Don't Ignore Warning Lights

A few weeks ago I got into my car to head to the office and noticed that one of my warning lights had come on. It’s the light that tells you to check the tire pressure in your tires because one of them is low. As I found myself driving to work I didn’t notice anything unusual because the car seemed to handle the way it always does. My mind was telling me that the light is no big deal so just ignore it and when you get some free time you can deal with the low tire.

Those thoughts got me thinking about the day I had purchased the tires. With the car I drive the front tires are a different size from the rear tires so you can't rotate them to extend the life. The dealer told me that the most important thing I can do to extend the life of the tires is to make sure to keep the correct pressure in them. I knew that I didn’t want to delay checking the pressure because I want to get the full use of the tires before having to replace them. After going to the tire shop, I soon discovered that one of the tires was running low on air, and in a few minutes it was back to a normal pressure and I was on my way.

If I had ignored the problem I could have driven for months without ever noticing any difference in the way my car drove or looked. It still would have looked as nice as it does every day, but there would have been a problem that would occur because of my procrastinating what I knew needed to be done. In life, whether it be my family life, work life, or even my personal spiritual life, if a warning light is on and I keep ignoring it then a time will come when I have a major problem. Life does not fall apart in a day, but problems ignored can soon lead to bigger problems that will surface. God has created us in such a way that we know when a warning light comes on inside of us. I know when my family is just not right, my work life, my church life, and, yes, even my spiritual life. When those warning lights come on we need to do the hard thing and deal with the issue and get back on the right path. If we choose to ignore those warning lights we may not see the blow-out or the ruined tire for a while but the day will come when we will see it happen, and at that point it may be too far gone to repair. I believe that all things are possible with God, but I also know that God will not force me to do something I don’t want to do. I may want my tire to be back to normal after it’s ruined, but I can’t force it to go back. When the heart of a person turns away from what God desires and continues on that path long enough, it can get to the point of refusing to change and get back to where God wants us to be in Him. Don’t allow that to happen in your life. Instead, deal with those warning lights as soon as they come on and watch how you will prosper spiritually and in all areas of life! 

New Experiences

New experiences—that’s one of the fun things about life. I remember the first time I traveled to Colorado to see the Rocky Mountains and the first time I went to see the ocean. There are some very special firsts in my life, and then, as with all of us, there are those firsts that I didn’t enjoy so much. The first time I went on a simulation ride I got so nauseous that I broke into a cold sweat praying I would make it to the end. Or there was the time I was pulled over to receive my first speeding ticket. I was in another state and a young college kid. They wouldn’t let me leave until I paid my bill, and I had very little cash…what a mess.

Now Tami and I get to share the joy of experiencing firsts with our granddaughter Brynley. Last weekend we went with Brynley to a pumpkin patch in our area. They had it all: petting zoo, barrel-pulled tractor ride, hay maze, and many other activities. To see the joy in her eyes was such an amazing experience. Those firsts—feeding the cows and goats, walking through pumpkins, her first ride in a barrel—made every moment precious and will always bring a smile to my face.

In the same light I get to see God do some amazing things in people’s lives, such as first-time experiences that bring a smile to their faces and joy into their lives. The first time someone experiences the true joy of knowing that their sins are forgiven. Understanding how awesome the love of God is and that it’s there for them. Experiencing the joy of worshiping the only one worthy of our worship. Discovering new spiritual truths that help them grow stronger in their faith. Each and every one of these events is special, and I’m so blessed that I can see them happen in many lives. I know that we all have people in our lives who question the reality of the God we serve and may even try to discourage us from following Him, but once you personally experience His presence in your life there is no way you can deny it.

I'm Still Learning

Have you ever had one of those days where God teaches you a lesson when you’re not even looking? Well, I had one of those moments recently, and those moments are so special because they are a reminder of how blessed I am. I woke up that morning expecting it to be another normal day—you know, the kind where you get up, get ready, go to work, go to the gym, come home and eat dinner, and then relax until bedtime. In the midst of my normal day God brought across my path a situation that opened my eyes to the realities of those who surround me every day.

It’s funny how God brings along this type of day when you are in the midst of worrying about things you have no control over. These are the days when you try everything possible to gain control, which only leads to stress. Worse, it causes you to forget how great the God we serve is and to lose sight of why we are here. We are here to bless others with the love of Christ that lives inside of us. I’m not going to share the details of what happened because to me that is not important, but instead I’m going to share what God taught me that day.

