I remember being exhorted and encouraged to "be good, be well, be great!” It’s the “great” that strikes me. As much as we use words or even overuse them we often lose track of their significance. How often do we settle for being okay, fine, so-so, satisfactory, not bad and average? We see some examples of greatness in society when it comes to things like sports and music but mostly we just see talent. There’s a difference.

 

Talent is something that should be appreciated and enjoyed. If you’re talented in anyway you should develop and groom that gift to reach its fullest potential. For myself, the problem with putting talent too high up there on the pedestal is that separates the “haves” from the “have nots”. You’re either born with it or your not. 

 

So, what’s the difference between talent and greatness? What defines our actions and our lives as being more than average? Can each of us truly be great before God or are only a select few destined to fulfill this purpose?

 

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Okay anonymous blog reader, it’s time to come clean. That goes for you too Mr. & Mrs. Churchgoer. Members of our local community and members of our global community – none of you are exempt either. Fess up.

 

I know you have deep thoughts about spiritual things, political issues and salt-of-the-earth-frontline-practical-keepin’-it-real advice. Or maybe questions. Any way you dissect it I know that there are things in life that make most of you tick and some of you tock. Thoughts and ideas that rumble around in your minds and hearts that wake you up, keep you up and vault your body out of bed in the morning.

 

When it comes to omniscience, I don’t have it. Ask me what you’re thinking, couldn’t tell you. (Maybe that’s best for both of us. ) Here’s the thing though. I want to know. I want to serve you better, preach better, teach better and at least part of that equation includes...

Pappa, Daddy, Father. These are all terms that bring a smile to my face. Every year my own family honors me just for being Dear Ol’ Dad. Every year I get to thank my dad and remind him that he really did do a good job. He provided, protected, loved and trained me up in the way I was to go. He provided me with a living picture of what fatherhood is all about. My dad also fell short in his role as father. I fall short too. In fact, I think most of us need days like this coming Sunday to remind us of the things we do right. We need Fathers Day to help us see just a bit more clearly the legacy we’re leaving that will survive us. When I think about it that way, it becomes rather humbling. The people I will most likely have the greatest impact on are my own children.

 

I also know that for many of you Fathers Day carries with it a certain level of pain and the aftertaste of being a contrived, Hallmark produced event. The day can feel like a balancing act between guilt for not being more excited to “honor”...

I haven't taken an official count but there may just be 1 million things to get done this week.  I'm sure that my list isn't the only one like this, in fact I know how busy we all can get.  There is obligation and urgency in the lists of tasks that our minds produce like ticker-tape.  It can feel like every single thing on our list is important and maybe each thing is but how important is it? 

In the midst of lists and perhaps the clutter (see previous entry) I believe we can miss one incredibly important aspect of life.  The presence of God.   After falling into sin with Bathseba, King David moves into an expression of repentance in writing Psalm 51.  Verse 11 speaks to something that he was afraid of losing, "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."  There were a lot of things David had to lose including wealth and position but the thing he treasured most, the thing he was petrified of losing, was being in the presence of God. 

It strikes me that as King, David probably...

Has anyone noticed how dexterous and agile I’ve become? Certainly my gazelle-like spring or my elusive cat-like movements haven’t gone unnoticed have they? … Apparently they have. Don’t worry, I didn’t invest in a personal trainer to acquire these athletic attributes so money and time haven’t been lost. The realization that I’m not that “gifted” physically isn’t going to send me into some sort of self-absorbed, emotional tail spin. I’ll be okay.  My youthful visions of dunking over Shaq or even being considered competition for Rory Adams (see staff page) in a tether-ball match have been laid to rest

 

In fact, the reason I thought I actually might be getting a little more agile is because of the detailed and intricate challenge course I have set up in our garage. Months and months of planning, re-organizing, placement, replacement, trial and error have produced a beastly course that would make anyone reach back for another swig of Gatorade. I’ve practiced. I’ve fallen. I’ve conquered.

 

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