Have you ever noticed how many “Extreme Makeover” shows are on TV these days? We see makeovers for everything from homes, cars, & hair to dress, weight, restaurants & schools. On the surface, these makeovers appear to be a good thing. Needs are met. Hope is given. Happiness is received. The shows tug at our heart strings. We feel good about the “gift” being provided to make someone’s life better. But what happens when the lights go down; when the cameras are put away; when the TV personalities move on to the next person? Far too often, we hear that the mortgage on the new home can’t be met, the weight is put back on, and the restaurant goes out of business. These gifts, no matter how well intentioned, are only temporary.
This Christmas let us reflect upon, acknowledge, and accept the gift that keeps on giving; the gift that will last an eternity. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of a virgin who will give birth to a son who will be called Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Consider that the God of the universe loves us so much and desires to have a personal relationship with each of us that He would be willing to be with us through the gift of His son Jesus. If we embrace this gift our hearts will be transformed. If we believe in this gift we will have everlasting life (John 3:16). In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season, take the time to give yourself an Extreme Makeover – the Heart Edition.
Merry Christmas!!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Experience the Journey
Whether a project is small or large, it always begins with a vision. Plans are developed with the end in mind. In some cases, the only one who can see the vision clearly is the creator or designer. To those on the outside, the vision is blurred and the process of going from point A to B makes no sense. They are unable to see the big picture. They want to get to the destination without experiencing the journey.
This is often the case as God works in our own lives. He has a vision for each one of us that we don't always see clearly. God reinforced this to me through the journey my son and his high school soccer team just completed. It was a journey that resulted in winning a state championship.
A little over a month ago as I was praying, I ask the Lord to grant Brett and his team the opportunity to make it to the state championship one last time. While God didn't speak to me audibly, I did feel a sense of peace that He would allow this to happen. I felt Him telling me that the destination was all ready determined but to trust Him during the journey. This was difficult to do because I had no control over the outcomes. Injuries, mid season losses, & a lack of leadership had me wondering whether this was all wishful thinking on my part. What I experienced was nothing short of remarkable. I saw God do an incredible work in these young peoples lives and in my own. Hearts were transformed and valuable life lessens were learned.
God calls us to trust Him and not rely on our own understanding. He wants us to experience the journey on our way to the destination (Proverbs 3:5-6). It's through these experiences that we gain wisdom and grow in our faith. Our relationship with God is strengthened.
This is often the case as God works in our own lives. He has a vision for each one of us that we don't always see clearly. God reinforced this to me through the journey my son and his high school soccer team just completed. It was a journey that resulted in winning a state championship.
A little over a month ago as I was praying, I ask the Lord to grant Brett and his team the opportunity to make it to the state championship one last time. While God didn't speak to me audibly, I did feel a sense of peace that He would allow this to happen. I felt Him telling me that the destination was all ready determined but to trust Him during the journey. This was difficult to do because I had no control over the outcomes. Injuries, mid season losses, & a lack of leadership had me wondering whether this was all wishful thinking on my part. What I experienced was nothing short of remarkable. I saw God do an incredible work in these young peoples lives and in my own. Hearts were transformed and valuable life lessens were learned.
God calls us to trust Him and not rely on our own understanding. He wants us to experience the journey on our way to the destination (Proverbs 3:5-6). It's through these experiences that we gain wisdom and grow in our faith. Our relationship with God is strengthened.
Friday, September 9, 2011
PRIDE - A Crack in the Foundation
It’s quite common and natural to feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when we or those we hold dear have done well. The problem is that we often let pride become an idol in our lives. A heart full of pride leads to anger, anxiety, unforgiveness, broken relationships, lack of satisfaction, jealousy, envy, financial loss , an unwillingness to change etc.
