Active Faith

Anthony Tolliver did not hit the game-winner vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves last Friday night. In fact, there was no need for a buzzer-beating basket as the Charlotte Bobcats continued their hot streak with a 105-93 victory.

Tolliver (@ATolliver44), in his first year with the Bobcats has been a key contributor and spark off the bench, averaging six points, three rebounds and shooting 40 percent from three-point land in addition to making nine starts in his first year with the team.

While AT didn't have a significant contribution, his actions on this night will perhaps have the most lasting impact. See the defensive juggernaut, who is just as relentless slowing big-time scorers as he is consistent knocking down shots from the perimeter, didn't see a single minute of action against his old team and although many would've been crushed, Tolliver was not only upbeat but he beamed as if he'd scored 25.

"How you doing big guy," Tolliver asked Carver Robinson, 3, a die-hard Bobcats' fan. Normally as introverted as can be, when meeting a stranger, Carver took to the 6-foot-8 product of Creighton. "Good," Carver said as he high-fived his new friend, who was hunched over to do something Tolliver always does-- meet you where you are!

And that's part of what makes Tolliver special. Although he makes six figures and has made it to the pinnacle of his sport the NBA he gets on your level. "He's like the nicest guy in the world. I've met a lot of professional athletes and he is by far one of the most down-to-Earth, just a good dude. He's a great ambassador for Christ," Joey Robinson (@JoeyRobinson), Carver and Caden's Dad, who leads FCA at Tuscola High School, said.

Another Bobcats' fan, who attended the game with Robinson, Damien Luce echoed those sentiments. "Although large in stature, and obviously big in talent, his words and demeanor make him seem as a mere servant of God, willing to do his part in his plan."

That's exactly the way Tolliver views himself-- an ambassador. "Of course I would love to have a huge impact on people! But I know that everyone who is put on this Earth has a specific purpose so if God's purpose for me is to affect five total people then I pray that I'm able to do that."

In an ego-driven sport, and world, Tolliver is the anti-thesis. As humble as he is sincere, any encounter with the gentle giant instantly sets fans at ease. The Kool-Aid smile, one that would make Magic Johnson proud, found on his face that night, and often, was a tangible sign of the joy and peace having Jesus in your heart brings to believers' lives.  He was 1st Thessalonians 5:18 personified, which says, "Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

"Jesus is the reason for all of my joy! No matter what the circumstances are, good or bad, I always trust that the Lord is with me and He will see me through," the 28-year-old Tolliver said.

The man, who wears No. 43 for the Bobcats, partnered with Lanny Smith (@Lanny_Smith) to make up the brain trust of Active Faith (@Active_Faith), a Christian clothing company. One of the staples, and best sellers, are the rubber wrist bands, which feature the phrase, "In Jesus Name I Play." No matter when you catch Tolliver he always has at least two of them on his wrists so he can, yep you guessed it, give them away.

"That's why I wear them. I want to give as many away as possible. Any time someone asks about them, it becomes their's at that moment. It gets our name (Active Faith) out there, but more importantly it plants seeds," he said.

After every contest, Tolliver, a fan favorite, can be seen handing supporters, young and old alike, the bands he has worn during the game. . . win or loss and when he does it's hard to determine who has a bigger smile on their face-- the fan or Tolliver.

"It's Bigger than Me"

When grammy-award winner and the face of Christian rap Lecrae, a multi-platinum selling artist, was in town for Winter Jam Jan. 5, a Christian concert series that appears in 48 states across the country, Tolliver was in attendance. A friend of the rapper for a few years, Tolliver found himself in an unfamiliar place that night-- a fan.

As Lecrae (@Lecrae), who doesn't view himself a Christian rapper but rather a servant of Christ, blew up the stage, Tolliver rapped right along with him, every single word, with that familiar smile on his face. The night was a special one as the name of Jesus was exalted far above any other agendas . . . whether it be fame, community or entertainment. An enjoyable concert for Tolliver, who had a friend in tow, an evening of fellowship with Lecrae and his band also turned into a personal appearance for Tolliver. Hundreds of fans, mostly excited teenagers, lined the aisle in hopes of getting an autograph or taking a picture.

