My Pastor

For over the past two years I have had a key person in my life that has become a friend and a big part of my support network. This man genuinely took time to get to know me from the first time we met and has been there to support, challenge and direct in some key times in my life over this time frame. If you dont know him your missing out. He's my pastor. Pastor Paul Meldrum. Not since my days of being invovled in the youth ministry at my home church have I ever had anyone who had such a huge impact on my life and has helped me on good days and bad and to challenge me to stay on track pursuing what has been my goal for a lifetime. There have been very few people whom I have developed this kind of relationship with and learned from even in my role as a pastor myself. Its great to finally have a Christian leader as part of my life who is just that and that I can have a personal relationship with. Whether over coffee, meetings in his office or text messages its obvious Paul is a man of God and has one thing that is important to him. That is connecting with people on a personal level even tho  a very busy man in a very growing incredible church. Daily he sets an example of how Christ dealt with the people he crossed paths with during his time here on earth. So I thought Id take a minute to not just brag about my pastor but share how effective leadership can be when modeling Christ to the body and community but to shout out a big THANKS to God for putting Paul in my life.  He has helped me through some pretty major stuff and its awesome to know He's there and available for support in the journey.

Christmas Time is all about Reconciliation

"Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled"

     Of all lyrics of the many christmas carols from Frosty to Rudolph to Grown up Christmas list this song really stood out to me this year. "Hark The Herald Angels Sing". The lyrics above are a pretty key line of what Christmas is truly about. Reconciliation. To re-do, to bring together what was seperate, to coexist in harmony. Restart, restore, unite, make compatable. Its what Christmas really is for.

Heres the short story.
     From the beginning of time when all was created  we as individuals were designed to be in unity and as one with out creator. Over the years that all changed as we have strayed far from that original plan and broke our unity with God. Every one of us at some time, somehow.  God saw this happening and didnt want the seperation between Himself and us so he came up with a plan to reconcile himself with his creation. To bring everything back into order. Even if we didnt deserve it, want it or know how much we needed it. Even if we continued to run away from Him. His plan was a gift. A baby. His son. God made into flesh. Sent to build a relationship with us first hand. Co-exist and be in harmony with us.

     The baby would grow up on earth and be the perfect being, being of God that would ultimately be the only living person who could be the perfect sacrafice to bridge the gap. A sacrafice that redeems mankind through His mercy and brings ultimate peace.  And we sing....."Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

Ever thought about how reconciliation fits in to your life? or even what it means to you?

Thats my focus right now everyday. Reconciliation not only with God but in relationships in my life. I believe in reconciliation no matter how big the gap is. Its already been proven its possible. I want it. I need it. I pursue it daily and will continue to. I pray for it in my life. It can be done. We just have to  be open to it.

Reconcile.....restart, unite, co exist, to bring together again. God and us. You and Me.

Cure for Anxiety

So I keep hearing this verse again and again everywhere and its good because its a reminder I need to hear right now. Ive read it many times but still need to get it through my head.  We all do. We all have a lot of anxiety that happens in our lives daily whether we want to admint or not.  I wrote about this verse in my book "Sinking Deeper" and so just took the thought I wrote about and copied it into hear to share. This is the literal cure for anxiety. When everything is out of your control and all you can do is let it all go and let God do his thing. 
 ( If you havent yet... grab a copy of my book on Amazon today!)

“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"



Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything? I only have two words in response to that phrase. “Yeah right.” Reality check. How in the world are we expected to ignore all anxiety and stress that comes our way? It doesn’t seem normal or even human to think anyone can just sit back relax believing that everything is just going to work out on its own. It’s just not right. It’s not how were wired. You would have to pretty abnormal to have a personality like that.


“What did you say? The checking account is way overdrawn again? Ah no worries. It will all balance out sometime.”

“Did you say you’re having some major heart problems again? Oh well nothing last forever, ya know?”

“I just got a phone call from the in-laws and they have to move in with us for the next couple years. This is going to be awesome!”