I have to admit that this is an area in which I have struggled lately. My son is a senior in high school and is blessed with the ability to play the game of soccer at a very high level. He is being recruited by several schools to play soccer for them. Yes, I am proud of him. I want the very best for him. What parent wouldn’t? Unfortunately, I have allowed PRIDE to “blind” me. I see other boys he has played with and against make their college commitments and envy begins to set in. I hear about coaches recruiting other kids but not my own and I become angry. This has led me to put unintentional and unnecessary pressure on him. This hit home for me when we had a discussion recently about this whole process. My son expressed that he was completely “overwhelmed” and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. It hit me that I was more concerned for what I wanted for him and not what God’s plan for him may be. God has a plan and purpose for each one of us (Jeremiah 29:11).
I encourage you to examine your life and see if PRIDE has caused a crack in the foundation of your heart. If ignored, it can lead to much sorrow, despair, and regret. If dealt with, it will bring peace, joy, and contentment. The Bible says that before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor (Proverbs 18:12).
Have a Blessed Day!!
BDE
I have to admit that this is an area in which I have struggled lately. My son is a senior in high school and is blessed with the ability to play the game of soccer at a very high level. He is being recruited by several schools to play soccer for them. Yes, I am proud of him. I want the very best for him. What parent wouldn’t? Unfortunately, I have allowed PRIDE to “blind” me. I see other boys he has played with and against make their college commitments and envy begins to set in. I hear about coaches recruiting other kids but not my own and I become angry. This has led me to put unintentional and unnecessary pressure on him. This hit home for me when we had a discussion recently about this whole process. My son expressed that he was completely “overwhelmed” and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. It hit me that I was more concerned for what I wanted for him and not what God’s plan for him may be. God has a plan and purpose for each one of us (Jeremiah 29:11).
I encourage you to examine your life and see if PRIDE has caused a crack in the foundation of your heart. If ignored, it can lead to much sorrow, despair, and regret. If dealt with, it will bring peace, joy, and contentment. The Bible says that before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor (Proverbs 18:12).
Have a Blessed Day!!
BDE
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Nails, Calk, and Cement
No matter the type of construction project, it's highly likely that nails, calk, and cement can be found in abundant supply. Each is vitally important to the project at hand yet they are often taken for granted. Nails and cement reinforce and hold things together. Calk is used to seal things together. It protects against and helps prevents erosion.
If we stop a moment and think about it, there are thing that happen in our own lives that serve to reinforce & hold together that which we value. Things that protect against and help prevent erosion of our own convictions. I have been reminded of this through a series of events and activities that have taken place in my life recently. Here are a few:
* The recent passing away of a mom & wife who was part of "soccer" family.
* One of my best friends since grade school had hip replacement surgery.
* A couple of family birthday parties.
* Re-connecting with friends from days gone by via facebook.
* This morning's Dash for Donations 5k run/walk. Thinking of my neighbor and
the family of Noah Maloney.
Each of these events and activities have in their own way served to re-inforce, hold together, protect and help prevent the erosion of the things I hold near and dear to my heart(Proverbs 3:5-6).
What are the nails, cement, and calk in you life? Have you taken them for granted? Have you considered where they come from? I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect upon these things. They will reinforce, hold together, protect and help prevent against those things that will seek to "mess" your life up!
BDE
If we stop a moment and think about it, there are thing that happen in our own lives that serve to reinforce & hold together that which we value. Things that protect against and help prevent erosion of our own convictions. I have been reminded of this through a series of events and activities that have taken place in my life recently. Here are a few:
* The recent passing away of a mom & wife who was part of "soccer" family.
* One of my best friends since grade school had hip replacement surgery.
* A couple of family birthday parties.
* Re-connecting with friends from days gone by via facebook.
* This morning's Dash for Donations 5k run/walk. Thinking of my neighbor and
the family of Noah Maloney.
Each of these events and activities have in their own way served to re-inforce, hold together, protect and help prevent the erosion of the things I hold near and dear to my heart(Proverbs 3:5-6).
What are the nails, cement, and calk in you life? Have you taken them for granted? Have you considered where they come from? I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect upon these things. They will reinforce, hold together, protect and help prevent against those things that will seek to "mess" your life up!
