Category Archives: Christian Living
Better Luck Next Time
So I woke up early on my day off to participate in a motorcycle safety riders course. I had this idea that when I reached the next rank I would buy my motorcycle. I thought of it like a graduation gift to
myself.
Reality hit me with a big bat of
“
What If
“
I have never ridden a motorcycle before. Furthermore, would I want to ride one if I learned how? So off I went. I arrived at the class and learned! As a leader you may have to get out and do something new, especially if you want a different result. Try, even if it may flop, but never be afraid to venture. It is what keeps us going. I believe our Heavenly Father has created us and his DNA can be seen in people every day. This is your moment to unlock your true potential! The potential that God releases over your life for the purposes he has already destined. Venture out!!!
And that’s what I did. I went to the basic riders course. Let me tell you I had a great time. The instructors were very patient with us and I learned the basics. I was given a bike and I was “cool” with my helmet and boots. It was great. Did I pass? No, I didn’t. I didn’t pass because the instructors felt I needed more time with the motorcycle. I agree with them whole heartily…it was my first ride ever. Sometimes we just need to realize we need a little bit more experience. That’s okay. Remember John Mark (Acts 15:36-41)? Well, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement about his ability to minister help at one point because Mark had abandoned them before…he needed some more experience. Then, later in Luke 4:11 Paul sends for Mark because he would be very helpful to Paul for the ministry. He flopped before! He flopped in a way that would seem big to us…to the point of running out on his team, but did God count him out? NO, he gave him another opportunity. You my friend may have flopped before, but don’t stop venturing out…you may have better luck next time!
Free to share
Friday Focus: Serve in love
Serve in love…
No one enjoys having a cold sore- because they hurt, and whoever you speak to does not listen to anything you say because they are fixated on “that thing” on your lip. At least that is what we may perceive. So what do cold sores have to do with serving? Well let me take you on a trip. My son is such an awesome young man! I love him for who he is and who God is making him to be. This weeks focus is on serving with love. Anyway, he wanted a drink of my beverage, but I had a cold sore and my wife shouted “don’t use his straw! Look, Daddy has an ouchie on his lip!” To my surprise my son grabbed my cheeks, looked at my sore, then looked at me straight in the eye and says “I don’t see an ouchie, I see my daddy and I love him.”
I was expecting to hear an “ewe that’s gross”. He did what I believe our focus should be this week when we serve in our ministries or jobs. We should serve with love. Serving with love is not weakness. Serving in love is like, on the eve of your betrayal after dinner you grab a towel and basin to wash your students feet. Serving in love is waiting for the master to just say the word for your daughter to be healed. Serving in love is helping a victim even to the point where your’re paying for his expenses while others have passed him by.
Serving in love is healing the hurts, loving them through it, like Jesus.
Free to share
Friday Focus
In the spirit of blogging I am attempting a new project. It will be called ” Friday focus” and the intent would be to focus on serving the ones who serve highlighting a focus of servant leadership. This weeks focus is on the call of leadership.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 KJV)
If God be for us, than who cam be against us? Too often the question comes to the forefront of I am not able to carry out the task of _________. You get the idea. “I don’t think I’m able to support my pastor,” or “I don’t think I’m ready to begin ministry,” How can I lead? “. Well the answer lies in these words penned over two thousand years ago.
I want to share that apart from Christ, we can do nothing ………. That means nothing , NO thing, projects that have been completed without the leading and direction of his holy inspiration will come to ruin in time. This is why, in my opinion many “on fire leaders” soon burn out as a result of an unbalanced life style. But that is another focus.
I have a tool box at home and each tool has a function, even the brake bleeder kit with its rustic blend of hose and jar with a coat hanger to compliment the home manufactured asset. Each tool is designed for use to assist in the production of the end item. By it self it can’t do anything but in the hands of a mechanical ninja. It can breakdown or build. These tools have been designed for the challenges it will face and much like a butter knife it can be made versatile for other uses.
We can be referred to as tools in God’s tool box. Tools that can produce or destroy. In the hands of the master mechanic we can do many things but failure is not on the list. If The Lord who called you formed you and designed you for the purpose that only you can do, then what things can try to come against or better yet win against the armies of God. You are unstoppable because of Christ who lives and lives inside your heart. Because of whose you are you are able to do greater things that have been recorded in history why? Because you are a tool, used by God. When you belong to his toolbox you’re not alone you have other tools that can help bring change, to find hurts and heal them. And with a team that strong, who can win against you.
So as services begin and the people need a word. Know that you are not alone but part of a team. And we are behind you in your service to The Lord, together who can be against us.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 KJV)
Escalanteministries.com 