My wife and I recently endured the movie,” The Day the Earth Stood Still” (shout out to Redbox and “free rentals on Monday nights). To be brutally honest, I think the movie deserved each and every one of the “C” ratings that it received from most of the critics and movie fans that reviewed it. The movie told the story of how alien civilizations came to rid the Earth of Humanity due to the fact that we were not taking care of one the most precious resources in the cosmos…the planet Earth. The aliens took human form and lived among us, observing our behavior and after being provoked by our destructive behavior, they decided that it was time to pull the trigger and wipe us out.
One of the aliens had lived on Earth for roughly 70 years. After living “among us”, he gave a report to Keanu Reeves, who too was also an alien and who had set the plan in motion to kill us. In his report he talked about the destructive nature of mankind and how mankind knows the end result of its destructive behavior, but chooses to pursue this destructive behavior. Choosing to live in a false “reality” and ignoring the truth concerning the consequences of their actions. It was noted that these behavior patterns are passed down from generation to generation and bear the seeds of hatred, anger and death. In contrast, he was burdened by the fact that he had grown to love the humans for inside of them was the capacity to love and to unite in the face of annihilation. As a result of his human experience, the old man “alien” was willing to die with humanity as they were exterminated.
This movie, while I give it two thumbs down, was connected to some of my recent experiences. One was last Friday when I hooked up with my best friend growing up who is now a Pastor (Shout out to Clay). He invited me to join him at a Basketball outreach where young men are invited to play ball at a school gym and in a drama-free, “free from profanity” environment and are also prayed for, ministered to and encouraged to become the men that God intends for them to be. As the night came to an end, Clay issued a challenge to the young men. Simply put, he asked them, “What will your legacy be?”
Far too many people leave the Earth and leave no legacy behind…They walk but leave no imprint on the sands of time. I am convinced that people who don’t leave a legacy are people who don’t maximize the opportunities presented by the Defining Moments of life.
In a recent Bible Study, the discussion leader defined Defining Moments as moments that require a decision on our part and after that decision is made (right or wrong) our lives are never the same. More importantly, a Defining Moment is a moment when you are confronted with a truth about life and you are invited to change the way you live as a result of that truth.
As with the challenges that faced both Humanity (in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”) and the young men (that I met last week at the Basketball Outreach), we are “met-head-on” with Defining Moments. I believe that life is lived between Defining Moments. Many times we don’t want to face the truth about ourselves, the truth about our relationships, the truth about our finances, the truth about God etc., but rest assure that denial and avoidance of the truth doesn’t make the truth less real.
What truth are you faced with today? What reality have you been in denial about? I urge you today to ask God to give you the wisdom to know how to deal with your Defining Moments and the strength to endure until He has made His Truth known to you.
In the face of your defining moment…what will be your legacy?
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
B
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Traders VS Investors
While preparing for work today, I was watching Squawk Box on CNBC. I believe that Squawk Box is one if not the longest running morning business news program and its claim to fame is bringing Wall Street to Main Street, through various commentators and analysts. This morning while talking about the Market moves yesterday, reviewing the earnings releases from the post-market close on yesterday and discussing pre-market news and earnings releases, they had a segment where they interviewed a seasoned market analyst.
During the interview with the analyst, they discussed various topics including the projected length of the recession, the current market rally, historical implications...etc. I was listening, but I was not totally focused on the discussion until the Senior Market Analyst made this statement, “The problem with the market today is that there are too many traders and not enough investors. The traders are driving this market while the Big Money is on the sideline.” He pointed out that the market will stabilize once the Big Money (The Investors) re-enter the market. He later explained that Investors are in it for the long-term. They see the long-term value of the investments, while traders are here today and gone tomorrow. He further detailed that Investors know the true value of the investment vehicles and are more influential in determining the true value of the market asset.
This dialogue led me to take a look at my life. I began to think of my life as a stock and the people that I have met to be either “Investors” or “Traders”. The traders have sought to benefit from me in the short-term. They saw me as an opportunity to further their own objectives and use me to get what they wanted. They were here one day and gone the next….never really taking time to appreciate my value. On the flip side I have had “Investors”. “Investors” are those who saw my potential and invested their resources (time, money, love, etc.) to help me to reach my long-term goals. Investors believe that their success in the long-term is connected to my success long-term. They partner with me. Investors “hold” on to me when I’m up and when I’m down in the short-term, knowing that in the long run, their investment in me will pay off and my “market value” will be much more than it was when they first “invested” in me.
