Week 48 - #Prepare - Delivering the Goods!

"and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" - Matthew 6:13

"Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." - Job 29:12-13

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." - I Corinthians 15:3-4

deliver : to give results that are promised, expected, or desired

Why is it, no matter how old we are we can still get excited when we see the UPS truck on our street, just hoping the driver will stop at our house with a special delivery just for us?

There is something magical about getting a delivery, no matter a package or letter, big or small!

Even my dog Sienna gets excited every evening when I ask her if she wants to go to the mailbox with me.

Today as I’m writing this, I’m wondering with anticipation if the gifts I ordered online yesterday will be here in time for Christmas?

How contrary to the excitement when we are the ones receiving, compared to when we’re the ones doing the delivering. I wonder what would happen if our giving matched our receiving?

DADs, how is your delivery service? Do you deliver in the rain, sleet or snow? Through crisis and chaos at home?

At the height of the busyness, do you make what matters most your priority mail?

Or do you discover your “delivering” sometimes falls short of the customer’s expectations. Customers including your colleagues at work, and even more importantly your family at home?

Again, I ponder, why is it we have such high expectations like a kid on Christmas morning, receiving the long awaited presents, but sometimes fail to carry out those same expectations when we are the one to deliver?

When I think about our preparation to deliver I’m reminded of the maxim we were all taught as a child, “The Golden Rule.” The principle of treating others as one wants to be treated.

The most familiar version of the Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

During this time of year when we are in the middle of the holiday season of giving and receiving, I especially like to reflect upon this scripture found in Job 29:12-13:

“Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy."

Meditating on these words, not only prompts me to receive each day, as a new gift from God, but on the flip side, encourages me to approach my preparation daily to deliver, in such a way, that each receiving... “hearts sing with joy.”

Dads, what new approach do you need to prepare today, enabling you to "deliver the goods" which you have promised in a special way?

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!

**Today we prepare to“Deliver" Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Collaborate" in our lives.

Week 48 - #Prepare - REGROUP

Are you prepared to regroup?

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. - I Samuel 30:6

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. - I Peter 5:10

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. - Psalm 23:1-2

To “regroup” can be defined as “to reorganize (as after a setback) for renewed activity.”

DADs, seeing the need to regroup can be half the battle. However, many choose to remain oblivious even when alarms are going off all around them.

I say many “choose” because, in their attempts to make their fields ready, in their preparation, they have not made themselves "ready" for life's detours.

In other words no Plan B.

Not having built-in alternative plans “just in case” alters our abilities to pivot in the process.

Some may look at the idea of regrouping as retreating and weak. But the ability to humble ourselves is essential, for seeing the need for taking "time outs" in your preparation to regroup.

Without a level of humility there will be limitations in your ability to regroup.

In the midst of our regrouping we must remain encouraged as David was in the example found in I Samuel 30:6,

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”

Acknowledging the potential need to regroup, before the actual need to regroup, equips us as we prepare for the struggles of life, allowing us to persevere, and to clearly see our options.

In I Peter 5:10 we are reminded there will be setbacks along the way, but as we choose to regroup, we will also be renewed. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

DADs, do not deny the crossroads or avoid the areas of your life needing reorganized and renewed.

DADs, what in your daily activities, requires your acknowledgement of the alternatives along the way? Where do you need to regroup?

DADs, when needed, don’t delay, redirect and regroup 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!

**Today we prepare to“Regroup." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Deliver" in our lives.

Week 48 - #Prepare - LOSE?

What Do You Have to Lose?

Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Psalms 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”

Matthew 16:25: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”

Little did I know last December when I prayed over the potential aspects of “preparation” I would write about for 2021…that this week’s (week 48) focus would land on the topic of preparing to “lose.”

This week’s writing comes on the heels of my beloved buckeyes defeat to the team up north (University of Michigan). I’m thinking this topic for me personally may have been better served up last week!

But, God definitely has a sense of humor.

One of my favorite quotes that works in both good times and bad, in winning and losing is “this too shall pass.”

Life…real life, is a series of ebb and flow. We all know this but are we ever really prepared for this?

