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What Was Your Momma’s Maiden Name?
“Baby, this is East TN. That ain’t no big deal.” Those words will forever, affectionately resonate in my memory on this second, equally special anniversary date when Megan chose me a second time.
Megan and I were married in Jamaica on June 9, 2006. Unbeknownst to us, the U.S. had stopped recognizing marriages performed in foreign countries (at least Jamaica), at the beginning of 2006. A change resulting from 9/11. So many things changed.
After Megan had tried to have her driver’s license changed to reflect ‘Mullins,’ we learned that we were not recognized as being married in the U.S. So, off to the Knox County Courthouse we went to be married a second time.
While filling out our marriage license application, there was a question that asked, Mother’s Maiden Name. To which I replied ‘Mullins.’ Yes, my mother’s last name was Mullins and that led to a lifetime of asking my parents if they were sure they had not grow up in the same house. (A story for another day.).
The County Clerk reviewed my application and said, and I quote, “no baby, what was your momma’s last name before she got married?” I replied, ‘Mullins,’ and asked her if that explained why I am how I am? To which she replied, “baby, this is East TN. That ain’t no big deal!” Somewhere in the distance I heard a fiddle playing and someone yelling, ‘Ye Ye!’
We had chosen to have a Protestant Minister marry us at the Courthouse. We looked up and here he came. Moving slightly slower than a snail and if we cut him open his rings would have revealed an age between 90 and 150. Honorable, aged man. The first thing he did was grab Megan by the arm and for five minutes work to convince her that she was not married to me and was under no obligation to marry me as far as the U.S. was concerned. After 8-10 times of saying this to Megan, I looked at her and said “I am going to deck this old minister.” To which she laughed and he burst out laughing to. She chose me a second time that I will never forget and never forsake. And I often, affectionately think of that old minister who made this courthouse union so marvelous.
So after generously tipping the courthouse minister, we were off. An officially married couple in Jamaica, now recognized by the U.S., whose union had been presented to God twice and who had become one in His eyes.
Life is full of twists and turns. While in the moment they may be frustrating, they are the sugar in sweet tea, the topping on ice cream and the jell in jam that holds things together, bringing delight to life. Megan, I will marry you over and over again, wherever and whenever needed. Our journey has had challenges, off ramps, on ramps, highs and lows, but the joy of the journey cannot be overstated and the power of union never underestimated.
I love you, my courthouse wife. Thank you for choosing me twice.
We’re got this.
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Limitless
Your past is not chasing you. You are inviting your past into your current which is limiting your future.
“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.” Acts 14:8-10 ESV
The desire for change, real change is too often limited by the lack of faith. Real faith. Faith that was illustrated by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in that furnace. By David in front of Goliath. By Ruth when she followed Naomi. By Mary when she accepted her miraculous pregnancy. There is a miraculous book, made up of 66 books that shares the stories of everyday people like you and me, who did miraculous things because they had a mustard seed of faith that moved the mountains in front of them.
“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:19-22 ESV
One day Paul and Barnabas were literally called Zeus and Hermes because of the miracles that God had allowed them to perform on a man who had faith. Then shortly thereafter, Paul was stoned and left for dead. Why are we surprised or in the moment defeated when the World lashes out loudly or quietly and subtly rejects us, God’s child?
We see the children of Israel turning a 12 day walk into a 40 year journey because they lacked? Anyone? Faith! As I work with men desiring to overcome drug, alcohol, porn, sex addiction a common theme is “you don’t know what I have done.” Correct. But God does and he loves each of us with a love too marvelous, too true, too filled with Grace and Mercy to understand. We can only accept with a faith that does not require seeing but expects to experience. And when we accept, truly accept, God releases the Holy Spirit into our lives to empower us to walk into the life of purpose, power and example that we were created for. When Paul was stoned at Lystra, he did not shy away. He walked by into the city the next day and continued his ministry mission.
The reception of our life’s purpose through Jesus Christ cannot be measured by the World’s response. Our life is measured by our commitment to our purpose regardless of response. Whether called to sit with one person or speak to thousands, faith leads out of defeat. Faith empowers us to blow horns, walk around the city six days and on the seventh, seven times and faith, only faith causes the walls of fear to fall down.
