Unexpected Gifts

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

~Proverbs 16:24

i received a short, quick message tonight from a friend on facebook.  nothing dramatic or drawn out, he simply wrote: Hey Bro. thanks for all you do.

i didn't know what to say.  taken by surprise was exactly how i felt.  unworthy.  so i let it sit for just a moment.  i heard the Father whisper that i was to simply accept this gift, accept this gracious word.  sentiments and gratitude was offered.  then, he gut punched me with this:  You really bless folks and work hard. Keep it up. If you ever need anything, come see me.

i almost began to tear up.  this man was speaking directly to my soul, exactly what it needed to hear.  this was something i've longed to hear.  to know, that someone sees and appreciates me.  

this is not meant as a thank you to this man tonight, as much as it is an encouragement to the rest of us.  we don't always need to make grand gestures in this world to make a tremendous impact.  we simply need to remember this proverb above, and ACT on it.  a well timed, gracious, heart felt word is a blessing that is difficult to match.  it is powerful, lifts other's up, helps them see themselves as the Father sees them.  

thank you my friend.  you truly spoke life into me tonight, provided sweetness to my soul and health to my body.

This Gives Me The Chills

East Coast Thoughts

was driving into work this morning, and heard the song below for the first time.  loved it so much i put it on repeat.  made me think of all the east coast people suffering these past few days.  then this picture popped up on my facebook feed, and i thought, "yeah, i'll share that".  so here's a little inspiration for you all today.  praying 2 Thessalonians 3:16 over everyone who reads this.  "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way."  

Couple of Videos that have moved me lately

it's quite the humbling experience when someone says you've inspired them.  inspiration comes in many different shapes, sizes, and forms.  these videos very much inspire me not only in running, but also certain aspects of life.  but really, recently i've been so inspired simply by reading my bible.  i've been giving more and more time to my bible, allowing God to share whatever he wants, and it's been so refreshing.  he's shown me so much by spending time in his word.  i'll leave you with this quote that i came across on twitter tonight.

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love." - Francis of Assisi

scobar.biz>check it out

here's a quick little video for your viewing pleasure.  do yourself a favor afterwards, and head right on over to scobar.biz and order yourself a thing, or 10.

God Hit Me Right Where I needed It

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing with these we will be content. 

I Timothy 6:6-8

This hit me like a ton of bricks this morning.  Last night I came down with a heavy dose of depression after small group.  Had the wife pray for me, prayed for myself, and man it was just a thick fog of it lingering.  Many times, with this comes on, what immediately follows is thoughts of all the material things I want but don't have.  I try really hard not to window shop anymore or dream about it, because usually it just captures my attention.  God's done an amazing job freeing me from the jail of believing more stuff will make me happy.  Unfortunately, sometimes I forget to slip back.  This was good this morning because it focused my attention on something good.  I have food and clothing.  I can't take anything with me when I die.  Thank you Jesus for reminding me this morning, that you've given me all I need already.  You are enough.  I've got so much excess in this world.  Thanks for redirecting my gaze onto you this morning.  Also, special shout out to friend Josh Bubniak.  Not sure if you'll ever read this my friend, and I know you've been struggling this morning.  But the fact that you stepped into my office, and just listened for a minute, and shared some conversation, well let's just say Jesus used you to start this change in my day.  Thank you my friend.  Also, thanks to Third Day for making beautiful music.  I believe they will be the artist of the day for me.  

It seems God is trying to tell me something lately.....

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.  Be at peace among yourselves.  And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.


-I Thessalonians 5:12-22


I definitely feel God stirring something in me at the moment.  I'm not sure exactly what it is.  But love and the fruit of the Spirit are at the front of it I believe.  I'm reading through Bob Goff's book, Love Does right now (If you haven't done so, pick up a copy TODAY!) and in the chapter titled Ten-Year-Old Adventures, writes this towards the end,

YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING WHEN YOU'RE WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST.

How true is this?  I mean, we always want to know 100% of what God is up to before we are willing to move on it.  Today, I'm just grateful that He's working on me period.  If he chooses to only let me in on it a little bit at a time, I'm good with that.  Because I trust Him.  So, I'll go about today, doing what needs to be done.  I'll pay attention to what God's doing and saying.  I will love more, and better.

This moved me today......

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other: as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-Colossians 3:12-17

this is one of my favorite passages.  isaiah 42:16 in the message.  i read this almost every day.

The Journey.........

below follows a video recently made by team world vision, an organization incredibly close to my heart that i've written about many times.  it served as a great reminder to the plight of others around the world.  it's incredibly unfortunate to think about all the stuff we take for granted in the united states.  others struggle for survival while i selfishly pursue unnecessary indulgences.  the great thing, is that to get involved and help is so easy.  organizations like world vision have virtually eliminated any and all responses or excuses.  can't afford $35/month to sponsor a child?  give what you can.  $10.  $25.  who cares.  but i'd challenge you don't do what's easy.  look at your life.  can your family eat out 1 less time each month?  that's $35.  do you need the iPhone 5 when the 4 or 4s would do?  that could free up hundreds of dollars, which would be life changing in the hands of world vision.  we've all got options.  agh, forgive me, i'm just preaching to myself this afternoon.  but then again, maybe not?  do yourself a favor, do a little more research.  check out world vision.  email me (Thad) and ask some questions.  do something.  get involved.  get in the game.