Post-It Note Love: Follow Up

How is Post-It Note Love going for you? The days that I make time to encourage my wife with a note of encouragement starts us out on the right foot, but more importantly it makes my wife feel valued, encouraged, empowered, and loved, which is my mission as her husband.

 Here is a story of an all-star husband using Post-It Note Love to bless his wife.
Rick writes... “I simply had the house cleaned for her by a cleaning lady... made dinner, got her flowers.. pulled out the two poems I had written for her.. had candle light dinner with wine for her, had christian music playing and had 52 post it notes around the house letting her know 52 reasons how she was special and why I loved her... all ready for her when she got home from work...”

 I love it! This is exactly the kind of thing that we want our homes to be filled with.

 Ephesians 5:25-28 says... “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkly or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives....”

 This verse is a great reminder that as a husband my mission is to daily uplift my wife so that she may be radiant. Post-It Note Love is just one way to do this...

 Send me your Post It Note Love stories to share how God is using it in your marriage. Get creative, have fun, and keep Living a Legacy!


 Click HERE to read the original Post-It Note Love post.

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children...”

Be Joyful Always - 1 Thess 5:16 - part 3

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 I think it is important to understand the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion that is a response to the ever changing circumstances and events that surround us. Joy is the reaction to the consistent, persistent, unchanging and never ending love of Jesus Christ. Regardless of the circumstances, joy remains. Joy is a result of God’s love, and because God’s love is unchanging, consistent, and never ending, our joy will be also. Thus, allowing us as followers of Christ to be joyful always. Joy is rooted in hope, hope is rooted in love, and God is love. Happiness and sorrow may come, but our joy is never ending.

 So being joyful always isn’t a naive assumption that we need to be on top of the world all the time, but rather that our actions and thoughts are rooted in the one stable thing in this ever changing world, the love, salvation, and abundant life that comes only from knowing Jesus Christ. (Jesus put it best when He taught the parable of The Wise and the Foolish Builders in Luke 6:46-49)

As Paul was persecuted and imprisoned, he said “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned teh secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” Phillipians 4:11-13
These are the challenging words of a man who has true joy. He knows that what is most valuable to him can never be taken away.

 What things are you doing/thinking that keep you digging down deep and building your house on the firm foundation of God’s love, hope, and joy?

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children...”

A Legacy of Prayer: Kay Pistek

Earlier this week I posted about the power of prayer in our daily routines. This legacy story reflects that perfectly. My good friend Scott Behrends wrote this legacy story about his grandma. The life that she lived and the example she set in prayer still challenges him today.

    Some of my most memorable childhood memories involve spending weeks during the summer at my maternal grandparent’s house. Often times many of the numerous boy cousins close to my age would also stay over. I cherished this time even then- but now I realize how it truly shaped me and blessed me. My grandpa would take us fishing or we’d play sports in the backyard together. When we were tired, we’d raid the freezer in the garage for frozen goodies then go back at it! 

   My grandma went to be with Jesus about a year ago now. My aunt shared a story at her funeral I will never forget. She had asked her mom how she was able to remember all the names - and birthdays- of all the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. This doesn’t seem like a large task until you are in an amazingly blessed family with 95+ people. My Grandma’s reply was her legacy … “Well, I go down through the families of you 9 kids and pray for each person every night.” When I heard that, it literally took my breath away. Every night my grandma prayed for me, her grandson, one of 95 in her family. 

    This has challenged me to spend more time on my knees or in the word instead of on my computer before bed. I realized how much neater it would be if my boys would remember images of me praying or reading the bible rather than sitting by the glow of a screen. I thank God for the memories of my quality time with my grandparents, and for the time my grandma specifically spent in prayer for all of us.

Pray Continually 1 Thess 5:16 - part 2

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

   As men striving to Live a Legacy for the Lord, I feel we are called to be ready every day, and be disciplined in our routine. When we start our day with time praying to the Lord, reading His Word, and memorizing his Word, we are looking into a mirror that holds the image of who God has made us. Daily reminding ourselves of who God has already made us to be puts our hearts in a place of adoration, passion, and desire that consequently helps us to talk with Him throughout the day, to pray for others as God puts it on our hearts, to act in the giftings He has given us, and live in the power of the Holy Spirit He has put inside of us (Ephesians 1:13-14). I think that praying continually really means being in constant communication with God, both talking and listening. I have found the most important key to this is how I start my day. The start of a race can mean everything in the outcome, and each day is no different.
  
   As I conduct band rehearsals each day, I continually find that the first five minute of rehearsal sets the tone for the 45 minutes that follow. It can be the difference between a productive focused rehearsal, or a disorderly rehearsal with nothing gained at the end. The first 5 minutes of our day is no different. It is the beginning of God doing greater things than you could ask or imagine in your life, using you to share the Legacy of Christ, that it may resound through generations.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” 

Is your day starting off in a way that puts you in constant communication with God?

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..."