In typical anti-diva style, Tolliver obliged them all with hugs, handshakes, pictures, signatures and high-fives. Every single person, who approached him, who other 'famous' people might view as annoyances or a damper to their night, walked away satisfied and felt special. For some it was their first encounter meeting an NBA player. After Lecrae's set, Tolliver took time to mingle with Covenant Bible Church's youth group from Lincolnton, N.C. The smile and stories they will tell, along with memories made, of meeting him, like so many other youth groups, make it more than worth it to Tolliver.

"Do you think I wanted to take every single picture," he asked afterward. "No, but for some that might be the only time they ever meet a famous person. And who am I . . . I'm a freaking nobody," Tolliver in self-deprecating fashion said.

"If I can take a few minutes, or take one picture, then I'm more than happy to do it because in the grand scheme of things, basketball won't be here forever. God has given me a tremendous platform and I just want use it for His glory."

"I mean I'm not even a star. I'm not Lebron (James) or Kevin (Durant). I'm just a role player . . . but if they want a picture or my autograph, so be it."

Tolliver is not perfect, but while flawed, as we all are, he has something many don't have-- gratitude. He's just grateful to be in this position, serving the God he loves, alongside the two families he loves . . . his wife Jessica and son Isaiah and the Bobcats.

That gratitude doesn't stem from one place. Is it the grace that has given him eternal life? Is it appreciating life, each and every day, even more after losing his Mom at the age of 56 due to unknown causes? Or maybe his gratitude is so abundant because he has the chance to make a living playing the game he loves? Could it be he is so grateful due to the fact he's carved out a niche in the NBA, but the ride has been anything but smooth evidenced by the fact he's on his sixth different team since 2008? It's all of that.

"God has humbled me throughout my journey in many different ways. Through basketball and through life experiences I have never ever been able to get prideful," he said.

"Gratitude was instilled in me through my Mother from day one. She really taught me to appreciate the small things in life, so now that I'm blessed how I am, it's easy to be grateful for everything."

Tolliver has seen his minutes dip, in recent games, as Charlotte attempts to make the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history. If the Bobcats make the post-season, which they will barring a major collapse, or if they don't . . . one can expect Tolliver to be a contributor. Whether waving a towel from the bench and cheering on his teammates, playing lock-down defense or knocking down a big three, AT will be right there with that same contagious joy and smile.

Sure question marks remain. Will Tolliver, who has a year remaining on his contract, be back with the Bobcats, winners of 7 of their last 11, next year? Will he see his minutes increase and become a key member of the Bobcats' playoff run? Who knows. But one thing's for certain, Tolliver is too busy appreciating the present to worry about what tomorrow may hold.

In short, he clings to the knowledge, and Truth, far too many lose sight of-- there is plenty of reason to cheer every day, no matter what it may hold because Jesus nailed the ultimate game-winner on the cross!

Carver Robinson gets an autograph from Anthony Tolliver while Dad Joey proudly takes in the moment!

That's ME

I am the little girl.
I am the little girl.
I am the little girl.

The words didn't change but they were so oxymoronical, in nature, they were hard to wrap my mind around . . . then a few moments later a tidal wave of Truth washed over me.

The scene was a little four-year-old girl latched on to her Mom's legs at work. Eagerly, impatiently and relentlessly she tried, in vain, to get her Mom's attention. A couple of feet above the little girl's head, her Mom talked to the sales lady with a sense of urgency one would've thought the future of the world depended on it!

The Mom, who no doubt endlessly loves her little girl and equally desires her love, time and attention, had tunnel vision. It wasn't that she loved her daughter any less or that she wanted her to go away, although the message could've easily been construed as that . . . just in that moment someone was more important.

"I am the little girl."