Anxiety happens to all of us. Ignoring it sounds practically impossible. However if we could only see the whole picture in advance then maybe it would be a little easier. You know like a private advanced screening of your own life story on the big screen with large buttered popcorn, a 32 ounce soda and a big box of Dots to go along with it. The bottom line is no matter what we think, we can’t make it through life without a little stress or anxiety. We also can’t deal with problems that come our way on our own. It’s not how we were created. It’s not the way we were designed. From my limited perspective I remain confused and overwhelmed about this even though my whole life I have been taught and told that God will work it all out, don’t worry. Just have a little faith. But every ounce of humanness is yelling out

“But I want to know how and I want to know now!”

“This is my life and I want to be in charge!”

You might be able to relate to this when reading this verse at first or if you have ever had to wait on God. Let’s break it down and think this through and I promise after we look at this closer you will understand how this verse can change your life. First of all, even though at first it doesn’t seem right, you have to realize that in these words there is a ton of wisdom, power and answers that you can only find once you really study it. Take a closer look at what it says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition and with thanksgiving present your requests to God". Ok I like that part. I have a lot of worry and stress and now at least I can present these concerns to God. That takes off some pressure. I don’t have to ignore the issues but I can know that I don’t have to deal with it all by myself. I can present them to God and I don’t have to freak out about it. In God I can find a peace as I bring these things before Him. But the phrase "with thanksgiving" is tricky. What does that mean? I have to be thankful for the situation I am presenting? Or is it maybe just being thankful for the ability to come before God and present it to Him? Here after considering the options I would have to vote for option number two. Once you really read the words written in this text it all starts to make complete sense. So "in prayer and petition" (meaning to ask or even beg) I come before God offering these things in thanksgiving to Him. So if you really think about it, no matter how bad the situation is, there is always something to be thankful for as you don’t have to deal with it yourself and can bring it before God Almighty. Even if it’s embarrassing or painful. It’s also good to have someone to spill your guts to. Someone safe where you can spill out your junk and re-fill back up with encouragement.

Then comes the best part to me that just blew me away. Check this out, it says, "The peace of God that transcends all understanding". Wow! The peace of God. I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s like but it says if I bring these requests before Him, He will in return give me a glimpse of it. Think about that. A peace of God. A total satisfaction or resolve that is so great it transcends anything we can imagine. It is un-comprehendable. It’s unfathomable. Not only that but he also says it will "guard your heart and mind". Two major guarantees for just the asking! So what is being said here is just GIVE IT UP! Drop it at His feet. Offer it to him and He will provide complete peace and rest. Let it go and let God do what He is truly good at. Being God! God is always faithful to His word. God always is faithful to provide for His people who find rest in Him.

I tell you that after I read this verse again and again it started to make more sense and just what I needed to hear. Just like any other person on this planet I can only go so long without feeling like I’m going to snap when I’m under a lot of pressure. However, even if I don't know what is going to happen next or what tomorrow holds I at least can be at rest about it and not go crazy in the meantime. That’s my biggest concern. My sanity. Sanity is a good thing, Insanity, not so cool. We have enough of that in the world already. Sure I might be able to muddle through on my own somehow but if I find myself on the other end drooling profusely, twitching violently and shouting out random animal names at everyone who passes by I think it would be pretty obvious that something is definitely wrong. Trust in God brings peace. That in itself makes the world seem a little simpler. Replacing our anxiety with trust is difficult since we hold on to it so closely. That first step of faith can be a dozy but before you know it your jumping and dancing on it and it only becomes stronger.

These words were the perfect cure for my severe case of anxiety and I’m pretty sure it can bring peace to anyone who understands it and follows through. I took it and copied it and posted it in different places in my house. Now I can be reminded daily that I can find total peace in God if I just pray and not worry about what is in store. It’s walking by faith. No vision necessary. Just know for a fact that God is going to take care of you no matter what tomorrow holds or where you end up. I re-read this verse whenever I can to know that I still need to trust God and I know sooner or later He's going to pull through for me. When will that be? I don’t know. What does God have in store for me next? I have no clue. When will I understand his exact will and timing? Hopefully someday soon. Maybe never. How in the world can I find peace in a time of extreme pressure? Well it’s simple. Convert your worries and fears into a prayer. Give Him praise and all your anxiety will evaporate into thin air. Offer up your prayer request and let God take care of the rest. It beats having to go to the Doctor, it’s easier than taking medication, it’s less time consuming than going to therapist, it doesn’t leave you bloated or with a severe case of diarrhea, you get to keep your sanity and best of all its free.

