#Prepare - "Soar"

“But they that wait…Soar!"

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Exodus 19:4 - You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Why do we sometimes delay our dreams and allow ourselves to become discouraged, while knowing all along God has a plan for us to soar?

What hinders our ability to soar as we find ourselves grounded and still in the hanger?

I think there are so many reasons why we get derailed and distracted along the way. But I think the number one reason we find ourselves forgoing the mission is we quit!

Now I'm not saying we quit easily. I’m saying we reach a point where we may have allowed the enemy to weaken our passion and we no longer see the purpose in it. Or we begin to question our own worthiness in achieving such a goal? Or perhaps we are not seeing the results after months of striving and the “other” things divert our attention?

To truly soar, we must prepare by remembering our source.

The source!

In Exodus 19:4, God reminds the Israelites through Moses of the source. His source! His strength! God said,

"You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.”

We quit because we move away from God’s strength as we rely on only ours.Time after time God provided the way for His people, moving them out of Egypt, all the way to the promised land. Even when the Israelites repeatedly forgot to rely on God’s wings to protect them, He never changed, He never wavered, His ultimate plan for His children.
Just like any great parent, God wants us to soar!

In one of the most quoted verses in the Old Testament, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah speaks of God’s strength for the weary, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
There it is! “But they that wait!”
We stop. We quit because at times we do not wait!

If we would just wait and wait on the Lord…the “Lord shall renew” our strength!”

To prepare to soar we must sometimes wait. And what we wait for can be the difference.

We wait for the source. His source. His strength.

In this intentional time of preparation, Isaiah goes on to say,

"they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

DADs, let us not quit in those areas eternal. Let us prepare to soar and persevere knowing God’s strength is our source.
Let us remember the words Paul, author of Galatians, wrote as an encouragement to the church there, in Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

DADs don't quit!

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men, Suit Up!

**This week we examined the source enabling us to soar! Next week we explore what it means to help be prepared for life's hurts, and how we can navigate through our sorrows**

Week 16 - #Prepare - “Flight" Are You Prepared for Takeoff?

2 Timothy 2:22:So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

1 Corinthians 10:23: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Ephesians 5:15: Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.

OK, so I know this is going to date me but I was in high school, and college when singer Kenny Rogers was releasing hit after hit on the radio. Songs like “Coward of the County,” and “Lucille.” I was such a fan of Kenny’s music that I personally requested his 1980 song written by Lionel Richie, called “Lady” sung at my wedding! I’ll never forget looking into my brides eyes and hearing the first line of that all time great,

“Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor, and I love you.You have made me what I am, and I am yours”

But, probably the most famous of all Kenny Rogers songs, released a year earlier, topping the billboard charts as well was, “The Gambler.” This classic country tune includes a chorus that is often heard quoted today by many, and aligns well with our focus as we prepare for “flight.” Without any doubt, I’m confident anyone older than 55 will remember these words:

"You've got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away And know when to run"

So on Friday I was interviewing a good friend and ministry associate for a brand new podcast and the topic discussed was “time."

Together, we discussed issues of our busyness, schedules, and the full gamut of things we find ourselves covered up with. We exhibited what Stephen Covey frequently alluded to, "allowing the little things to squeeze out what we might refer to as our "big rocks."

In other words we allow "what matters most to be sacrificed sometimes for what matters least."

In that same interview with my friend, and colleague, he shared a story including the scripture found in Ephesians 5:15, where Paul exhorts us all to “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.”

The question derived from Pauls’s teachings, my colleague shared, was when it comes to our time, was simply to ask, “is it wise?”

You see there are many things we all do or choose to do in our life’s journeys seen as being “good,” but,“is it wise?”

What if we put into practice regularly with our preparation, asking this one simple question of ourselves in all circumstances? Is it wise for today? Is it wise for the big picture? Is it wise for our family?

DADs, what are the things you are doing now causing you to flee and take flight? What are you doing that Kenny Rogers said in his song to literally “know when to run?”

In this year of preparation what do you need to do to “establish, fix or apply” when it comes to your “flight plan?” Do you know when to hold’em and more importantly know when to fold'em?

DADs, do not think for a single moment, what you are struggling with to let go, is unique to only you.

In 1 Corinthians 10:23, we are reminded, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

DADs, although your battle is not unique, God provides a flight plan specifically for you!