The Legacy of a Father: Steve Hinderhofer

My friend Steve sent me a copy of this letter that he wrote to his Dad, Steve, on his birthday. What an awesome way to dwell on what he is thankful for, and pay tribute to the legacy that his father continues to leave on his life. This goes to show that as dads, siblings, or whatever it is, God can use us to have an amazing impact on the lives around us from the little seemingly insignificant things to the big things. Thanks for sharing Steve..... 

 Steven John Hinderhofer is a great man, loving father, encouraging friend, and husband. This is his legacy in my life. My dad is a regular guy with some very special qualities. Here are a few things I remember from growing up. 

1. When we used to go to McDonald’s, sometimes he would buy and extra small fries, just so we could eat them on the way home. 
2. When we were kids dad managed a gas station and he would take us to work and buy us Munchoes before we went home as well as a few more snacks. We would always sleep on the way home because we were usually up at 4. He always got us home safely. 
3.  When we were playing baseball as kids we would play doubleheaders on Saturday. During the summer it was about 1,000 degrees on some of those days and I was the catcher, sometimes catching both games in between the innings he would always have a cold wet towel to hang around my neck and would tell me really positive things while I sat in the bench to cool off. In between the games he would let me just sit there and bring some food and gatorade over to me. 
4.  My dad worked at a church while we were in high school and the beginning of college. Each Wednesday he would set up the chairs and tables at the parish center for the seniors who would come and have lunch and play BINGO. He did this every week. There must have been 40-50 eight foot tables and 200-250 metal chairs. I remember this only because I hated doing it. Setup and tear down sometimes took place in the same day and happened every week. He cared so much about those seniors, that all the chairs were set up right and that place was clean. Thomas and I were always reluctant to help, but we did, and I am glad we did. There is some legacy lesson in there about making things right, being consistent and serving others. 
5.  In 1994 I was involved in a bb gun accident that would eventually result in the loss of vision in my right eye. I remember going in for surgery one of those first times and being as scared as I had ever been in 12 years. He held my hand and I cried. He cried too. We were both scared. He taught me it is ok to be scared. 
6.  I was taught to drive by the best driver. I don’t drive here much in Iowa, but it serves me well when we travel to Mexico and navigate the streets of Tijuana. 
7. My dad disciplined us and we are better because of it. 
8. My dad taught me how to mop a floor. I love mopping. He also taught me to do the dishes. I don’t love doing the dishes. 
9.  My dad took me to my first met’s game. He taught me where to park so we wouldn’t have to pay $10. He also knew the guy on the field box level. We used to give him $20 to let us sit down there. I'll never forget how green that grass was. 
10.  After the bb gun accident, I had to stay home from school for three quarters of my 7th grade year. We loved the horses, so dad set up an OTB account where I could call in and bet on the races before my tutors came to the house. Boy was that fun. 
11. Belmont Race track was always a fun trip. Horse poop smells fantastic. The excitement is second to none. 
12. When I headed to college I had a chance to walk on and play some baseball. My dad came to every game that he could make and sometimes twice on weekends. I wasn’t even playing and he would come and hang out, talk with the guys. They always enjoyed him coming down to watch and cheer. 
13. After I decided to come to Iowa to pursue further education, he drove 18 hours to get mom and I here safely. That sure was a long day! 

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's chidren..."

The Power of Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Wow, what a challenge dished out by Paul! I remember when I first read this verse I thought about how impossible it seemed to do this, but knew it was important because it says that this is His will for us in Christ Jesus. This means that God intends for us to live this out for our benefit and has given us all of the tools and gifting to do this, but we have to choose the things that will bring them into fruition in our lives. As I look at it in relation to other verses I began to see the ticket to having these in my life. We are going to look at this verse in three parts. Let’s address the “Give thanks in all circumstances,” first.

 Gratitude is a hefty weapon in our arsenal. Not letting the unfavorable or undesirable things in our life overshadow the blessings that we have, and being persistent in finding something to be thankful about in whatever circumstance you are in will bring life abundantly.

Gratitude is our shield against letting “stuff” become an idol. We learn to be grateful for what we have, and escape from being slaves to constant want.

Thanksgiving and prayer is how we fight anxiety (Phillipians 4:6-7) “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Praise is our ticket to being joyful always. 

 There are circumstances where it seems impossible to find anything good in the calamity that surrounds us, but when the things of this world are weighing in, we have the relentless, jealous, unending, persevering love of God that can never be taken away from us. Ever. (Ephesians 1:13-14). That is the hope and eternal joy that fills us up, and nothing can ever take that away. Yeah!

Living A Legacy  "A good means leaves a legacy for his children's children..." Proverbs 13:22

The Glory of It All...

Earlier this week I posted about our adopted inheritance in Christ. Today is a guest post from Ben Patterson from What Familes Do, sharing his personal story of adoption that makes God’s love for us even more clear. What a beautiful story.....

"I knew I loved my kids at the moment we first met.

 But I didn't know if it would happen that way.

 My wife and I adopted our four children from Poland three years ago. It was a journey that made us first time parents. I remember praying for our unknown children, preparing our home for them, and studying to be an effective first-time parent.