My “Investors” are my true, through thick and thin, up and down, good or bad, rich or poor, sho-nuff friends.
Proverbs 17:17 says: A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Too often as it is in the business world today, we focus our attention on what the “traders” are doing. We waste time trying to please those who will in reality just stay around for the short-term. If that is your focus, make today the day that you shift your focus to the long-term. A true friend (investor) is going to love us at all times, while traders will flee at just the suggestion of adversity.
With each relationship in your life ask yourself is the person on the other end of this relationship an “Investor” in my success or a “trader” looking to make a quick “profit”? I believe that this mindset is essential to making good life decisions and in setting priorities.
God is your #1 investor (friend) and has a vested interest in your success. He is always there and will continue to “hold you when others have “sold” you and moved on.
We should also be determined to be “Investors” in the lives of others. There are great “stocks” out there that are “undervalued” and “oversold” but have great potential and value. It is time for the “Investors” to get off of the sidelines and to turn this “market” around.
Now is the time to invest.
Be Blessed,
B
During the interview with the analyst, they discussed various topics including the projected length of the recession, the current market rally, historical implications...etc. I was listening, but I was not totally focused on the discussion until the Senior Market Analyst made this statement, “The problem with the market today is that there are too many traders and not enough investors. The traders are driving this market while the Big Money is on the sideline.” He pointed out that the market will stabilize once the Big Money (The Investors) re-enter the market. He later explained that Investors are in it for the long-term. They see the long-term value of the investments, while traders are here today and gone tomorrow. He further detailed that Investors know the true value of the investment vehicles and are more influential in determining the true value of the market asset.
This dialogue led me to take a look at my life. I began to think of my life as a stock and the people that I have met to be either “Investors” or “Traders”. The traders have sought to benefit from me in the short-term. They saw me as an opportunity to further their own objectives and use me to get what they wanted. They were here one day and gone the next….never really taking time to appreciate my value. On the flip side I have had “Investors”. “Investors” are those who saw my potential and invested their resources (time, money, love, etc.) to help me to reach my long-term goals. Investors believe that their success in the long-term is connected to my success long-term. They partner with me. Investors “hold” on to me when I’m up and when I’m down in the short-term, knowing that in the long run, their investment in me will pay off and my “market value” will be much more than it was when they first “invested” in me.
My “Investors” are my true, through thick and thin, up and down, good or bad, rich or poor, sho-nuff friends.
Proverbs 17:17 says: A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Too often as it is in the business world today, we focus our attention on what the “traders” are doing. We waste time trying to please those who will in reality just stay around for the short-term. If that is your focus, make today the day that you shift your focus to the long-term. A true friend (investor) is going to love us at all times, while traders will flee at just the suggestion of adversity.
With each relationship in your life ask yourself is the person on the other end of this relationship an “Investor” in my success or a “trader” looking to make a quick “profit”? I believe that this mindset is essential to making good life decisions and in setting priorities.
God is your #1 investor (friend) and has a vested interest in your success. He is always there and will continue to “hold you when others have “sold” you and moved on.
We should also be determined to be “Investors” in the lives of others. There are great “stocks” out there that are “undervalued” and “oversold” but have great potential and value. It is time for the “Investors” to get off of the sidelines and to turn this “market” around.
Now is the time to invest.
Be Blessed,
B
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Helping Hand
Anyone who knows my Father, Zachary C. Jeffers, knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is one word that describes him….that one word is Warrior. A warrior is a person that demonstrates great vigor, courage and skillfulness in the face of battle. My Dad is a pugilist, a fighter a soldier in the army of God. He has stepped up and volunteered for many battles and has witnessed first hand the power, love and delivering power of God. He trusts God with an unwavering faith. I have never doubted for one minute that He has ultimately placed his destiny and his life in the care of God. He has seen victories on mountain tops and he has experienced tests/trials through valleys, but no matter whether the situation has called for Him to be up or down, he has allowed the joy of the Lord, the recognition of His Mercy and the acknowledgement of God’s grace to be his strength and sustaining power.
He is an awesome man, father, friend and brother in the Lord.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in December 2006. As part of the treatment for the disease, he has had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. This past Monday, I had the honor to once again be by his side through the infusion therapy. I say honor because while I could never repay him for all that he has done for me over the years or the priceless lessons that I have learned from Him, I do consider it an honor to provide support, encouragement and love to him as we battle this thing together.