All He desires is for us is to heed the instructions found in 2 Timothy 2:22, to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

My brothers always remember to ask the question, Is it wise?

If the answer is no, then get yourself prepared for takeoff!

To God be the glory!

DADs“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Two weeks ago we examined preparation for “fight.” Today we are reminded the need to consider as well those things to take “flight.” Next week we will consider the plans God has for you as His disciples we prepare to “soar.”**

Week 15 - #Prepare - “What’s Worth Fighting For?”

Ephesians 6:13:Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

2 Timothy 4:7:I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Through my teenage years there were still cigarette commercials on TV, and there was one cigarette commercial promoting a slogan I still remember to this day.

"Us Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch!" This enduring slogan that appeared in magazine, newspaper, and television advertisements for Tareyton cigarettes from 1963 until 1981. It was the American Tobacco Company's most visible advertising campaign in the 1960s and 1970s.

Now I have never smoked a single cigarette (cigar on occasion around the poker table) in my entire life, so I cannot empathize with those that would rather fight than switch when it comes to cigarettes. But, it does make me wonder as we reflect on this slogan today, to ask “what are those things in your life you are so passionate about that you would rather fight than switch?”

I am not in any way literally talking about, nor endorsing, physical fighting. I am speaking about standing up for those you love, those that love you, and the causes that have the potential to positively transform lives that you hold dear to your heart.

What are those things that move you? You see if we are not moved by something(s), we are essentially just existing. If we are not “moved” we become stagnant. Stagnant becomes stale, and stale renders us apathetic as we find ourselves sitting on our hands watching life pass us by.

I believe fighting is a combination of passion plus action. Action that is purposeful and guided; bringing a vision into focus and fruition.

Ok, so how did we get here? From a slogan about cigarettes to pondering a deep question about fighting for our nonnegotiables?

We got here because every day God gives us is game day. God desires us to carry His banner. To fight for His Kingdom. To fight past our differences. To fight past our daily struggles. To fight to give God the glory in both good times and bad.

In this year of preparation, what do you need to do to insert yourself in the game? To fight as a participant. To be a contributor. We prep to fight by discerning and heeding God’s calling for us to connect our passion to action.

One more thing. Put on your armor! As Paul exhorted in Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

DADs, let's Suit Up and prepare to put on the armor of light Today!

To God be the glory!

DADs - “get in the game”… Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

*Next week we will talk about what it means to prepare for flight. When do we, as the Hall of Fame singer Kenny Rogers once sang in his song the Gambler...“know when to hold them and know when to fold them?"

Remember to pass along our blog to those you believe would benefit from our message.**

Week 14 - #Prepare - “Listen”

Are You Really Listening?

James 19 - "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger"

Proverbs 18:13 - "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."

Wouldn’t you think since God gave us one mouth and two ears that we would listen twice as much as we spoke?

I’m sure that was probably God’s intention, for us to listen more, and speak less, but as history shows throughout the Bible we often fall short of God’s instructions.

Through the years I have realized the urgency in developing my listening skills but I have not made it important.

Like the topic of prayer that we discussed last week, listening for me does not come easy. We must all become better listeners!

In the book of James, verse 19, - we are given these specific instructions...

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

Do you know one thing that comes out of thoughtful and intentional listening?

Legitimacy!

Yes, legitimacy.

Legitimacy in the eyes of those we give the gift of active and focused listening.

So why then do we withhold this precious gift?

Maybe because we think we have so much to share? Or because we are just modeling what the world embraces to be heard. To voice our opinion while possessing a disregard for others ideas. To essentially be the loudest in the room.

You may be asking “How do we stop this train?”

We start with us.

You and me.

First, with impressive empathy, we begin inside our own homes with our wives and children. We do this by acknowledging the need “to establish, fix, or apply,” ways to prepare intentionally, to practice our listening with those we love the most.

Otherwise, if we do not, we will only reap what it says in

Proverbs 18:13, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

When I look in the mirror I want to see a man that has committed to becoming a better listener. I am wanting to avoid folly and shame.

I have much work to do. It’s time to prepare with both urgency and importance to better listen Today.

DADs...will you join me?

To God be the glory!

DADs - “get in the game”… Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

*Next week we will talk about what it means to prepare to fight for those things that matter most. Remember to pass along our blog to those you believe would benefit from our message.