 Preparing a child's bedroom is easy. Preparing your heart to be a Dad and care for a child is a fuzzy process and you don't know if you're ever, "Ready." The question haunted me, "What if I don't love my children?" 

Sometimes people wish they knew the future so they could prepare for it. That's what I wanted as I made efforts to emotionally prepare for being a Dad. But God doesn't reveal the future all at once. God gives us the necessary information to follow Him, to trust, and obey.

 Nothing could have prepared me for the emotions I experienced as a first-time father. From the moment we met, the bond with our children was incredible. I'm thankful that the Lord made it this way.

 I cannot image my life without our four kids! We will do everything it takes to raise them in the way of the Lord, educate them for impact in the world, and support them in their unique passions.

 It seems silly to think that I was unsure if I could love our children. Still, uncertainty about the future is common for many of us. Many days go by where you worry about tomorrow or question what the future holds.

 For those who know and love the Lord, Jesus makes it clear what the future will be:

 John 14:19-20 (NIV) Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

 When we live by God's standards, he will not leave us. We are his children! Do you realize this? We have been adopted into His family.

 I am not a perfect father yet I still love my children like crazy. God is the perfect father. Think about how crazy he is for you, his son or daughter.

 We don't have to know the future to have faith in God, we have to have faith in God to be secure about the future. The Lord will provide."

An Adopted Inheritance

We are God’s adopted children who have been given full rights and inheritance to His Kingdom.

 Romans 8:15 says “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba Father’.”
    The Greek meaning of Abba Father is “adopted father.” Adoption was common with the Greeks and the Romans, and it was common practice to give the adopted child all of the privileges of the original children, including inheritance rights.
     Ephesians 2:8-9 describes how we come into this inheritance by God’s Grace only when we have faith in Him. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”
     The exciting part about this is that just like the adopted Greek and the Roman children we are given all privileges and inheritances along with Jesus. Jesus is God’s natural son, and just like He inherited all of God’s power, blessing, and gifts of the Kingdom of God, so do we as his adopted children. That is why Jesus said in John 14:12-13 “I tell you the truth, whoever has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the son may bring glory to the Father.”

Those are powerful words that Jesus spoke about you and I and what God has in store for us the moment we put our faith in Him.

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..."

Jesus' Suggestion to Eliminate Bitterness

Jesus knew our natural tendency to harbor bitterness, and anger toward people that hurt us or could be considered our enemies. He offers the recipe for relief in Luke 6:27. “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” Challenging words to hear, and even tougher to apply, but these counterintuitive actions are the key to true joy and freedom.

 I know that when I have had bitterness take root in my heart toward someone it is an increasingly debilitating thing that steals my joy and inhibits me. I find freedom from the grasp of bitterness when I pray for that person, ask God to bless them, and try to think of a way that I could bless them, small or big. When I follow through with these things a transformation happens. As difficult as they are at times, these actions turn something dark into light, and free us from the chains of bitterness. Loving when it is not deserved is only a fraction of the kind of love that our Savior showed us.

 Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 Jesus laid his life down for those who hated him, cursed him, mistreated him, and persecuted him so that if they accepted His gift of forgiveness and salvation their sins would be forgiven and they would come to know the true blessings of abundant life. That is amazing love and the legacy of Jesus Christ that continues to resound through generations.

 Living A Legacy Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children...”

Wind, Fire, Earthquake, and a Whisper?

      I think we can all identify with times where we have wanted to hear the Lord or know His will and plans for us, but just felt a disconnect. God is consistent, always there, always speaking what we need to hear, but it is a matter of whether or not our hearts are in a place to hear it. 

      I love the account in 1 Kings 18 and 19 about Elijah standing up for God and refusing to bow to another idol, and as a result finds himself fleeing from Horeb for his life. God guided and provided for him every step of the way and brought Elijah to a place where a gentle whisper from God gave him the direction and provision he sought. 

      After reading this passage these are the questions that came to mind and how it challenged me: Am I making time each day to hear the gentle whisper, or is my life so noisy and distracted with things throughout the day that I miss the whisper that is saying everything I need to hear? How can I make sure that I start my day with time to connect and recalibrate before the chaos of the day begins? 

      Elijah came to the place God showed him that he knew he would be able to seek the Lord. And in that time came a violent wind, firestorm, and an earthquake, but God did not choose to reveal himself in any of those powerful things, He was in the quiet whisper that followed. And in that whisper God gave Elijah the direction he needed in his moment of despair, to escape those who were after his life and carry out the will of God. 

     Let’s make sure to check in, and start in the Word and prayer every morning so that our hearts are in the right place to hear the whisper through the earthquakes, wind, and fire so that we can Live a Legacy for Christ that blesses the generations.

