Myron Speaks

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain.

As I started to write this post, I wanted to make it all about me. About my life and lessons learned. About failures that led to a different kind of success. About me, me, me. Can I tell you, that you and I are created for a purpose that exceeds “me” and is about “we” and “thee.” Thankfully, my Dad in Heaven has gifted me with the appointment to help men and young men find their purpose in this life based upon who He says they are.

Let me state that after salvation, accepting who God says you are is the most freeing event that will occur in your life. I have been so blessed through Fight Club Men (www.fightclubmen.org) to meet with men collectively and individually and the universal ‘ball and chain’ that I find, is their lack of recognizing, accepting and walking into who God says they are and the very specific and 100% unique purpose that He has for their lives. He has a beautifully unique purpose for your life. Just like your DNA, His purpose for you is unlike any other’s.

“God, if this is all there is, I want out!” Ten words that I audibly cried out in January 2004 as I sat intending to kill myself, in yet another too large house, with too many lies, too many awards hung on the wall, too many clothes, cars, toys and the all-too familiar silence of loneliness and emptiness. The result of a life lived pursuing everything the World defined as “success.” I will never forget and for eternity will be grateful for the beautiful and audible eleven words that the Holy Spirit rescued me by saying, “this is not the plan that I have for your life.”

“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

So how does God define you? Let me encourage you to recognize that He gifts us with a job and career to care for our families and those in our paths, but these do not define us. Our heart, our actions, our priorities, our joy, our faith to follow Him in every season defines who we are. Our surrender to His plan and purpose for our lives, fulfills us and causes our cup to runneth over.

“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” Psalm 23:5

1 John 5:4 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” tells us specifically who we are. We are new creations, created for impact and leading through our faith and the example that Jesus provided us. Companies list their employees on the liability side of their Balance Sheet. An accounting ‘principle.’ Peter Drucker, management consultant, educator and author, believed that “employees are assets not liabilities” and should be listed as assets. God’s greatest asset in this World is you and me. Our greatest asset is the Father who created us and who abides within us through the Spirit. God lists you as an “asset” in His Balance Sheet – the only identity that truly matters.

What if today and every day for the rest of your life, you look in the mirror first thing in the morning and say, “God made me for impact. For purpose. For unrestrained joy and expectation. For the desperate person in whose path I will cross today.” Would this small affirmation change the trajectory of your day? Of your life? Do it! This is specifically how and why God created you and me. Not for ourselves. Not for selfish ambitions and fleeting happiness tied up in meaningless materialistic things that become the clutter of our lives. He created us for purpose greater than ourselves.

I have been blessed beyond blessed to meet and walk alongside hundreds of men over the past three years, since God appointed me to encourage men to walk in the light of truth and the freedom of transparency. I marvel as I see the joy that emerges when men reject the trap of the World’s definition of who they are and trust in the truth of how God defines them and reveals His purpose for their life. I have the privilege to teach and share life with men who are emerging from temporary seasons of drug, alcohol, pornography and other addictions and I stand in awe at the Savior’s amazing healing and replacing of emptiness with expectation and purpose. I learn much more than I teach and I am blessed infinitely more than I bless. The truth is this: God does not define us as the World does. Because He loves us beyond our ability to comprehend, He allows us to walk paths of brokenness, for us to use these life experiences as hope and understanding for the people He will place in our path. He knows exactly how marvelous you are and so desires for you to accept the magnificence of who you are to Him.

Today and every day, you matter. Life is made up of millions of seemingly insignificant experiences, woven together for impact. For love, joy, peace, understanding – purpose. Today, walk freely and confidently into the purpose of your existence. You are carried and covered by the undefeated Omnipotent Creator of you.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Peter Drucker

I found this note that The Holy Spirit had me write as we camped in July. Megan had taken Benton to football practice and the girls were riding around the campground, free of the cares of the World and the ‘be careful’ noise of parents, leaving me to sacred alone time (that Megan West Mullins cannot understand), reading, praying, listening…peace.

We had taken a 30” industrial fan with us to combat the hot 95+ degree July days, counting on this breeze to make things more bearable. As I sat there in my favorite place, the mountains of East TN, I enjoying the breeze from the fan, I marveled that the slightest breeze would overcome the wind of this powerful fan.