The chemotherapy on Monday lasted about 5 hours. When I’m with him, I can sense his discomfort at times during the treatment and I often spend time praying for his healing. Upon completion of the chemo this week, we gathered our things and began to start to head out. After trying to stand up, my dad had to immediately sit back down because the therapy had caused his equilibrium to be off. I saw the disappointment and frustration on his face (in my mind I don’t think that he really wanted me to see him struggle in that manner). I assured him that we were in no rush and asked him to take a few minutes to gather himself before we attempted to head out. He rested for all of 10 seconds…”I have to do this…I’m going to give it a shot” he declared. He struggled out of the treatment room. Reaching out and stabilizing himself on every secure object that he could find, he intently made his way to the lobby where he sat down while I retrieved the car.
As I walked with my dad from the treatment room, I tried to help him, but he politely let me know that He wanted to do it by himself. Even though he resisted my help, I still walked with Him every step of the way and I positioned myself so that I could catch him in the event that he fell. As people passed by and gazed at us, I imagined that they were thinking one of two things. “Doesn’t that young man see his father struggling? Why doesn’t He help him?” or “Why won’t that older man let the younger man help him? He definitely looks capable?”
This experience led me to reflect on my relationship with God. There have been many times in my life when I have tried to do things in my own strength. The challenges of life have held me down, but I have tried to carry life’s load on my own. God has been there every step of the way…His hand outstretched…desiring to help me…but prepared to catch me in case I fall. I have often refused His help or discounted the extent of His Love or His ability or willingness to help me. I’m sure that there have been people who have watch me and thought the same thoughts that I imagined that they were thinking at the hospital “Why is God allowing him to go through this? Or Why won’t he allow God to help him get through the situation?”
Well…I am learning more and more each day especially when I’m faced with adversities, challenges and fears to totally depend on God. He has said:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Are you struggling to try to make it on your own? Are you feeling the weight of life bearing down on you? OR Are you so “successful” that you feel like you got it all together and are making it just fine? In either case, I pray that you realize today that God is just a step away. He is willing to help whether or not you want to allow Him too, and even if you choose not to take Him up on His offer and you fall…He is still standing with His hand outstretched to pick you up when you fall.
Help is not on the way…help is here today.
Be Blessed,
B
He is an awesome man, father, friend and brother in the Lord.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in December 2006. As part of the treatment for the disease, he has had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. This past Monday, I had the honor to once again be by his side through the infusion therapy. I say honor because while I could never repay him for all that he has done for me over the years or the priceless lessons that I have learned from Him, I do consider it an honor to provide support, encouragement and love to him as we battle this thing together.
The chemotherapy on Monday lasted about 5 hours. When I’m with him, I can sense his discomfort at times during the treatment and I often spend time praying for his healing. Upon completion of the chemo this week, we gathered our things and began to start to head out. After trying to stand up, my dad had to immediately sit back down because the therapy had caused his equilibrium to be off. I saw the disappointment and frustration on his face (in my mind I don’t think that he really wanted me to see him struggle in that manner). I assured him that we were in no rush and asked him to take a few minutes to gather himself before we attempted to head out. He rested for all of 10 seconds…”I have to do this…I’m going to give it a shot” he declared. He struggled out of the treatment room. Reaching out and stabilizing himself on every secure object that he could find, he intently made his way to the lobby where he sat down while I retrieved the car.
As I walked with my dad from the treatment room, I tried to help him, but he politely let me know that He wanted to do it by himself. Even though he resisted my help, I still walked with Him every step of the way and I positioned myself so that I could catch him in the event that he fell. As people passed by and gazed at us, I imagined that they were thinking one of two things. “Doesn’t that young man see his father struggling? Why doesn’t He help him?” or “Why won’t that older man let the younger man help him? He definitely looks capable?”
This experience led me to reflect on my relationship with God. There have been many times in my life when I have tried to do things in my own strength. The challenges of life have held me down, but I have tried to carry life’s load on my own. God has been there every step of the way…His hand outstretched…desiring to help me…but prepared to catch me in case I fall. I have often refused His help or discounted the extent of His Love or His ability or willingness to help me. I’m sure that there have been people who have watch me and thought the same thoughts that I imagined that they were thinking at the hospital “Why is God allowing him to go through this? Or Why won’t he allow God to help him get through the situation?”
Well…I am learning more and more each day especially when I’m faced with adversities, challenges and fears to totally depend on God. He has said:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Are you struggling to try to make it on your own? Are you feeling the weight of life bearing down on you? OR Are you so “successful” that you feel like you got it all together and are making it just fine? In either case, I pray that you realize today that God is just a step away. He is willing to help whether or not you want to allow Him too, and even if you choose not to take Him up on His offer and you fall…He is still standing with His hand outstretched to pick you up when you fall.