“And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27 ESV
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You have the gift of the exceptional.
“But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’” Acts 11:9 ESV
You are not common. I need to tell someone this today. God may have you placed in a common home. A common job. A common car. A common day-to-day. This said, your life and its purpose is uniquely yours. How you choose to live your life will define the unique and meaningful influence and impact that your ‘common’ life will have.
God has used common and oftentimes broken women and men to do supernatural things. He used a common man to build a boat that preserved humanity. He has used a common man to speak with a stutter to the most powerful man on earth to free his people. He used a shepherd boy to lead his people and be the earthly lineage of His son, Jesus, 28 generations later. He has used a common girl to save the Jewish race from annihilation. His son selected 12 common men, toiling in nondescript lives to change the trajectory of humankind, knowing that they would lay down their earthly lives for His early Church. He has and continues to use the most common among us to deliver hope, joy, light and His love to a broken World. He uses the common for uncommon and unfathomable impact.
The context of this Acts 11:9 is Peter explaining to a group from the early Church why he had shared the Gospel to the Gentiles. Humankind has always tried to categorize and define what God has universally created. There was real effort in a sect of the early Church to only allow the message and hope of salvation to be taught and offered to those who were circumcised. Jesus’ death tore the curtain from top to bottom and removed all prior definitions of those who could have a relationship with God the Father. His death offered all who were common, the incredibly special title of daughter or son of the Most High God when they asked.
There are exceptions, but I find it really fascinating that common, ordinary people of little influence make up the message of the Bible. The rich and powerful are referred to as ‘the rich young rule,’ ‘the rich man and Lazarus,’ etc. Then Jesus drew the disciples eyes to the common widow who gave less than half a penny as her tithe and explained her incredible faith and exceptional heart. The common exhibited the exceptional worthy of Jesus note.
“But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” Mark 10:31 NLT
So today know without question that you have the gift to be uncommon. Know that the most exceptional in God’s eyes are oftentimes viewed as common by a broken World. Today, be uncommon in your joy, your spirit, your kindness, your love, because there are numerous people in your life’s path needing your uncommon acts of encouragement and care.
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Luke 6:20 ESV
Today let’s make uncommon acts of love common. C’mon, you’ve got this.
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Who let the dog in?
Several years ago, I was talking with my dad about a new car that Megan and I were looking at and that she liked it in white and I liked it in black. To which my dad quickly and simply said, “enjoy your new white car.”
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James 4:3 ESV
About 9 months ago our neighbors found puppy huddled under one of their outbuilding’s overhang during a rain storm. Upon seeing him soaking wet, shivering and looking at them with his puppy eyes, they rescued him. I am guessing for most parents, you can Paul Harvey this and write “the rest of the story.” (For those of us seasoned enough to know who Paul Harvey is.)
This is where a litany of mistakes began happening on my end. As our neighbor shared this information with my wife and daughter, I was met with “we’re going to go see him”. To which my response should have been, ‘let’s go to the Mall and I’ll give you each a $1,000 to buy something.’ Okay, maybe $100! I did not take this defensive course of action.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 ESV
Next came the phone call. “Daddy, (A title always reserved for times of asking, aka manipulating though love.) he is so cute. Their dad says they can’t keep him. Can I keep him? He will be my dog? I will take care of him. I will feed him. I’ll take him for walks. House train him. You can count on me, dad.” Like I know that I can count on you and mom to do all this stuff.
“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding.” Job 12:12 NIV
First, it aggravates me that my much younger neighbor is wiser than me! Secondly, I love my daughter(s) and son with an unreasonable love that surpasses all common sense and with a desire to show them my love in many ways. I love joy. I love to see joy in their faces. I love to watch them share joy with those around them. I should have suggested to Megan that we name them Joy, Joy 2 and Joy 3!?!? I did suggest we name one of the girls Shelby Cobra, the ultimate Southern country girl name. For some reason, she didn’t bite on the idea.