I don’t have all the answers but I don’t have to be anxious for them. In this verse we are simply told how to find peace when we’re ready to break and if I follow through by bringing my concerns and worries before God I can find instant relief. In the meantime now that I better understand what this verse is saying I honestly keep finding more peace everyday. More peace everyday with faith leading the way. On top of that it takes your worship of Him to a whole new level that will be more powerful than ever.

Thankful.....in all circumstances

I started off my day on the treadmill again yesterday and spent that time thanking God for all I could think of. Again I was reminded that theres a lot to be thankful for even if Ive ever felt like there wasn't anything to be thankful for at all. My thankful prayer time started off by reading a daily verse from PrayFit.com with a thought that says it all. I Thessalonians 5:18

" in all circumstances...... give thanks".

In all circumstances. Meaning the good and bad, the fun and the challenging, the awesome and the ugly. Give thanks. Its what God wants of us, to focus on the positive. Theres always alot more of it than you imagine.
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all we have in this country and all you have in your life.  No matter what is going on. I can speak to that personally as I have a lot of personal challenges in my life now that could overwhelm me and could lead to being ungrateful. But on the other side Im reminded by focusing on this verse that there is much to Be Thankful for and that is what I am. Thankful. Even for challenges in life. (Im also thankful for pumpkin pie and plan to get my fix of it today.)

Be thankful today as we celebrate it. Be thankful everyday even as you might not feel like it.

Thankfulness can change your perspective on everything.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

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Fall hike in Flag 2011

Hiking with the boys around the Peaks: Fall 2011

This by far was an awesome day seeing the Aspens and the sunset at the Peaks. Check out these pics and click the link below. They turned out amazing!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=9051612301105%3A2002851966

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Courageous- The Movie

    
Sunday I had the privelege of taking my boys to see "Courageous"  which was really awesome. Its another film made by The Sherwood Baptist Church (also known for "Facing the Giants"). This movie as I had already read about and knew, is about 4 men in different life situations trying to be better fathers. Like the rest of the movies put out by the Kendricks it has a message that is very clear and a call out to share the need of men stepping up to be more courageous in their families lives. Its definitely the best of all the films they have made up to this point.
     I took my boys to see it because I knew they'd like it but also because of the message that was through it in every scene. It's the same message Ive always tried to convey in my life to them. No dad is perfect but the importance of a fathers role in th lives of any children is important and this movie helps to illustrate that point.
I ironically not only have the opportunity to live this out in my life with my boys but also as a job as I focus on being a male role model and coach to many fatherless teens and children everyday in my position at Arizonas Children Association. I've been into over 30 homes while working there for the past two years now and over 90% have been homes that have no father figure or male role model whatsoever. Its a huge epidemic. Ive also been reading a book called "Fatherless Generation"  by John Sowers, director of the Mentoring project set up by my favorite author Donald Miller. It shares the same facts and info in the movie. I see this issue of fathers without courage everyday not only at my job but in the world around me as Im sure you may have noticed too.
     The movie is an encouragement for me,  reminder for some and a declration to all men to step it up and I highly agree with all the facts and information shared in this movie.
*Men should never be absent in the lives of their children.
*We as adults should not be willing to walk away from marriage due to problems but to fight for saving it at all costs.
*Fathers are how children find a lot of identity and security
The list goes on and on.
     The story line is great. Full of twists and surpises. The message is clear and one that we all need to hear.
Im not writing this as a review of the movie itself but to encourage anyone to watch it and take to heart the message that it portrays. One of my personal daily goals as anyone who knows me knows is to be a great father and its not an easy road. I will never quit that key role in my life or have it taken away for any reason.  Check this movie out. Take your kids if you think they are old enough to watch it. Me and the boys had  a great discussion for hours after we saw it. It definitely will change your way of looking at dad.

New Directions

"New Directions"