As we seek consistency in our lives there will be highs, and lows. The lows are the struggles not always pleasant, but necessary for our growth. The Proverbial “growing pains” we face brings about new meanings around each encounter.

So how do we prepare for loss as we endeavor to strive in the midst of inevitable hurt, pain and sorrow to continue to see the big picture…to keep perspective?

Perhaps we start by losing self, kindling a desire to see others and their needs. As Paul wrote to the Phillipians,

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

The reality is, we all have things in our life we need to lose. Things that hinder us, keeping us away from what matters most. Distractions from accomplishing kingdom goals.

In the gospel of Matthew 16:25, we are told,

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

DADs, losing will hurt. Especially if what you lost means something to you. And there are times in our lives when losing hurts even more. Quoting a friend of mine recently, in conversation about the buckeyes recent loss, he said “bad days in November are tough to rebound from.”

But DADs here is the good news found in Psalms 46:1:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

When we suffer. God suffers.

When we lose, God is right there beside you.

Are we ever totally prepared for all the opportunities to endure loss in our lives coming our way?

No.

But like the prodigal son, preparation for loss includes knowing we always have a home with God, who literally runs to us, to greet us, no matter what, with open arms.

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!

**Today we prepare to“Lose." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Regroup" in our lives. 

Week 47 - #Prepare - WIN

A Win Worth Chasing

1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 9:25: "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

1 Corinthians 9:24: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it."

1 Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Ecclesiastes. The author wastes no time grabbing the reader’s attention with this bold message found in the first chapter, verses 1 & 2:

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

Now this scripture infers “the teacher” is possibly King Solomon. How interesting a wise man and a king who possessed almost anything he desired, would share his experiences of emptiness found in his wealth and in the material things we often ourselves pursue.

In this western culture we are blessed to live in, we are all free to pursue personal happiness.

Free to chase the victory and the win.

I believe that most of you that are reading these words at some level like to win.

In your preparation and pursuit, I ask you to consider this question:

What are you chasing?

DADs, in your preparation for victory, are you considering if the prize is even worthy? In your preparation have you asked yourself…will this provide something life changing, or simply short term and hollow?

In other-words…"Is what you are chasing eternal, or external? Kingdom-like or worldly?"

Stephen Covey used to share with his audiences, “Be you sure your ladder is leaning up against the right wall.”

So DADs here is another reminder in regards to your preparation and attitude about winning...you have already won! You are undefeated!

As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

DADs…we fight from the victory…not for the victory!

In your preparation to win…remember in Christ alone you have already won!

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!

**Today we prepare to“WIN" Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Lose" in our lives.

Week 44 - #Prepare

Roundabout Ready?

Exodus 13:17-18 - 17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

What does detour mean? : a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route.

I love the quote “I came to a fork in the road and I took it!

Funny but so true. Life is a series of crossroads bringing us to our decision points.

DADs how often have you been on the path of what you think is the straight and narrow way, which very quickly turns into a dead end or a detour?

Maybe you have encountered a detour in your career, your personal life or spiritual walk? A road not planned nor traveled.

It’s so interesting, looking back in hindsight how many times the detours presented and the struggles endured, led to an even greater path not even imagined!

Some of the detours are seen as a distraction or a hassle, while others see them as a new adventure or a welcome alternative to the norm.

In this life…this one glorious life we all enjoy, the only constant is change. And change can come in the form of detours.

The foundation in our preparation for detours is to acknowledge and accept this perpetual ebb and flow life we have been given.

To this day, one of my favorite quotes is “change is constant, misery is optional.”

DADs...I think what we sometimes forget in the detours of our lives, the mindset of “this too shall pass,” and the detours we Incur are only temporary.

Sometimes like the Israelites in the wilderness God provides a "roundabout" which essentially if we are prepared for the detours in our life, becomes a safety net or a much better solution.

DADs where do you need a “roundabout” today?

How will you prepare for the detours of your life?

Better yet, what will you do to help others prepare for the eminent detours in their lives?

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!

**Today we prepare to“Detour." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Win" in our lives.

Week 44 - #Prepare to Anticipate

Waiting with Anticipation

Hosea 12:6 - "Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually."