 1 Kings 19:9-18 

 The Lord Appears to Elijah 

 And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Seeing a Legacy Passed On

       My grandpa passing away and his funeral last week naturally caused a good amount of reflection about life, purpose, and action. I continue to think about the life I want to live and what I want my life to mean because that has to be a daily decision. I was talking with a co-worker today about living a life of service. Do my actions say that I am for myself or that I am for others? The true joy is in the moments that we are completely selfless in serving others. In the eulogies given about my grandpa I saw how he impacted many lives and what he meant to others. As described by Dad and my Uncle, I saw how many of the traits my grandpa possessed in work ethic and personality have been passed down through my Dad to my brother and I and my uncle and my cousins. Grieving his death and going to his funeral affirmed what I write about and daily pursue, that our lives would have a positive impact for what truly matters on the generations with us and that follow us. As I visited with many family members and friends of my grandpa on the day of his  funeral, I saw a little bit of him and what he passed on in each person there. What a cool legacy.
     This affirmed my passion and my mission in life, and why I write about Living a Legacy. Our lives impact and change those around us, from friends to every extension of family. As men of God we are called to Live a Legacy for Christ that blesses the generations as described in Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children....”
      I want to be a man that lives a life that leaves a legacy that enriches the lives of my children's children and changes lives for generations. Join me in making the choice daily to be a man that lives a legacy for Christ, passing on the greatest gift known to mankind that is free for all; salvation, love, and redemption.

     Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this not from yourselves it is the gift of God, not by works so that no man can boast.” 

     There is nothing we can do to earn it, the only thing we can do is accept it through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us live lives that proclaim the love of Christ, and that challenge those around us to hunger to know God in the same way.

 So the question beckons, what kind of legacy are you living?

Living a Legacy Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..."

The Tax Collector Did What?!?!?!

Levi was an unexpecting man whose life was turned upside down by two words. A rich and powerful tax collector sitting at his booth was visited by Jesus. Jesus said, “follow me,” and knowing that this was the Savior they had been waiting for, left his life of money, comfort and power to follow Jesus and do greater things than he could have ever imagined. He jumped in both feet first and wholeheartedly followed Jesus. Sometimes the lure of power, prestige, and money, can be anchors that keep us from moving into what God truly intends for us. It can be difficult to let go of the “place of comfort” for the sometimes unknown. But we can be certain of this, when we are obedient to His calling we can expect that it will be greater than we could ask or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us."

 So let us drop everything that hinders.

  Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

 After Levi jumps all in, he uses a great amount of his resources to throw a banquet for Jesus and share with the people in his life the greatest thing he has ever known.. Levi understood that one of the most powerful acts of ministry is fellowship. His guests of honor were the people that most wouldn’t want to be around, but he knew that he wanted to share this abundant life with them regardless of their current state. Jesus says in v.31 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

 Inviting people into your home and sharing a meal with them is a great way to build relationship and show love and generosity toward others.

 Who could you invite into your home this week to bless with a meal and get to know better?

 Levi continued to share with other about the life of Jesus when he wrote the book of Matthew. I am sure that when Levi was sitting in his tax booth before Jesus came along he never would have imagined that he would know the Saviour of our world, perform miracles, change countless lives, and write a book about Jesus’ life that would still be read and change lives through the power of Christ 2000 years later. Cool!

Luke 6:27-31
 The Calling of Levi
  27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.“Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

One Loose Screw Can Leave You Stranded On The Side of The Road....

    This summer some friends purchased a new tandem bicycle. They are pretty handy and decided that they would save a few extra dollars by putting the bike together themselves. There it stood in the driveway, assembled and ready for a family ride into the sunset. After half an hour of getting themselves and the kids ready they pulled out of the driveway. No more than 50 feet down the road something went terribly wrong. As they shifted gears the derailleur (part that shifts the gears) was ripped clean off the bike as it was chewed up in the spokes of the bike. The carnage that ensued on the bike did quite a number, breaking the shifter, bending the wheel, scratching the frame, and rendering the bike useless after its 50 feet of fame. Knowing the ins and outs of bikes I was able to fix what went wrong and get it back in tip top shape. What caused the mess? A tiny adjustment screw was a few turns off!
    This is how life can often times be with us. While everything appears to be looking fine on the outside, we can have those little problems that are their way to becoming big problems, unless they are properly adjusted. Let’s get those little things in order before it causes the whole machine to malfunction. Anger, bitterness, lust, laziness,complacency, procrastination, staying busy, etc. are all things that can derail us. Don’t let them creep into your life and steal away the sweet ride that God has intended with your family.

 1 Corinthians 4:5”He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness an dwill expose the motives of men’s hearts.” 

 Q: What things do you need to bring to him so you don’t end up busted up on the side of the road? God knows your heart already. Bring them to Him, and ask for His strength and truth to replace those things that are not of Him.

 Living A Legacy - Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children...’

Guest Post on What Familes Do

What Families Do blog had me as a guest post on Friday about the power of scripture passed from generation to generation. Thanks for having me! Check out "What Families Do" for some great family tips, wisdom, and fun!

http://whatfamiliesdo.net/2012/10/12/the-gift-of-a-lietime/

Don't Try to Fix It????

Continuing on the topic of being good husbands....

 Colossians 3:18 “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."