Then, Dad spoke to me.

“Myron, do you dare to limit me by comparing the wind generated by man made fans to the winds that I breathe from my lungs?

Remember in July ‘22 when, on a hot afternoon you blew wind from a fan to cool you and marveled that even with the size and force of that fan, it was no match for the breeze blowing the smoke from the fire, above the fan wind, to return to you through the fan.

Don’t allow the brevity and noise of this World to even begin to cause you to think that I, God, am humbled or beaten, with any loss of my unlimited and never reducing power. I am, that I am. I am as great today as I was the day that I created the Heavens and the Earth. I am eternal. I am eternity. I am the great, I am. My mercy and love knows no bounds. My forgiveness is limitless.

Never question my power and control because of the human fads that fade and the lies of the Evil One hidden in the veil of acceptance and choice.

The is only two choices: Me, or eternity apart from Me. Never-ending love and joy or the complete absence of all hope.”

I sat amazed at the power of this Voice, revealing to me the truth at how I limit God by asking and expecting small things so I don’t ‘bother’ Him with the enormous things, so important and needed by every human being. This caused me to face the mirror of who I am and ask, ‘do I truly believe in the amazing and unlimited power of Jesus’ blood and resurrection? Of God’s omnipotence. That nothing, absolutely nothing is too large or significant for Him…nor anything too insignificant. Do I really believe that God wants to be in a whole life relationship with me?’ I do!

Although I limit and I fail, God knows the truth of my heart and my all-encompassing desire to grow closer to Him and take another step towards righteousness in and only through Him. He is my Dad and He calls me “son.” There is no greater assurance and validation. He wants no less than a complete life-relationship with you.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)

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“Fred always considered it a life-altering relationship, a “liberating friendship.” By the time he was a senior, he was president of the student council and editor of the yearbook, “largely because I had somebody who believed in me and wasn’t afraid to say so.”

The above except is from the book by Tim Madigan, “I’m Proud of You,” chronicling his friendship with Fred Rogers, that began through his role as a newspaper reporter and evolved into a deep, loving friendship of mentor and student and men sharpening one another in life.

As I sat enjoying a too-seldom breakfast with my friend and brother-in-Christ, Adam, he was sitting patiently listening to my diatribe about the state of the economy, politics, traffic, etc., he slowly slid a book across the Nick & J’s booth with the title “I’m Proud of You.”

About 11 years ago God gifted me with a friend who could not have been more different than me with one key exception, a uniquely bizarre and awesome sense of humor, with the ability to find laughter and ‘lightness’ in most situations. A brother in Christ who was not a type-A personality like me, but a bother in Christ. A friend who over the coming years would teach me about humbleness, humility, care, love, genuine friendship, concern, hunger for Christ and righteousness, A brother from another mother, with completely different yet completing personality traits who would slowly, patiently, lovingly deliver in me a desire to change, to really change, to genuinely love, care, invest, surrender my time and energy to our Father in Heaven and to the wonderful people God would bring through my path. An extraordinary introvert who gifted me with his time and his endless friendship.

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

So, during this morning breakfast and through all the busyness of life, my friend Adam slid this book across the table to me. He said that “I thought of you when I read this book.” The emotion of the moment went back to a breakfast we had had months before (maybe years before) when I had commented to Adam that my father had never told me that he was proud of me. (Something that is incredibly important for every father to say with conviction to his daughters and sons.) As I read the book title, I again started to tell Adam that my father had never said these words to me and with eyes of love and care, Adam said, “I know and want you to know that I am proud of you.”

My gratitude to Adam was and is his amazing ability to listen, genuinely listen to the words being spoken by those who need ears that hear. What a gift. A gift confirmed by the gift of a book that addresses the very void in life that was cautiously and confidentially shared through the safety of being okay to be vulnerable and transparent with my friend. As an aside, my father is one of my best friends and an amazing man who loves me without condition and affirms his pride in me through decades of prayer as I wandered and never-ceasing encouragement to me as a son, a husband, a father and most importantly, a brother in Christ.

Affirming words are the never ending food for our soul. We are affirmed through scripture: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” 1 John 3:1.

