Memorial Day: Gratitude

Stop and take some time this weekend to thank God for the brave men and women in uniform who gave their lives so that we might enjoy freedom!

Regardless of your politics or stance on war and previous conflicts, we owe them a debt that cannot be repaid. A heart of gratitude and a commitment to the freedoms and principles they fought for is a great place to start.

Direction

How do you know where to go? You are living life and suddenly you come to a crossroad. Your crossroad could be a relationship issue, business decision, family matter, health issue, or financial decision.

How do you settle a soul swept away in conflict, inner turmoil, indecision and the conflict of life crossroads? You lean into the Word of God and seek the best path possible. One that's tried and true according to Jeremiah 6:16a:

6 This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.

It's a Bully Thing!

Where Are We Headed?

17-year old Australian, Jessica Watson sailed her pink yacht, Ella's Pink Lady into the Sydney Harbor on Saturday after seven months at sea. Today is her birthday. She became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop around the world!

Imagine your 16-year old taking off by herself for a 210-day journey through rugged waters, extreme temperatures and the unknown challenges of the seas? Imagine yourself doing it. I can't.

The courage, fortitude, tenacity, commitment and vision this journey took is the same kind that drove the likes of Charles Lindbergh and Ameilia Earhart.

Thousands of people waving signs and cheering gathered at the shore to welcome home a national hero. Among those waiting were her parents and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who said, “Jess, welcome back to dry land, welcome back home to Australia. You may feel a little wobbly on your feet just now but in the eyes of all Australians you now stand tall as our newest Australian hero. At 16 years old, you are a hero for all young Australians, you are also a hero for all young Australian women, you do our nation proud. This is a great day for our country.”

But listen to her reply on being a hero:

I don’t consider myself a hero, I’m an ordinary girl,” she said.

“You don’t have to be someone special to achieve something amazing, you’ve just got to have a dream, believe in it and work hard. I’d like to think I’ve proved that anything really is possible if you set your mind to it.

“People don’t realise what young people, and what young girls are capable of, and it’s amazing when you take away those expectations what you can achieve.”

Sailors need a compass, charts and navigation equipment, without them they can drift aimlessly at sea. Direction starts with a vision. Jessica was able to navigate some of the roughest seas in the world because she had a vision of sailing around the world. I would love to meet this incredible teen and spend a few hours talking to her about the voyage, what pushed her, how she prepared and her biggest challenges.

Where are you headed? Are you wandering aimlessly at sea going wherever the waves of life take you? Do you have a compass? All of us are on a journey, but many never arrive at their intended destination because of apathy, lack of preparation, misguided advice and direction, and poor choices. Christ-followers have a huge advantage on this journey. We have the ultimate navigational tool, God's Word. We are led and guided by the Spirit of God. We have a sense of peace and the confident hope in Christ when the waters get choppy. Prayer keeps us in constant communication with the Creator of the very seas that bring challenge, fear, and uncertainty. And though we may stray off course from time to time because of stubborn human will, we know how to get back on track. The old Psalm and popular praise song of days long go says it best:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.
And a light unto my path.

Rearview Reflections

A year ago I was recovering from abdominal surgery and awaiting the results of CT scans and blood work to determine whether, or not I had a form of lymphoma. I vividly remember when the oncologist called in late May to confirm there was no evidence of lymphoma! Lessons I learned from that experience?

• Every day is a gift from God and there are no guarantees for tomorrow.
• Redeem the time since it's so precious and fleeting.
  
• God is indeed an "ever-present help in times of trouble".
• Prayer is even more powerful than I previously believed.
  
• I am a wealthy man: I am rich in family and friends.
• God's Word speaks to every moment and situation in life.
• Gratitude is the appropriate response to God's grace.
• There are people far more deserving of being healed than me. I am undeserving and humbled.
• Everyone has something they are struggling with, or battling. Be sensitive to it.
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly. It saved my life!
  

God's Gift of Friendship

This is morning fog looming over Pine Mountain, Kentucky. Last week I joined two old friends for vacation in the mountains of East Kentucky. We played golf courses along the Kentucky Golf Trail. I had forgotten how beautiful East Kentucky is with her mountains, coal, and people. My mother's side of the family is from East Kentucky. In many ways I was reconnecting with the land of my people. The mountains and hollers get in your blood.

It was a trip with spectacular views and vistas. Breathtaking turns through the mountains revealed steep hills and valley's drenched with sunshine, pine trees and low clouds. An occasional railroad coal chute and loaded coal trucks on the mountain parkway reminded me that this land is a huge natural resource. Coal is king in East Kentucky. In fact, one of the golf courses was built on a reclaimed mine. Talk about ingenuity and environmental preservation. It was one of the most beautiful courses I've ever played. The picture of my friends, Chuck and Tim was taken on that golf course.

The views were amazing and breathtaking, but they weren't the whole story. The story was an opportunity to join two old friends who share an unconditional love for one another. There's something about being with people who trust each other explicitly and genuinely enjoy one another's company. The time is marked by much laughter, smiles and the knowledge that you can relax and be yourself. You are free to agree or disagree in conversation. And our individual quirks aren't a source of contention, but a simple reminder that God chose to bring three very different people together to encourage, help, love and enjoy one another. If friendship is not God's greatest gift it is indeed near the top of the list. At one point on the course I was overcome with this gift while driving alone in my golf cart. After a few tears I mustered the only appropriate words for such a moment, "Thank you Father, for this time and these friends." Those coal trucks were loaded with a valuable and precious resource, but none more than the moments and experiences shared with good friends.

Thanks Chuck and Tim for the golf, but more importantly for the time together. God's best to you both!