Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Title: WOW! You've Been in the Son!
Text: Luke 11:36 (NIV) Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."
Today myself and my 2 boys, TK and Carson, went out to watch some lacrosse. It was a great spring day in North Carolina, but it was also probably the hottest day of the year, so far. As the day went on and the sun rose higher in the sky, of course the temperature and the effects of the sun began to be felt. But no one really minded and the fellas never even complained about the heat. The games were great, we hung out with friends and TK and Carson both ran around familiarizing themselves with their new sports interest. Both are die-hard football players, but their interest was certainly peeked by another sport where players wear helmets, you get to knock people down and even hit them with a stick. Sounds pretty cool to me.
Anyway, when the last game ended, we all said goodbye to our friends, loaded up in the car and made our way home. We were all a bit tired, yet our conversation definitely centered around a great day together and our introduction to lacrosse. When we got home and began to cool down for the morning in the sun, Carson came walking into the living room and simply stated, "I got a sunburned today!" All I could do was chuckle and then confirm the observation of my hilarious 6 year old son by saying "WOW! You've been in the sun!" It was one of those duh-huh moments. I mean, anyone Carson would have encountered would have no problem noticing the fact that Carson had been in the sun. All the signs were present. His face was red. His neck was red. And he was sporting quite the spectacular farmer's tan. But he didn't mind. He had a blast and was thrilled to have spent the time watching a game, and even whacking a few people with a stick.
The question I have to ponder is this one. When you and I have the opportunity to spend some time in the "Son", does it become glaringly obvious to those we come in contact with that we have experienced something very cool and even life-changing? Much like the effects the sun's rays have on our physical bodies, shouldn't we be effected by the interaction we have the Son of God? The blessings that come from the opportunity to spend time with the one who lived, died and made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and the fact that that very same person is passionately and intimately in love with each and every one of us, should leave us not only spiritually changed, but changed in such a way that enables each person we meet along our journey to see and experience the obvious effects of our physical, mental and spiritual selves. I mean, if we did have a true encounter with Christ, one that is not centered around what God can do for us, and instead is fully about basking in the greatness, love, compassion and grace of Jesus, how can the change in us not be as easily seen as the most brilliant farmer's tan in the history of the world?
So, if you consider yourself an authentic Christ-Follower, are others seeing the Son on your face? Or even more important than that, in your face? If not, maybe you should get out a little more. Get out of the shade and step into the presence of God. Then enjoy the effects. The best part is... no sun screen needed!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, May 7th, 2010 "Open Mouth, Insert TANK!"
Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Friday, May 7th, 2010
Title: Open Mouth, Insert TANK!
Text: Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
From time to time, believe it or not, I can say things that I would consider funny. And by the reaction of those around me on those occasions, they seem to affirm that. So, I enjoy being the big and funny guy. Well, a couple of nights ago I was watching one of my favorite television shows. "LOST" is a show that I have watched since its very first episode. I have never missed a show, and now as the final season is coming to end and I can direct my obsessive behavior towards another program that will consume me for far too long, I have found great pleasure by watching this with my wife and a great friend. My buddy Ryan is my associate youth pastor at the church I serve and he too has the "LOST Sickness". So, it is natural that he would be a great person to join us for the show each week.
Anyway, as we watched this week's episode, the character Claire, who is a beautiful, blond Australian young lady appeared on the screen. I had noticed and kept very quiet about the fact that Claire's hair was a fright. I mean, it has gotten worse week by week, and I finally had to say something. I simply stated that her once beautiful, blond locks now more closely resembled a "Rat's Nest". It was frizzy and wild and just out of control nasty. I followed that up with the statement, "I wouldn't be surprised if there were a guinea pig or ferret in there somewhere." We all chuckled about it and then went on with watching the show.
The next day Ryan attended an area middle school to eat lunch with some members of our youth program. They sat and enjoyed some great conversation, discuss what was happening in their lives and just chilled out. Then, Ryan saw his chance to be a funny guy. A woman entered the cafeteria and made her way across the room. Her hair was bit wild and crazy. So Ryan simply said, "Wow! Look at her hair! I bet there is a guinea pig living in that thing." All of a sudden, a young man from down the table leaned up, looked Ryan in the eye and said, "That's my mom." Come to find out, the young man was correct. And at that moment, Ryan had done more than opened his mouth and inserted his foot. Ryan inserted a TANK!
Now, please allow me to tell you that my buddy Ryan is one of the greatest guys in the world. He's an amazing youth pastor, fun and a little out there. Just like me. And of course it is not his personality to be mean or say a hurtful thing about another person. I'm sure you have probably found yourself in a similar situation. However, I couldn't help but feel led to present the fact that the words we say carry some pretty power effects with it. Words can do amazing things such as building up, affirming, praising and nurturing people. Or they can cut you as deep as a knife. The person reciting the old childhood saying of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." must have never been on the receiving end of a hurtful comment.
As those who make their way through life with the title of "Christ-Follower" flying boldly above us, we must understand that we are called to be the voice of Christ to a world so desperately in need of a kind word, an affirming statement and a positive interaction with another living soul. Are the words we say, the comments we make, or the discussions we have with others building up or breaking down? If we will just take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of another, remember what it feels like to receive a harsh word, even as harmless as it may have been intended, I know we will truly begin to be that kind, loving and welcoming voice God has asked us to be.
Friday, May 7th, 2010
Title: Open Mouth, Insert TANK!