If you're wondering why I was having such a hard time with those words; it's because of the great paradox. God, the Creator of the Universe, was telling me He was a four-year-old little girl. How much more absurd could a statement possibly be? At least at first hearing it.

How you may ask? Just like that little girl how often does God try to get our attention? He desperately wants to spend time with us because He desperately loves us! And true to form we are just like that Mom . . . we simply ignore the little soft voice. Isn't that crazy? The small voice we ignore is the most thunderous powerful voice to ever hit the atmosphere-- that of Almighty God. How foolish are we? We ignore His subtle advances, not only ignore, but avoid them (at times) like the Bubonic Plague.

He will always teach, guide us, speak to us in an effort to stop us from being harmed . . . that's how much He loves us! See, it goes well beyond Him creating us because He desired our company. It even goes beyond the greatest act of Love that has or will ever take place the cross. God, who knew us entirely, completely, lacking no intimate knowledge of how we are intricately pieced together BEFORE the foundations of the Earth were even laid, gives us 1440 minutes and 86,400 seconds in 24 hours every single day to get to know Him. We have UNLIMITED access to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Hear me friends. The Supreme Being of the Universe . . . THE King . . . the One who's omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent . . . not just the Restorer of ALL things but who is Restoration . . . not just the Lover of my soul but who is Love . . . not the Way-Maker but the Way . . . not just the Truth-teller but the Truth . . . not just the Life Giver but LIFE . . . That is Who is affording you the opportunity of getting to know Him . . . What an AWESOME honor and a way past AMAZING privilege!

If all you had to do was show up to the Ferrari dealership to get a brand new Ferrari, I guarantee the showroom and parking lot would be so packed with people you couldn't move! I would be there. Think of your biggest hero, living or dead . . . suppose you could have them on speed dial and they would not only answer the phone but would instantly appear beside you as soon as you called them. Cool huh?

I have GREAT news and bad news, which do you want first? The great news is we don't have to go to the dealership to get something far more valuable than a Ferrari . . . a car would change your life for days, or maybe weeks, but Jesus will CHANGE IT FOREVER! You don't even have to close your eyes . . . He's already there with you each step of the way-- what a reassuring thought! And your hero? Oh yeah, He made them.

Every single moment of every single day we can be in the presence of not just greatness, but the GREATEST! Yet, we so often stand God up and leave Him sitting alone at an intimate table for two . . . that is until we want something then we treat Him like a waiter as we not only place our order but order Him around.  You may say, "But you don't know what I've done, "I'm not good enough or "I don't deserve it!" Guess what? NONE of us do! It's only through His complete love and grace, made available through Jesus dying for our sins, that ANY can have relationship with Him. In short, it's not about our worthiness, it's about the One who gives us our worth!!

If you are going to put in your order, here's a suggestion . . . ask for God's will. While He wants nothing more than to see us happy, and give us our heart's desire, He also isn't going to grant every wish we have because some requests are harmful. He loves us too much to bring those to pass no matter how much faith we have!

Back to the little girl, what if she was trying so hard to get her Mom's attention because a poisonous snake was crawling up her leg? Every single day there is a snake (The Devil-- Genesis 3) that wants nothing more than to bite you and daily the little girl (God) tugs on our legs in an attempt to warn us . . . or better yet He just be wanting to tell us, "I love you!"

"If He who in Himself can lack nothing, chooses to need us, it is because we need to be needed." C.S. Lewis

Is it Too Late for America? God help us!

Not a Rep

Not a Dem

I’m An American.

I Want my Country Back!

 

That was on a bumper sticker I saw the other day. And I thought to myself, “YEP! I agree with that one!” What has happened to our great country? Where are we headed (besides into bankruptcy)? Why are we SO divided? When did our slide downhill begin? Can we turn it around or is the snowball growing too big?