First, don’t judge others based on what you think they should be. There are times in my life—not very often, but it happens—when I am quick to judge somebody else because I feel like they should be doing or progressing more than they are in their walk with God. This is unfair because God did not appoint me to be the judge of anybody but myself. Second, I don’t know why God made all of us so different, but he did. What is simple and takes no effort on my part may be very difficult for someone else to accomplish. Don’t judge others based off of your skills and abilities but instead try to understand where they are coming from. Tami will often call me when she is driving someplace and needs my help to get there. I know she’s been there before, so I want to ask: why is it so hard? That is the wrong attitude and leads to frustration and stress. Instead, I need to understand that God created Tami the way she is (directionally challenged), and I need to accept this and help bring peace to her life, not make it worse. Last of all, God will take each of us with our weaknesses and help us grow through them if we step out in faith. There are a lot of things in life that I’m not very good at, but that is not the issue. The issue is: what am I going to do to get better in those areas? Now, for many of them I have no desire to get better because they don’t really serve a purpose in the life God is calling me to live. But there are also those areas where God is wanting me to grow, and I need to face the challenges and become stronger in those areas of my life.

God has an amazing plan for your life and for your family. That plan will only be achieved when you understand that you have to face your limitations and insecurities and trust that by faith God will help you become strong in your weaknesses. Paul spoke about this in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where it says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 

Another Chance To Be A Blessing in Mexico

I am excited as I sit in a hotel room in El Paso, Texas.  Tomorrow morning we go into Juarez for our annual home building week.  Throughout the day today I’ve found myself reflecting over the past seven years and the trips we’ve taken each year.  When we began back in 2007, we had a team of seven that built a home for a young couple with two small children.  I laugh now because none of us had any real experience at building a home, but with the help of our Casas team leader we not only built a great home but it’s still looking great seven years later. Little did we know how that first trip would lead to where this outreach is today.

With every year we found new men being drawn to our Juarez outreach and the trip increasing the love that we felt for each other.  But something else began changing during the second trip; it was no longer about the building of a home, but now we felt a bond to the communities where we were working.  A group of men felt compelled to make a Christmas run to take clothes, blankets, coats, and toys to give to the families of that community.  A 15-foot passenger van was packed from floor to ceiling with gifts to our Juarez family.  While driving to Juarez, the team received a call informing them of an orphanage in Anapra, Mexico with children who would not have a Christmas unless God provided a miracle.  Well, God did provide the miracle because not only were there plenty of donations for the original building, but the children at the orphanage in Anapra also had a wonderful Christmas.

The third build led to community outreaches where the men would do a cookout and offer candy and gifts for the families.  I remember that guys couldn’t wait for the day’s work to get done so we could start having fun with the families in the area.  Guys played soccer and baseball, wrestled with the kids, and offered smiles and a hand of friendship to the adults.  Even though most of us couldn’t speak any Spanish, we were building a special bond with these families.

It was on the fourth trip that the team leaders decided that we felt a strong pull to Anapra and were going to focus our ministry efforts on families in that city along with the orphanage there.  Every year since that decision was made, we have successfully built a home, had at least two community outreaches, made Christmas trips with gifts and clothes, and now make sure food is provided monthly for the children.  Every year the trip has taken place, and this year is the biggest ever with 25 men helping us.

Making the Most of Every Day

It’s amazing how we can get caught up worrying about the little obstacles that come along and forget how thankful we should be that we have so many amazing people in our lives. The second thought is that the clock of life doesn’t stop, so we should make the most of every moment. Too often I see people who live life worrying about things that they can’t control or wishing they had the life of someone else because they think it’d bring them happiness. And while these things are occupying their thoughts, life keeps ticking away. Don’t get caught in this cycle of deception but instead learn to enjoy the life God has blessed you with and make the most of every opportunity. I look at my life, and it’s amazing how quickly the years have gone by. I feel like I’ve only been married for a short time, but I have grown children, a son-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter. As much as I wish I could slow down the clock of life, I know that I can’t, so I’m determined to make every day count.

How do you make every day count? Wake up and thank the Lord for a new day and new chances to glorify Him. Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability because you are doing it unto the Lord. Find somebody that you can encourage and bless by showing the love of Christ.