The Rest of the Story....

Hey all.

My friend gave his testimony this weekend at Transformation Church.  His message is one that will change lives.  Check it out by watching the 2nd sermon of the "Because" series at www.transformationchurch.tc  He gives his testimony two times via video during Pastor Derwin's message so be sure to watch the whole thing if you have time.  I am not sure if it has posted yet so you might need to check on Monday if it is not up yet.

In Honor of my friend Scott's courage to share, I am re-posting the blog entry called "Deserve" that he inspired me to write over a year ago.  You can read it below.  The video you will see from this weekend is only some of the "rest of the story" for Scott. 

Thanks Scott.  You inspire me to use the journey that God has taken me on to glorify HIM.  God is going to change lives through your willingness and courage to share.  I am motivated to do the same.  I believe we all are called to take our story and use it to glorify "HIS" story.  God will take our past and turn it into a ministry if we allow HIM.  The good and the bad.  We just have to allow HIM.

What will be the rest of your story?

Strength and Honor,

-S



DESERVE

Hey all,

I had an interesting visit with a friend this weekend. He has been away since July and it was the first time that I have seen him since he left. It was nice to finally catch up.

We had a great dialogue about his new location and the environment. He summed up his perspective on the place as......"it is all about what people here deserve or don't deserve".

I asked him to elaborate.

He told me that....."everything that everyone feels here is grounded in what they deserve or don't deserve. They process everything from that perspective. If they did something then they deserve something in return. If something bad happened to them, they feel like they don't deserve the circumstance or situation. Everyone either deserves something or is a victim. There are two camps here and most are in either one or the other. You either feel you are entitled to something or you are the victim."

He went on to say...."what I have realized but most everyone else fails to realize is that both of these camps are wrong. We have to come to a place in our faith where we realize that we don't ever "deserve" anything. We deserve nothing. Nothing that we do should be based on what we are going to get for doing it or not doing it. We cannot live our lives feeling like it owes us something or that we deserve something. Conversely, we cannot be trapped as the victim for what we "didn't deserve". Our life cannot be all about how we are the victim of something that we didn't deserve.

What we need to believe and put our faith in is that our Father, still loves us even though we don't deserve it. HE loves us anyway. HE forgives us anyway. We deserve nothing, yet HE loves us anyway. This is called grace. When we come to that place of belief, then we are set free of the selfishness that keeps us from being free. We are free of feeling entitled to things we think we deserve and free of being the victim for stuff that happened to us that we didn't deserve".

By the way......my friend is in Prison.

I think he in on to something here.

Strength and Honor,

-S

Go Big or Go Home

Hey all,

Don't quit!  You have what it takes!  Don't quit!

Wow....I was reminded of this in such a cool way this weekend.

Check this out.

About four years ago, I was leading a Men's group at a local church.  The message was one of "Freedom and Life".  At the core of the message, we (my friend Dan and I) were relaying the message of John 10:10 (the header of this blog).   The message is that while the "enemy came only to steal, kill, and destroy.......Jesus came that we could have life and have it to the full".  We wanted the men to know that they could be set free from the shackles of this world.  They could be free of the bondage.  And once they were free.....they could experience life.  Life to the full.  It was all through the power of Jesus.

But we also told them that it was opposed.  There is an enemy.  And it is real.  The enemy was against them.  If only they could recognize that....they could battle against it with the gospel of Jesus.  And they would prevail. Always.  Jesus defeated the enemy at the cross.  Sin was won.  The victory was done.  If we realize this....then we can really live.  A full life.  The life set out for us. 

Every man (and woman) in this world has a role to play....and if they don't do it....no one will.  Each of us are called to be all that God set out for us.  This is our destiny.  Again, if we don't do it, no one will. 

But how often we quit.  We just do.  It is too hard.

So back to the story. 

Attending that Men's group four years ago was a guy who has since become a great friend of mine.  He not only heard the message that weekend, but he had the courage to pursue the reality of the message of John 10:10.  He believed the message.  He believed that there was an enemy.  He decided to walk the path.  He didn't know what it would look like....but he walked in faith. 

And it didn't come easy.  But he stayed with it.  Already a believer, his wonderful bride came along side him.....encouraging and pushing him.  She was(is) his spiritual partner and his encouragement.  His biggest fan.  Again, it still wasn't easy.  But they pressed on.  Together. They walked the path.  The path they believed that God laid out for them.  Together.

And then it started to take shape.  They started to "hear" what they were to do.  They started to "hear" God calling them to action. They knew. 

But how?  How would they do it?  It seemed too big?  Who were they to do something like that?  How could they have an impact?  Why would God choose them to do something like that?  Was it worth it?  Surely, they could not make an impact on people's lives.  Why them?  It would be so much easier to just keep the "status quo" and just live their life.  SO MUCH EASIER. 

But it would not be living......and they knew it.

So they moved forward.  They acted.  They pressed on.  They took a step.......and another........and another. 

And guess what........it got harder.  Not easier.....but harder.  Alot harder. Remember...the enemy is against us, so it was opposed.  But in their heart they knew if was right.  They could not deny it.  But even they they knew it was a "calling"....they still often wanted to quit.  And they DID want to quit.  Many times.  It was too hard.  It was too much of a pain.  It wasn't worth it.  It wasn't meant to be.  The enemy constantly whispered this in their ears. "Just give up."  "Who are you to make a difference?"

But even when they tried to quit....the Lord reminded them that it was HIS plan and not theirs.  If they don't do it, no one will.  They have a role to play.  Something happened to get them "back on track".  A God thing.  So they pressed on even though they were opposed.  In faith. 

Along the journey......they started to really believe the idea that they had a role to play......and if they didn't do it.....no one would.  It started to become clear.  They knew it in their heart.  They had to do it.

And so they did.  And guess what...............God is fulfilling his plan through them. 

My friends spoke this week at my Church (which was literally broadcast world wide) about their journey of faith and the impact they are having on many, many kids lives here and around the country.  You can check it out at www.tc521.org. Click on the Blueprint series sermon from 2/3/13. 

Thanks to their faithfulness and testimony.......I was reminded of my own journey.  About not quitting.  I realized that during the years since that message my friend and I gave at the Church.....I have been told by the enemy to quit doing it.  That it is not worth it. It didn't really matter.  And in many ways......I have quit. 

Until now.

Thanks Ron and Laura.  I love you guys.  You are an inspiration to me and many others.  Don't ever give up.  You have what it takes.

Go Big or Go Home. 

Strength and Honor.

-S