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I once attended a weekend gathering where we were constantly instructed by the facilitators to not anticipate. Although the overall experience was a life-changing event, for me to not anticipate went against my normal standard operating procedure!

One definition of anticipation is “a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.”

I am not sure about you, but I like having feelings of excitement in anticipation for the day's activities!

To anticipate is in the same “family” of preparation. Sort of like "siblings."

I have heard it said, “anticipation is about preparing and making room for what you know is yours by faith.”

In other words, it is getting ready for what God has in store for you and looking forward to what’s next!

To anticipate helps us to prepare not only for the good times but can also see us through our struggles. Paul reminds of this in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

In our preparation to anticipate, we gain balance, ensuring our active anticipation doesn’t turn into anxiety. Our preparation to anticipate calls us to proactive action versus being caught off guard in frozen anxieties.

There’s so many daily experiences we can face with anticipation, fueling our purpose, and adding zest to our life. In Hebrews 11:1 we read how anticipation is tied to things to come, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

In your preparation this week where do you need to add anticipation?

DADs...be reminded that anticipation is not impatience, but serves as part of the discernment for God's opportunities He reveals, and offers daily.

Many times anticipating occurs in the actual quiet still moments of our lives. In our waiting our preparation to anticipate will become clear.

In our preparation to anticipate let us heed the instructions found in Hosea 12:6, to, "Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually."

DADs…Will you wait with 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!

**Today we prepare to“Anticipate." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering “Detours" in our lives.

Week 44 - #Prepare “Bless”

"Bless and Be Blessed"

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." - Romans 12:14

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." - Psalm 119:2

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is found smack dab in the middle of I Chronicles known as the prayer of Jabez. In 1 Chronicles 4:9,10 it is written, “Oh Lord bless me indeed, enlarge my territory, have Thy hand in all I do, and to keep me from causing pain.”

I find it so powerful this short prayer just appears in the midst of an Old Testament book filled with history and genealogy.

It’s a brief oasis for lost readers like me struggling to wade through what seems to be one biblical list after another.

In this myriad of remembrances, and historical accounts starting with Adam, God reminds us all of His presence and the real blessings He alone provides, if we just prepare to acknowledge Him along the way.

This prayer of Jabez for me reveals a God who never rests, is always present, always ready to bless us whether in our seeking or in our sleeping.

I wish that I could say the same.

I once heard a speaker ask the question,

“Are you a blesser or a stressor in the lives of the people that you come in contact with?”

When I reflect upon this question, I find myself more on the receiving end of God's countless blessings, rather than being a blessing to others.

And with those I may cause stress, I rarely consider opportunities for reconciliation.

Yet God wants to bless us indeed, while having His hand in our lives, ensuring we don’t cause pain!

So DADs our preparation and partnership with God is twofold:

To prepare to receive all God has for us, and to include Him along the way in every aspect of our lives!

Our preparation for blessings is to first be one. To be the peacemaker. To seek Him first. To bless and not curse those who persecute us.

DADs…who are we blessing and not stressing today?

To fully receive, let’s first be the blessing others need us to be, representing God's love in all we say and do.

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!

**Today we prepare for “Blessings." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Anticipate."

Week 43 - #Prepare “Evolve”

"To Unroll and Evolve"

2 Corinthians 5:17 - 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Proverbs 18:15 - 15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Evolve comes from the Latin word ēvolvere, "to unroll."

I love pondering about this idea “to unroll.”

In my mind I equate “to unroll” with the anticipation of seeing things “play out.”

To unroll sounds a lot more fun than to evolve. However, if truly the same meaning, I can see the urgency to start preparing to evolve today.

One of my favorite John Maxwell quotes is “change is inevitable, growth is optional.” In our preparation to evolve, we don’t have to grudgingly accept it, we can learn to understand this necessary process, and welcome it, like the slow rising of a beautiful sunrise, or the sunset fading to its temporary resting place.

In our preparation to evolve, the status quo is the enemy.

Every day we have an opportunity to turn to a new page in our lives yet to be written. To unroll and evolve in all aspects of our lives.

What needs to be "unrolled," today? What facets of your life could use more intentional preparation to continuously evolve?

As it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Maybe it's time to change up our activities and move into the next season?

