Kirk issued a challenge to everyone to read the devotional and your Bible
for the 30 days of September.

Did you ???

Most people, after doing something for 30 days, develop a habit of doing that thing .

Have you ??

I would encourage you to do so. Relationships are built by constant and involved contact.
You spoke to and listened intently to your wife as you pursued her. You may or may not now… but she would probably say you DID.

I encourage all of us to speak to and listen intently
to God….always and everyday.

No speaking
No pursuit

No listening
No communication

No communication
No relationship

We should pursue God with all the passion we pursued our woman with.

At least that

More than that.

Did you honor the challenge Kirk issued ?

If so….. make it a habit.
If not…. why not begin to pursue The One who gave you life and everything in it of value.

Consider.

Terry
October 12, 2014

We had dinner with two guys and their families last night. We have been close, so it was good to see them and see the growth in their children. These two guys served and worked for years at their craft and benefited many of us in doing so. Saw and heard them every week.

Then, they were both called to a larger stage.
God called and moved them.

They now are leading, directing and orchestrating the worship at the fastest growing church in Alabama, maybe the whole country .

The lesson here is that they served well and worked to develop their abilities… and the ability of others around them…for years.

God saw that. He then lifted them into a greater span of influence. They now have unlimited horizons in front of them to serve, lead, bless, and have influence over thousands of people all over this nation.

They worked and developed. At His Time, He moved them.

Work and develop your abilities. God gave them ,
He will honor your stewardship of them…at His Time.
Have patience, serve those you are around now .
God may have a greater stage for you.

Get ready.

Terry
October 10, 2014

Heard a speaker yesterday talk about being deposited in others lives, about passing the baton of wisdom, experience and knowledge.
We have talked a great deal about that in this forum.

When passing the baton in a race there is a confined space of twenty yards in which to transfer it. Too early or too late is just that and it brings a penalty.

In life, it requires the proper timing as well. You don’t give an automobile to your son when he is 8. Also, you do not put physical expectations on a 90 year old man.
There is a timing in giving away authority. I know a man who owns a very successful business. His sons are in it with him. One day he will pass it to them… they could handle a lot of it now. However, he did not turn all authority over to them the day they came in the door. Some experience can be taught, other experience must be experienced.

There is a timing to passing the baton and it rests mostly with the holder.

We must lead, train and instruct the receiver before placing the baton of our accumulated experience within their younger hands… yet it must be done.

To give it away too late is as ill – timed as giving it too early.
Many people hold on too long and never release anything….and their tightly wrapped fingers can strangle the life out of the forever-waiting recipient.

Life is about getting it to the next generation. That’s legacy.
Too early might indicate laziness. Passing it too late probably reveals selfishness in the holder.

Work to pass the baton.

As the runner approaches the hand-off zone….their mind begins to order their steps correctly, think precisely and reach properly to pass the instrument .
Do that.

If you are the receiver, do not start sprinting too soon , do not reach to take it as much as you hold out you hand to receive it.
There’s an important difference in reaching and receiving.

Experience, knowledge and wisdom can be gained alone. All the better to receive it from another who has accumulated it and brings it to you.

Important transfer.

Terry
October 6, 2014

Sent from my iPhone

Saw a title or topic on a television channel….Lean Forward .
Thought about it and came to the phrase “Lean In”.

When you talk with someone at a table, in a crowd, you sometimes have to lean in to hear them, especially if you danced too close to the speakers in college.

Lean In.
Show interest .
Listen.

Be intentional to hear what’s being said to you.
It might reveal someone’s most important concern.
It might be the topic that is keeping them awake at night .
Lean In.
Show interest.
Listen.

When you lean in you might make the one talking feel more important as you look at them in the eye , not past or around them to see who might be more important to talk to.

You might be the single person the one talking feels comfortable speaking to.
You might be the one who has the advice or input they need.
You might be the one God has prepared to give them their answer.

Lean In

Terry
October 4, 2014

Heard an interview with a young football player Saturday morning.
Probably the best at his position in the country.
It caught my ear because he was raised about 8-10 miles from where I was raised in Miami.

Answering the interviewer’s question, he revealed a great deal about himself.

When asked about his speed he answered, “God given”.
Asked about his size, he answered “God given”.
Asked about his strength, he said. “Coach inspired “.

He said he was taught to always stay hungry and humble.

The interviewer said most receivers talk a lot….
The young man answered, “My mother taught me to not talk, just work harder “.
The young man’s words give some light as to the reason he has knelt in the end zone after scoring.

Very young man. Mature statements.

Good to pay attention to.

Think about it…
Any talents we have, at their basis…they are indeed God given.
Any physical gifts we have, at their basis, they are all God given.

At any level…When we have an occasion…we CAN give glory to God. Do we?

Our Creator IS the reason we have the talents and gifts we do. Even the perseverance to work and improve and steward our gifts …. That gift of perseverance comes from God.

Stay hungry….
Stay humble.
Know where it all comes from.

