The Message For Myself: Keep working on it...

Tonight (this morning for some of you), I watched @JjMcNown's message on youtube.com, called "How to live life with STRENGTH. And how to finish STRONG." It was an older one from when he was pastoring Foundation Church Portland, via Fortis Media. It sent a message to me, beyond any of my expectations. JJ is talking about Jacob, and what he was able to tell his children (at some point) before his death.

Seriously, I really had to share this with you today!  Really. Seriously. None of us know how long we are going to be given on this earthly plane.  We all heard about Kobe Bryant's tragic death today, but there were other families, too, that lost loved ones. One family lost three.  For those of us that have children, maybe a generation or two down from us, what would we tell them if we were on our death bed, or knew we'd be gone soon? No. We don't know.  Too morbid? Too soon? Sorry. Well, really, not sorry.  I know this is a struggle for many people to know what to want for our children.  But, after you see this video, and what JJ is telling us here, you may know exactly what it is you are supposed to tell them. And you will know why.



Now, for some of the readers of this column, you may want to go back to the beginning of this video, and see something that I thought was noticeable. JJ McNown seems to be struggling to find the right words at first. He admits to struggles in his own life, where he needs the armor of God. Here is a verse that I know helped him through those trying days.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:12-13 NIV

And now, for an encore, I bring you a song that I just wrote while playing by ear, when I was struggling with finding my purpose. This was back last Summer, when I had lost a love of my life. I wanted to be the right guy, but found out I wasn't. Very long story. But playing music, and sharing it, made me feel like I could stand my ground. Here's the song:

Why I Need to Do Something Different

By John Kubicek

I originally wrote this back on December 27, 2011, but I never published it. I was going to add more to this, but that didn't happen. It does just happen, though, that this topic will fit in with another project I am currently working on, and so posting this is essential in making my point. As is, it is done.

The interesting thing is that I did not have to change the title. It fits perfectly with the blog that will link to this column.

Here is what I wrote back on December 27:

There is one thing that I've learned, and it took way too long for me to figure it out: Change is inevitable. It all hit me during the most recent December holiday weekend... (Okay, I'll say it: The days we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, known as Christmas.) I had my epiphany, and it was not easy for me to accept. But accept the truth I must, because if I don't, I won't survive the new century that we are embarking on.

In order to find a way to go along with all of the changes that we will face in life, it is essential that we are willing to make adjustments to our life plans that will enhance our ability to adapt to changing conditions.

The problem is, seeing a tradition end is not an easy emotion to overcome. I experienced the perfect example of that on Christmas Eve. A long-time family tradition of a large get-together on Christmas Eve with my family seems to be fading away. The grand-parent's (my parents) grand-children are spread across the country now, and can't get back to Iowa at this time to keep the tradition alive. I knew after the most recent Christmas Eve on Saturday evening that it'll never be the same.

Don't be afraid!

WE the PEOPLE

are the MOB
ONE NATION UNDER GOD

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
johnny2k's Tea Party Gear

Doing it all for the glory of God

~ Guest Writer ~

By rjw

Recently, I offered to submit a contribution for an upcoming issue of Generations. I had in mind an accounting of a recent and difficult trial in my life that the Lord is still bringing me through. For several weeks I toiled to produce something, but I could not put down in few enough words the accounting of what occurred in my life. The text of my story did not allow enough space to include God and what He had done for me. For days I pondered over what I wanted to say and how to say it. The truth was, I had writers block and I could not write what I wanted to contribute.

I had made a commitment to get my contribution to Generations submitted within a certain time frame. I wrote, deleted some, then rewrote a little more without any result. Frustrated, I asked God a simple Question; “What am I doing wrong? What would you have me say, Lord?”

His answer came to me very quietly. Quiet as it was, His answer was very clear. I was focusing too much on the details of my recent trials. Too much print was being devoted to my problems, while too little space was devoted to the Lord. Additionally, I realized that I was glorifying myself through how I had suffered through my problems, while I failed to humble myself in giving God all the glory for what He was doing to handle everything.

1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

What I have learned, what God has taught me, what I believe Him to be inspiring me to say is the following; Whether I am writing a submission for Generations, or in all else that I set out do in my life, I am to do it to glorify Him.

I must learn to kick my pride to the curb through humbling myself. I understand that whatever I do, all of my actions and thoughts are to be done to Glorify God. This is such a simple lesson, yet it is also such a gargantuan task for me as just a mere man.

In my business dealings, personal relationships and in all of my deeds and thoughts, I must do all things in such a fashion that glorifies God, not me. The task before me is monumental which I will undoubtedly foul up from time to time. I know that over time, placing God before me in all that I set out to do will become easier as it becomes habit.

Thank God I have the saving grace of Jesus, that when I fail, He is forgiving and loving enough to let me have another chance in honoring and glorifying Him in all that I do.