Help is not on the way…help is here today.
Be Blessed,
B
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I'm going to get my Daddy
Earlier this week, my family and especially my daughter were faced with some middle school “growing pains”. My daughter is about 3/4’s of the way through her 1st year in Middle School. It has been a fairly smooth transition for her and for us (for me and my wife). One thing that my daughter is beginning to experience 1st hand is the fact that she went from being a “Senior” (by Elementary school standards…in 5th grade) where she was Top Brass, was in a situation where all the kids looked up to her and her classmates, she was one of the trendsetters and on the list of “people to know”…to becoming a “Freshman” where she is fresh meat, the low man on the totem pole, looked down upon by the “upperclassmen” etc. The influence that she had over and on people is not as strong as it once was because she doesn’t carry the same “social clout” in the new school.
This became very evident this past Monday, when my daughter became involved in a situation that subjected her to having to deal with the reality of intimidation. On her way home from school, one of the 8th graders that usually accompanies her began to use foul language. (The timing could not have been more perfect as she and I had a long conversation about the use of foul language among other things this weekend. After our conversation, she purposed in her heart that foul language was not going be something that she practiced in her life...NOW BACK TO THE STORY). She politely asked the young man to stop cursing, but he insisted, just to agitate her. Remembering the influence that she “used” to have as one of the “big women” on campus back in Elementary School, She stopped dead in her tracks and moved closer to the young man and said in a stern voice, ”Do it one more time!!!” Not being moved at all by her emotions, the young man cursed again, displayed a small weapon and made it clear that he was ready to fight and comfortable doing so. She immediately backed down and continued to walk home.
After being home for about 1 hour, she and I began to talk about her day. She began to go through the details of the day, carefully trying to mask the fact that she was still bothered by the incident with the 8th grade boy. I picked up on this and I asked her to tell me what was really on her mind. Fearfully, she told me the story. She expressed fright about what the boy may do to retaliate, or what others might think about her telling her father. She didn’t want to be a “snitch”, but she was also paralyzed by fear. I assured her that I was her father and I would never let anything happen to her. I love her and I will do everything in my power to assure her safety even if it meant giving up my life; moreover, I assured her that her Heavenly Father would also keep watch over her.
She was listening, but she didn’t HEAR me. She had allowed herself to be so intimidated that in her mind this 8th grade boy was more powerful than her earthly father and her Heavenly Father combined. I knew that I had to do something drastic. My plan was to meet the boy and hopefully his parents at the bus stop the next day. #1 to make sure that he knew that I was no joke and #2 to make sure that his parents knew about the situation and that we could work together to resolve the matter. The night before, as we prayed together and read scripture, my wife and I assured our baby girl that God would work the situation out and that everything was going to be alright.
I woke up ready for action. My wife and I both threw on our sweats packed up our daughter and arrived at the bus stop about 25 minutes early to make sure that we didn’t miss the parents. Time passed as we inspected each car and saw no sign of the young man. About 5 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival of the bus, pointing to a young man turning the corner, my daughter proclaimed, “There he is”. I immediately jumped out of the car like I was one of the members of the A-Team and with a focused since of urgency I made my way over to the young man. Everything in me wanted to knock him out, but God allowed me to see a young man that was confused, fragile and hurt. I shook his hand and began to explain to him why I was there and what my expectations were of him and of his treatment of my daughter. After receiving his parent’s contact information, my daughter was brought over to apologize for her role in the event as well. He accepted and as he trembled, he too apologized as well. We were able, through the power of God, to turn a situation totally around for good.
We were shocked to come to find out the young man has been beaten up a couple of times recently due to his refusal to join a gang. He began to carry around a small weapon in order to defend himself, but unfortunately he began to intimidate others in the same manner in which he was being intimidated.
This situation caused me to reflect on my life and how I have sometimes allowed myself to be intimidated. Like my daughter, I have sometimes allowed my challenges and situations to appear to be more vast and dominant than God. I have magnified my problems and minimized God and His ability to empower me, to deliver and to protect me.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord can be trusted to make you strong and protect you from harm.
What problems/challenges in your life have you allowed to become larger than God? Have you allowed your circumstances to block your view of God? Have you forgotten that your Heavenly Father is ready and willing to step to your enemies, to protect you from them and/or to give you the strength to conquer them? Make today the day that you choose to tell your enemies and your problems that they better be afraid because you are “about to get your Daddy”.