Perhaps it's time to evolve into a deeper relationship with Jesus, "to unroll" and receive all His love He has to offer.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul tells us how to prepare for this, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

I'm not sure when Paul shared those instructions to the Corinthians, he had the word evolve on his mind, but he was offering a way for new life.

And it is only through thoughtful preparation and acknowledgement of wisdom from those God sends our way, that allows us to fully "unroll" ourselves and perpetually evolve into a new life. Proverbs 18:15 describes how to obtain and stay on this path of evolution, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out."

DADs, let us be discerning today, seeking out knowledge allowing us to unroll and evolve!

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!

**Today we prepare to“Evolve” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “bless.”

Week 41 - #Prepare “Respond”

"A Glimpse of Jesus"

Proverbs 15:1 - “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Ephesians 4:31 - “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Acts 4:30 - “While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

There is little doubt, many of you reading this have heard the quote made famous by Chuck Swindoll, “life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react.”

As a former football coach I remember using this statement to my players often.

It is through our adversities and struggles of life that we find ourselves with a decision. Stephen Covey taught that between a stimulus and a response we have a "window of choice."

How well do you respond to coaching? Are you coachable?

My dad always said there are two secrets to success, number one, that you’re willing and number two, you’re coachable.

One of my professors once said, to become an effective leader you must be able to "adapt and adjust" to the circumstances coming your way.

Another one of my mentors added, in especially difficult times, your response as a leader should reflect "abundance thinking versus one of scarcity."

How we respond is directly related to our preparation. And our preparation will be influenced by "whom" we are looking to.

The Apostle Paul who spent much of his life in and out of prison, balanced his responses in his second half of life, because of his faith in God. Even in the midst of chaos and struggle, Paul writes in Ephesians 4:31, to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

In our time when the world has become less inclusive, and every individual is fighting for a cause, with little listening, there is an urgency for us to prepare to respond. And to respond without the need to be the one who is always right.

In Proverbs 15:1, we are reminded, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

When was the last time your response to a passionate topic might have been served up better with a “softer” answer?

We can still find ways to communicate our ideas, without diminishing other’s legitimacy.

Just being the loudest noise in the room doesn’t make us right. If we can find ways to extend a little, allowing ourselves to go into a dilemma within our own premises, we might just acknowledge a whole new meaning our pride otherwise wouldn’t let us see.

Paul stated in Acts 4:30, “While you stretch out your hand to heal, signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Have you prepared to respond to heal or to hurt?

Maybe if we allow others to see a glimpse of Jesus in our responses, our world just might be a kinder and gentler place.

DADs, how do we respond 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!

**Today we prepare to“Respond.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Evolve.”

Week 41 - #Prepare “Renew”

"Don't Delay, Renew Today"

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalm 51:10-12

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” -2 Corinthians 5:17

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Ephesians 4:22-24

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” - Isaiah 40:31

Renew: to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor

No doubt my favorite season of the year for many reasons is fall.

The changing of the weather, the changing of the leaves on the trees, and the beginning of the holiday season. And of course I cannot forget to mention the pageantry and passion of college football!

Fall has it all.

Fall provides both a window for reflection of what has been discovered in weeks prior, along with a time to prepare for what is still yet to come, and renewal.

In this annual final quarter of the year, fall offers opportunities to renew my thoughts, my actions, and my relationships.

To “restore to freshness.”

Many might equate renewal as a “coming out of winter, and launching into spring.” True for many, but for me the preparation and foundation to renew starts right now…today and everyday, but especially in fall.

I say, why wait till New Years Day to renew.

In Christ no matter the season, if we truly prepare our hearts, we will experience a “restored freshness.” As part of our preparation, all we have to do is call out to our heavenly Father, saying, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” - Psalm 51:10-12

In this final 12 weeks of 2022, what needs to be made new with you?

What needs renewal today?

Maybe you need to renew a commitment; a focus; a direction? To renew a routine. To add some more vigor?

Wherever the preparation for renewing is calling you…do not wait or waiver. Heed the encouragement found in Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

DADs…lets not put off tomorrow what we can do today, putting on the new self, and suiting up without delay!

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!

**Today we prepare to“Relent.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Respond."