Lessons from a Soccer photo

Today is one of those sentimental days.  My wife has gone north to visit her parents and enjoy precious time with them.  I'm taking care of a few things on the home front and getting some work done.  I've been a little nostalgic for sure.  It took me down the road and by the house we lived in for 19 years.  I love our current home, but I just wanted to see again the place where we have 19 years of memories.

Later, I found a picture of our son.  The picture is of his soccer days with the Salt City Raptors.  They were a powerful team.  He was a very good player.  I love the picture.  It has him heading up the field with a focus and determination that has been his heart from the start.  To be honest, I see that heart in each of our kids.  Dave, however, is a fierce competitor.  He doesn't like to lose.  I actually admire him for that.

Dave played with amazing alertness, quickness, skill, determination and a desire to succeed - or win.  I also love that the picture has his coach directly in the not so distant background.  If a picture is worth a thousand words - then here is how I translate it for us today.  We are all on the field of life, but this is no game.  We should live with focus, determination, a rightly directed passion, and desire to succeed - as believers - particularly in the will of the Lord.

The cool part is that our coach is also close by - He sees us, He knows us and He is coaching us - that is the Lord of course.  But better than that, He has given us the Holy Spirit who is in us.  He's not just watching us, He is indwelling us and empowering us.  That's amazing.  So, press on in the will of God for the glory of God.  On Dwight L. Moody's tombstone, in Northfield, Massachusetts, are the words in the old King James Version from 1 John - 'He that doeth the will of God abideth forever'.  Focus on God's will like Dave did that soccer ball and head up field with hope in your heart and don't give up on all that God is doing and wants to do in your life.

I talked with a friend today from out of town.  He is a precious gift from the Lord.  We don't talk often but when we do it is always valuable.  That's the way friends are.  I needed him today.  His last words to me this morning were 'win the day'.  Sort of reminds me of Jesus - 'live one day at a time'.  My pray for you today is - 'win the day'.  That's my new objective and I challenge you to make it yours.

Small School with a Big Impact

I walked out of the cafe on campus this afternoon.  It was time to head home.  I had taught my class, and then finished up the message for the weekend while at the cafe.  

I am privileged to teach ministry students one day a week at a small school in Johnson City, New York.  When you drive on campus, the size of the school does not overwhelm you.  When you walk into the main building, you are greeted by a rug that says, 'Pursue God'.  If you ever attend a chapel service, you will find that's more than a statement that greets you.  It's the heart of the campus and it flows from the leader.  The school is Davis College, and the President is Dr. Dino Pedrone.  

I first learned of Davis College while on a mission trip to Nicaraugua in the year 2000.  It amazes me how the Lord works.  I was joining another pastor from the United States to teach in a leadership academy housed in a home where young people came daily for classes to be trained to be indigenous Christian leaders.  The other pastor told me about this school near Binghamton that his family had been a part of previously known as Practical Bible College.  I had never heard of it before that trip to the best of my knowledge.  

This semester is my first to teach there.  I've spoken in chapel and at a couple of other events over recent years.  As I left today I was struck by the sight of Binghamton University that I could see in the distance.  More than 12000 students attend SUNY Binghamton.  I'm confident they have some very good programs that have helped a lot of people.  

As I was leaving the tri-cities area and heading north, I saw the exit to Broome Community College.  More than 6800 students are enrolled there.  Once again, I'm sure there are many opportunities that have helped many people at that school and from that school.  

Davis College has an enrollment of just over 300.  It's sort of a David and Goliath scenario.  What difference can a school of 300 in Johnson City, New York make?  It can have an eternal impact for many.  One of my professors in my Doctor of Ministry studies at Liberty University is the Provost of Liberty (the largest Christian University in the world).  He's a graduate of this little school in Johnson City.  In recent years my son-in-law is a graduate and is now in seminary preparing for a life of ministry.  

This semester I'm teaching nine men who are preparing for ministry.  Four area pastors are sitting in on the class as well.  We are discussing 'Strategies for Kingdom Expansion'.  With all due respect to the other institutions of the area, I didn't leave today discouraged.  I left with a great hope that something is happening in a small place that has made, is making and will make a big impact for the glory of God.  I pray it may be a place that sparks revival and that many souls come to know Jesus through those who are trained there, and serve there.  I'm blessed to be a part of it.