Be Blessed,
B
This became very evident this past Monday, when my daughter became involved in a situation that subjected her to having to deal with the reality of intimidation. On her way home from school, one of the 8th graders that usually accompanies her began to use foul language. (The timing could not have been more perfect as she and I had a long conversation about the use of foul language among other things this weekend. After our conversation, she purposed in her heart that foul language was not going be something that she practiced in her life...NOW BACK TO THE STORY). She politely asked the young man to stop cursing, but he insisted, just to agitate her. Remembering the influence that she “used” to have as one of the “big women” on campus back in Elementary School, She stopped dead in her tracks and moved closer to the young man and said in a stern voice, ”Do it one more time!!!” Not being moved at all by her emotions, the young man cursed again, displayed a small weapon and made it clear that he was ready to fight and comfortable doing so. She immediately backed down and continued to walk home.
After being home for about 1 hour, she and I began to talk about her day. She began to go through the details of the day, carefully trying to mask the fact that she was still bothered by the incident with the 8th grade boy. I picked up on this and I asked her to tell me what was really on her mind. Fearfully, she told me the story. She expressed fright about what the boy may do to retaliate, or what others might think about her telling her father. She didn’t want to be a “snitch”, but she was also paralyzed by fear. I assured her that I was her father and I would never let anything happen to her. I love her and I will do everything in my power to assure her safety even if it meant giving up my life; moreover, I assured her that her Heavenly Father would also keep watch over her.
She was listening, but she didn’t HEAR me. She had allowed herself to be so intimidated that in her mind this 8th grade boy was more powerful than her earthly father and her Heavenly Father combined. I knew that I had to do something drastic. My plan was to meet the boy and hopefully his parents at the bus stop the next day. #1 to make sure that he knew that I was no joke and #2 to make sure that his parents knew about the situation and that we could work together to resolve the matter. The night before, as we prayed together and read scripture, my wife and I assured our baby girl that God would work the situation out and that everything was going to be alright.
I woke up ready for action. My wife and I both threw on our sweats packed up our daughter and arrived at the bus stop about 25 minutes early to make sure that we didn’t miss the parents. Time passed as we inspected each car and saw no sign of the young man. About 5 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival of the bus, pointing to a young man turning the corner, my daughter proclaimed, “There he is”. I immediately jumped out of the car like I was one of the members of the A-Team and with a focused since of urgency I made my way over to the young man. Everything in me wanted to knock him out, but God allowed me to see a young man that was confused, fragile and hurt. I shook his hand and began to explain to him why I was there and what my expectations were of him and of his treatment of my daughter. After receiving his parent’s contact information, my daughter was brought over to apologize for her role in the event as well. He accepted and as he trembled, he too apologized as well. We were able, through the power of God, to turn a situation totally around for good.
We were shocked to come to find out the young man has been beaten up a couple of times recently due to his refusal to join a gang. He began to carry around a small weapon in order to defend himself, but unfortunately he began to intimidate others in the same manner in which he was being intimidated.
This situation caused me to reflect on my life and how I have sometimes allowed myself to be intimidated. Like my daughter, I have sometimes allowed my challenges and situations to appear to be more vast and dominant than God. I have magnified my problems and minimized God and His ability to empower me, to deliver and to protect me.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord can be trusted to make you strong and protect you from harm.
What problems/challenges in your life have you allowed to become larger than God? Have you allowed your circumstances to block your view of God? Have you forgotten that your Heavenly Father is ready and willing to step to your enemies, to protect you from them and/or to give you the strength to conquer them? Make today the day that you choose to tell your enemies and your problems that they better be afraid because you are “about to get your Daddy”.
Be Blessed,
B
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Fog
This morning I woke up around 4:30AM to get some things done for work. As I looked out the large window in the front of my house I was amazed at the density of the fog that had blanketed the neighborhood. I could barely make out anything beyond the reach of my driveway. My spirit dropped a bit as I was looking forward to a gorgeous and sun-drenched day, but based on what I could see…this was not going to be “that” day.
I am not a big fan of fog…especially driving in the fog. Navigating in the fog definitely presents it challenges. I am without doubt more alert when driving in the fog, given that visibility is diminished so it is often difficult to see potential hazards in the road ahead. It also amazes me when I see people switch to their high beams when driving in the fog. If it wasn’t bad enough that they teach you in driving school to not do this, it also becomes painfully obvious because the wall of fog appears to move closer to you once you activate your car’s high beams. Nevertheless some people have to do things their way.