The opening paragraph in this post were the words of Fred Rogers discussing his lifelong friend, Jim Stumbaugh, who as a star athlete, honor student and president of his class, became friends with Fred due to an injury suffered while playing football and Fred bringing his schoolwork to him at the hospital. Jim affirmed in Fred who God created Fred to be all along. The result was a man confident in who he was and literally millions of children who found hope, love and joy through a gentle, skinny, meek man made bold and purposeful by the affirmations of a friend to become an exceptional leader with a servants heart.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

My hope and prayer for you is that God brings your “Fred Rogers” into your life. Adam is mine and is a priceless gift that cannot be adequately described. My prayer is that what you don’t immediately see, God will reveal in marvelous and profoundly empowering ways to the benefit of all destined for your path.

Adam, my friend and brother, I love you. You sharpen me in the gentlest of ways.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

“God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.” Acts 19:11 NLT

Paul is the man who held the coats of those who killed Stephen, the first known Christian martyr and then tormented and zealously attacked the Church and its members, sending many to jail and others fleeing for their lives.

Think you have done things in your past that God cannot or will not forgive? Take heart, be joyful, live expectantly that we serve a God of forgiveness and future. Our God provides a large windshield for us to see our future and only a small rear-view mirror to remind us of our life experience as we drive into the plans and purpose of our lives. Accept that your past was only a training ground for your future.

Today, boldly accept and enter into the uniquely yours plans that God has created you to deliver to this World. Recognize the power of Jesus blood and resurrection. Accept the power of the Holy Spirit and your anointing as God’s chosen son or daughter. Cause evil, sickness and desperation to flee because of whose you are. Trust that you have the same power within you for righteousness that Paul was given by our Father as described in this verse.

Nothing you have done disqualifies you from relationship with God. Everything you have experienced has prepared you for the life purpose before you. You’ve got this.

More about the Blackberries:

“Good Morning Son, how did you sleep?  Are you ready to pick more blackberries this morning?”

Yes Dad, I’m ready.  Long pants, long sleeve shirt, socks, muck boots, socks, bug spray…ready.  Where should I pick today, Dad? 

“I want you to pick the exact same place you picked yesterday.”

Are you sure?  Remember, I picked that small area hard yesterday and trampled several of the bushes down as I walked and picked through.

“I remember.  I was there.  I was guiding you.  I showed you the way to the abundance of ripe berries ready to be harvested.  Trust me.”

Okay.  I just want to make sure we are getting the most possible in the shortest amount of time.  It’s really hot and I am really busy as you know.  Dad, I don’t see where I went into the bushes yesterday.  Dad, look at all the ripe blackberries in this same spot as yesterday!  Unbelievable.  It’s like these bushes were never picked.

“Myron, do you remember in Matthew 19:26 when my Son said “Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”? (NLT)  I need you to learn that I can ripen the fields much faster than you can pick them.  I want them all to be picked so I ripen them in stages allowing time for my kids to pick and tell each of them about me.”

Dad, today as I was picking I became really sad at how many berries were ripe to the point of rotting because of the heat.  I was also really bummed with how many beautiful berries that I picked fell out of my hand and to the ground.

“You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripefor harvest. ³⁶ The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! John 4:35-36 (NLT)  “Son, you did your job.  You went into the fields and picked the berries.  Some made it into the basket, others fell to the ground and others were rotten and not good for the purposes that I am having you harvest.  There is purpose in those that fell to the ground.  They will fertilize and grow new vines and new berries so the harvest continues” 

I love how the berries become jam, cobblers and many are just enjoyed as fruit direct from the vine.  The cuts on my hands, the sticking in my arms and the sweat soaking my clothes are worth the effort when we hand the jar of jam, or plate of cobbler to your kids and they enjoy the tastes, smells and fullness of your bounty.  It’s awesome to see some of what would have otherwise rotted on the vine become joy for our family and friends, and their family and friends and to people we don’t even know.  I love how many people ask if they can buy our jam and when we respond, no it is freely given.

“Son, be ready again tomorrow.  The harvest will continue.  The opportunities to bless are always in front of you. 

Did you enjoy the sound of the birds all around you while you harvested?  I stopped your ear buds from playing worship music so you would hear the worship the birds sing to me every morning.  I created them because they worship without ceasing.  I have never had a bird in a bad mood.  I have never had a bird not harvest diligently.  What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:29 (NLT)  You are worth more than the sparrows and I provide all they need.  I have all you will even need.