We’ve had many downhill slopes in our country’s history, but we’ve always managed to climb back to the top of the hill...sometimes quickly and other times painfully slow. Whether we will be able to return to the top again, will only be determined in time. However, I don’t believe it will be in my lifetime.

In all our country’s history we have never been more divided as we are presently, except during the devastating period during the Civil War. Listen to the liberal media and the one conservative channel for just one day to see how far apart “the sides” are. As divided as we are, this is just a symptom of our real disease….or downfall.

I truly believe that our last major and possibly fatal fall began on January 22, 1973. That was the day the Supreme Court pushed us off the cliff with its landmark decision, voting 7-2 in favor of abortion. In this case of Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court of our great land declared state laws which banned abortion illegal and unconstitutional. Since this date, over 57 MILLION babies have been murdered. 57 MILLION!!!

Most Pro-Choicers will argue that aborted babies are just blobs of tissue, not really babies. As long as “it” is not a viable fetus, it’s all right. It has been determined that a baby’s heartbeat begins just 18 days after conception. In our society a person is declared legally dead when his heart stops beating. Why are we not declared legally alive when a heart starts beating? Abortion is often used today as simply another means of birth control, frequently paid for with tax dollars.

Isaiah 49:1b (NIV) states, ”Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.” And in Jeremiah 1:5a we read, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.” How many Isaiah’s and Jeremiah’s have we killed? How many Albert Einsteins? How many babies who may have grown up to find a cure for cancer or other advancements in the medical field? 57 MILLION people murdered without a chance to live and love and laugh and give!!! 57 MILLION!!!

After this huge abortion “snowball” was pushed off the cliff, it quickly picked up more snow and momentum with all the changes in society.The sexual revolution along with The Pill had already loosened the “snow” in the 60’s. The Hollywood crowd added more with movies and television programs reflecting sexual promiscuity and homosexuality. The “anything goes as long as it feels good” mantra added more moral decay. Removing discipline from the schools and holding no one responsible for his/her actions continued to pack on more. And it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down with the continuous breakdown of the family and the acceptance of gay marriage as well as legalizing drugs.

There is a war on Christianity going on in this country. God and prayer have already been taken out of our schools. Many are wanting to take God out of our Pledge of Allegiance. These same people want to take Christ out of Christmas and celebrate Winter Solstice, calling it a Winter Holiday.

Our great country was founded on Christian principles and morality although many in the liberal media want to rewrite the history of our founding fathers. Our Constitution was written to protect religious freedom. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God.” The Continental Congress approved spending $300,000 (quite a lot of money in 1777) to buy Bibles to be distributed throughout the original colonies. In 1782 the congress not only approved the Holy Bible to be used in all schools but also recommended it. How far have we moved from the principles on which this country was founded!

As stated in Jesus’s words in Matthew 12:25 “Every kingdom divided against itself will not stand.” Does this mean we will agree on everything? Absolutely not! There will always be difference in opinions, but we must unite ourselves in standing up for what is right and just….and killing 57 million babies is not one of them. This must be stopped.

Norma McCorvey whose legal pseudonym was Jane Roe (the Roe in the Roe v. Wade decision) became an active member of the ProLife movement in 1995 and believes abortion should be made illegal. If the same lady who played a part in starting this murderous scheme has seen the truth, how much more should the rest of us. Repealing Roe v. Wade would immediately stop the downward travail of this huge snowball we have created. The trip back up the hill will probably be long and tiresome, but necessary if our country is to survive. What’s it going to take for this to happen? A miracle!

God has blessed America beyond all measure, and all honor and praise belong to Him. God is the answer, the only answer, to our reckless, downhill descent. Without Him, there is no hope, and our snowball will continue growing until it is all-encompassing. Therefore, we must obey 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven , and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Only then can we once more become The UNITED States of America! 

Florence Beam posted by her proud son John Mark

 

 

That's Outrageous

There I stood with my arm around this feeble elderly woman with glasses.

And I prayed. Paying no attention to the fact I was at work, on the clock, I quietly asked God to bless her. Who is her? My new friend Faye. Some of you may be thinking, "That's outrageous," but is it?