When I think about fog, I remember back in elementary school when one of my teachers described fog as “cotton balls falling from the sky and floating just above the ground” (yes… I attended Baltimore City Public Schools and I’m proud of it J ). A more appropriate/grown up definition is: a cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of the earth, appreciably reducing visibility (Dictionary.com).
Fog not only exists in the external environment, it also exists in the human interior. There are many types of fog including:
*Mental Fog- clouds of the mind, that generate confusion or inability or unwillingness to make a sound decisions.
*Emotional Fog- clouds of the heart that impact relationships with others and self acceptance
*Spiritual Fog- clouds of the soul that hinders us from seeing God, His plans and His love for us
Many of us have experienced one or more of these “fogs” at one point in our lives. In fact some of you may be under a “cotton ball” right now. I am a witness that the light of God through His truth, power and love can lift you up out of darkness and into His Light, so that you can see clearly though the “fogs” of life. Until the “fog” lifts, God has promised to lead us and to guide us though Faith as we exercise our dependence on Him. While the “fogs” of life don’t always immediately lift, if we trust God, listen to what He is telling us through the “foggy” experience, we will be ever grateful and determined to honor and praise Him when the fog lifts.
What mental fog is causing you to struggle with making a “tough” decision? What Emotion fog is hindering you from loving others and your self with “reckless abandon”? What spiritual Fog is causing you to doubt that God Loves you?
A funny thing happen today…what started as a gloomy day dominated by fog, turned out to be a gloriously beautiful day once the fog dissipated. In reality this beautiful and sunny day was there all of the time, but the fog clouded our view of it. It was not until the fog lifted that we were able to experience the warmth and beauty of the Sun. I urge you today to trust in God through your fog so that you can experience the warmth and beauty of the Love of God.
Be Blessed,
B
I am not a big fan of fog…especially driving in the fog. Navigating in the fog definitely presents it challenges. I am without doubt more alert when driving in the fog, given that visibility is diminished so it is often difficult to see potential hazards in the road ahead. It also amazes me when I see people switch to their high beams when driving in the fog. If it wasn’t bad enough that they teach you in driving school to not do this, it also becomes painfully obvious because the wall of fog appears to move closer to you once you activate your car’s high beams. Nevertheless some people have to do things their way.
When I think about fog, I remember back in elementary school when one of my teachers described fog as “cotton balls falling from the sky and floating just above the ground” (yes… I attended Baltimore City Public Schools and I’m proud of it J ). A more appropriate/grown up definition is: a cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of the earth, appreciably reducing visibility (Dictionary.com).
Fog not only exists in the external environment, it also exists in the human interior. There are many types of fog including:
*Mental Fog- clouds of the mind, that generate confusion or inability or unwillingness to make a sound decisions.
*Emotional Fog- clouds of the heart that impact relationships with others and self acceptance
*Spiritual Fog- clouds of the soul that hinders us from seeing God, His plans and His love for us
Many of us have experienced one or more of these “fogs” at one point in our lives. In fact some of you may be under a “cotton ball” right now. I am a witness that the light of God through His truth, power and love can lift you up out of darkness and into His Light, so that you can see clearly though the “fogs” of life. Until the “fog” lifts, God has promised to lead us and to guide us though Faith as we exercise our dependence on Him. While the “fogs” of life don’t always immediately lift, if we trust God, listen to what He is telling us through the “foggy” experience, we will be ever grateful and determined to honor and praise Him when the fog lifts.
What mental fog is causing you to struggle with making a “tough” decision? What Emotion fog is hindering you from loving others and your self with “reckless abandon”? What spiritual Fog is causing you to doubt that God Loves you?
A funny thing happen today…what started as a gloomy day dominated by fog, turned out to be a gloriously beautiful day once the fog dissipated. In reality this beautiful and sunny day was there all of the time, but the fog clouded our view of it. It was not until the fog lifted that we were able to experience the warmth and beauty of the Sun. I urge you today to trust in God through your fog so that you can experience the warmth and beauty of the Love of God.
Be Blessed,
B
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Closet or Garage
Recently I had the satisfaction of completing a home project. Through great effort, sweat, planning and diligence, I was able to add a shelving system in my garage. I must admit that I procrastinated on the project. About 2 ½ years ago I completed a similar project in the bedroom closet that my wife and I share. I completed that project in 1 day. On the flip side, it took me about 1 month to complete the garage shelving. The concept and the skills needed to complete the projects were the same. Find the studs, install the shelving track, make sure it is level and then secure the track to the studs. Pretty straight forward…. So why did it take me 1 day to finish one project and 1 month to finish another?