Son, I love you.  I am so proud of you.  Keep trying.  Keep working.  Keep stretching and growing.  Keep your eyes on me.  I will show you where to go and will have the harvest ready for your hands. 

I Love you,

Dad”

Sow righteousness for yourselves,
    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
    and showers his righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12 (NLT)

“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” 2 Chronicles 34:19-21

This was King Josiah’s response when the Book of the Law of the Lord that was given through Moses was found and its contents revealed to him. He recognized the evil and sin that Judah had committed against the Lord God.

“‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.’ Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 24-27

God’s response to the ongoing disobedience of His chosen people was that “I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people.”

In this age of modern Christianity, we want to focus on God’s love (which is endless) and tell the consumer what they want to hear, when in fact we must be telling churchgoers and one another that God’s promises and decrees are complete and 360 degrees. He did provide eternal hope and love through his son AND he also tells us in his Word that he is a jealous God whose anger burns white hot and its intensity knows no bounds.

We are a Country that was founded on the principles and morality of Christianity. As a people, we have turned our back on God’s laws and requirements. We do not have benefit that King Josiah had of pleading ignorance about God’s laws and when Josiah was made aware and understood how he had violated these laws, he immediately humbled himself. Understand without confusion, God is angry at the United States, the Country founded on Him and his laws because we have turned our backs and challenged his authority and doubted his anger.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Mark 8:36-37

I challenge you to set the priorities of this life in proper order for your children. Help them understand the temporal value of what the World says is of most value. Teach them that seeking righteousness and aspiring to obey and live lives that honor God are of utmost importance. Help them properly prioritize things so that when asked who they are or what they do, they answer without hesitation, “I am a daughter or son of God, I exist to further His Kingdom.” Set them free by helping them reject that they are defined by what college they attend, what job title they are assigned, what address they abide and what next, fleeting glamorous vacation they take.

“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

Let’s get to work humbling ourselves to the Omnipotent Creator of all things and get busy doing our Father’s business.

For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. Titus 1:10-11 (NLT)

I have heard the refrain ‘do something’ over and over in the wake of the horrifying and tragic Uvalde shooting that occurred on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. I hear a society saying to a group of 535 failed people, ‘do something.’ The target (no pun intended) is always guns, because they are easy to attack without dealing with the difficult and underlying real issues. Be clear, this group has done something along with their predecessors who sat in the seats they know fill. Things cannot be done without the majority allowing things to be done. When I speak, I often use the illustration of the mirror and its undeniable truths. You cannot look in a mirror without seeing the truth of who you are, where you have come from, your frame of mind and your expectations for the future. America must look in the mirror in this moment and be honest with ourselves. We have done somethings that has delivered us at this moment of carnage and despair.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6

I hear of the 18 year-old little boy who systematically shot and wounded his grandmother and 17 others while killing 19 children and 2 teachers referred to as a ‘monster’, an ‘animal’, ‘pure evil’ and on and on. His actions are deserving of all of those labels. His life is deserving of labels including tragic, failed, broken, desperate, abandoned. A son of parents with long criminal histories, drug addiction, mother living with a boyfriend who drove him away to his grandparents. A life devoid of example, parents and leading. I have never heard the words God, Christ, Church…faith, hope, love, these things when his life is described.

“Parents, don’t provoke your children in a way that ends up discouraging them.” Colossians 3:21

A little boy desperate for love and acceptance, needing someone to pour into him that his life had purpose and that he was valued. Described as a ‘loner’ by most who knew of him, bullied by kids at school, left to seek understanding on his own. DO SOMETHING the chorus of the mob chants today. If only those in Salvador’s path would have done something to acknowledge that he was created by God for a purpose of good.

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15 (NLT)

Until 1968 anyone could walk into a story and purchase a gun without filling out any type of form, or worry about their data being stored by the government for a still undermined purpose. Since 1968, there have been hundreds of laws passed pertaining to guns, gun ownership, types of guns that can be owned including preventing the ownership of automatic guns and restricting everything from types/styles of guns, types of magazine, types of ammunition and on and on. Ironically, as gun laws have increased and cities like New York and Chicago have implemented non-constitutional laws that prevent gun ownership, crime and gun crimes have skyrocketed. When London implemented laws that prevented and criminalized gun ownership, violent crime skyrocketed.