Text: Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
From time to time, believe it or not, I can say things that I would consider funny. And by the reaction of those around me on those occasions, they seem to affirm that. So, I enjoy being the big and funny guy. Well, a couple of nights ago I was watching one of my favorite television shows. "LOST" is a show that I have watched since its very first episode. I have never missed a show, and now as the final season is coming to end and I can direct my obsessive behavior towards another program that will consume me for far too long, I have found great pleasure by watching this with my wife and a great friend. My buddy Ryan is my associate youth pastor at the church I serve and he too has the "LOST Sickness". So, it is natural that he would be a great person to join us for the show each week.
Anyway, as we watched this week's episode, the character Claire, who is a beautiful, blond Australian young lady appeared on the screen. I had noticed and kept very quiet about the fact that Claire's hair was a fright. I mean, it has gotten worse week by week, and I finally had to say something. I simply stated that her once beautiful, blond locks now more closely resembled a "Rat's Nest". It was frizzy and wild and just out of control nasty. I followed that up with the statement, "I wouldn't be surprised if there were a guinea pig or ferret in there somewhere." We all chuckled about it and then went on with watching the show.
The next day Ryan attended an area middle school to eat lunch with some members of our youth program. They sat and enjoyed some great conversation, discuss what was happening in their lives and just chilled out. Then, Ryan saw his chance to be a funny guy. A woman entered the cafeteria and made her way across the room. Her hair was bit wild and crazy. So Ryan simply said, "Wow! Look at her hair! I bet there is a guinea pig living in that thing." All of a sudden, a young man from down the table leaned up, looked Ryan in the eye and said, "That's my mom." Come to find out, the young man was correct. And at that moment, Ryan had done more than opened his mouth and inserted his foot. Ryan inserted a TANK!
Now, please allow me to tell you that my buddy Ryan is one of the greatest guys in the world. He's an amazing youth pastor, fun and a little out there. Just like me. And of course it is not his personality to be mean or say a hurtful thing about another person. I'm sure you have probably found yourself in a similar situation. However, I couldn't help but feel led to present the fact that the words we say carry some pretty power effects with it. Words can do amazing things such as building up, affirming, praising and nurturing people. Or they can cut you as deep as a knife. The person reciting the old childhood saying of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." must have never been on the receiving end of a hurtful comment.
As those who make their way through life with the title of "Christ-Follower" flying boldly above us, we must understand that we are called to be the voice of Christ to a world so desperately in need of a kind word, an affirming statement and a positive interaction with another living soul. Are the words we say, the comments we make, or the discussions we have with others building up or breaking down? If we will just take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of another, remember what it feels like to receive a harsh word, even as harmless as it may have been intended, I know we will truly begin to be that kind, loving and welcoming voice God has asked us to be.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 29th, 2010 "Safe & Sound"
Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
Title: Safe & Sound
Text: Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Have you ever been caught in the midst of a pretty severe storm? I'm talking about the kind that shakes the entire house and makes the windows seem as if they're about to fall in? I vividly remember as a child being right in the middle of a spring time thunderstorm that seemed to have come out of nowhere. I was probably 11 or 12 years old and I was at the baseball field. I had been dropped off for a game and was awaiting the rest of the team and coaches to show up. My mom had to run a quick errand and had vowed to be back by game time. Well, over the next few minutes the wind started whipping and the dark clouds began rolling in, and before we all knew it the thunder and lighting started one spectacular show. And here I stood, smack in the middle of what seemed like the heavy wash cycle of a washing machine. So, I did what any responsible and sound-thinking young person would do, I RAN! I lived about a mile from the ball field and I decided to run down the main road between my house and the field in hopes that my mom would be on her way back to field to get me. Of course this was long before the introduction of cell phones and there was nowhere else to seek shelter. So I just tucked my tail, dropped my head and I ran as fast as I could toward my house.
As I lumbered down the sidewalk, I can remember thinking that what I was doing was just a bit dangerous. And the extraordinary loud booms of thunder that followed the blinding flash of lighting strikes confirmed my notion. All I had in mind was reaching the safety of my house. I just knew that once I made it to my destination, all would be good and I'd be safe and sound.
Once I reached my goal, and fell through the doorway, I just stood there dripping on the carpet like a soaked dog. I glared out of the open door and marveled at the sheets of rain that fell from the sky and violently collided with the ground. And in that moment I felt it. It surrounded me like a warm blanket or the comfort of my mom's arms. I felt safe. I knew that what I had just gone through was over and that everything would be okay. Even thought my heart continued to pound out of my chest, I was indeed safe and sound in the refuge of my home.
I know that we often experience very similar storms in our lives. There are times with the whipping winds and violent scenes of the day to day lives we live seem to push us, shake us and twist us like a tree in a hurricane. The violence of the circumstances, fear of the encounter and uncertainty of what is exactly taking place can shake us to our core. And how do we react in those circumstances? Hopefully we run. Not necessarily running away from something, but actually running towards something. The safety and security that can only be found in the refuge of our Lord. A presence that stands firm, sheltering us from the often turbulent, sometimes unforeseen and always frightening storms of life.
Maybe you can relate to my rambling. Maybe you've experienced the calming effect of finding sanctuary that can only be truly experienced in seeking the comfort of God. The understanding that even though we will endure the storms of life, that God will always be there for us and help us whether whatever the world throws at us . And knowing the fact that life will sometimes seem to be more than we can handle, God's love for us will always, without question, enable us to be safe and sound.