BDE
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Behind the scenes
Have you ever watched a construction project from start to finish? In the beginning there is a lot of activity. From the dirt being moved, to the foundation being laid, the framing going up, the walls, the windows, the doors etc. All the stuff you can see going on. Then there is a period of time where you don't see the activity because the work going on has moved inside. It may appear that not much is going but in reality much is happening. That's the way it's been in my life the past 6 months.
I had a successful hip replacement surgery in February complete with a temporary filter being placed in my vena cava vein before surgery and then being removed afterwards due to blood clot concerns. Our daughter was in the hospital for 26 days in the month of April with Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA). This is a disease that effects her ability to eat sufficient amounts of food. Our son grew & matured leaps and bounds in school and on the soccer pitch. I completed my first year in my new line of work.
You might be asking what this has to do construction? Well, through these events and other "life stuff", I have become a stronger & wiser person. I have been humbled. I have learned that faith, focus, commitment, & consistency are key drivers to being successful. I have become less anxious and more content (Phil 4:6). I listen more and talk less. I've tried to become more patient. I have become a better husband, father, son, brother, and friend. I believe my life exhibits more of the "fruits of the spirit" (Gal 5:22) and less of the "world". I have discovered that my passion in life is the study and application of Apolgetics and in serving God. I depend more on God and less on myself.
God has used the events and other "life stuff" in my life to transform my heart. He has been working "behind the scenes" to make me useful and functional for His purposes. You see, though something may look complete on the outside it must be complete on the inside to be functional and useful. Will you consider allowing God to work "behind the scenes" in your life?
BDE
I had a successful hip replacement surgery in February complete with a temporary filter being placed in my vena cava vein before surgery and then being removed afterwards due to blood clot concerns. Our daughter was in the hospital for 26 days in the month of April with Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA). This is a disease that effects her ability to eat sufficient amounts of food. Our son grew & matured leaps and bounds in school and on the soccer pitch. I completed my first year in my new line of work.
You might be asking what this has to do construction? Well, through these events and other "life stuff", I have become a stronger & wiser person. I have been humbled. I have learned that faith, focus, commitment, & consistency are key drivers to being successful. I have become less anxious and more content (Phil 4:6). I listen more and talk less. I've tried to become more patient. I have become a better husband, father, son, brother, and friend. I believe my life exhibits more of the "fruits of the spirit" (Gal 5:22) and less of the "world". I have discovered that my passion in life is the study and application of Apolgetics and in serving God. I depend more on God and less on myself.
God has used the events and other "life stuff" in my life to transform my heart. He has been working "behind the scenes" to make me useful and functional for His purposes. You see, though something may look complete on the outside it must be complete on the inside to be functional and useful. Will you consider allowing God to work "behind the scenes" in your life?
BDE
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A New Year - A New Phase
With 2010 officially behind us, it's time to move on to the next phase of "construction". A look back reveals that as with any construction project there were successes and setbacks. Such was the case for me. I will not get into detail because I've shared them in my previous blogs.
As I look ahead, I find strength and comfort in the following scripture verse: Jeremiah 29-11. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." One may read into this verse that God promises that there will not be in trails and adversity (refining) in our lives. That is not what He is saying. I believe He is telling us that the plan He has for us will bring us closer to Him. That the plan will transform our hearts to become more like His son Jesus. As we draw closer to God and our hearts continue to be transformed, we will be filled with the hope that no matter the circumstance or situation, He is with us. He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. He has a plan that one day our "construction" will be complete and we will be in His presence.
Let's begin the New Year and the next phase of our "construction" by being open to the plans the lie ahead!!
Happy New Year,
BDE
As I look ahead, I find strength and comfort in the following scripture verse: Jeremiah 29-11. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." One may read into this verse that God promises that there will not be in trails and adversity (refining) in our lives. That is not what He is saying. I believe He is telling us that the plan He has for us will bring us closer to Him. That the plan will transform our hearts to become more like His son Jesus. As we draw closer to God and our hearts continue to be transformed, we will be filled with the hope that no matter the circumstance or situation, He is with us. He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. He has a plan that one day our "construction" will be complete and we will be in His presence.
Let's begin the New Year and the next phase of our "construction" by being open to the plans the lie ahead!!
Happy New Year,
BDE
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