I have owned and known gun owners for most of my 58 years on Earth and have yet to see a gun jump up and shoot people. Nor have I seen a knife jump up and stab a person, a car start and kill a family, alcohol force it way into a person, a baseball bat decide to no longer hit balls and decide to harm humans. I have seen a digression in the recognition of the value of life by certain users of all of the aforementioned inanimate objects that I listed. I have seen the purposeful destruction of the parents of kids in our society, reducing the parents rights and encouraging the children to learn from a broken society versus the home that had been the primary source of character, moral and spiritual education in the child’s life. I have seen a government become more intrusive in the lives of every American, reducing rights and removing the influence of values through experimental legislation and societal change for the purpose of satisfying the misguided desires of the very small minority. I have witnessed the removal of God from our schools and society, the demonization of our Country’s pledge of allegiance and flag, the ever increasing and educationally driven confusion over gender, sexual orientation, race shaming, parent diminishing, core curriculum assaulting agendas of the National Education Association, while the National School Boards Association works feverishly to criminalize the rights of parents…through the over reach of our government.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

The tragic destruction of the family and the resulting confusion or outright disdain for the value of life have and are causing the horrifying and immeasurably sad actions of children killing humans. We focus on the disgusting act of a young man, while ignoring the hundreds of similar actions that play out weekly in our most highly regulated and “gun controlled” cities. We focus on the low hanging fruit instead of accepting the brokenness of our society as opposed to focusing on the heavy burden of fixing that which is broken. Creating more unenforceable gun laws is a means to feel better “that something has been done” as opposed to courageously saying ‘we have taken our Country down wrong paths and our children are paying for our wrong leading.’

Because a person decides to drink alcohol to excess and get behind the wheel of a car, too often killing a family or a son or daughter, I don’t think the answer is to remove cars from society and bring back the wagon. America’s educators and far-right political opportunists create in me much greater fear and have agendas that will wreak significantly more destruction through suicide and desperation in the form of “educational or societal reform” than an inanimate object possibly ever could. No child should live in fear of harm either physically, mentally or emotionally. Every child is deserving of love, a home with a man (father) and woman (mother), opportunity and encouragement to pursue the God-given purposes for which they were created as a boy or a girl. Acronyms in our society (NRA, NEA, NSBA, BLM, NMA and on and on) represent the interests of the constituents, most of the time at the cost of too many others, AKA “the majority.”

I agree that our government should do what they are entrusted to do: protect our rights, acknowledge the sanctity of the home and the protected role of the parent and build a society that honors one another while zealously guarding our way and quality of life. Hard things that will diminish the tragedies occurring all around us.

Step one. Let’s recognize the gift and purpose in every life around us.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV)

A great friend of mine, Gary Bekker, wrote this comment yesterday to a group of men that I am privileged to be a part of: “The most amazing thing about this inheritance (referencing the inheritance that God offers and gives us in Christ Jesus), is that there are no performance criteria that we need to meet to receive it. Just believe and receive.”

Have you heard the term “generational skip” used? Over the past decades, I have worked for and with a lot of very wealthy people who would plan for the transfer of the wealth they had amassed in a variety of ways through simple inheritance upon their death to complex trusts with a variety of controls assigned to the trust designed to protect the assets of the trust and the purpose of the recipient’s life. Simply put, the inheritance was typically a reward and the trusts were complex and controlling. In a business setting, I often heard this discussed out of concern from the people that I worked with and for, that their sons or daughters would live lives of meaning, purpose and impact. Using what they had inherited, or been entrusted, to make a difference rather than simply live gratuitous lives of self indulgence. Hmm, sound familiar to what the World is selling today?