    I think that Paul writes this in his letter because he knows how men’s minds work. We like to fix things and make them better. As soon as we have an understanding of the problem and a good solution we want to get to work. We want to be our best and we want those around us to be their best. If we aren’t careful though, the actions resulting from this mindset can be harsh on our wives.

   As a band director, it is my job to critically listen and correct during rehearsals and lessons. But as a husband my job is very much the opposite. My job is to listen, affirm, and encourage. To be gentle and not harsh. The innate desire to fix is a hard thing to turn off when my wife wants/needs me to just listen. Slowly I am learning this is what she needs. Whether I am listening about her day or a problem she has, I have learned the first thing I need to do is listen, affirm her feelings and encourage her. Then if she asks for my advice or help I can provide it. This is one of the most challenging things for me to do at times, but one of the most important.

    Christ laid his life down for the Church to present her radiant, without blemish, holy and blameless. The example set before us is Christ building the church up, not tearing it down. He says that in the same way we should build our wives up. It is our job to do this through pointing out her strengths and encouraging her, rather than pointing out faults or problems. Her greatest need is to feel loved, and as our first ministry that is what we ought to strive to attain daily. Don't know where to start? Try Post-It Note Love.

 Ephesians 5:25-33 

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—  for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

Post-It Note Love

What is Post-It note love? No, it is not how baby Post-It notes are made : )
     Often times I think about whether or not my words throughout any given day and week accurately express my love and appreciation for my wife. Chances are, probably not as well as I want them to. For you husbands who are fortunate enough to have found your crown (Proverbs 12:4 “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown.”) then you know that your wife is and should always be your first and foremost ministry. Identifying that, I want to do a better job in affirming, building up, and empowering my wife to be the amazing woman God has created her to be. Those important affirming words from us husbands tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of each week. To develop a good habit of frequently expressing love and appreciation to my wife, I decided to start showing her what I call “Post-It Note Love.” My goal is to use up an entire stack of Post-It notes to daily leave encouraging notes to my wife, tell her what I appreciate about her, affirm her, admire her, make her smile and laugh, and be a part of actively pursuing her every day.

 Here are some ideas for you to start “Post-It Note Love”:
 -Find as many things that you can think to tell your wife you appreciate about her
-Tell her how beautiful she is, both inside and out...frequently
-Show her how she fits the description of a godly woman in Proverbs 31 (use specific verses)
-Something that will make her smile
-Don’t write anything corrective, sarcastic, or course joking. It will have the opposite effect you are looking for.

   I am convinced that one stack of Post-It notes can make anyone's marriage better. And in light of being good parents, the best thing that you can give your children is a healthy marriage. What an amazing legacy that is to pass down! Join me in this adventure and let me know how it goes for you!

 Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children...”

God is Love

 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 

    The implications of these three words, God is love, are life changing. It does not say that God is loving, it says that He is Love. It is not just what God does or shows, but it is who He is. He is love. This means that God’s image and identity are laced throughout our lives and interactions every day. When we show love to those around us we are showing them who our God is. When they see a relentless love that is given when not deserved and accompanied with Grace, Compassion, Faith, and Hope (1 Cor. 13:13), they see our Father. They get to know Him just a little more. When we show love to others we are showing them the face of our God.

 Where words fail, actions speak.

    Daily, let’s come to the Fountain, to the source of life, and immerse ourselves in God’s truth and understanding in the Word of God and prayer. This is the place where all actions are rooted and intentions are set. When we spend time with the Father we become more like Him. We will understand Him and naturally express His heart to everyone, even the people that feel harder to love at times. The intentional time we spend with God each day is the beginning of our faith being expressed through love.

 Galatians 5:6 "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

A Boat Full of Money and An Important Decision - Peter's Legacy

     Peter left a legacy that stretched far beyond what he could have ever imagined when he said yes and followed Jesus. Luke 5:1-11 gives an account of Jesus calling Simon, James, and John. Through an amazing miracle, Jesus showed Peter how God would use him when he left everything and followed Him.
     Peter and his partners had worked hard fishing all night and hadn't caught anything. As they were coming in from this hard nights work Jesus came up to them and told them to put their nets back into deep water. Although they had just worked all night and caught nothing, they were willing and obedient and threw out their nets in faith. When they pulled the nets back in they were so full of fish that the boats begin to sink. Then Jesus said “now you will be fishers of men.”

     The amazing catch that they pulled in through faith in Jesus would pale in comparison to what Jesus would use them for in His ministry bringing people to know the Lord. The legacy that Peter, James, and John had because of their obedience to Christ and willingness to leave everything they had, has affected generations upon generations. They left the catch of a lifetime, two boats full of fish that would bring a “boat load” of money because they knew that all of the fish and money in the world wouldn't bring them the joy that an abundant life with Jesus would. Still to this day, Peter’s decision to say yes and follow Jesus is challenging and inspiring many to do the same and live a life for Christ.

    We have the same opportunity to say yes to Jesus and Live a Legacy for Him each day that goes beyond what we could ask or imagine. Let’s drop our nets and discover what He has in store for us!

 Luke 5:1-11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Doughnuts and Phones and Bikes, Oh My!