Faye stumbled into the jewelry store, with a cane, a tangible symbol her life had changed forever. I was instantly drawn to her. In her late 70s . . . and one glance at her revealed she had been put through the ringer.

"This is the first day I've been out since my stroke," she candidly shared with me. "I'm embarrassed to be out looking like this."

My heart broke for her. Embarrassed? No. Courageous? That she was, and IS-- more courage in her pinky finger than most of us possess in our entire bodies.

"Nothing to be embarrassed about I assured her." What I should've said was that she's just as beautiful as ever, as His precious and beloved daughter, and that her inward beauty (1st Peter 3:3-4) far overshadowed any way her outward appearance may have been affected by her stroke. I'm sorry I didn't . . . I've since prayed that God would reveal that to her.

I was instantly touched. She wasn't letting the fact she can't quite get around as well as she once could hold her back. I told her how blessed she was that she wasn't fully paralyzed, suffering partial paralysis and did not have any speech impediments or anything of the like. She agreed.

That's where the exciting 15-minute adventure started.

"I am a believer," she proudly said. "And I know it's a miracle! I thank the good Lord every day for that. He has been so good to me."

"I can still walk. I can still talk. I can still do for my husband of 40 years."

Even the hardest of hearts would have been whittled away by her sincerity and words of gratitude. I teared up. I prayed for her for a couple of minutes off to the side of the sales floor as to not draw attention to us, but not hiding our display of faith either.

God was blessed, she was blessed and I . . . I might've felt the most blessed of all. No matter how you slice it, or dice it, my encounter with Faye was truly a treat. Moments where obedience make our Heavenly Father smile, cause someone else to smile and bring a smile to our own faces, I call tri-fold blessings! Often times we are robbed of these special moments for fear of what someone else may think. What will my boss think? What will other customers think? We rationalize-- maybe this isn't the time or the place. If it's laid on your heart-- it's ALWAYS the time and the place!

What's REALLY Outrageous!

We are called, as followers of Jesus Christ, to share His Love . . . so no acts of altruism are outrageous. . . but necessary. Many are bold. Many are inspiring. Many are admirable, but outrageous 99.9% are not. But I will tell you what it is!

The fact God would send His only Son Jesus to die for me knowing all the MANY times, and many ways, I would fail Him during my lifetime. How radical, how amazing, how OUTRAGEOUS is His love for us!?!  Any acts we perform, or rather He performs through us, are simple . . . they are small compared to what He endured for us and lengths He went to to bring us back home.

You see we scoff at how on Earth Peter could deny Him three times when we deny Him FAR more than that each and every day! He saw me addicted to porn, frequenting strip clubs, hopping into bed with women, all the naughty pictures and texts, pursuing all kinds of hedonism and perversion. He saw all the times I wouldn't honor Him and the times I would treat myself with no worth and He died for me ANYWAY! He did it anyway! I don't know about you, but I've used grace as a license to sin more than the reason to be more obedient.

That's why it's easy for me to sing songs of worship, pour out my praise and really belt out lyrics like, "Amazing Love how could it be that You my King would die for me/Amazing Love I know it's true/ It's my joy to honor You and when I belt words out like those, I do so from my soul, deep within my spirit not just from my heart or mind.

How Great Thou Art is more than just a hymn, because you pause and really think about His greatness . . . it is mind-blowing, heart-changing, you are instantly compelled to want to give Him something back! You aren't required to for Him to love you, but I know it is more appreciated than we could ever come to realize.

Jesus found you in the mud and the muck, in the backseat of that car, in that hotel room, in that stranger's bed, in the bed of that spouse (but not your spouse) and He died for you anyway! He pursued you and He loved you too much to leave you there!

