In part 2 of our 3-part video series, Heather is on the whiteboard! We cover the topics of Kingdom increase (it’s always happening) and hope (it’s greater than character). And we also share a powerful acronym for HOPE that God gave me a few years ago that has proven to be incredibly helpful in maintaining a Kingdom mindset.
A few days ago, I requested that people respond to short, three-question survey to help me finalize my book and also let us know which common problems they experience the most.
Well, the results are in and we reflect on them a bit in this brief video. Watch it to find out the results and also hear a mini Father’s Day message and encouraging word from Heather.
We’re kinda rookies at this, so pardon the poor audio quality! Hopefully we’ll get that figured out for our next one.
I posted a quote to Facebook yesterday and I wanted to expound upon it some more. The Facebook post is embedded above, but here’s the quote:
“I am, by calling, a dealer in words; and words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” ― Rudyard Kipling
Where, when or how I came across that quote, I do not remember. But it has stuck with me ever sense. And so I shared it as an inspiring quote on Facebook and tagged some other writers I know.
After I posted it, something activated within me even more. Just the processes of getting it out there and encouraging other writers to take their callings seriously stirred me all the more to take my calling seriously. How much longer would I back-burner what I know is a mandate on my life?
Categories
Living in the Present
One of the things I’ve had a hard time doing since becoming a husband and a father is being fully present in each of life’s moments. Maybe it’s gone on longer than that, but Heather, Jacob and Naylan have certainly helped bring it to my attention—not through words, but by being mirrors that help me see myself more accurately.
Categories
Swan Mountains in the Winter
Each Friday, I’m going to be featuring a photo from the collections I’ve pulled together over the years. There may be a story attached to it, there may not be.
Some will come near our current home in Montana; some will come from other states out west like Colorado, Utah and California; others will come from back east in Michigan and West Virginia. And occasionally there will some from my trip to England and Scotland back in 2002.
As the week’s featured photo, print orders will be discounted 25% for that week!
Enjoy this photo of the Swan Mountains, taken a few miles north of Bigfork, Montana, in January 2013—our first winter in the Flathead Valley.
Is it significant that I’m starting back into blogging 10 years after I first began? Unlikely. But I guess it is novel if nothing else. (Did I use that word right?)
Anyway, in honor of Throwback Thursdays, every other week I’m going to resurface an old post from around 10 years ago. It will give you a look into my humble beginnings as a blogger, drama-filled young adult years, and initial encounters with the charismatic stream I’ve fully embraced. And lots of other stuff.
It’s self serving in some ways, I suppose, because I have over 600 posts I want to review anyway. So I might was well do something with them while I’m at it.
This week I’m serving up a short reflection I had on a book I was reading: Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership
. What struck me was this:
Jesus loved recklessly and with abandon. He didn’t save himself for some ambiguous time or person in the future… He gave the wine freely to anyone who wanted it. He poured out the best of himself to all he encountered.
Read the full post here: “Oh bother” or “I could get the hang of this”
There’s an old saying: “Fake it, until you make it.” And I truly believe there’s a whole lot of faking going on—at least a measure of it. Certainly there are experts… but probably not as many as it seems. And there are certainly people further down the path than you or I on any given topic… but probably not as far as it seems.
What I’m beginning to believe is that what mostly separates the so-called “experts” (and by “so-called”, I mean those that might not be quite the experts they appear to be) from the mainstream is confidence, and the assertiveness that comes with it.
Back in April, I was asked for the first time to give a message at MountainSong Church – the church Heather and I moved to Montana to be a part of. I had briefly shared a few times at MountainSong, but never had I given a full message. A communion reflection, a post-worship transition time, a closing reflection and prayer, a testimony or two… those were about it. Needless to say, I was honored and excited about the opportunity.
I knew God wanted me to discuss three of the major works of Christ – His death, resurrection and ascension – and what it looks like to realize the power of each of those works in our lives. What I didn’t know was the incredible well of living water He was going to break open in the hearts of Heather and I as a result and the profound impact it was going to have on our future!
What started as an Easter- and Pentecost-season message on Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, ended as a call-to-arms of sorts to carry unwavering HOPE into and throughout each and every situation we encounter. As Christ’s ambassadors and as ones presently seated with Him in heavenly places, we can boldly live out and exert the hope of our salvation in all of our experiences. This is our inheritance as His sons and daughters!
So, let me share with you a few of the main points and then leave you with a parting reflection.