   The next best thing and the latest and greatest are much like doughnuts, sweet on the outside and empty in the middle. They leave you initially satisfied, then after 10-15 minutes passes, the feeling that accompanies eating fried dough cake covered in frosting settles in and makes you feel worse off than you started and finding the need for a nap.

    Much like doughnuts, when we desire anything more than God it will leave us with that same feeling. We run, we labor, we strive for the newest and more....but for what?  At times I catch myself sliding back into the mindset of looking for the next best thing or the next thing on my wish list. The bike, or music gear or phone, or technology that will "make my life just that much better." But the truth of the matter is more will never be enough, and as long as we feed the "cycle of more" as our greatest desire, it always continue

     The question that always brings me back in.... Is God my first desire, or am I placing a desire for other objects/people/opportunities above Him? There is only room for one first place. What prize am I running for?

 Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” 

Hebrews 12:1-3 “ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

 So, what is all of your energy, time, and thoughts consumed with?

Living A Legacy Proverbs13:22 "A wise man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..."

It's Who You Are

    When asked how he created such amazing masterpieces, the infamous Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo was noted saying that he wasn’t making something out of nothing, but rather he was just chipping away the stone that surrounded the masterpiece inside.

   What is great about this walk as believers in Jesus Christ is that this life isn’t about trying to become something that we aren’t. This life is about uncovering who God has already made us to be. When we accept His gift of salvation, He fills us with everything we need to do what He is calling us to do and will call us to do.

 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 

 Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” 

   So keep digging and chipping away at it. God has made you to be a person that leaves a legacy, impacting lives and drawing others to know His love by the example you live. Start dreaming, asking that God would put dreams and visions in your heart to make an impact for His kingdom that is greater than you could ask or imagine. God has already equipped us with everything we need, and He is just waiting for us to ask how it should be used. When we do it will be greater than we could ask or imagine...that is the mark of God’s work.

 Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Living A Legacy Proverbs 13:22 "A wise man leaves an inheritance for his children's chidren..."

Laboring in His energy

    For the impossible days or days where you feel tired and run down with nothing to give and everyone is relying on you, God promises us that when we turn to Him, all of our weaknesses are made strengths because He is filling in the gaps. Every gap, hole, and crack in our ability, skills, energy, patience, etc., is filled in with God’s infinitely great power. It oozes into every little crevice, nook and cranny and makes us whole. When we call to Him, He will answer. And where God is, there are no inadequacies. 

    2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”         
    Colossians 1:29 says “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” 

    All of His energy that powerfully works in you! Put on that perspective, and see every weakness, grumpiness, impatience, fatigue, and to do list greater than our physical and emotional capacity, as an opportunity to experience the power of God’s Spirit that is within us!
Living a Legacy is what God has called us to do, and will daily enable us to do.
Boom!

 Proverbs 13:22 “A wise man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children...”

Goodbye complaining, hello poopy diapers!

   "Do everything without complaining or arguing" Phillipians 2:14

     Taking in recycling and changing poopy diapers are a couple of the unpopular chores at our house. I find that that the whole mood of our household and our marriage changes when I not only don't complain about the tasks at hand, but positively go after the less than desireable chores. 
        Last weekend we both came back from long runs and were tired and wanted to relax. I came up from taking shower and said, “I call taking in the recycling today! Better luck next time!” and later that day I called out, “I’ve got dibs on this poopy diaper.” Not only did it make Becky laugh, but I noticed it started a cycle of service in our household that carried throughout the weekend where we served each other out of joy. While the tasks are less than desireable we know that “we don’t labor in vain.”(1 Corinthians 15:58). When we "do everything without complaining” it blesses those around us, and it will even fill our hearts with joy from serving others. And when it comes to your wife, she is the most important ministry that you have, so let the habit start there and spread. 
       Here’s to being men that lead through service and whose purpose is to bless the lives of those who surround them. Hopefully I can remember to do this more often!

 Living A Legacy
 Proverbs 13:22 “A wise man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children...”

Sharpen Your Sword and Pass it Down - Temptation Part 3

To wrap up my 3 part series on scripture memory and fighting temptation, I thought I would share about a legacy my Dad has left me....

   Growing up I heard many stories of my Dad when he was in his twenties and working on the railroad. I love hearing about how he and a friend he worked with would spend their time in the work trucks or in the railroad yard memorizing scriptures daily. The were hungry for the Word of God and to know it deep in their hearts. Through this they saw God’s Word come alive in their lives. And growing up the 80 or so most prominant verses that he memorized in that time were still on hand and ready to use. When discouraged or defeated or on top of the world and victorious, or needing wisdom for life’s big decisions, my Dad would share these with me and God would use the Scripture hidden in His heart to speak to me and bless me, guide me, and empower me twenty and thirty years after he had memorized these verses. You see, he has his sword ready, and is “Always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

    One of the most meaningful gifts that my Dad ever gave me was a stack of blank business cards that had every one of those verses that he had memorized copied on them. As I come across them when I am reading the Bible or when I am memorizing them it ignites a fire in me, a spiritual legacy fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Growing up, I was fortunate to be shown the importance and power of having God’s word on hand and memorized. That is a legacy that was passed on to me, and one that I intend to pass on to my children's children.