It recently dawned on me why I flew through one project and not the other that was similar. It was the fact that with the closet project, I was armed with a greater sense of urgency, an intense level of focus and a clear understanding of the need to complete the task. The circumstances surrounding the need for the projects were different. With the closet project the need was more apparent…in my eyes. Let me explain…
As my wife and I had just returned from one of our much needed vacations, we were shocked to find that almost all of our clothes from our closet were on the floor because the builder had not properly installed the closet system in our bedroom. I went from relaxed mode to “Bob the Builder” mode (Can we fix it...Yes we can) in a matter of seconds. By the evening I had gone to Home Depot, purchased the material and installed the closet shelving system, because I knew that we (my wife especially) could not operate without a functioning closet. Once the job had been completed and I hung the last shirt up in the “new closet”. I had an immense sense of satisfaction. The garage project was not met with equaled intensity because I approached it as something that I WANTED to do versus something that I NEEDED to do. In fact the need was the same, as my wife was eventually forced to park outside of the garage during most of the winter, but it was my perception of the need that was different.
Often time our inability or unwillingness to distinguish between things that we “want” to do and the things that we “need” to do becomes a barrier to us being able to demonstrate the love of God fully toward others. We sometimes allow our feelings to block out our ability to rationalize and subsequently allow “how we feel”, about people and circumstances, to dictate how we demonstrate the love of God.
God has given us the ability and the privilege to help others; however, sometimes we are only compelled to help when we “feel” like it. Regardless of whether we “feel” like it or not, the urgency of the need that exists in the lives of those around us in not diminished. We are called not only to love, but to love well.
Philippians 1:9-11 (The Message) So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
When it comes to loving others and to demonstrating the Love of God, God’s standard is so much higher than human standards. God calls us to love the “unlovely”, those who will not love you back, those who “use” you, those who can’t repay you, those who curse you, those who mean all types of evil toward you…etc. Simply stated God wants us to love others the way that He loves us (we are “unlovely”, selfish etc).
As we choose to demonstrate the love of God through our relationships with our spouses, our children, our co-workers, our extended family, our friends, our enemies and random people that we encounter, let us approach each opportunity to love with sincerity so that people can see God through our love and be drawn to a closer relationship with Him.
The urgency of the need for love is present. Will you approach your opportunities to love like I approached the garage project or the closet project?
Be Blessed,
B
It recently dawned on me why I flew through one project and not the other that was similar. It was the fact that with the closet project, I was armed with a greater sense of urgency, an intense level of focus and a clear understanding of the need to complete the task. The circumstances surrounding the need for the projects were different. With the closet project the need was more apparent…in my eyes. Let me explain…
As my wife and I had just returned from one of our much needed vacations, we were shocked to find that almost all of our clothes from our closet were on the floor because the builder had not properly installed the closet system in our bedroom. I went from relaxed mode to “Bob the Builder” mode (Can we fix it...Yes we can) in a matter of seconds. By the evening I had gone to Home Depot, purchased the material and installed the closet shelving system, because I knew that we (my wife especially) could not operate without a functioning closet. Once the job had been completed and I hung the last shirt up in the “new closet”. I had an immense sense of satisfaction. The garage project was not met with equaled intensity because I approached it as something that I WANTED to do versus something that I NEEDED to do. In fact the need was the same, as my wife was eventually forced to park outside of the garage during most of the winter, but it was my perception of the need that was different.
Often time our inability or unwillingness to distinguish between things that we “want” to do and the things that we “need” to do becomes a barrier to us being able to demonstrate the love of God fully toward others. We sometimes allow our feelings to block out our ability to rationalize and subsequently allow “how we feel”, about people and circumstances, to dictate how we demonstrate the love of God.
God has given us the ability and the privilege to help others; however, sometimes we are only compelled to help when we “feel” like it. Regardless of whether we “feel” like it or not, the urgency of the need that exists in the lives of those around us in not diminished. We are called not only to love, but to love well.
Philippians 1:9-11 (The Message) So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
When it comes to loving others and to demonstrating the Love of God, God’s standard is so much higher than human standards. God calls us to love the “unlovely”, those who will not love you back, those who “use” you, those who can’t repay you, those who curse you, those who mean all types of evil toward you…etc. Simply stated God wants us to love others the way that He loves us (we are “unlovely”, selfish etc).
