“Our preferences for stability and security blind us to the opportunities for adventure when they present themselves.”

A thought by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch (2011-04-15) in their book, The Faith of Leap (Shapevine) (p. 31). Baker Books. Kindle Edition.

Tony Campolo in his sermon, Revolutionary Love, tells of a study that was taken of people over 95 and they asked them the question, “If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?” The 3 most distinct answers were: reflect more, risk more, and do more things that would live on after their death. Save more for retirement didn’t make the top 3.

We spend most of our time worrying about things that really won’t matter when we come down to the end of our lives. But the problem is those worries keep us from seeing those things that really make a difference in our lives.

I am a retired church planter. What that means is I started churches that had no people. I have lived a life of no security but an awesome life of adventure and challenge.

I remember when we were moving as a family to Las Vegas, Nevada to plant a church that I had a friend say, “There is no way I would raise my daughter in that town.” But Brett and Stef grew up as teenagers there and they grew stronger in their faith and character because they lived there. Yes it was a risk as parents but GOD honored our faithfulness and protected our family in that very sinful town. Our living in Vegas as a family was some of the most rewarding days for our family.

Margaret and I even in my retirement took the risk of moving to one of the most expensive places to live, Long Island, just east of New York City. We have loved the adventure and the excitement of living 30 miles from the most exciting city in the world.

Now the amazing thing is GOD is taking care of us better than we could ever have imagined or expected. I also know HE has a new adventure in store for us. HE is not done!!!

What about you?

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“There’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.”

A thought by Bob Goff from his book, Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People ( p. 41). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Have you ever built a sand castle or maybe a Lego castle? Have you? Bob says, “We actually build castles all the time, out of our jobs and our families and the things we’ve purchased. Sometimes we even make them out of each other. Some of these castles are impressive too. Lots of people come to admire what we’ve built over the course of our lives and tell us what great castles we have. But Jesus told His friends we weren’t supposed to spend our lives building castles. He said He wanted us to build a kingdom, and there’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.” Bob goes on, “You see, castles have moats to keep creepy people out, but kingdoms have bridges to let everyone in. Castles have dungeons for people who ha...

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life. It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed. Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life. Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you. You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good. Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because G...

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident. In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose. In other words you are not an accident. I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth. In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man. And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ” Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like? Like that characteristic is a curse or something. Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God. Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Je...

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