God loved us too much to allow us to remain separated from His great love, so He pursued us and gave us a way back to His loving arms through Jesus. Amazing? Hardly . . . that word is terribly insufficient! The fact He STILL loves me . . . the fact He would still views me as His son . . . the fact He delights in my audience . . . the fact He would want ANYTHING to do with me, much less DIE FOR ME~ that's INCONCEIVABLE to my rational mind. Good thing God is so terribly IRRATIONAL!

You may say, "I don't deserve it." You're right-- I don't either, but it's not about our worth rather about the One who is worthy and gives us our worth. It was not bought cheaply, but it comes at no expense, completely free, to us! Receiving something so freely given that NONE of us deserve is GRACE.

And GRACE~ well, that's OUTRAGEOUS!!!

The Beauty in the Spark

Songs can capture exactly how you feel at that given moment and when they do it's quite poignant. . . and sometimes they catch you completely by surprise.

This happened to me about a month ago. The song was Joy by British singer Tracey Thorn. I had just gone to see about a job and even though I had, for all intents and purposes, gotten the position, I was more discouraged than I had been in awhile. When you get disappointed so many times, you get so tired of that feeling you truly feel like nothing will EVER work out for you!

My spirit was crushed with sadness and I didn't really even know why. What I did know was I needed God to meet me in that place of deep hurt and just hold me. . . and He did so through this song. There were two lines that struck me with all the subtlety of a tornado.

You loved it as a kid/now, you need it more than you ever did/ and it's because of the dark/you see the beauty in the spark. Those words touched my soul and gave my spirit, bruised and beaten up, a much-needed hug.

See I needed that same type of joy and wonderment I had as a child and I was asking God to restore those feelings in my heart. . . a pure heart that has been broken many times over and let cynicism slowly begin to seap in. When you are going through adverse times, in the midst of the intense heat of the Refiner's fire, any good thing is amplified a million times over. For me, the prospects of full-time employment and this song were two sparks in an extremely dark time.

I listened to Thorn's song over and over and over and sobbed, uncontrollably at times, pouring my heart out to God. On my knees, pounding the ground and shouting out begging Him to come through for me! I just told Him what I needed and, although He already knew it, how I felt. When I calmed down and regained my composure, I decided I would try to find her on Twitter. I did and I wrote her. Although she has over 40,000 followers, I wrote her. Strangely enough, to some, I had no doubt she would write me back.

I told her how God has truly touched her voice and how deeply her song Joy had touched me and what it now means to me, making sure she knew few songs had ever had that strong of an effect on me. I let her know I was praying for her and hoped she had a blessed Christmas. I did hear back from her and she informed me she is a complete atheist. While some people would've been discouraged hearing such news . . . it only made me praise God that much more!

Only He could use someone, who doesn't even believe in Him, to reach and encourage one of His followers! That was really profound to me. God is SO BIG and filled with wisdom He may even show this talented singer, one day, how He was with her even when she had no faith-- who knows!

The Lord heard my cries. He caught every single tear I cried that night and over the past few months. I worshiped Him, sometimes reluctantly, but I worshiped nonetheless. I talked to Him and I listened to what He was teaching me. He rewarded my obedience. He rewarded my heart, because He is ALWAYS faithful! Just when I had gotten to the point I couldn't take ANY more . . . He delivered!

Was the tunnel dark? Was it scary? Yes it was, but on the other side I'm experiencing a brilliant Light that makes me forget just how dark it was and that . . . that's a BEAUTIFUL feeling! My big sister, who is like a second Mom to me, said, "I'm just so happy to have my Bubbi back." My response was, "Me too."

When you've survived a crushing blow, one the devil hoped would destroy you, you bounce back stronger, wiser and more resilient than ever. The flames did not consume you~ they forged you! And since the fourth man in the flames protected you and guided you through the Valley of the Shadow of the Death, you emerge not only victorious, but more appreciative of His provision as well! After the dark comes the morning . . . remember that. The storm may be FIERCE, but I assure you God can, and will, in His timing calm it.

