!) our fire was roaring! A few steaks, some mac and cheese, and a little Mt. Dew later, and the fire was smoldering. Time for some more wood.

Our fire was once again restored to it’s three foot glory! It kept us warm for a few more hours before we turned in for the night.

It reminds me of Matthew 24:12-13 “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” ESV

It says their love will grow cold, smolder, be of no worth or good.  How does that happen?

Neglect.

A fire has to be tended to or it eventually just goes out.  Wood needs to be added, rearranged, or more potent fuel added to keep it going.

So what are you doing to keep the fire going? Whether it be your relationship with God, or your relationship with your spouse? Is business keeping you from tending to these relationships?

Take some time today to see if your fires are getting a little cold, and if so, take whatever measures necessary to turn them back in to raging infernos!

Hey all, you may or may not be aware, but this blog makes money.  It’s not anything to write home about, maybe a dollar or two a day, but it’s enough to make a difference. I give the money my blogs make to a different charitable cause each month, and well, I need ideas.

I need a years worth of organizations to give this money too. It’s not much, but every little bit helps, right? Just think, by recommending a charity, you are giving without opening your checkbook!

So, leave an idea in the comments with a link to their website, and maybe a brief explanation of what they do (drill water wells in Africa, build orphanages, feed the hungry, etc) and I will take them into consideration.

You can see where I have already given by visiting my Giving page.

I love to read and I love to write, but no matter how hard I try when I write, I always feel like my ideas and words are mediocre at best, and every one else is a brilliant literary savant.

I frequent Jon Acuff’s blog, made famous by his comical and witty book “Stuff Christians Like” (my review here) and more recently “Quitter” (great book!), and I was blown away by a recent post titled “The talent we have the hardest time recognizing is our own.”

He posted a video by a guy named Derek Sivers which sums it up pretty well.

Derek asks at the end of the short video, and I would like your thoughts as well, “Are you holding back something that’s too “obvious” to share?”

Mine is writing.

The talent we have the hardest time recognizing is our own.