I recall sitting at a board (often confused with bored) meeting for a company that I was entrusted to lead at the time and during the lead up to the meeting start, listening to the business’s majority owner’s son discussing his first disbursement from a sizeable trust in his name. He was telling that he had just ordered a new 2-seat Mercedes and was discussing all the bells and whistles that he had added to the car. To be clear, this guy was a genuinely nice guy whose father had him jump through a lot of life hoops to arrive at this moment. As he was talking, I remember thinking, ‘your dad never drives anything but a moderate, American-made car. I wonder how he will respond to your purchase?’ After several minutes of telling us all about the car, the father looked up from his work and said “I’ll tell you now, that if I see that car parked in your driveway, it will be the most expensive Mercedes in history because there will not be additional trust disbursements!” Upon hearing this, the son (without missing a beat said, “boys looks like it’s going to be a Buick.” The Trust was revocable.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ²⁴ Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

God assures us through His Son’s death and resurrection that ours is an irrevocable inheritance. So this begs the question, what inheritance understanding are we passing to our children and all those in our path? This is the Prom, elevation and graduation season, moving from preschool to elementary, to middle and high school, college and graduate school and “out into the World.” There is always much fanfare, pomp and celebration for these World assigned benchmarks of importance, and it is important to recognize achievement in meaningful things. The question begs, are we pointing others to the singularly important thing in life? A relationship with Jesus Christ, through the freely given inheritance of eternity?” The Gospel truth.

“So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?” Ecclesiastes 2:17-18 (NIV)

Where are we pointing the next generation? Toward Jesus and the only truth and light that exist in this World today. The only! Having now gone through numerous seasons in my life and headed into yet another season, God has placed upon my heart to empower His next generation. Protect them. Boldly speak out to them of who He says they are and Whose they are. Teach them to be aware of the lies the World will tell them of what is important. Things that very well may take them away from the only truly important aspect of this life of fleeting seconds leading to eternity’s choice. Heaven or Hell. Encourage them to pursue exactly who God has created them to be. His daughters and sons representing Him, executing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), leading others to relationship with Him…all through the vocation(s) that they are destined to attain and live out as Christ Followers. The only title that and attainment of importance, His daughter or son.

There is real truth in the statement, how we live our lives defines that which is important in our lives. A wonderful pastor friend that has had profound influence on my life asked me one time, “Myron, when you are in a room full of people, do you stand out?” He asked me this in reference to my faith and my actions because they should differentiate me in a business setting. This question haunted me at first and over time became a life mantra I pursue: Lord, in every situation stand out through me. My prayer for each of us is that we will protect the next generation and not skip them. That through our genuine love and time, we will teach them that which is important. A sold out life to Jesus Christ, lived each day with purpose and impact. I life that celebrates the achievements based in relationship with Him. Lives focused on the only ‘next’ that matters; Heaven or Hell.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NLT)

Let’s go. The next generation is waiting.

Don’t you love how, if you will allow Him, God will use all things as teaching moments for us in our life? The key considerations here are: 1), do I allow Him; and 2) am I teachable?

“8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.” Luke 21:8-11

I am guilty of being upset, concerned, stressed, confused at all that is happening around me. Being disillusioned by the events occurring both domestically and internationally. Desiring to lash out at those that I disagree with, using my ‘vote,’ my righteous indignation to protest and change all that is wrong occurring around me. Hmm, then that pesky verse Matthew 7:5 shows up: “You hypocrite! First, remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” WEB translation.

So as I rant, lose valuable time, sacrifice my energy at the alter of “I can change things” clearly outlined as ‘to come’ in the Bible. My Father in Heaven is saying to me, “do you trust me? Do you have faith in me in all things? Is your relationship with me conditional, based upon the status of the temporal things of this Earth? Myron, do you believe all that I had written as a guidepost for your life and the source of outlining what must and is to come?”

So, He is saying to me. Myron, …”Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to be will be condemned.” Mark 16: 15-16 NLT (As a side note, I love who God speaks directly to me and I interpret this to affirm that I am counted among His favorites. A guy can dream and if you dream, dream big.)

The hard question that I continually struggle with is “do my actions and does my life reflect what Jesus and the Father foretold in the guiding book of my life?” Does my complaining, accusing, worrying, self-righteous indignation reflect the Gospel and what my life as a Believer is instructed to represent? Does my reflection mirror a man pursuing righteousness and presenting the hope of the Savior?

I choose hope in Him. I choose joy in all things. I choose to believe and accept all things occurring are foretold and must occur for me to be one day closer to my Father in Heaven for eternity. I choose to love and pray for those that I disagree with, recognizing that they are equally created by the Creator of all things, needing His love as I need His love. I choose to believe more strongly than ever in the deity of God and the power of our petitions to Him in prayer. I believe.

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 NASB

Let’s go!