My Back 9

" God whispers to us in our joy and shouts to us in our pain" C.S Lewis I had the most wonderful revelation this morning about what it is supposed to be like to walk out my Christian faith.   I was listening to a sermon and throughout this wonderful explanation of how God uses our pain, I was struck with an amazing and intense clarity I’ve not experienced before.   It was from the Church of Eleven22 and Pastor Joby Martin in Jacksonville, FL.   Check it out online if you want to hear some inspiring and powerful sermons.   The message was not only awesome, but unbelievably pertinent in light of what is going on in my life right now.   The fact that God always has a plan; and that He will use today’s misery as an opportunity for tomorrow’s ministry is a breath of fresh air in my lungs today; I hope you feel the same as you unpack my writing today.   The clear and stark message I heard today is that it is through our struggles that we become strong ...

Last weekend I went up to Myrtle Beach to visit my mom for Mother’s Day.   Over the last several days I’ve had the opportunity to reflect upon my visit; and my contemplation and inspiration as a result of my visit has given birth to these words today.   It was great to see my mom, my sister, her husband and their children. They each offered their own perspective and support regarding my current plight; and weather it’s solicited or not; it comes from a place of love; and a family’s love cannot be mistaken. A mother’s love is so unconditional; even though the conversations don’t always go perfectly; the underlying love still gives me a warm sensation.   I’ve been going through some really dark days recently, and I thought that spending time with family would help; and that perhaps I find some “light” by spending time with those who love me. I also had an opportunity to visit with my ninety year-old father, who is in the hospital; recovering from some complications f...

I was struck with another jolt of inspiration this morning while reading through my devotionals.   I was reading and ingesting a message from Oswald Chambers attached to the following verse from Habakkuk 2:3: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.   Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and not delay” As I often do, I went to my Bible to read the surrounding verses and what I uncovered was a beautiful message of hope through the very arduous and elusive process of patience.   Habakkuk is a short two page book that is basically a series of questions served up to The Lord followed by His amazing and insightful responses to each question; which are really complaints.   In this particular instance, Habakkuk is complaining about evil men and why they prosper when other, less fortunate people, struggle and fight through life.   In verse 13, he asks: “Why then do you tolerate the tr...

When I first became a dedicated Christian, I was always a bit confused when I would hear other believers talk about the fact that my life would not become any easier.   It would actually become harder than before.   I didn’t really think that was possible, because before I started believing deeper; my life was pretty difficult.   They would say that the enemy would attack me with even greater fervor than he had before. That my new faith would be tested beyond my imagination, and that the sheer act of believing in Christ and living according to his purpose would be the only mechanism I would be able to use to combat these attacks.   Well, I can now report that I am no longer confused.   I have a crystal clear understanding of how the enemy works, and this message today is another heartfelt attempt to take out my shield and my sword and fight back.   This note is a battle cry.   A battle cry for me and for anyone else out there who may be currently exp...

For those of you in business, there is a phenomenal book written by Jim Collins entitled Good to Great . In his book, Collins tries to identify the key components that make good companies great.   One of the more poignant topics in the book for me was what he referred to as The Flywheel Concept .   Basically, the premise is that a flywheel eventually turns on its own if it keeps moving in the same direction.   Inch by inch the flywheel turns and at some point there is a “breakthrough moment” whereby the momentum of the Flywheel becomes perpetual and no longer needs a push.   If we look at our lives, and more specifically our spiritual lives as a Flywheel; there are times where we are stalled and our wheel is just not turning.   Even more drastic is when we have things blocking our momentum and we need to unclutter the debris in our spokes before we can actually get the wheel moving again.   Well, it’s been like that for me lately.   The debris a...

Greetings my friends.   As always, I am prayerful that this message finds you all well and looking forward to more temperate weather conditions as the spring slowly approaches.   I’ve been praying deeply and intently lately that God will give me the vision and discernment to write messages that will both appeal to many individuals and also be inspiring at the same time.   I feel that He has given me the gifts of communication and influence, and like all gifts from God, how I use these gifts is completely up to me.   In the past, I spent much of my time utilizing my gifts to serve myself. “ Look at me everyone, I’m making buckets of money…..I’m a successful businessman….…I’m a writer now with a published book ” Blah…..blah…blah… Thankfully, over the last few years, I believe that my writing has taken on a more authentic and consistent theme; one that is flat-out baking in the Word of God and specifically designed to spread the Good News while I endeavor to find so...