Terry
October 4, 2014

Many of you heard this as youngsters. ” Don’t do that it will leave a mark”…..
Usually from an older woman about the furniture, the carpet or the clothes you had on.

You are no longer a boy.

I tell you to leave a mark.

Leave your imprint on the world around you, not one to cause pain, but at least enough of one to bring about positive remembrance and influence.

Are you marking the lives of your children?

Yes you are. If not done to the positive, begin today to mark with positive uplifting and light – giving intentional influence.
Laziness and procrastination cause the wrong type of mark.
Attentive, intentional marking makes for obedient and compliant children. Over time those things lead to well balanced adults.
Spiritual intentionality leaves the mark of Christ on them.

Jesus left marks on people. He allowed Himself to be “marked” for you and me. With nails, thorns, a spear and severe scourging.

Be somewhat worth those marks on that sinless body.

You ARE leaving your mark on the lives you touch.
Be conscious of it and make the mark productive and positive.

Even if you have caused marks that cause or leave painful memories…..
The marks that are recent are the most tender.
Make those marks filled with the love of Christ .
Leave marks that lead to Christ.

Leave your mark.

Terry
September 30, 2014

The devotional for Monday so fits the things we have been talking about.

The recommendation is to stretch, to seek out relationships which better you. Realize the ones which do not…. and move away from them. You can still be an acquaintance without being a close friend to one who damages you.

Seek and Pursue those people who bring light and uplift you. Maybe challenge you.

Look to do the same to those around you.
I have said this before….
Who, outside the walls of your home, are you seeking to influence, or investing in their life??
Kirk discussed this Sunday and it has been our push since we started…invest yourself in other people, they need it and you will receive from it.

If you are not..,
Could you be afraid of what they will see in you?
Could you be too busy…?
This can be a rationale for fear, insecurity or out-of-balance priorities.

I can tell you the pursuit of relationships has greatly influenced and impacted my life to the positive.

Some people wait on others to make the move toward them.
That probably is not the way you got involved with your wife.

Go for it.

I can assure you, some other guy needs what you have…and you will realize benefits from the stretch.

Terry
September 29, 2014

Saw this….Good to remember

You can’t change what you have or haven’t done, but with God’s help you can be influential with what you will do…

So….or as the Word says many times…. “Therefore”

Be intentional to do those things which lift and leave positive effect.

Lay aside the past
Walk with a strong back and a straight step into your day and into your future.

This is not new…Yet each day represents new opportunity
for influence,
for effectiveness,
for your intentions to become actions.

Regardless of past shortcomings or failures,
It all begins today.

Pray for expansion.
Pray for exerted influence.
Pray your work and effort be as is referred to in
Colossians 3:23.

Today awaits a new script, write it well.

Terry
September 24, 2014

Saw a special on “the ol’ ball coach” this week.
Really good story about a man who excelled at a sport and now for many years teaches, coaches and leads younger guys to do the same. He achieved historical success as a player. And the most interesting and encouraging thing is he has achieved probably greater success coaching and leading…and watching him do it reveals the love he still possesses for it. He appears to me to still be playing…it’s just from the sideline rather than a yard line .

His motto is ” keep playing”.
No matter the time left, no matter the score – keep playing.

My takeaway is to do the same – keep playing.

You learn how to “play” from someone who knows. You play.
Then you keep playing by leading others in what you know about .

You cannot choose a coach when you learn and play. It’s not typically your choice. If you look back at your life there has been a Father who gave you initial lessons. Good or bad.
You then had teachers and coaches. Good or bad.
As you grow older you get to pick a mentor or leader…. Choose one who benefits you. No longer do you settle for good or bad teachers. Rid yourself of bad influences and leaders. Choose those who can lift you. Choose those who lead you toward Light.

The “keep playing” phrase is for all if us. There are guys in your life who are older and are still playing. There are several that aren’t.

As “the ol’ ball coach” has found…there is great pleasure in seeing those you are leading achieve what you did, and maybe more.

“Play” your whole life.
Be useful to one who has not learned to play or has yet to see success.
Play as “the ol’ ball coach ” still plays….with influence and excellence.

Keep playing.

Terry
September 23, 2014

As we grow more mature in life we should see that there is a balance to life and behavior.
Today we hear the young quarterback is an “in the moment ” kind of guy.
Phil Jackson encouraged his players to be ” in the moment” as they were playing.
In business, when you are in front of a client….yes, absolutely be in the moment.
If you are wiring a house with electrical outlets…you better be in the moment.
If you are on a date, not married, and the intimacy is rising….being in the moment…. Not considering the consequences of behavior and bad choices…can bring results you might not desire.
Being a leader with influence, and acting inappropriately… Because you are in the moment reveals a lack of maturity and wisdom.
Being so “In the moment ”
You neglect the consequences…
Is not balanced.
Be balanced.

Be aware that being
” in the moment” might generate momentum
toward consequences
that can alter life.

Balance. Perspective.Context.

Be wise.

Terry
September 19, 2014