Inspired Pt.1

Ideas capture the mind, inspiration compels the heart. Why is this, because, anything birthed in the heart is hard to let go. I've had ideas that come and go, ideas that never quite take off or ideas that were just bad all together. Being inspired has a way of getting my full attention and getting the attention of others. Inspiration has a resounding effect on the heart when pursued. When I've been inspired to do something, experience something or accomplish something, there is very little that can stop me especially when I know it's God doing the inspiring. Inspiration is like a fire that consumes a person from the inside, ignites anyone around and spreads even further. Take a look at Twitter, how many times have you seen someone post something inspirational. 75% of people I follow on Twitter and Facebook say something inspirational more than once a week, is that coincidence or am I just following inspirational people? Where does this desire to leave something behind, make an impact, and to say something important come from?  

There must be a common denominator...

I believe God wants us to live inspired lives for Him. What does that look like, an inspired life for God? A life inspired by God, is living with a heightened awareness of who God is, His purpose in our lives and lastly a heightened awareness to those who around us daily.

You see, your life is a story, it's a story fearfully and wonderfully created, it's unique and it's to be filled with inspiration. Be inspired... There is more to come on this thought later. 

I'm curious though, what or who has inspired you in life? Why? Feel free to comment below. 

Just let it go, somehow, some way...

I'm literally writing this blog just minutes outside of a big disappointment. I have a lot on my mind, plenty to still do, oh yeah and I'm preaching tomorrow to people on how to live a better life. Immediately I began to call on the Lord because the best thing to do when you feel alone is to get alone with God. I had a decision just a few minutes ago, I could continue to be disappointed, hurt and angry or I could just give it to God and let it go. I asked God what I should do and really felt in my heart just to let what I was feeling go.

Listen, people are going to disappoint you, you will have unmet expectations in life, and you will experience hurt and after each of those moments you will have a decision to make. You will have the decision to let it go on, or to seriously let it go and give it to God. I look at it this way, the longer I hold onto things that hurt, disappoint and anger me the longer I get hurt in the end. If you grabbed a cast iron pan that was hot by the handle you would get seriously burned, but who would continue to clinch their fist around the handle and hold onto it? It's the same way in life, you have to do everything in your power to let things go otherwise you'll continue to get hurt. Truthfully I've gotten burned while cooking a lot, but I hardly have any scars at all because I let go quickly, get the picture?
Let it go, somehow, some way, find an alone place with God and let it go, you'll be glad that you did.

The Back Burner

If I ever have the chance, I just might take up being a chef on the side... I love cooking so here's another cooking illustration for you. Sometimes when I cook I can have as much as three to four things on the stove as I prepare a meal. The front two burners are the most important, I need to watch those items, pay extra attention and make sure I revisit them often. The items on the back burner however are different. Items on the back burner are an important part of my menu, but they will always have reduced flame, reduced attention and reduced priority.

Sadly many people, (and I have been guilty of this as well) place God on the back burner of their lives. How can we expect to have a life that is piping hot with purpose, bubbling with blessing, and as flavorful as life can get, if our relationship with God is on the back burner? Isn't it true that the minute things go wrong, take an unexpected turn and we have no answers, is the same minute we put God back on the front burner again? If there is one thing that I've learned is this "if anything is before God everything will eventually fail." You and I cannot, and should not, even attempt life with God on the back burner. You need God, burning, bubbling, and boiling hot first in your life otherwise your purpose, destiny, and greatest dreams are just simmering and probably just barely at that. Keep God on the front burner and your life will flourish beyond measure.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4

Something small but powerful...

It's Tuesday October 13th, and we are experiencing our first real storm of the rainy season. Tree's are blowing in the wind, palm tree remnants are on the roads and visibility was extremely poor at times during my drive. Something small but powerful caught my attention this morning though as I passed a church during my drive into work. On the church property there are three flag poles, each with a flag hoisted atop. The first flag I noticed was the California state flag, this flag was not blowing at all. Matter of fact the California flag looked like it had been wrung. I begin to think, similar to the state of the California flag, California has been through the wringer in terms of the economy. Families, homes, communities and jobs, have all gone through a tremendous storm that has affected the luster of the Golden State.

Next I saw the American flag, although it was flying, it was barely able to fly. A corner of the flag was actually folded up and the flag looked incomplete. I believe that there is a grace upon our nation that is allowing us to rebound from one of the greatest economic struggles we have ever seen. It's not the Fed lowering interest rates, it's not jobs starting to come back, it's not even a different president that is keeping America flying, it's the grace of God.

Lastly I saw the Christian Flag, and this flag although it was being pounded by wind and rain continued to fly as if there was no storm at all. I love what a visiting speaker at our church recently said "There is no crisis when Christ is." When Christ is...your trust, hope, strength, and faith, no matter what, you will be able to fly. The crisis, rain, wind, and storms of life no matter how ugly, how big, and how long they may seem to last cannot stop who Christ is. Your meant to soar, meant to fly, meant to spread your wings in this life and be the best You that God has called you to be. Fly today, no matter what your crisis is...because Christ is...

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23:6