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
Title: Safe & Sound
Text: Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Have you ever been caught in the midst of a pretty severe storm? I'm talking about the kind that shakes the entire house and makes the windows seem as if they're about to fall in? I vividly remember as a child being right in the middle of a spring time thunderstorm that seemed to have come out of nowhere. I was probably 11 or 12 years old and I was at the baseball field. I had been dropped off for a game and was awaiting the rest of the team and coaches to show up. My mom had to run a quick errand and had vowed to be back by game time. Well, over the next few minutes the wind started whipping and the dark clouds began rolling in, and before we all knew it the thunder and lighting started one spectacular show. And here I stood, smack in the middle of what seemed like the heavy wash cycle of a washing machine. So, I did what any responsible and sound-thinking young person would do, I RAN! I lived about a mile from the ball field and I decided to run down the main road between my house and the field in hopes that my mom would be on her way back to field to get me. Of course this was long before the introduction of cell phones and there was nowhere else to seek shelter. So I just tucked my tail, dropped my head and I ran as fast as I could toward my house.
As I lumbered down the sidewalk, I can remember thinking that what I was doing was just a bit dangerous. And the extraordinary loud booms of thunder that followed the blinding flash of lighting strikes confirmed my notion. All I had in mind was reaching the safety of my house. I just knew that once I made it to my destination, all would be good and I'd be safe and sound.
Once I reached my goal, and fell through the doorway, I just stood there dripping on the carpet like a soaked dog. I glared out of the open door and marveled at the sheets of rain that fell from the sky and violently collided with the ground. And in that moment I felt it. It surrounded me like a warm blanket or the comfort of my mom's arms. I felt safe. I knew that what I had just gone through was over and that everything would be okay. Even thought my heart continued to pound out of my chest, I was indeed safe and sound in the refuge of my home.
I know that we often experience very similar storms in our lives. There are times with the whipping winds and violent scenes of the day to day lives we live seem to push us, shake us and twist us like a tree in a hurricane. The violence of the circumstances, fear of the encounter and uncertainty of what is exactly taking place can shake us to our core. And how do we react in those circumstances? Hopefully we run. Not necessarily running away from something, but actually running towards something. The safety and security that can only be found in the refuge of our Lord. A presence that stands firm, sheltering us from the often turbulent, sometimes unforeseen and always frightening storms of life.
Maybe you can relate to my rambling. Maybe you've experienced the calming effect of finding sanctuary that can only be truly experienced in seeking the comfort of God. The understanding that even though we will endure the storms of life, that God will always be there for us and help us whether whatever the world throws at us . And knowing the fact that life will sometimes seem to be more than we can handle, God's love for us will always, without question, enable us to be safe and sound.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 "The Real Deal"
Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Title: The Real Deal
Text: Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
New York City is one of my favorite places in the entire world. Even though I'm a man raised in the south, I just seem to love being in The Big Apple. All of the hustle and bustle, riding the subway, honking horns of the taxis, being shoved around like a pinball on the busy city streets. I love the bright lights and all of the craziness the city has to offer.
It is also a shopper's paradise. With all of the amazing stores and street vendors available. A person could really some of major financial damage if they weren't a bit disciplined with their money. Yet, every time I've been to New York City, I have noticed more people than I could possibly count, pushing through the mass of humanity with more shopping bags than 1 person should physically be able to carry. Stores like Tiffany, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and several other Madison Avenue, high-end establishments. I have often thought that many of those people are probably carrying more in their shopping bags than I even make in 1 year's salary. Crazy.
However, for those of us who are considered the "Common" person, there is no need to fret. We too have a chance to get our hands on some pretty amazing things. Items that have the names of the most sought after clothing, jewelry and accessories that we never thought we could ever have. How? 2 simple words. Canal Street! Canal Street is the place that you will be able to get all the high-dollar stuff without paying all of the high-dollar prices. Now, I'm sure you are asking yourself, "How can that be?" Well, the answer is quite simple. Because even though it may look like the real deal, and have the name on it like the real deal, it is not the real deal. In other words, it is a fake, fraud or impostor. You can give it any name you wish. Knock-off, faux, counterfeit, fraud, mock, phony. However you wish to label it, the bottom line is that it just is not the real deal. But when it comes to a knock-off of a $1,000 purse or $500 pair of sunglasses, does it really matter? Probably not. No one will really care if found out it was fake. But when it comes to our faith, you better believe it matters.
Unfortunately it has become far too easy for Christ-Followers to fall into this trap. Sure, on the outside they may look the part. They may wear the clothing and the cross around their neck. They may have the cool little fish on the back of their car. They probably even show up to right worship services and so on. But if you begin to really observe and witness what this person is all about, it becomes quite easy to see that they just aren't the real deal. And unlike purses, sunglasses and clothing, this is a major problem. God has called us to a life like no other. A life of loving all, serving all, sacrificing all and walking the walk and not just talking the talk. And when we choose to put on the mask of an authentic Christ-Follower, but live another way, the fact is we are no more than impostors, fakes and frauds.
The word "Real" is defined as being an actual thing. The key word in that statement is "Actual" The real deal. And when our path diverges from the path God has called us to walk, we move away from God and towards a world that desires to see us disconnect from the one who created us, redeemed us and sustains us, and embrace the sad life of a dark world. The fact of the matter is that if we have taken on the title of "Christ-Follower" then we are either with God or against God. We are either walking with the Son, or taking a journey on the dark side of the moon. We are either the "Real Deal" who is passionately living a life that is worthy of the name, or we are a fake. It is as simple as that.
So, next time you look yourself in the mirror, take a good hard look at what you see. Not just on the surface, but deep inside your soul and see what answer calls back to you. Real Deal or Impostor?
