Yes, You Can Take Them With You…

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Joe

I ran across an old quote from Dr. Howard Thurman (1899 – April 10, 1981).

You’ve probably seen it before.

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

I’ve been struggling with this concept since at least January 2007.

I wanted to track down this quote and see where it came from. In doing so, I ran across a blog by Joya Martin who recently wrote a post called “What Dreams Will Die With you.” There I found an even more painful quote from Dr. Thurman:

The ideal situation for a man or woman to die is to have family members standing with them as they cross over. But imagine, if you will, being on your death-bed and standing around your bed are the ghosts of the ideas, the abilities, the talents, the gifts, the dreams  given to you by life that you, for whatever reason, you never pursued those dreams. You never did anything with those ideas. You never used those talents. You never used those gifts. You never took advantage of those opportunities. And there they are, standing around your bed, looking at you before you take your last dying breath. Looking at you with angry eyes saying, “We came to you, and only you could have given us life and now we must die with you forever.”

It’s said that you leave everything behind when you die. It’s true. But I also see that you take something with you into death, and this quote speaks of just that.

This is what is haunting me, more and more as I grow older. There is something inside that is telling me that I’m not doing what God has designed and gifted me with. My biggest fear right now is dying tomorrow and when I stand in front of my Lord, He asks me: “What have you done with what I gave you?” (Matthew 25:14-30).

In some ways, I’m sensing God pushing me into new directions. Okay, maybe even forcing me to get off my duff, so to speak. I just pray that my second half of life finds me doing the work He has for me and that I’m about my Father’s business!

How do Dr. Thurman’s quotes strike you?

May He Increase!

Posted in Christian Living | 2 Comments

Merry Christmas 2011: “It’s About the Cross”

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Joe

My dear brother-in-Christ, Ike from Pennsylvania, shared a YouTube link in a previous comment.

I wanted to share it here because it’s a great reminder of what the season is really about: Jesus.

10 And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” –Luke 2:10-11 KJV.

“A Saviour.” Jesus was born to die to save us from our sins. That is why we have such joy at Christmastime–indeed, when you’re a Christian, every day–because Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, and paid a debt we are unable to pay.

May He Increase!

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Mary or Martha?

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Joe

HT: Click

You see this guy? This is me. Okay, not literally, but this image captures how I’ve been feeling for months.

I’ve been working so hard at my tent-making trade that I feel like I’ve had little time for anything else. I’ve woken up with my job on my mind first thing and often-times, I’ve gone to bed worrying about tasks and projects that I’m behind on.

Don’t misunderstand me. I enjoy my job, my bosses, and the fact that I work from home. I just have a lot of work to do (but I guess in these days, that’s a good thing) and I’m not feeling like I’m on top of it all.

Changes

Then, last month, literally over-night, I was handed the leadership role of the Knott Avenue Christian Church Media team. Lest I sound like I’m complaining about that, I’m not. It’s a tremendous blessing and I’m amazed and what God has led me to and through in the past two years that I’ve been a part of that team. Still, the day I found out that I was probably going to be leading it, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, right at a time when I couldn’t take any additional burdens. I had to learn things that I hadn’t done before (like all the post-production work and video editing of the church’s Sunday morning webcast) with no training. But to God be the glory: things have gone much smoother than I ever would have thought.

Reminders

Still, since that time, I’ve had daily bouts of anxiety and stress and worry. Sometimes to the point of tears. But thanks be to God for the gift of my wife who is always ready to encourage me and remind me that I’m not alone in any of it.

I notice a huge difference, though, when I wrestle against my flesh and, instead of getting up early and sitting down at my laptop, I instead pull out the Word of God. Today was no exception and I was reminded of the story of Mary and Martha.

When Jesus was on His was to Jerusalem to go to the cross, He stopped at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

39 [Martha] had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:39-42.

Oh how long to be Mary, but feeling so much like Martha! No, there is nothing wrong with being conscious of doing Martha-type of work, but it cannot take the place of sitting at the feet of the King.

We cannot be so busy about doing work for the King that we forget about the King and neglect Him!

What about you? Have you ever found yourself in a season of being so busy and worried about things that you realized you became disconnected from your fellowship with God?

May He Increase!

Posted in Christian Living, Luke | 3 Comments

Biscochitos

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Joe

Well,

My bro, Jack Scalfani, and I were at it again in the kitchen on his YouTube show “Cooking  With Jack.”

Since Christmas is right around the corner, I wanted to share the video here in case you needed a nice holiday cookie recipe. It’s a recipe that originally came from my wife’s grandmother and it’s a huge hit in our family.

Here you go: Biscochitos.

Merry Christmas everyone!

May He Increase!

Posted in Announcements | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving 2011

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Joe

“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” –1 Chronicles 16:34.

Hello everyone. First, please forgive my absence. As I had mentioned previously, I have completely fallen off the blogging bandwagon. But I do believe that God still has a plan for this blog one way or the other.

This week is Thanksgiving 2011. I scarcely can believe that almost another year has gone by. So much has happened this year and there is so much to be grateful for.

I’m thankful for (in no particular order, although it is my work situation that was the prime motivator for this post):

  • The job that God has blessed me with.
  • The team that I work with at this job.
  • The managers I work under.
  • The fact that I work from home again.
  • The video ministry that God lead me to serve Him at Knott Avenue Christian Church.
  • The faithfulness of God.
  • The grace of God.
  • The forgiveness and patience of God.
  • The provision of God.
  • The correction of God.
  • The love of God.
  • The blessings of my sons.
  • The blessing of my wife. That even after ten years of marriage, I still feel like a newlywed and still feel like we are growing together.

Could a single blog post contain my gratitude towards my Lord, my Savior, my God? It’s so inadequate. But it’s at least a feeble attempt to express how grateful I am that He lead me out of a life of sin and hopelessness into The Light of His love and grace.

May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving. With God’s leading, my 2012 see a new life breathed into May He Increase. If not, may He lead each of us in the way we should go, according to His will.

May He Increase!

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