Happy Birthday To Me

Today is a special day for me. Go to October 2005 (the link is on the right side of this page) and read A Life Changing Day.

I called my friend Richard today to remind him that it's been 28 years.

Gallivantin'

Last Friday my dad and I went gallivantin'.  We spent all day looking for dead relatives buried in cemeteries in Edgefield and McCormick counties.  It was a little emotional, a little morbid, and a lot of fun.  It was kind of like going on a treasure hunt. My dad told me stories that I'd never heard as we spent all day going down memory lane.  It all started a few weeks ago when he mentioned that when he is dead and gone that no one in the family would know where our relatives are buried.  So I told him that we should go out one day and let him show me everything he knew.  We actually found some graves that he'd never seen before -  my great-great grandparents.  I took 4 or 5 pages of notes and directions to cemeteries.  (One is in the middle of the woods somewhere near McCormick, SC.)

 

In addition to grave sites, he showed me the house where he was born.  The black church that he used to attend with his black mammy.  (I know that's not politically correct these days, but that's what she told him to call her when he was a kid.)  We also went to the site where he grew up as a teenager.  It was a wonderful day with my dad.  For those of you that don't know my dad, he's 76 and still in great health.  He works two days a week for the construction company that he's been employed by for years.  So it's not like he's on his last leg or anything.  We just thought we should take that trip while we had the opportunity. 

 

It was a little emotional for me because the reality of it all hit me.  My mom went to be with the Lord 4.5 years ago and daddy knows he's already passed the average lifespan for an American man.  To go on a trip with your aging father and see the graves of those he grew up with who are already gone and knowing that his time is sooner than ever, it just put a lump in my throat.  To hear his tales, often funny, of times gone by were enjoyable and priceless but also a little sad.  Dad knows his prime years are behind him and I guess that makes me sad.  Yes, he still has the health and ability to make many more memories but after living over 3/4 of a century, I was reminded that the same is happening to me.  

 

A few weeks ago I turned 45 - halfway to 90!  Time is passing.  It's not waiting on me.  I have to make the most of each day and every opportunity.  I need to take time for my wife and kids.  I need to give time to the Lord.  I need to accomplish what He's called me to accomplish.  I want to finish strong and finish well.  Because this one thing I know for sure,  one day I'll be finished.  At last, here on earth.  Then comes eternity, and that will bring a whole new meaning to life!

 

 

A thought from Oz

I love Oswald Chambers.  In fact, his devotional website is my home page, i.e., www.myutmost.org.  I try to read it each day before I dive into the computer.

Here’s a quote from today’s thought.  I edited it and took out some of the old English.  Oz wrote this book about 100 years ago so it is difficult to read sometimes.

The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing.  In the life of Jesus, there was none of the press and rush of tremendous activity that we regard so highly, and the disciple is to be as His Master. The central thing about the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to Himself, not public usefulness to men.  (Taken from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers)

 

Catalyst

Attended the Catalyst Conference with 14 leaders from TNC.  It was phenomenal.  If you've ever been to a conference, retreat, mission trip, etc. and thought, "This is what heaven might be like."  That's what Catalyst is.

 

Only the mission of Catalyst is not to get a taste of heaven, but it is to get the Church to be the Church instead of just doing Church.

 

Here are some quotes and thoughts from Catalyst:

 

"The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."  (4 times in Daniel 4:17, 25, 32, & Daniel 5:21)  Andy Stanley reminded us that leadership is temporary.  It can be taken away.  It is a stewardship and we are accountable.

 

Great leaders find out what is unique about a person and capitalize on it. (Marcus Buckingham)

 

Gary Haugen shared the story of Elizabeth, a child slave forced to work in a brothel as a prostitute in a Third World Country, who scratched Psalm 27 on the wall of her cell.  When you read Psalm 27 and consider her plight, it is amazing.  The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?  When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.  Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

 

"Reaching people is not a 'how to' question but a 'want to' question."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"Discipleship happens 'on the road.'  Information does not equal transformation."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"The Church exists for the world, not ourselves."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"We must proclaim the gospel, not protect it."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"We cannot be heard if we stay protected from the culture." (Rick McKinley)

 

"We ought to be inside-traders.  People who have inside information about eternity." (Louie Giglio)

 

"The big decline in the U.S. is consumerism.  Churches are falling for a consumeristic mentality."  (Donald Miller)