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Title: The Real Deal
Text: Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
New York City is one of my favorite places in the entire world. Even though I'm a man raised in the south, I just seem to love being in The Big Apple. All of the hustle and bustle, riding the subway, honking horns of the taxis, being shoved around like a pinball on the busy city streets. I love the bright lights and all of the craziness the city has to offer.
It is also a shopper's paradise. With all of the amazing stores and street vendors available. A person could really some of major financial damage if they weren't a bit disciplined with their money. Yet, every time I've been to New York City, I have noticed more people than I could possibly count, pushing through the mass of humanity with more shopping bags than 1 person should physically be able to carry. Stores like Tiffany, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and several other Madison Avenue, high-end establishments. I have often thought that many of those people are probably carrying more in their shopping bags than I even make in 1 year's salary. Crazy.
However, for those of us who are considered the "Common" person, there is no need to fret. We too have a chance to get our hands on some pretty amazing things. Items that have the names of the most sought after clothing, jewelry and accessories that we never thought we could ever have. How? 2 simple words. Canal Street! Canal Street is the place that you will be able to get all the high-dollar stuff without paying all of the high-dollar prices. Now, I'm sure you are asking yourself, "How can that be?" Well, the answer is quite simple. Because even though it may look like the real deal, and have the name on it like the real deal, it is not the real deal. In other words, it is a fake, fraud or impostor. You can give it any name you wish. Knock-off, faux, counterfeit, fraud, mock, phony. However you wish to label it, the bottom line is that it just is not the real deal. But when it comes to a knock-off of a $1,000 purse or $500 pair of sunglasses, does it really matter? Probably not. No one will really care if found out it was fake. But when it comes to our faith, you better believe it matters.
Unfortunately it has become far too easy for Christ-Followers to fall into this trap. Sure, on the outside they may look the part. They may wear the clothing and the cross around their neck. They may have the cool little fish on the back of their car. They probably even show up to right worship services and so on. But if you begin to really observe and witness what this person is all about, it becomes quite easy to see that they just aren't the real deal. And unlike purses, sunglasses and clothing, this is a major problem. God has called us to a life like no other. A life of loving all, serving all, sacrificing all and walking the walk and not just talking the talk. And when we choose to put on the mask of an authentic Christ-Follower, but live another way, the fact is we are no more than impostors, fakes and frauds.
The word "Real" is defined as being an actual thing. The key word in that statement is "Actual" The real deal. And when our path diverges from the path God has called us to walk, we move away from God and towards a world that desires to see us disconnect from the one who created us, redeemed us and sustains us, and embrace the sad life of a dark world. The fact of the matter is that if we have taken on the title of "Christ-Follower" then we are either with God or against God. We are either walking with the Son, or taking a journey on the dark side of the moon. We are either the "Real Deal" who is passionately living a life that is worthy of the name, or we are a fake. It is as simple as that.
So, next time you look yourself in the mirror, take a good hard look at what you see. Not just on the surface, but deep inside your soul and see what answer calls back to you. Real Deal or Impostor?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, April 19th, 2010 "Do You Hear Me?"
Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, April 19th, 2010
Title: Do You Hear Me?
Text: John 10:27 (NIV)
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in something that you tend to become oblivious to everything else that is taking place around you? I know I have. Who am I kidding? I do it all the time. I like to blame it on other things but the sad truth is that sometimes I allow myself to become so distracted and engrossed in somethings and it just doesn't matter what else is happening around me, or who is trying to get my attention.
Last week I was totally tuned in to ESPN. I was watching some sport. I'm not even sure what sport it was. Probably not even one of my favorites like football or baseball. I often just allow myself to get fully submerged in whatever sport is in front of me. I guess sports are to me what the ringing of the bell was to Pavlov's dog. Anyway, while my attention was consumed by something trivial, I had no clue that my daughter Avery was patiently standing by calling my name. And by saying "Patiently standing by, " I mean, she was standing right beside me as I lounged on our comfy couch. She had been calling out to daddy for quite a while. Then eventually she just kind of meandered off. Never drawing my attention away from the high-definition images I was watching on the television. Finally I heard something. It was the voice of my wife asking me a simple question. "Steve, did you not hear Avery?" I looked at hear as if she were speaking a foreign language. Then as if I were a large bear waking from hibernation, I began to recall faintly hearing a small child's voice trying to get her daddy's attention. However, at that time it was too late. Avery had moved on.
As I have thought more and more about that lopsided exchange of my little girl speaking softly in my ear, trying to gain just a moment of my attention, I am haunted by the fact that I would allow something so meaningless to block the acknowledgment of one I claim to love so dearly. The truly sobering thought in the midst of this example is that we do the same thing far too often when in comes to how we often allow our lives to distract us so much that we fail to hear the voice of God calling out to each of us. God patiently stands by. Speaking softly in our ear, trying His to best to gain our attention, and glean any portion of our so-called "Busy Day". All the while we are keenly focused on the task at hand, the person in front of us, the show on the television or the things of this world. And because of this, we are distracted from hearing and responding to the one we claim to love so much.
As I have replayed that interaction, with my daughter Avery, over and over in my head, I often wonder how many times I have done it to others I love? My wife, my sons, my friends, my youth? And on those occasions, want did I miss out on? What priceless experiences may have been an extraordinary gift to me? How many opportunities to love or be loved did I ignore? How many chances to either receive grace or give grace did I allow to blow away in the selfish storm of my life? Chances, opportunities and blessings that may never come again. How often have I allowed my focus on the world to draw my attention away from what God is trying to tell me, show me, direct me, send me and use me for? I mean, who do I think I am that the stuff in my life is so important that it should take priority over the voice of The Famous One?