As we choose to demonstrate the love of God through our relationships with our spouses, our children, our co-workers, our extended family, our friends, our enemies and random people that we encounter, let us approach each opportunity to love with sincerity so that people can see God through our love and be drawn to a closer relationship with Him.
The urgency of the need for love is present. Will you approach your opportunities to love like I approached the garage project or the closet project?
Be Blessed,
B
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Good 2 Great
It has been my experience that every relationship that I have been involved in has endured challenges that have either made the relationship stronger or have resulted in the severing of the tie. As I step back and reflect in some of the many life lessons that I have learned, I am comforted by the fact that I am a better me today because of the many different people that I have encountered along my journey in life.
Some of these people came into my life for only a brief moment, while others are permanent fixtures in my life…Some came only to take from me, yet others never took but only gave to me…Some came to attempt to drown me in my own tears, while others brought the comfort of words that restored and renewed my mind, heart and spirit… Some came to promote and to magnify my fears, while others provoked me to take bold steps toward my destiny.
Recently I have reflected on these truths as they relate to my relationship with my wife. While most people think that we are a “model couple” and that I’m the best husband and father in the world J, but we go through challenges (I like to call them opportunities), just like everyone else. We have a good marriage. Most people would love to have a good relationship. We help each other, compromise on ideas, support each other in the pursuit of our dreams, express our love through actions and through words, worship God together at Church and at home, pray for and with each other etc… That is all good… but good is often the enemy of GREAT.
It is in the moments where we have been faced with tremendous struggle, when we have overcome disappointments, when we have made the decision to be more transparent before each other, that God has allowed us to experience GREATNESS. Just as muscles only grow stronger through strength training (during this process the muscles are “torn” and grow back stronger as they heal), our relationship has only grown stronger when we’ve fought through the pain, fatigue and hurts of life and we chose to love deeper and more genuinely than before.
In many of our relationships, we have settled for just operating in “good” mode. We accept that fact that since nothing is really going “wrong” then we are ok. Every true relationship (which is deeper than just being acquainted with a person) should be one that is growing. You should be promoting growth in others and they should be promoting growth in you or else the relationship is fruitless and stagnant.
Today, as you reflect not only on your relationships with others, but also on your relationship with God, challenge yourself to take your relationship to the next level. There are too many marriages, families, churches etc. on “cruise control”. When you are in “cruise control” you are not fully engaged in your progress. I believe that this is the perfect time to take full control of our relationships and to expand them beyond our comfort zones so that we can effectively demonstrate to the world what true GODLY GREATNESS looks like.
God is ready to demonstrate His Love to the world through our GREAT relationships.
Be Blessed,
B
Some of these people came into my life for only a brief moment, while others are permanent fixtures in my life…Some came only to take from me, yet others never took but only gave to me…Some came to attempt to drown me in my own tears, while others brought the comfort of words that restored and renewed my mind, heart and spirit… Some came to promote and to magnify my fears, while others provoked me to take bold steps toward my destiny.
Recently I have reflected on these truths as they relate to my relationship with my wife. While most people think that we are a “model couple” and that I’m the best husband and father in the world J, but we go through challenges (I like to call them opportunities), just like everyone else. We have a good marriage. Most people would love to have a good relationship. We help each other, compromise on ideas, support each other in the pursuit of our dreams, express our love through actions and through words, worship God together at Church and at home, pray for and with each other etc… That is all good… but good is often the enemy of GREAT.
It is in the moments where we have been faced with tremendous struggle, when we have overcome disappointments, when we have made the decision to be more transparent before each other, that God has allowed us to experience GREATNESS. Just as muscles only grow stronger through strength training (during this process the muscles are “torn” and grow back stronger as they heal), our relationship has only grown stronger when we’ve fought through the pain, fatigue and hurts of life and we chose to love deeper and more genuinely than before.
In many of our relationships, we have settled for just operating in “good” mode. We accept that fact that since nothing is really going “wrong” then we are ok. Every true relationship (which is deeper than just being acquainted with a person) should be one that is growing. You should be promoting growth in others and they should be promoting growth in you or else the relationship is fruitless and stagnant.
Today, as you reflect not only on your relationships with others, but also on your relationship with God, challenge yourself to take your relationship to the next level. There are too many marriages, families, churches etc. on “cruise control”. When you are in “cruise control” you are not fully engaged in your progress. I believe that this is the perfect time to take full control of our relationships and to expand them beyond our comfort zones so that we can effectively demonstrate to the world what true GODLY GREATNESS looks like.
God is ready to demonstrate His Love to the world through our GREAT relationships.
Be Blessed,
B
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