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 40 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.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  Who spoke those words to you that had an impact on your life? 
      a.  What could you do to contact them and let them know?
2.  Is there someone who you feel may need you to speak some life into them?

Matthew 7:24-27

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

25  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 

26  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 

27  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Every word that Jesus spoke is full of life, encouragement and worth following.  This passage is the wrap up for his Sermon on the Mount, and it’s like when the pastor says “in conclusion” on Sunday.  

For whatever reason, you sit up and pay attention a little more, because the closing is bringing it all home and typically contains some really wise words, and of course, Jesus doesn’t disappoint.  

Every good sermon has three points.  This isn’t a sermon, so I’ll just give two.   

1.  “These words of mine” in verse 24.  There have always been, and will be, people that speak things that are not true, not biblical, or worthy of being followed.  Listenting to, and following the words of Jesus are the only words worth listening to.  

2.  There is a difference between “hearing” his words, and “living” his words.  To truly live out the words and teachings of Jesus, we need to live out all of his words.  We can’t build our life (house) on the rock if we don’t build it on all of his words. 

His words are “tried and true”, a “shield”, “living”, “powerful”, “sharper than any two-edged sword”.  Those are words worth pursuing, and words that will truly change you. 

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can  you discern between words that are true, biblical, and worthy of following, and those that are not?  In what ways can one ensure they are primarily listening to and following the words of Jesus?

2.  Reflecting on the distinction between “hearing” and “living” the words of Jesus, what practical steps can one take to integrate all of his teachings into your daily life?  How does the concept of building one’s life on the rock of Jesus’ words require a comprehensive embrace of all his teachings?

We all love a good quote.  A quote can make us think more deeply, stir our souls and even bring about change in our lives.

While they can have some lasting impact we should not be about trying to come up with the next catchy quote or phrase to impact people.

The impact that we ultimately have on people is found, and grounded, in how our lives intersect and impact those we lead and live with, our daily contacts, and even those we may just have a brief encounter with.

If you truly want to leave your legacy be mindful of each daily interaction. 

Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Be full of grace.
Be loving.
Be positive.

If you are going to leave anything behind weave these into people’s lives.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can you ensure that your daily interactions are purposeful and contribute positively to the lives of those around you, leaving a lasting impact beyond catchy quotes?

2.  In what ways can practicing kindness, compassion, grace, love, and positivity in your everyday interactions become the foundation for a meaningful and lasting legacy?

Living a Legacy:
A Daily Call to Christian Virtues

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

In our pursuit of a meaningful and impactful life, draw inspiration from 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Speech:
Choose words that uplift, encourage, and inspire.  Let your speech be a reflection of the kindness that resides in your heart, reminding others of the power of positive communication.

Conduct:
Live by example. Demonstrate integrity, humility, and honesty in all your actions. Your conduct speaks volumes, leaving a lasting impression on those around you.

Love:
Embrace love as the guiding force in your interactions. Show genuine care and compassion to others, fostering an environment where love becomes a transformative force in people’s lives.

Faith:
Trust in your faith, and let it guide you through challenges. Allow your unwavering faith to be a beacon of hope for others, inspiring them to navigate life’s journey with resilience and trust in God’s plan.

Purity:
Cultivate a pure heart and mind. Seek purity in your thoughts, intentions, and actions. Strive for a life free from negativity, focusing on goodness and righteousness.

In every encounter, remember that age is not a barrier to leaving a positive impact, young or old (seasoned). 

I remember thinking a lot about this verse when I was in my 30’s.  Now, in my 60’s, I look back, and also see the application from both sides. 

There are younger people to learn from about God, and living a Godly life, but there is also great value and lessons from those who have lived life and have more experiences to share as they have pursued living, and walking with God. 

Be intentional in living out your faith through your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, regardless of your age.  Each moment is an opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on the hearts of those around you.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can you, regardless of your age, actively apply the principles of 1 Timothy 4:12 to leave a positive impact by choosing words that uplift, living with integrity, embracing love, trusting in faith, and cultivating purity in your daily interactions?

2.  Reflecting on the journey through life, how can the interchange of wisdom and experiences between younger and older individuals contribute to a richer understanding of living a Godly life, emphasizing the timeless importance of setting an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity?

Today, I invite you to think about and embrace the wisdom of Heraclitus:  

“No man steps in a river twice.” 

Life’s essence lies in perpetual change, an ever-flowing river of experiences.  Each moment is unique, never to be repeated. 

Like a river, life may have twists, turns, and unexpected currents.  Instead of resisting, learn to flow with the stream of change. 

Embracing new challenges and opportunities is the key to growth.  Just as a river shapes its path, let life shape you.  

Every encounter, every obstacle, is a chance to evolve.  Don’t cling to the past; let it be the foundation for a stronger future. 

As you navigate the river of life, remember that every step forward is a step into uncharted waters.  

Embrace change, adapt, and let the current carry you towards new horizons.  Life’s beauty lies in its ever-changing nature; find strength in the flow.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  Reflect on the idea that “No man steps in a river twice.” How does this perspective on life as an ever-flowing river influence the way we approach and appreciate each moment?

2.  In what ways can embracing change and adapting to life’s twists and turns lead to personal growth and the creation of a stronger foundation for the future?

“Steadfast Amidst Change: Finding Comfort in the Unchanging Nature of Jesus”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
[8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Even in the midst of life’s uncertainties and  challenges find comfort in the unchanging nature of Jesus.  A rock on which you can stand.