Since that day I have tried to improve in this area. I am certainly a work in progress, but when Kim or the kids or others or God need my attention, I have tried to pull myself away from all of the distractions life has to offer, and listen to what they have to say. In my endeavor to make this priority in my personal life, I have also tried to slow down and just listen to what is being said, how I can use that, and what God truly has to say to me. And you know what? If we willingly give God our attention, we will undoubtedly realize that God is speaking loud and clear. Do you hear Him? If not, slow down, turn your attention away from the world and toward God. We may be amazed at what He has to say.
So, let's turn off the world. Tune into God, and experience the fullness of the relationship we can truly have with our Creator. And begin to listen. Shhhhhhhhh. God is trying to talk.
Monday, April 19th, 2010
Title: Do You Hear Me?
Text: John 10:27 (NIV)
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in something that you tend to become oblivious to everything else that is taking place around you? I know I have. Who am I kidding? I do it all the time. I like to blame it on other things but the sad truth is that sometimes I allow myself to become so distracted and engrossed in somethings and it just doesn't matter what else is happening around me, or who is trying to get my attention.
Last week I was totally tuned in to ESPN. I was watching some sport. I'm not even sure what sport it was. Probably not even one of my favorites like football or baseball. I often just allow myself to get fully submerged in whatever sport is in front of me. I guess sports are to me what the ringing of the bell was to Pavlov's dog. Anyway, while my attention was consumed by something trivial, I had no clue that my daughter Avery was patiently standing by calling my name. And by saying "Patiently standing by, " I mean, she was standing right beside me as I lounged on our comfy couch. She had been calling out to daddy for quite a while. Then eventually she just kind of meandered off. Never drawing my attention away from the high-definition images I was watching on the television. Finally I heard something. It was the voice of my wife asking me a simple question. "Steve, did you not hear Avery?" I looked at hear as if she were speaking a foreign language. Then as if I were a large bear waking from hibernation, I began to recall faintly hearing a small child's voice trying to get her daddy's attention. However, at that time it was too late. Avery had moved on.
As I have thought more and more about that lopsided exchange of my little girl speaking softly in my ear, trying to gain just a moment of my attention, I am haunted by the fact that I would allow something so meaningless to block the acknowledgment of one I claim to love so dearly. The truly sobering thought in the midst of this example is that we do the same thing far too often when in comes to how we often allow our lives to distract us so much that we fail to hear the voice of God calling out to each of us. God patiently stands by. Speaking softly in our ear, trying His to best to gain our attention, and glean any portion of our so-called "Busy Day". All the while we are keenly focused on the task at hand, the person in front of us, the show on the television or the things of this world. And because of this, we are distracted from hearing and responding to the one we claim to love so much.
As I have replayed that interaction, with my daughter Avery, over and over in my head, I often wonder how many times I have done it to others I love? My wife, my sons, my friends, my youth? And on those occasions, want did I miss out on? What priceless experiences may have been an extraordinary gift to me? How many opportunities to love or be loved did I ignore? How many chances to either receive grace or give grace did I allow to blow away in the selfish storm of my life? Chances, opportunities and blessings that may never come again. How often have I allowed my focus on the world to draw my attention away from what God is trying to tell me, show me, direct me, send me and use me for? I mean, who do I think I am that the stuff in my life is so important that it should take priority over the voice of The Famous One?
Since that day I have tried to improve in this area. I am certainly a work in progress, but when Kim or the kids or others or God need my attention, I have tried to pull myself away from all of the distractions life has to offer, and listen to what they have to say. In my endeavor to make this priority in my personal life, I have also tried to slow down and just listen to what is being said, how I can use that, and what God truly has to say to me. And you know what? If we willingly give God our attention, we will undoubtedly realize that God is speaking loud and clear. Do you hear Him? If not, slow down, turn your attention away from the world and toward God. We may be amazed at what He has to say.
So, let's turn off the world. Tune into God, and experience the fullness of the relationship we can truly have with our Creator. And begin to listen. Shhhhhhhhh. God is trying to talk.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 "Adversity Builds Character"
Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Title: "Adversity Builds Character"
Text: James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When I was in high school I wrestled. Not the WWE, flying off the top ropes, power-bomb type of wresting. As much as I love Ric Flair, the Four Horsemen and, of course, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, that just wasn't the kind of wrestling I did. It was the really cool, extra small, wrestling singlet, ultra-awesome head gear wearing kind of wrestling. I must say that in all my years of playing sports, I would consider it, by far, the hardest and most physically and mentally demanding sport ever. Wrestlers are a different breed of athlete. They are a bit quirky and even sometimes superstitious. They spit in cups and wear trash bags under their clothing to cut weight before a match. They are committed to their cause and the team. They make great physical sacrifices and push through some extremely difficult situations. It was both the hardest and the most fun I ever had in sports, and I'm so glad that I chose to be a part of it all.
More than 20 years later I still recall some of the valuable lessons I learned during those years on the Garinger High School Wrestling Team. It is amazing how things one learns so long ago seems to come back so vividly. One memory I have and something I have drawn strength from ever since is one phrase that hung on the wall of that old, tiny, hot and stinky wrestling room. The phrase was crudely painting in white on a royal blue rectangular piece of wood. It read "Adversity Builds Character." That's it. It is a pretty simple statement, and one that makes so much sense. Our team drew a lot of strength from those words. When it seemed as if the odds were too great and there was no way we could persevere in the face of the opposition, we remembered those words. Little did I know that long after my wrestling career would end I would continue to be inspired by the phrase "Adversity Builds Character." Even today, I am continuously spoken to by those 3 powerful words. Through life in general, and even more so through my walk with Christ.
