Opinion. Observation. Application.
Jesus said, “If I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me….” Obvious double meaning in His proclamation. First, He would be “lifted up” when crucified on the cross. He was talking about how His own death would be part of “drawing all men to Him.” Second, Jesus is telling us if we direct people to Him through how we live our lives, that He will do the “heavy lifting” in our lives and through our lives. Ultimately it is Jesus who draws people, not us. We are just instruments and vessels of His use and choosing.
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
We met with an exhausted Pastor today who has worked hard and become worn out through the day to day of ministry. It reminded us how important it is for people to pray for Pastoral Leaders. Also, it is important to express our appreciation–through any/every way we are able. The more exhausted a person becomes the less they feel they are a person of value. Expressing appreciation and validation gives people people at least a chance to feel a sense of value and validated in their life, family, and ministry.
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Bonus Day #196 found us in a place that didn’t really want us (at the most) or didn’t care in the least we were there to help. A Pastor going on a Sabbatical lined us up to come two weekends to do some Leadership Development with his Church Board. One weekend was toward the beginning of the Sabbatical and the second weekend was toward the end. He gave us the subject to work on (as per the grant he successfully wrote for the Sabbatical). The Pastor specifically asked us to work toward a subject and wanted his Board to meet on their own between the two weekends and create ideas, procedures, and policies to help with a long time issue that has challenged the Church. We gave out the assignments but basically the Church Board didn’t do much to work toward the objectives the Pastor gave us. (I am being very nice in my description–their attitudes were much worse). What it came down to is that the Church Board just didn’t agree with the Pastor’s subject and/or didn’t like how I/we (Marceil and I) approached the subject. The only thing I know and can stand on is……nothing is a waste if God opens the door. No matter how rude people can be, or reject you through a passive/aggressive approach the truth is still:
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Packing boxes and then second guessing whether you should move it or throw it is something that happens, but at 59 years old, becomes a real thing in moving. I tell myself “once I get moved into the next place I’ll go through stuff and toss out things that we don’t need. Yet, after 7 years in the same house, I haven’t done it. My biggest motivation to toss things that only have meaning to me is the picture I get of my kids going through my stuff after I’m dead and looking and laughing at the things I kept. But then, as my friend and attorney, Tom Hamilton says, “You mean when you are dead?!” Meaning–what are you worried about? You will be dead when people throw out your stuff. I just convinced myself. Keep it. Pack it. Move it. Let it be someone else’s problem. Ha!
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Knowing we have our home sold and likely to close and need to move out in less than a month) there is a feeling that we need to get settled on our next home. Yet, things didn’t work out on one we had settled on (an inspection revealed a bunch of issues). The thought of facing being “homeless” is an interesting process on a “Bonus Day.” It really takes “God is in control” to a whole new level. It also puts God’s challenge to Abraham to pack up to leave his homeland to more of a personal level. You got to love the fact that God never let’s us coast! Bonus Days are awesome. AND…
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
We looked at a couple houses today, trying to determine God’s will for our next home. We always pray for wisdom and clarity–and usually get both in every situation. It is an interesting perspective thinking of what home to live in during your bonus days. On one hand, you don’t want to waste and minute and live where you want, on the other, a house is just the roof over the top of your head. Balance and perspective are important when thinking of buying a house–but are also important in any/every endeavor.
Every day is a Bonus Day.
Much Love,
Marc
I was able to meet up and catch up with a long time friend today. He gave me some advice and asserted himself into a couple situations I was facing. It reminded how important friends are in our journey of life. God provides us with wise counsel to learn from and apply. We need each other.
Every day is a Bonus Day.
Much Love,
Marc
I was delighted to be able to start teaching on this year’s project from Psalm 37. It is a great chapter in a great book of the Bible. I was lined up to lead a spiritual renewal challenge at a Church in Indiana and am using Psalm 37 to lead it. The people are open and listening–which is critical in spiritual renewal. I am very appreciative to be able to teach the Bible during a Bonus Day.
Every day is a Bonus Day.
Much Love,
Marc
So on Bonus Day 190 I stay up late watching two of my favorite College Football Teams to follow–on at the same time–on ABC and Fox. Both lose their games at the very end! I was pretty bummed out laying in bed thinking about both teams I watched for the last 3 hours and one of them into over time, then it occurred to me–AT LEAST I AM ENJOYING A BONUS DAY!
Plus:
Every day is a Bonus Day.
Much Love,
Marc
This morning while packing boxes for our move I realized that we were packing up (having sold our house and the house we purchased is falling through because of a bad inspection) I thought about Abraham packing up his household because said “pack up and go to the land I will tell you.” Abraham didn’t know where he was going either. At least we are in good company. Ha!
Every day is a Bonus Day.
Much Love,
Marc