When work issues create chaos, remember that the same Jesus who calmed the sea can bring tranquility to your life.

If a challenging diagnosis shakes you, know that the Jesus who healed the sick is there to provide comfort and walk through it with you.

Committing your life to Him ensures a steadfast presence; Jesus remains unchanged and will never leave or turn away.

He is the consistent God—unchanged yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Life changes.  Jesus does not. 

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  In the face of life’s unpredictable changes, how does the belief in Jesus as a constant source of comfort impact your perspective on challenges and chaos?

2.  What do you need to lay at his feet and let him help you with today?

Things change don’t they?  

Sometimes you can see change coming and sometimes you can’t.

Both can be tricky and difficult, but either way you have to adjust and get moving again. 

The key is YOU.  

YOU have to make some adjustments. 

Some adjustments may have been needed to be done, and some may be a bit more difficult to do, but either way to get moving in a positive direction again you will likely need to make adjustments.

Adjust your sails. Get the wind behind you again and make progress towards your goal and your destination.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue 

1. Reflecting on personal experiences, what are some examples of adjustments that were relatively easy to make, and how did they contribute to positive progress?

2. How does the idea of “adjusting your sails” align with the concept of resilience, and what role does resilience play in facing and overcoming changes?

Matthew‬ ‭8:25‭-‬27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[25] And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 

[26] And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 

[27] And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Some of these disciples were experienced fishermen.  They had surely experienced waves before, but these must have been different.  

They had seen him perform miracles on people’s physical bodies, cast out demons, yet they still doubted that they would be alright. 

In the fall of 2004 my mom became ill with a mysterious illness.  We never knew what it was, but she was gone in two weeks.  The last week was in a medically induced coma and on a respirator.  

As the family stood in her room moments before they put her on the respirator, and we were dismissed back to the waiting room she said, “we’ll just have to trust Jesus”. 

Mom was in the middle of the storm.  A storm like she had never experienced and she trusted Jesus in the middle of it.  

What did Jesus do when the disciples woke him up?  He asked why they were afraid and lacked faith.  He’s got this.  

Jesus’ primary concern for those that follow Him is to trust Him.  Not just when you witness and experience the blessings, but also in the middle of the storm.  Even a storm like you’ve never experienced before.  

It may require a change of how much we really trust Jesus, but let’s pursue the trust we can rest in when the biggest storms come.  

Be Blessed! 

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How does the disciples’ reaction to the storm, despite witnessing miracles, reflect a common struggle in trusting God in difficult circumstances?

2.  In the face of a personal storm, how did the narrator’s mother’s response of trusting Jesus challenge the conventional understanding of faith, and what can we learn from her example?

What is it that you want to accomplish?

Is there something that you want to change?

Are you willing to put in the work to make what you want happen?

Every big change, every goal that you reach starts with small victories stacked on top of each other.

Are you willing to commit 10-15 minutes a day working on what you are passionate about becoming or doing?

Maybe it starts with doing something 2-3 times this week, or committing to not missing two days in a row.

Maybe you need to adjust what you are doing to continue to get some personal wins. The most important thing to do is to get up and start moving toward the goal.

Here is a way I have adjusted my attempt at getting some personal wins in the Iowa winter. I used to have no problem getting over 10,000 steps per day as an Athletic Director, no matter what season it was. My new job, which I work remotely from home most days, makes it a bit more difficult.

Because of that, for the next couple of months I changed my goal and cut my daily goal in half, and am after 5,000 steps a day, most of those coming on our treadmill.

It seems like a drastic cut, but I would rather get some personal daily wins and change the goal, than keep the same goal I have in warmer weather and continually come up short.

One of my big goals this year is to participate in my first ever 5K. I am going to try and stack PW on top of PW, even if the steps are a little less. The goal is daily personal wins right now.

Whatever it is you want to do commit and start getting some personal wins, make the changes you may need to get them, and then stay at it, pursuing those personal wins that can lead to real, and positive, changes for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. What adjustments can you make to your goals to ensure you experience daily personal wins, considering your current circumstances?

2. Are you willing to adapt your goals to better align with your present situation, even if it means taking smaller steps towards your larger objectives?

How you live your life serves as a testimony to others. Some may deliver a sermon with their words, but we all deliver one with how we live our life.

In this passage Paul is urging the Christians at the church in Thessolinica to live their life in such a way that pleases God, as well as displays their godly character.

In the beginning of Chapter 4 he tells us to “abstain from sexual immorality”, and then speaks to how we can show brotherly love.

He instructs the people to lead a peaceful life, mind their own business, and to be industriousness in how they work. In other words, don’t expect others to provide for them.

So then, let’s get personal. Is there something in that list in Chapter 4 that you may need to be better at?

Something you could use some daily personal wins with? Don’t try to do any of it on your own. You can’t do it on your own.

Ask God for the strength, commitment, and resolve to change what needs changed. He promised he will send a helper in the Holy Spirit to help you if you just ask (John 14:26).

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. Reflecting on Chapter 4, are there specific aspects such as abstaining from certain behaviors or practicing brotherly love that you feel you could improve on for your personal growth?

2. In your pursuit of positive change, have you considered seeking guidance and strength from a source beyond yourself, such as asking for help from a higher power as mentioned in John 14:26?