So now 9 months or so later, we have an 80 lb. pet equivalent of a one-year old. His long hair sheds so much that the house is vacuumed daily, oftentimes by his owner, our daughter. He digs up my frail yard. He runs through the house around 8:00 pm every evening, his wake-up hour. He jumps, he chews, he licks (not me!), he eats, he poops like a horse. He delivers joy throughout our family and friends. He contributes to our family and has become a member of our family.
We make allowances for Remington Ruger, aka Remi. BTW, he was named by my sweet southern girls. Not Shelby Cobra, but not bad. Remi has faults and there are frustrations associated with his invading our home, but the joy, the love, the laughter, the addition offsets the negatives in every way. We are richer for Remi having joined our family, and our family lovingly shares the actions and activities that Remi needs to grow and mature.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
I write all this to encourage you to ask God for all things and with absolute confidence know that his answer will be what is best for you. His answers are devoid of human emotion and full of the omnipotent and benevolent love that we cannot understand, only trust and accept. The ability to surrender all of our things to the Creator of all things should cause us to willingly lay back in his arms with joy and contentment. Our Heavenly Father has no foolishness in him, like the father who said yes to yet another dog. He knows our needs. He desires to bless our wants with his better plan. Today walk freely in the knowledge that if you will trust and obey, he will exceed your greatest desires in every way.
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
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When Preparation Meets Opportunity
“But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33 NASB
Will you be ready when that seminal moment in your life arrives?
One of, if not my favorite person in the Bible is Stephen. A young man who was a deacon in the early Church, who cared for the widows, debated with Jewish scholars, helped set the tone and trajectory of early Christianity and the first recorded martyr. By the way, none of these are the reasons why I like Stephen so well.
He was ready. Every time I read Acts chapter 7 when Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin with bogus charges, I marvel at his response. I marvel that the descriptions of Stephen included “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” and that “his face was like that of an angel.” I marvel that in the moment when he was charged unjustly, when he could have been defensive, when he could have pled his case, he seized the opportunity to boldly speak of the history of the Jewish people and the corruption of their leaders. He quoted scripture, the murder of Jesus, the rejection of the Holy Spirit and the corruption of the law, divinely given.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
I read through numerous translations of 2 Timothy 2:15 and nothing spoke to me quite like the King James Version. We are told to study and be ready. Prepare for the coming moments in our life where our faith will be challenged and need to reflect Christ. Study. Submit. Be a workman. Have no shame. Be a source of truth.
Are you ready? In the life moments that will surely come your way, be prepared as Stephen was. A trauma doctor does not say “let me look at the medical teachings on how to close a wound” in the moment of administering life-saving aide. She has prepared for years, if not decades, so in that moment her learning, her practicing, her abilities flow naturally through her with the result being a life saved. Equally as Believers, we need to have studied, have prepared, have ingrained in our minds and hearts those things that are the truths of Jesus Christ and the Word that existed in the beginning.
Are you ready? In those final moments of Stephen’s life, he was fully prepared to deliver the truth of misdeeds and sin and the assurance of eternity through salvation. Prepare to show yourself a worthy son or daughter of the Most High God. Someone’s life may depends upon your preparation.
“As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.” Acts 7:59-60
You’ve got this.
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Mind-Full Life
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:20 NIV
Years ago during a discussion with a friend, he made the comment ‘tell me what occupies your heart and mind and I will show you your god.’ This gave me pause to consider where does my mind live? What occupies my thoughts? Worry, anxiety, jealousy? Or does gratitude, contentment, joy and love permeate the pores of my heart and soul?
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:2-4 NLT
Colossians 3 is a crib notes guide for living, for a person sold out to Christ, AKA a Christian. Paul wrote these words when he was imprisoned the first time. I say with complete certainty that he would tell us that he was the freest of men as he was in jail because he was the son of the Most High God, imprisoned by earthly standards and freed for eternity by Jesus death and resurrection.
In the book of Job, God shows us that our earthly situations or status does not define who we are. Rather our mind and response to temporary situations and things of this earth reveals our hearts.
“Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8 NIV
In a single afternoon, Job lost his all his material possessions and all of children. God allowed this to show to Satan that men and women like Job will choose him regardless of their situation and status. Job mourned and in the same moment he worshipped. Shortly after this, Job is struck with miserable boils on his pottery and utters the words: “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
What occupies your mind? What prioritizes your days? Are your material possessions a gift from the Lord, or the ‘results of my hard work!’ The Bible teaches us in Psalm 57 that regardless of the difficulties of life, the Lord desires and expects us to glorify and praise Him.
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17
God desires an intimate relationship with you. A relationship that places Him first in your life as your life is His priority. He is not a God of second but the God of first. Today recognize what occupies your mind and surrender those things to the Lord. Like Job and Paul, he will restore you many time over as your heart and mind focus and rest solely on Him.
You’ve got this.
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Life Awaits
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Zig Ziglar, a great motivational speaker and Christian man once said “if you go to a fat doctor who tells you to lose wait, find a new doctor.” This statement always resonated with me because credibility matters.
Do people see Christ in you? Do they experience Christ through you? Does your approach to life represent Christ? These are questions that I have to ask myself daily and too often the answers are disappointing. Equally often, the always loving Heavenly Father reminds me that he holds me. He encourages me. He knows the deepest depths of my heart. He says, “Let’s go again. You are gaining in your wisdom and understanding. Your spiritual fitness is honing you into the son that is better prepared for the race that I have created you to run.” That is enough.
What’s weighing on you? God the Father already knows and desires to release you from this?
What’s holding you back from the dreams in your mind? God the Father placed those dreams in you and has equipped you to achieve those dreams?
What occupies your mind? God the Father desires to free you from everything that creates a barrier between you and Him?
The hardest thing about any fitness program is getting started. God the Father desires to see you living the life of freedom and spiritual fitness that repels doubt with assurance. That creates humility and contentment where comparison and despair once resided. The life that God has uniquely prepared for you stands in front of you. Waiting for you to walk into it. Take another step today. Open your Bible today. Pray today. Trust today. Then repeat tomorrow. Retraining your mind is to the heart what exercise is to your health. Give yourself the gift of intimate relationship with the Father through Bible study and prayer. The results are incredible.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17 ESV
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A Fruitful Life
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 ESV
Yesterday as I picked blackberries for the first time this year, I was overcome with the awareness that America needs to invite missionaries from other Countries to come and lead us back into revival. For the past 150+ years, America has sent missionaries around the World to spread the good news that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been received with enthusiasm and the hope that is Jesus absorbed and clung to with absolute joy and thanksgiving by those receiving. We need the students to become the teachers and come to this land of plenty, this land of immeasurable bounty, this land that has lost its way, this Country that was founded on the principles of Jesus blood and righteousness. We need the revival that was sparked by our ancestors to return to our land and that ember needs fanned by the fresh air of hope and certainty of truth that the same Gospel shared throughout the World still delivers.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Blackberry bushes are remarkable, living organisms. You can trample them, bush hog them, mistreat them and almost without question, the next season they will come back larger, stronger and yielding more fruit than the year before…after the abuse released on them.
What if your life represents something similar? What if the trampling, the stomping, the cutting, the dishonoring is used as fertilizer for the life that God has planned for you? Please know that I in know way intend to diminish what you have gone through, rather create in you an expectation for the future and an acceptance that your life’s traumas and trials were for something greater. What if the experiences you have endured were to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? What if your life experiences deliver the fruit that others need to discover the hope that is Jesus Christ?
I love to pick blackberries for a multitude of reasons. I love to eat them. I love how God speaks to me during those moments of sweat, searching and filling my little white plastic pail. I love to listen to the birds around me. I love the solitude. There are few places that God speaks more clearly to me than in those thorny patches. As my hands become scratched and bleeding, sweat causes bug spray to run into my eyes, my clothes become saturated and wet, the joy of the fruit overrides all of these ancillary things. The hard work delivers a beautiful bounty of fruit and clarity of hope.