It seems that far too often, those who make a commitment to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, dedicate their lives to service and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, we head out on that journey with a very ignorant mindset. I mean, we are so new at this "Jesus Thing" and we just don't know that we just don't know. So, we step boldly towards the Giant, following the example of young David, and once the Giant begins to shout back at us, we quickly begin to identify with the quivering soldiers who buckled under the pressure, and found it easier to just hide and avoid the adversity that stood before them. But if you stop long enough to just relax, clear your head and think about it, adversity is the force that truly molds us, shapes us, forges us in the fire and makes us into the person we are meant to be. Adversity in the face of opposition is something that is a part of life. As sure as the sun will rise in the east and set in the west, adversity will certainly be present. The question we must answer is simply, how will we respond to it? The world desires us to sit back and not engage the hardships. The Lord strengthens, empowers and enables us to overcome and stand victorious, stronger and better equipped for the journey on the other side. It is never fun, but always meaningful. It is never invited, but always present. It is never prejudice, but always life changing and character building.
How will you respond to the adversity you will experience in your life? What character traits will shine brightly through in the midst of the dark nights? Will you crack under the pressure, fold like a poker player with a horrible hand, fall on the ground pounding your fist and screaming "Why Me?" Or will you withstand the fire, enable Christ to strengthen, change you and use you to inspire others who desperately need to see your example? The choice is totally up to you. But I encourage you to make the phrase yours. Own it. Embrace it. Use it. Because it is so very true. "Adversity Builds Character." Now get on the mat! The world wants a piece of you. Go get them!
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Title: "Adversity Builds Character"
Text: James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When I was in high school I wrestled. Not the WWE, flying off the top ropes, power-bomb type of wresting. As much as I love Ric Flair, the Four Horsemen and, of course, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, that just wasn't the kind of wrestling I did. It was the really cool, extra small, wrestling singlet, ultra-awesome head gear wearing kind of wrestling. I must say that in all my years of playing sports, I would consider it, by far, the hardest and most physically and mentally demanding sport ever. Wrestlers are a different breed of athlete. They are a bit quirky and even sometimes superstitious. They spit in cups and wear trash bags under their clothing to cut weight before a match. They are committed to their cause and the team. They make great physical sacrifices and push through some extremely difficult situations. It was both the hardest and the most fun I ever had in sports, and I'm so glad that I chose to be a part of it all.
More than 20 years later I still recall some of the valuable lessons I learned during those years on the Garinger High School Wrestling Team. It is amazing how things one learns so long ago seems to come back so vividly. One memory I have and something I have drawn strength from ever since is one phrase that hung on the wall of that old, tiny, hot and stinky wrestling room. The phrase was crudely painting in white on a royal blue rectangular piece of wood. It read "Adversity Builds Character." That's it. It is a pretty simple statement, and one that makes so much sense. Our team drew a lot of strength from those words. When it seemed as if the odds were too great and there was no way we could persevere in the face of the opposition, we remembered those words. Little did I know that long after my wrestling career would end I would continue to be inspired by the phrase "Adversity Builds Character." Even today, I am continuously spoken to by those 3 powerful words. Through life in general, and even more so through my walk with Christ.
It seems that far too often, those who make a commitment to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, dedicate their lives to service and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, we head out on that journey with a very ignorant mindset. I mean, we are so new at this "Jesus Thing" and we just don't know that we just don't know. So, we step boldly towards the Giant, following the example of young David, and once the Giant begins to shout back at us, we quickly begin to identify with the quivering soldiers who buckled under the pressure, and found it easier to just hide and avoid the adversity that stood before them. But if you stop long enough to just relax, clear your head and think about it, adversity is the force that truly molds us, shapes us, forges us in the fire and makes us into the person we are meant to be. Adversity in the face of opposition is something that is a part of life. As sure as the sun will rise in the east and set in the west, adversity will certainly be present. The question we must answer is simply, how will we respond to it? The world desires us to sit back and not engage the hardships. The Lord strengthens, empowers and enables us to overcome and stand victorious, stronger and better equipped for the journey on the other side. It is never fun, but always meaningful. It is never invited, but always present. It is never prejudice, but always life changing and character building.
How will you respond to the adversity you will experience in your life? What character traits will shine brightly through in the midst of the dark nights? Will you crack under the pressure, fold like a poker player with a horrible hand, fall on the ground pounding your fist and screaming "Why Me?" Or will you withstand the fire, enable Christ to strengthen, change you and use you to inspire others who desperately need to see your example? The choice is totally up to you. But I encourage you to make the phrase yours. Own it. Embrace it. Use it. Because it is so very true. "Adversity Builds Character." Now get on the mat! The world wants a piece of you. Go get them!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 "Guard Duty"
Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
Title: "Guard Duty"
Text: Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV) Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
When I was in the Army, Guard Duty was just a way of life. All of us had to pull our shift and spend our time looking out for anyone and everyone who may come up on our location. During my time in "Operation Desert Storm" in the first Persian Gulf War, this took on an entirely new importance. Gone were the no-stress guarding of the perimeter while my recon platoon trained at Fort Hood, TX. The game had changed and it was all for real. We had to pay attention to our surroundings and truly be aware of any thing approaching us. There were a few occasions when our vigilance paid off. And because of some who took their shifts on guard duty seriously and did what they needed to do, it saved the lives of many other soldiers.