Live A Legacy
Proverbs 13:22 " A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..."

Temptation part 2 - Jesus' temptation

Even Jesus had to fight off temptation! (account in Luke 4:1-13)
     Jesus proved faithful, and as the Savior of all He fought off satan’s temptation in a great time of weakness, walking through a desert fasting for 40 days. Through an understanding of God’s word and His character, and the power of the Holy Spirit...the same Holy Spirit we are filled with at the time we accept God’s love and salvation, Jesus resisted the devil and the devil fled from Him.

     You are filled with the Holy Spirit when you believe. (Eph. 1:13 “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.”

 Because you are now a Son/Daughter of God you have authority over satan.
 James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

 How to fight back:
1. Know who you are, and who God has called you to be. Jesus knew who he was and what he was called to. It’s harder to derail when your vision is clear and you know exactly what is and isn’t going to help you achieve that.
2. Hide God’s word in your heart. Jesus knew the Bible inside and out from when he studied at the temple as a boy, even when Satan tried to twist the meaning of scripture Jesus knew that wasn’t what fit the heart of Jesus and the true meaning of the scripture. Jesus had his sword ready (“...the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17)

Keep your sword sharp and keep it ready.

Grab Your Sword

   The two greatest soldiers from opposing kingdoms come face to face in the heart of the battle field where the destiny of the two largest empires are at stake. As one draws his well trained gleaming sword from the sheath attached to his full suit of armor and stares into the eyes of his opponent, the contender looks into the shielded eyes of his opponent and says, “hey can you hold on a minute while I go get my sword?”
    Umm no! He wouldn’t get 5 feet before he is lopped into a few different pieces. You are thinking to yourself, “What kind of idiot would head into a battle without a sword and armor?” Well, in the battle we face to make the right decisions and avoid the lure of temptation in all of its forms, we often find ourselves empty handed on the battlefield.
   Ephesians 6:10 describes the armor of God, and refers to the Word of God as the Sword of the Spirit. But if we don’t have God’s Word hidden in our heart, we are no better off than the empty handed man on the battlefield ready to be dismembered. Being a man who lives a legacy means being ready for that war that is waging for your heart every day. Jesus already claimed victory over our temptations, addictions, and challenges when He made a public spectacle of His victory, our victory, over satan. he took it all away, nailing it to the cross.
   Colossians 2:15 "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
   Stay tuned, In my next two posts I will discuss Jesus’ temptation in Luke Chapter 4:1-13, and see what we can learn from our Saviors steadfast heart in the midst of Satan’s attempt to derail the Savior of mankind through temptation.

Keep your sword sharp, and keep it ready.......

A "cue" to a Legacy...

This story is a perfect example of what it means to Live a Legacy that inspires generations after you are gone as Proverbs 13:22 eludes to, "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..." This comes from a friend who is passing on the legacy he has been left. Well worth the read. Thanks Derek.

 "I met my grandpa on my mother's side when I was seven years old. He passed away three short years later. He wore a cowboy hat and didn't waste time with words. He was buried with a can of chewing tobacco in one breast pocket and a lottery ticket in the other. I remember being caught between ages and emotions at the funeral; shaking strangers' hands at the funeral home; passing around a luminator football with my best friend in the front lawn; remembering how cold his hand felt in the casket; crashing into a tear-stained sleep after the coffee & bars and the guests disappeared. I remember going through his apartment in Barnes City and being told that he would have wanted me to have his pool stick.

When I was first told that grandpa left me his pool stick, I kept wondering how I didn't know grandpa had toys for the swimming pool and why had he never given them to me before that. When mom handed me the wooden stick used to play the game of pool, admittedly, I was a little deflated.

I've come to know that my grandpa was much more complicated than my 10 year old mind could once comprehend. To me, he was the guy that I wondered why I didn't know until I was 7 who brought me things he found in roadside ditches and graciously ate sandwiches with the wrappers still on the cheese because he didn't want my mom to feel bad.

But he was so much more. He was the youngest of the Joneses, a poor Central-Texan family. His mother died when he was born and he was communally raised by different families in Travis County, one of which was my grandma's, with whom he later fell in love with, married, helped raise her two girls, as well as the two they had together.

My grandpa was never a drinker, but he frequented many bars. Not for the elixir, as you might have guessed, but because he had a burden. After working as a typesetter and a rancher, he came to realize that everyone has a story, if you're willing to listen. So, with his pool stick in hand, he would walk in to many a bar, strike up a game, as well as a conversation between strangers. This is where my grandpa became the wise man of faith that I came to know in his last years. It was over a game of pool with men he had never met that he learned how to listen; how to cipher through whatever troubles the drifter may have toasted his sorrows to and see the soul of a man, and how it was worth loving.

