Words That Change You

Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

It was a hot July day in 1981 as I stood in the doorway watching the Tiger basketball camp in the Griswold, IA gym. I had gone to talk to my girlfriend, now my wife of 37+ years, as she worked at the school for her summer job.

I had graduated from Griswold High School in 1980, went onto Simpson College to study music performance and education but had dropped out six weeks into the Fall semester.  (Another story for another day).

From October to this hot day in July I had worked at two different jobs and really had no plan or direction for my future.  My hair sat on my shoulders and who knows how long it had been since I had shaved, although you probably couldn’t call what I had a real beard.

As I stood in the doorway my high school basketball coach, Kent Gade, walked up to me, poked his finger from his 6-5 inch frame and said “Why don’t you do something with your life?”.  He turned and walked away.

Those words, that one sided interaction,  changed the trajectory of my life. Within a couple of weeks I had shaved, gotten my haircut and enrolled in Iowa Western Community College. 

The man I still call “Coach” spoke life back into me with an eight word phrase but those eight words were powerful. 

Coach Gade cared enough to confront me and it woke me up. He took a risk but he cared enough to take that risk because he knew I needed to hear it.  Caring overrides risk. 

As a leader do you care enough to take the risk to confront someone to make a change they need to make?

Words are powerful. Words used correctly and at the right time can change a life. I know because eight words changed mine.

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 7: Mastering the Art of Change

Change isn’t easy—it’s a skill honed by effort, commitment, and strength.  Romans 12:2 (ESV) urges, “…be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Without it, we stagnate, missing who we could become. I’ve had to learn this—pushing past comfort to grow.  It’s work, but God equips us.  Every choice to adapt sharpens you, like a muscle growing stronger.  What effort can you give today?

I’ve dodged change, cozy in routine, only to find it stunting me.  Chasing that 5K forced me out—each step a lesson in grit.  Change isn’t a threat; it’s a tool. God’s not asking for perfection—He’s asking for willingness.  I’ve failed, backslid, but starting again built resilience.  It’s like learning to ride a bike—wobbly at first, then steady.  See it as mastery, not menace.  Are you stuck where you don’t want to be?  Effort’s your key—commitment your lockpick. God’s strength fuels it—lean on Him.  I’ve seen folks wilt, refusing to bend—don’t miss your potential.  With faith, you’ll wield change like a craftsman, shaping a life bold and alive.  What will you give today?  Step up—He’s crafting you anew.

Questions:

  1. Do you see change as a skill you can develop?
  2. What effort will you give today to grow?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 6: Standing on the Unshaken

Life’s a whirlwind—jobs shift, plans crumble—but Jesus?  He’s solid. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  He’s my rock when waves crash—unshaken, faithful.  I’ve faced chaos—losing Mom in 2004, career pivots—and He’s never budged.  When work spirals or fear creeps, I recall He calmed storms.  What’s rocking you?  Lay it down—He’s got it.

Mom’s final days showed me this—trusting Him in a coma, on a respirator, saying, “We’ll just have to trust Jesus.”  He’s the same Savior who healed, who loved, who rose.  In a world of “never” and “always” lies—kids whining, “You never let me…”—His consistency is the truth.  He’s your anchor—steady in sickness, chaos, doubt.  I’ve clung to Him when bills piled up, when grief hit hard—He held.  What burden can you give Him today?  Trust Him—not just in peace, but in the mess.  He’s your unchanging strength; stand there and breathe.  I’ve learned this isn’t theory—it’s survival.  How will you rest in Him now?  His love’s the one thing that won’t shift—lean hard into it.

Questions:

  1. How does Jesus’ consistency comfort you in chaos?
  2. What do you need to lay at His feet today?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 4: Preaching Without Words

Your life’s a living sermon—louder than any pulpit.  Paul told the Thessalonians to live quietly, love deeply, and work diligently (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, ESV), pleasing God and shining to others.  I’ve faltered here—rushed past doing a God thing to do my definition of a good thing, chased selfish stuff—but each day’s a reset.  Where can you grow?  Maybe it’s patience, kindness, or showing up when it’s hard.  It’s not about being flawless; it’s about being faithful.  God’s Spirit helps—He promised it (John 14:26). Ask Him for strength; He’ll deliver.

I’ve seen lives shift from a single act—a smile, a helping hand.  That’s testimony.  You don’t need a stage; you need a heart turned to Him.  My remote days tempt me to coast, but God calls me to work hard anyway—someone’s watching.  Your choices ripple—coworkers, kids, strangers see it.  I’ve been the guy too busy to care—don’t stay there.  What’s your life saying?  Start small—a prayer for patience, a task done well.  Lean on Him; I can’t do it solo—neither can you.  Reflect Christ in the mundane, and you’ll point others to Him.  It’s not loud preaching; it’s quiet power.  How will you testify today?  Step out—He’s with you, making your life a beacon.

Questions:

  1. Which of these areas could you improve to reflect God better?
  2. How can you ask God for strength to change?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd

Stacking Stones Devotional

Day 3: Flexing for Faith

Life shifts, and our goals should too.  As an Athletic Director, I hit 10,000 steps daily without blinking.  Now, working remotely, that’s tougher—especially in Iowa’s brutal winters.  So, I cut it to 5,000—still a win! Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”  Adjusting isn’t defeat; it’s discernment.  God’s guiding us through seasons, and clinging to old targets can steal our joy. I’d rather cheer for a reachable goal than mourn an impossible one.

Adapting keeps us in the game. My 5K dream didn’t die—it flexed.  Maybe you’re juggling kids, work, or health—your own 10,000-step challenge.  What can you tweak to win today?  God’s not rigid; He’s relational, shaping our paths as we go.  I’ve seen folks quit because they wouldn’t bend—don’t let pride sink you. A smaller step forward beats standing still.  It’s like pruning a plant—cutting back fosters growth. I’ve failed at this, pushing past reason, only to crash.  Now, I adjust and thrive.  

Are you willing to shift? Trust God’s direction; He’s establishing your steps.  Celebrate the wins you can claim—they’re paving the way to bigger ones.  Flexibility’s faith in action—bend with Him, and keep moving toward His purpose. What’s your adjustment today?

Questions:

  1. What adjustments can you make to ensure daily personal wins?
  2. Are you willing to adapt your goals to your current situation?

Let’s Stay Connected – You were made for this moment.

If this something in this post meant something to you, I’d love for you to stick around:  

Leave a comment – I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Share it with someone who might need it today.  

Thanks for reading and being a little part of this moment.  

Keep Stacking Stones!

Todd