Unfortunately when we returned to the states after the conflict ended, many of my platoon members didn't stand guard with the same dedication and alertness they used in the Gulf. And from time to time, instead of being the top-notch, recon platoon we have become prior to and during our 8 months in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, we had become complacent and lazy. I get the feeling that Christ-Followers often get complacent as well. Sure from time to time we tend to go on High Alert and become a finely tuned instrument with our "Jesus Radar" working at its highest level. However, these tend to be the exception to the norm. Most of the time I find myself so distracted by everything else that is taking place around me, that Jesus could brush right past me during my walk through my crowded life that I would never even realize it was him.
We have been told in God's Word to get our eyes open and our souls alert for the return of Jesus. A return that is certain to occur. It is not like the paparazzi hoping to catch a glimpse of the hottest movie star. Instead it is a fact that Jesus will return, and we should be ready. Ready to see it and announce to the world that He is coming. Our hearts, minds and souls should crave this occurence. We should become like children waiting on Christmas morning, or a parent awaiting the arrival of their child's birth. The hard part is that we have no clue when Jesus will come riding in. And that is when our human and often impatient nature begins to rear its ugly head. That is when we begin to falter and drift away from that assurance, and towards the distractions of the world. The only way to make sure we stand firm and stay ready is to continue to assure ourselves and other Christ followers that this is our duty, our job and part of our calling.
So, what will we do in this regard? Will we enable ourselves to continue to be distracted by the world around us? Or will we stand in eager anticipation of the return of Christ? Keeping our eyes keenly fixed upon the sky, ready to announce to the world around us that "HE'S BACK!!!!" I don't know about you, but I'm heading to my post right now. I'll let you know when I see him.
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
Title: "Guard Duty"
Text: Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV) Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
When I was in the Army, Guard Duty was just a way of life. All of us had to pull our shift and spend our time looking out for anyone and everyone who may come up on our location. During my time in "Operation Desert Storm" in the first Persian Gulf War, this took on an entirely new importance. Gone were the no-stress guarding of the perimeter while my recon platoon trained at Fort Hood, TX. The game had changed and it was all for real. We had to pay attention to our surroundings and truly be aware of any thing approaching us. There were a few occasions when our vigilance paid off. And because of some who took their shifts on guard duty seriously and did what they needed to do, it saved the lives of many other soldiers.
Unfortunately when we returned to the states after the conflict ended, many of my platoon members didn't stand guard with the same dedication and alertness they used in the Gulf. And from time to time, instead of being the top-notch, recon platoon we have become prior to and during our 8 months in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, we had become complacent and lazy. I get the feeling that Christ-Followers often get complacent as well. Sure from time to time we tend to go on High Alert and become a finely tuned instrument with our "Jesus Radar" working at its highest level. However, these tend to be the exception to the norm. Most of the time I find myself so distracted by everything else that is taking place around me, that Jesus could brush right past me during my walk through my crowded life that I would never even realize it was him.
We have been told in God's Word to get our eyes open and our souls alert for the return of Jesus. A return that is certain to occur. It is not like the paparazzi hoping to catch a glimpse of the hottest movie star. Instead it is a fact that Jesus will return, and we should be ready. Ready to see it and announce to the world that He is coming. Our hearts, minds and souls should crave this occurence. We should become like children waiting on Christmas morning, or a parent awaiting the arrival of their child's birth. The hard part is that we have no clue when Jesus will come riding in. And that is when our human and often impatient nature begins to rear its ugly head. That is when we begin to falter and drift away from that assurance, and towards the distractions of the world. The only way to make sure we stand firm and stay ready is to continue to assure ourselves and other Christ followers that this is our duty, our job and part of our calling.
So, what will we do in this regard? Will we enable ourselves to continue to be distracted by the world around us? Or will we stand in eager anticipation of the return of Christ? Keeping our eyes keenly fixed upon the sky, ready to announce to the world around us that "HE'S BACK!!!!" I don't know about you, but I'm heading to my post right now. I'll let you know when I see him.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 "We Should Be Dancing... Yeah!"
Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Title: "We Should Be Dancing... Yeah!"
Text: Psalm 150 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
The other day, while sitting at my desk, I turned on iTunes and started listening to some music as I sifted through the pile of work for the day. I have a pretty eclectic playlist on my iPod. I can enjoy The David Crowder Band 1 minute, then follow it up with The Backstreet Boys. You may run across some Johnny Cash, "Burning Ring of Fire", then slide right into The Doobie Brothers' "Black Water". I guess it is safe to say that I like just about anything.
Well, in the midst of working and enjoying my music, I found myself in a full-on jam session of the classic Disco hit, from the BeeGees, "You Should Be Dancing". I love that song. You know, music is pretty powerful and it is amazing how a song from 1976 can still move a person in 2010. Anyway, as I began to groove in my chair, I quickly felt the intense desire to stand to my feet and move around the office. I have a pretty large office, so I knew I could cover some ground and probably not break anything. Then next thing I knew, I was doing my best "John Travolta" impression from the movie Saturday Night Fever, and I was lost in the moment. I didn't care who walked by and saw me. I didn't care what anyone might think. I didn't care that the office door and window blind was open. I just new, at that moment, I should follow the suggestion of the song and dance! And dance I did!!!