My grandpa didn't ever preach from a pulpit; many a times I can remember him saying, "God doesn't want 'Religious Nut's, he wants 'Faithful Fruits.'" But he definitely loved the lowly and never missed an opportunity to let someone know that they were loved by their creator. He just had a funny way of doing it.

As much as I sometimes want it to, his pool stick doesn't have any magic powers, and it definitely doesn't replace the life of a wonderful man who was taken from me all too soon. But it symbolizes how well he responded to God; how he saw an opportunity to help a woman he loved and be a father to her two beautiful children; how he initially learned how to share God's love for all people and ultimately was finally able to receive that same grace and forgiveness for himself for all of the times he had fallen short the mark; how he knew his days were nearing their end and responded by driving from California to Iowa in a rickety old car to reunite with his daughter and meet his two grandchildren in their driveway one day after school; how for the three years he had with them before the cancer finally got the best of him, he imparted his wisdom and his faith that will carry on for generations to come, God willing.

My grandpa wasn't a man of many earthly possessions, but he definitely left me one that I will treasure forever. And so don't be surprised if you see me walking across the street to The Tap, with his pool stick in hand, to go listen to a stranger. After all, it's my cue, isn't it?"

What you do when no one is around shows when everyone is looking

     It is easy to put on a facade or front when everyone is looking and play the part of a “good Christian man,” but where true integrity shows is when no one is looking. This is the place that can make the legacy you live a blessing or a curse. It is in these quiet times that we fill our heart, and we have to choose daily what we are going to fill our hearts with.
  Matthew 6:45b “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
      Eventually what is on the inside comes out and the outside follows suite. So when no one is looking what are you filling your heart with? Are you feasting at the table of understanding and knocking at Wisdom’s doors daily in the Word of God and being a man of prayer? Or are you choosing other things that won’t truly make you the man you want to be? What things in your life will allow you to or are keeping you from being a man that Lives a Legacy, whose life impacts the lives of generations to come for the one thing that matters greatest, Jesus Christ.
    Will you be passing down life habits that are a blessing and enrich the lives of others? Or will you be passing down habits, addictions, and laziness that the future generations will have to struggle with? Choose daily to be a man of integrity and fill your heart with the things that give life and bear fruit, that the overflow of what you have filled your heart with will bring life.
       Proverbs 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...”

Never Disqualified (Part 2) - Don't Carry The Corpse!

      While the image of lugging around a dead body on your back is gruesome and unnerving, it is a much more common sight on the spiritual level than we recognize. I talked about disqualification yesterday, and as we know the truth about this, it can at times be hard to shake that feeling. When we say yes to the Lord and accept His gift of salvation we are made completely new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come.”
     The old is gone! But it is a process coming to the place of living that reality. This would be comparable to a snake shedding its skin. During the process of shedding that old skin it becomes detatched, but all the while it is still carrying it around until finally it slithers out of its dead skin. So recognize that when God says, “do this” and you say, “well what about all of those things that I have done or not done, or totally dropped the ball on?” When we have repented and asked forgiveness, His response every time will be, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Eph 8:10 “ ...your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”
Alive - It’s who He’s made you, drop the corpse and start running the race, Living a Legacy!

Never Disqualified (Part 1)

    Romans 8:38-39 38 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

     You are never disqualified! But how many times do we feel like we blew it or have done too many bad things to deserve God’s love. The truth is there is no amount of good acts or sinful acts that can change God’s love for us. That is the great message of grace! Satan can try to drag us down and disable us with lies of disqualification. And just as Jesus fought off Satan’s temptation with the power of Scriptures from the Word of God (Luke 4:1-13), so can we. If disqualification is paralyzing you, pray these verses and say them daily, and let freedom come that will enable you, empower you, and equip you to respond to what God is calling you to today and everyday. Being a man that lives a legacy, loving your wife, your kids, and those you encounter each day can only happen when you embrace the truth of who you are as a man of God.

 Ephesians 2:8-9 “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Living A Legacy

Proverbs 13:32 "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..."
This is the verse that got the wheels turning. Legacy and inheritance aren't something that is often talked about, but is something we live out everyday. This goes beyond leaving a financial blessing for your family when you are gone. This verse touches on something that resounds deep in the heart of men, and people everywhere, the question that can weigh heavy at times, "will my life mean something and have a lasting effect?" When you embrace the lifestyle of Living a Legacy, you are choosing everyday that you are going to live a life worthy of the calling, by the grace of God, that will bring Him glory and make His name known. That the display of God's power, giftings, and blessings to others would have such an effect and make such an impact on those around us that our kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, would be talking about their Dad, or Grandpa and saying things like, "Do you remember when .....happened," or "I heard that God did..." I have had the privilege of having amazing men of faith in my life who have been a great encouragement to me, and some who I haven't seen in years, but reflecting back on how they lived the Love of God still challenges me throughout my weeks and sets a standard for me in what it means to be a man of God. I want to be a man that lives a life that leaves a legacy that is talked about for generations and effects the lives of my children's children, and that is what this blog is about. Join me in making the choice daily to be a man that lives a legacy.
 What kind of legacy are you choosing to live today?