We have a choice. Trust and accept or reject and regret. I see more and more that an abundant life comes from an accepting heart. All that you have been through is for this moment, in this season. All of your life experience has prepared you for this season of bearing fruit. You are God’s beloved child and he desires the richness and fullness of a joy-filled life for you. Why not lay down the shield and pick up the bucket for harvesting?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
You’ve got this
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Time Is On Your Side
Rest. There is no trophy for busiest nor is there a ‘there’ for most active.
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
The term “time heals all wounds” is really not correct but time allows for objective thinking and alignment of life priorities. I believe Satan has turned up the speed life around a us to diminish the objectivity that patience towards time allows.
Do you ever consider the joy we allow the busyness of our lives to rob us of and the contentment we sacrifice at the altar of ‘next?’ Jesus taught us through his actions and his words to live in the moment. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (Proverbs 27:1 ESV).
When the Great Commission was given to the disciples by Jesus, there was no daily amount of how many and how often. The great commission was to see and value the hope and life that is the Gospel. To live lives of purpose and understanding that prays for others, volunteer to help others and give to others those things that have been entrusted to us. All of these things can be assigned to time. Take time to pray. Help others by showing their value through the time you surrender to them. Give to others in the form of time that says to them ‘you are valuable and worthy.’
I marvel at how the eyes of people will brighten when I genuinely take interest in them. Jesus teaches me through scripture the immeasurable value of the person in front of me. Take a moment today and ask someone about their life. Their dreams. What they are dealing with. Ask them how you can pray for them. Give them the gift of your time. Show them that they are valued by you because of the God who made them and the Son who died for them.
Your life is a ministry of hope and love. Your actions the most beautiful portrait that can ever be painted. Your joy the greatest weapon against Satan’s schemes. Your heart the tool from which all kindness, goodness, love and hope pours out.
Time is the most precious commodity of our short life here on earth. Reject the stress, anxiety and worry that robs, steals and kills. Consider, just consider that your time is the greatest gift that those around can ever receive.
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7
You’ve got this.
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A Present Father
Happy first Father’s Day in Heaven dad. I had you for Father’s Day on earth for 59 years and I love knowing that this day and every day you are in the presence of the Father of us all, God the Father.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 ESV
This picture represents my age when I remember going squirrel hunting in KY, because your dad loved to eat squirrels. I remember following you through countless little hills and hollers (if you’re from KY). You carrying that single shot, bolt action .22 and me a pocket knife in hand in case any squirrels came running by us. My job to stop, open the knife, catch the squirrel and well, you get what I was supposed to do next. Never happened but I was always ready and believing that it might happen.
Dad, thank you for expanding my horizon. For teaching me to see beyond what was visible. I remember those family hikes when you would jump up on a boulder and start your speech as a man running for political office. I remember you stopping to show us a fern growing through the crack in a tree and helping us marvel at this wonder and the wonder of God. I remember you taking a simple vine and making an afternoon’s fun filled with laughter as we swung through the woods. I remember your drawing our minds to Jesus as we found a tree that looked like a cross, saw clouds that revealed God’s glory, witnessed a rainbow that acknowledged God’s promise. I remember you always drawing our minds to Christ in what we saw and what we experienced.
Dad, I work with men now who in many instances were not blessed with a father in their life. In other instances their father was not a positive influence and in a few, rare cases they had a present and loving father. I had a present and loving father who struggled with his own doubts and circumstances but was present. You turned down career “opportunities” to be with your family, understanding this role was the greatest assignment you could ever be given in this life. Dad, when I share stories with the men that I work with about you, they marvel that I had a dad like you and desire to be taught to be a dad like you. Dad, I am grateful for the father that God gave me and I miss you daily.
So dad, today I am a better prepared dad because of your presence and teaching. I am a grateful dad because you taught me gratitude. I am a dad in love with his children because you taught me to love. I am a dad who shares Jesus and God’s promises with my children because you taught me to love God with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind. I am a dad because God loves me so much that he blessed me with the highest honor; the assignment of the title dad/daddy/father.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
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