What does this glorious light consists of? A new place of employment, my first full-time job in over four years (that wasn't seasonal and that was at least 40 hours) with benefits and an amazing woman . . . one that I never would've believed our paths would've crossed again. Twenty one years after being boyfriend and girlfriend in middle school (7th grade). Here we are again, except this time pruned and prepared. What a faithful God! Beauty beyond measure-- both outwardly and more importantly inwardly. The wildest part is the VERY LAST thing I was looking for was a girlfriend, or any type of relationship, due to my wounded heart and mistrust I suddenly had in women.

But when it's a God thing you just KNOW and I will never turn down His bread (manna). When He's the Orchestrator of it . . . it's just right and there is no doubt! We are trying a new approach than we've ever taken-- we are letting Him build the relationship brick and brick with us putting our tools down. He was a carpenter 2000 years ago and though it sometimes doesn't feel like it . . . He is continually building in our lives!

So I encourage you mighty man, mighty woman of God~ HOLD ON!! Help is on its way . . . things are going to get better for you! Keep in mind the Teacher is always quiet during the tests. When you get tired of holding on, hold on through His strength. He desires to bless you and sometimes that blessing is an unanswered prayer. . . one that feels like a denial. He desires to grow and mature you and that most effectively happens through pain and brokenness.

In the face of the paralyzing fear, and sadness, Satan tries to place in your path, throw JOY-- he hates it when whatever schemes he tries to execute don't succeed in stopping our worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

The cavalry may not come to your rescue when you want it to, but I can assure you with every breath in my lungs . . . it will come! The One who died for us on Cavalry, Jesus Christ, will once again be your ever-present Help, but I encourage you to before, during and after give Him the glory and know He is working ALL things together for your good! Know your worth as a precious, and beloved, child of God and praise His glorious name in the hallway until He opens up a door for you!

It's in the hallway He teaches us, molds us and matures us the most. Don't miss some of His greatest miracles in the hallway because you are too busy praying for the miracle on the other side of the door.

The Pho3nix

He made beauty from ashes from the flames I rise
That's what grace is, creating truth from a heap of lies

See, I was deserving of death and not a single thing more
Yet, You loved me so much, as You cried and Your blood started to pour

In the flames and burning that's where I was destined, and bound, to go
You pursued me, bathed me, then washed me white as the purest snow

Out of the ashes You called me by name, "Come forth" You are my hand's very best
Father don't you know my dirt, my shame, how can You let me ride Your wave like a crest?

Know what I've done-- been a hypocrite, a sinner, an addict, served two masters, I was fake
Posed as a sheep when I was a wolf, a tender bunny when I was closer to a snake

Still I rise, still I rise . . . the Phoenix undeserving and so beautiful-- makes Barbie blush
You Raise Me Up like I'm Josh Grobin~ you quiet my spirit, in the storm, oh what a hush

You made a way for me Jesus, the army was closing in then you parted the Red Sea
Of Your grace I can't contend, Your love, your mercy, your power has set me free!

Out of the grave, out of the inferno into these clouds I fly like an eagle~ I soar
I chased the wind, but you were patient, until I found I wanted You more

Rise me up above the hills, be my Strength, put a crown on my head
I only want it, so I can cast it at Your feet, in worship, when I'm dead

JMB

Go Fly a Kite Part 3

As soon as they pulled in driveway, Timmy unbuckled himself and jumped out excitedly.

"Dad, Dad," he called out before the front door had even closed.

"Back here, son."

Timmy ran down the hallway to his Dad's office.

"I got a kite Dad. You know how you always tell me to go fly a kite," Timmy naively asked.

"Mamaw took me to Walmart and bought me one."

As if he didn't even hear his son at all, he told Timmy to go get his glove. Timmy cowered.

"But I wanted to fly my new kite."

"Boy, if you want me to spend some time with you you'll go get your glove."

