Dream Team

John Maxwell challenges people to come up with one example of someone doing something of great significance - without the help of others. We all have dreams of what we want in life. Hopefully those dreams have passed through the filter of God's Word and will help many people if they come true. The question is, what are you doing to help others realize their dreams? On Friday I drove my daughter to school as my wife was preparing to take a three hour trip to her brother's house. Crystal was planning to be gone until Sunday and Lauren was asking why mommy had to be gone for so long. "Lauren, mommy is going up to help aunt Amy because uncle Billy is away, training to own his very own Chick-Fil-A restaurant." I told Lauren that we were helping uncle Billy as he pursues his dream. What are your dreams and who do you have on your team to help make those dreams come true? Maybe a better questions is, "Do you look for opportunities to help others make their dreams come true?" It should make us feel good to see others excel and know that we played a part. Ask those around you what their dreams are, then get on their dream team. The people you bless may be the ones that God uses to help you fulfill your wildest dreams.

Even Nehemiah needed help to fulfill his dream of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Read Nehemiah 2.
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Presidential Providence

While there are those who are disenchanted with President Bush, I truly appreciate him and am thankful that he was our President for the last eight years. While many may argue with his policies, we cannot argue with the biblical truth that it is God who sets up kings and it is God who removes them. During Bush's second run for The White House, I remember John Kerry desperately needing some television coverage right before the election. Then former President Reagan died - and the country was reminded of a great Republican President. At Reagan's funeral, President Bush gave one of the best speeches ever and later went on to secure his second term. Bush has certainly benefited from many of these "coincidences" over the years. Now, as he prepares to leave office, how fitting that the President, whose first term was symbolized with the airplanes of 9/11, now departs with the symbol of an airplane - US Airways flight 1459 that recently crash landed in the Hudson River. The first planes symbolize a terrible tragedy while the latter plane symbolizes hope and courage. How unbelievable that this recent episode would happen on the same day that Bush delivered his farewell address to the nation. I know that even now, as Bush has one foot out the door, there are angry people who have to get in their last hateful opinion. But as long as Bush defines his success as having kept America safe so that his detractors could be alive to have an opinion, he will win. Thank you President Bush!

Another Way to Win

Last night I went to a parent/teacher event at my daughter's school. The kids got their report cards - then had the opportunity to perform for all of the adults present in the classroom. They played a tic-tac-toe spelling game with the girls pitted against the boys. When my daughter was asked to spell the word polite, she did so (flawlessly I might add) and went to place her X on the board to win the game. But instead of winning, she placed her X in another spot and extended the game a little longer, giving the girls two possible routes to win. After the girls won, I asked her why she didn't just end the game when she had the chance. She said, "Daddy, I wanted to make sure our team had another way to win." Her comments blessed me in two ways. First, she doesn't have a killer instinct to win. She just enjoys playing the game and I appreciate that. Second, her example reminded me that God is not in Heaven trying to keep us from winning in this life. He wants us to win, and if we self destruct, He will create new ways (paths) to help us fulfill our ultimate purpose. If you have made mistakes in your life, don't believe the lie that God can't use you to make a difference in this world. God knew you were going to fail before it ever happened in real time. He is patient, and loving - and if you will surrender your situation to Him, He can find you another way to win.

When you get a chance, you may want to read Isaiah 42:16
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The Way God Thinks

Today I had the opportunity to talk to my church about the way God thinks. We are starting a new message series called The Second Advent - dealing with all the activities surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ. I told the church that the events of the end times are not negotiable . . . they are going to come to pass. In fact, God was able to play out every scenario in his infinite mind before Genesis 1:1 ever happened, so God would not have enacted His plan if He was not pleased with the ultimate outcome. In Revelation chapter 8, the Bible speaks of a star that falls from the heavens and contaminates the earth's water so that people who drink it will die. Some have said that this star could be some kind of asteroid. If that is true, then I believe the asteroid was created and set on a trajectory towards the earth at the same time God created the heavens and the earth. God's mind is so infinite and His will so sovereign that to Him it's like end time events have already happened. I don't claim to be able to think like God but the Bible does teach me that He knows the end from the beginning, and that his will is going to happen whether we like it or not.

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Will You Please Say Yes?

A few days ago my son Joshua (3) wanted to watch a video on the television, so he said, "Daddy, can I watch cartoon?" But before I could answer, he followed up by saying, "Daddy, will you please say yes?" That was a new approach for my son to get what he wanted - but I liked it. The reason I liked it is because I could envision myself talking to God that way if I had a desperate need. "God, will you help me? Will you please say yes?" I don't always know what's best for my son, but God always knows what is best for His children. The Lord delights in saying "yes" but I believe He wants us to want Him more than the things He can do for us. Just a quick thought for the road.

When you get a chance, check out James 1:17
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