Project Manager

Have you ever considered how important the Project Manager is to the construction process? They are is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the project. If something is needed or there is a problem, it's the project manager who gets the call. As we celebrate Father's Day today, I can't help but think that being a father is, in a sense, similar to that of being a Project Manager. My dad has played a significant role in shaping my life. He has taught me many things over the years. He helped me navigate the challenges of be a boy to becoming a man. He has provided me with words of wisdom and insights that he has gleaned over the years. He has shown me what commitment and hard work is all about. He has shown me what to means to sacrifice for the ones you love. He has never been to busy to spend time with me. He has always made it a point to attend and support my activities. He has loved me unconditionally. Like a project manager, he has been involved in all aspects of my construction. It is my desire, to be all these things for my children as well.

For those of you out there that have never experienced this kind of involvement from your earthly father, there is hope. Your Heavenly Father, ABBA - Daddy, desires to be intimately involved in all aspects of your life. He has a plan and purpose for you. He promises to always be with you. He promises to provide and protect you. He will love you unconditionally. All you have to do is acknowledge your need for HIM to be your personal Project Manager!

Happy Father's Day!!

Regular Inspections

In the construction process, there are timelines and phases. After the completion of one phase, an inspection is done before beginning the next phase. These inspections are done to ensure that the work being conducted is up to code. In other words, does it meet the standards set forth by the entity responsible for oversight.

Our lives are similar to the construction process. Our Heavenly Father provides us with timelines and phases in which He conducts inspections to ensure we are meeting the "standards" He has set before us. I am not talking about living a life full of do's and do not's but a life filled with the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, & self-control.

A little over a week ago, a high school classmate of mine sent me a message via Facebook that one of our classmates had passed away and another wasn't doing very well. This saddened me to read this bit it also caused me to reflect on the following question: If I knew when I was 18 years old that I would only live to be 50(which I will be at the end of the year) would I have lived my life any differently up to this point? Well, for me, the answer is a resounding YES. Some of the choices I made would obviously be different and I would have been much more SELFLESS than SELFISH. As I thought more about this, I realized that this was one of those "phases" in my life that God is using to ensure that I am being totally transformed in His image. God will use circumstances, situations, events, etc (inspections)to bring the need to change to our attention.

I can't change those years that are behind me but I can, with great anticipation, look forward to the years that lie ahead of me. As I move through each phase of my construction process, I can be confident in knowing that God will reveal to me (through regular inspections) the changes I need to make in my life to be more like Him.

When the construction is complete, I will hear my Lord and Savior say to me, "well done my good and faithful servant."

Architect & Blueprints

As a little boy growing up, I wanted to be/do lots of things. As a 5 year old, I used to look forward to trash pickup day so that I could follow the "garbage" men down the alley. I was going to be a "sanitation engineer" when I grew up. My parents even bought me a Tonka Toy garbage truck for Christmas. Well as the years went by my dreams changed and I pursued other opportunities. I was responsible for making it all happen. My success or lack thereof was up to me. As a Believer, I am told in scripture that God has a plan for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). This sounded great but did I really embrace this. The truth is NO. To embrace it would mean that God is in control and I would have to put God first. I was cruising right along. Living a comfortable life. Good job, a happy marriage, 2 wonderful kids and a cat. I gave God about 90% of me and the other 10% was all about me. That seemed okay, right? Well, God had other plans. About 8 months ago, I lost my job. I experienced all the usual emotions: disappointment, guilt, fear, anger, anxiety, and even depression. I did ask God(the Architect) why but never did lay the blame game on him. Instead, I chose to draw closer to Him. I spent more time in prayer. I opened up His word (the blueprints) to us and spent time reflecting on what it had to say. I often just remained quite and just listened. While He never spoke audibly to me, I did sense His presence. I have come to realize that He wants all of me not part of me. I've learned that His grace is sufficient. I have learned to trust and obey His promises (a very hard thing to do). These lessons are put to the test daily. I started a new job about 3 1/2 weeks ago. I really enjoy it but the decent income is a year or so down the road. We are at a crossroads in terms of some important financial decisions to be made that will impact my retirement plan. This would normally cause me to worry and fret. When this happens, I can become difficult to be around. Not fair for my wife and son. Anyway, I chose to put this in God's hand and trust Him. This morning's devotion was taken from Luke 12:22-32. Jesus instructs us not to worry and to seek Him first. Isn't just like God to know what I need and when I need it. I attended a funeral early today for my brother-in-laws father who passed away Friday. We were reminded to by the deacon who presided over the service to find our rest in Christ. Again, another affirmation that God doesn't want us to go it alone. When we feel our lives are under construction, let us remember to talk with architect and examine the blueprints.