Those words crushed Timmy, but he ran to his room and put his kite on the bed and grabbed his glove out of his toy box. He ran outside and started tossing the baseball up in the air and trying to catch it. He was out there 15 minutes before his Dad came outside. With him only six years old, he spent far more time chasing the ball as it rolled than catching it.

When his Dad came outside he was on the phone, leaving the boy instantly disappointed. He tossed the ball to his Dad and his Dad threw it back. Drop, a bounced ball, throw, drop . . . the cycle repeated itself over and over.

It didn't take long Justin started. It wasn't malicious. It wasn't even purposely mean-spirited. He was just being him. As parents, it's easy to become hung up on performance instead of just being IN the moment and down on their level, which is all kids really want in the first place. . . a sentiment shared by every kid throughout the world no matter what their background.

"You're not keeping your eye on the ball Timmy," Justin, who was an All-State performer in high school, said.

"Talking to my son, we're playing catch," Justin quickly followed up.

"Who are you talking to Daddy," the son said ignoring his Father's pleas to 'do better.'

Justin ignored him before starting off a soapbox sermon with an audience of zero.

"Second place is the first loser. No point playing the game just for fun." Justin said, hoping to live his own dreams through Timmy of making it to the majors. "Your know your Daddy was All-State," he proudly proclaimed.

"Yep, if I wouldn't have thrown out my arm there is no doubt I would've made it to the pros."

"What's All-Steak," Timmy innocently asked. "Is that what Mommy fixes for dinner sometimes?"

The same cycle happened like clockwork. Only something strange happened . . . Timmy did catch the ball. His eyes got big like flying saucers when he realized his achievement. He quickly looked at his Dad, hoping and just knowing he saw the monumental moment. And he would've if he hadn't been so busy, on Facebook, drowning himself in everyone else's lives to even notice his own life just got wet with one of those irreplaceable instants!

Timmy threw down his glove and kicked the grass mad his Dad didn't even see what he did. He Ran over to the swing and threw himself on it belly-first as the pendulum sent him flying into the air, arms extended, like he was Superman. After another 10 minutes passed, of which Justin didn't even notice, he called Timmy back over to him. Come play catch again was the request.

Timmy walked back over and picked up his glove in happy-go-lucky fashion.

Throw, drop, chase. Throw, drop, chase. . . until lightning struck twice. Timmy closed his eyes and viola he caught another throw.

"Did you see that. Huh did you Daddy? Did you see," his eagerness bubbling over.

With the phone glued to his ear, Justin didn't miss a beat.

"Yeah I did. Good job, but next time keep your eyes open." As soon as the words hit the atmosphere, Timmy felt that all too familiar feeling . . . he was crushed!

His little spirit had soared to the heavens only to have them nosedive, crash and burst into a fiery inferno. Justin tried to think fast . . . after all, he was used to using his smoothness, his charm to get exactly what he wanted no matter the situation.

"Put it here son," he said as he reached his hand down to his son, initiating a high-five. But the damage had been. Sure Timmy halfway, and with the enthusiasm of watching paint dry, extended his hand up to his Dad, but he was just ready to get in the house.

As tears dripped down his cheeks, he tried to open the door, but his blurry eyes just wouldn't allow him. Justin, feeling terrible, raced up the five steps and pulled the handle down for his son.

He felt defeated, his spirit was crushed-- it was an all too familiar feeling. Maybe he would always be a screw-up . . . a failure. His Dad's words sounded like piercing screams in the middle of a slumber. They ate at him, consumed him and wilted any chance of life before it could bloom.

"Baby, what's wrong," Timmy's Mom Kailey asked.

"Dad," he shot back more hurt than angry.

Timmy started to walk off then turned back around, facing the kitchen, almost as quickly as he had started down the hall.

"Mom, wanna help me fly my new kite with me before it gets night-time?"

"I would love to," she started to walking to his room. Timmy smile was so big it could've covered up the sun.

"Oh shoot, I forgot. Baby, I can't play with you right now. I have spaghetti cooking for your Dad. Maybe next time. I promise."

It's always next time.