After the song ended and I came down from my disco high and made my way back to the desk to get back to work after my 3 1/2 minute time travel back to the 70's. Then it hit me. I never thought of asking the question, "Why should I be dancing?" I mean, I just heard the statement, felt the power of the music and submitted. So, I started to answer the question I just posted. And the answer was a simple one. "I should be dancing because... I AM LOVED!!!" Yep, I'm loved by many very special people in my life. I'm loved by an amazing wife and remarkable children. And that is enough to get one moving. But the love that should get each of us out of our seats and moving to the tunes of life, without a care of what others may think, say or act, comes simply from the amazing, unceasing and unconditional love of God. The same God who gave His own son for our eternal life. The same God who hung the stars and the moon. The same God who filled our lungs with oxygen this morning and makes the waves crash upon the shores. That God loves us! And with that being said, how can our response be anything less than DANCING???
So, is the way you are living your life a dance of celebration of God's love? Can others see the rhythm of God's love pulsing through your very being? Or are you too worried about what those around you may think? All I've got to say is, if you're willing take the time to truly look into what God has done for you, and is willing to do for you, and who He should be in your life, you will begin to fully come to the realization that... YOU SHOULD BE DANCING - YEAH!
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Title: "We Should Be Dancing... Yeah!"
Text: Psalm 150 (NIV) 1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
The other day, while sitting at my desk, I turned on iTunes and started listening to some music as I sifted through the pile of work for the day. I have a pretty eclectic playlist on my iPod. I can enjoy The David Crowder Band 1 minute, then follow it up with The Backstreet Boys. You may run across some Johnny Cash, "Burning Ring of Fire", then slide right into The Doobie Brothers' "Black Water". I guess it is safe to say that I like just about anything.
Well, in the midst of working and enjoying my music, I found myself in a full-on jam session of the classic Disco hit, from the BeeGees, "You Should Be Dancing". I love that song. You know, music is pretty powerful and it is amazing how a song from 1976 can still move a person in 2010. Anyway, as I began to groove in my chair, I quickly felt the intense desire to stand to my feet and move around the office. I have a pretty large office, so I knew I could cover some ground and probably not break anything. Then next thing I knew, I was doing my best "John Travolta" impression from the movie Saturday Night Fever, and I was lost in the moment. I didn't care who walked by and saw me. I didn't care what anyone might think. I didn't care that the office door and window blind was open. I just new, at that moment, I should follow the suggestion of the song and dance! And dance I did!!!
After the song ended and I came down from my disco high and made my way back to the desk to get back to work after my 3 1/2 minute time travel back to the 70's. Then it hit me. I never thought of asking the question, "Why should I be dancing?" I mean, I just heard the statement, felt the power of the music and submitted. So, I started to answer the question I just posted. And the answer was a simple one. "I should be dancing because... I AM LOVED!!!" Yep, I'm loved by many very special people in my life. I'm loved by an amazing wife and remarkable children. And that is enough to get one moving. But the love that should get each of us out of our seats and moving to the tunes of life, without a care of what others may think, say or act, comes simply from the amazing, unceasing and unconditional love of God. The same God who gave His own son for our eternal life. The same God who hung the stars and the moon. The same God who filled our lungs with oxygen this morning and makes the waves crash upon the shores. That God loves us! And with that being said, how can our response be anything less than DANCING???
So, is the way you are living your life a dance of celebration of God's love? Can others see the rhythm of God's love pulsing through your very being? Or are you too worried about what those around you may think? All I've got to say is, if you're willing take the time to truly look into what God has done for you, and is willing to do for you, and who He should be in your life, you will begin to fully come to the realization that... YOU SHOULD BE DANCING - YEAH!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 29th, 2010 "On the Contrary"
Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Title: "On the Contrary"
Text: Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
"You shall have no other gods before Me."
Way back in the day, when I was just a wee little fellow, making my way through the hallways of my high school, I was only interested in a few things.
One piece that really jumped out at me was the idea that the Earth was the center of the universe and everything else revolved around it. I can understand the concept and why people of that time would believe such an idea. Why not? From their vantage point, they lived, as an intelligent society, and by simply looking toward the sky they would see things like the moon, stars and other amazing celestial bodies moving from east to west in the midnight sky. But something changed. That idea was proved to be wrong and instead of our planet being the most important and most meaningful, we finally realized we orbited something bigger, more meaningful and more powerful. The Sun. What a crushing blow to the ego. But, we have become a well-adjusted planet. Haven't we?
However, when it comes to our daily lives, and even for those of us that consider ourselves Christ-Followers, we often still make our way through life with an "It is all about me" or "I'm the center of the universe" attitude. We want what we want, when we want it. And if those around us don't recognize this, then they are wrong, against us and should just get out of the way. And that even includes our relationship with God.
Think about it. Next time you pray, write down what your prayer consists of. How much of it is "Me" focused instead of "HE" focused? We tend to pray for or seek the things that will best meet our needs of enable to get ahead in this world. Is that the true purpose? It is so easy to look back at those societies that firmly believed that the Earth was the center of it all, many, many years ago, and say "How silly they were." Yet today we don't necessarily look at the planet we occupy as the center of it, but we have no problem thinking WE are the center of it all. And until we truly begin to realize that God is the center, most powerful and most important thing of all, we will never fully become all we can be, live the lives God desires us to live, and truly impact the kingdom of God with all God has gifted us with.
So, next time you begin to huff and puff and even think about blowing someone's house down, all in the name of "It is all about me!", remember one very important thing. If it isn't all about God, it just isn't worth it, and you have totally missed the point.
Title: "On the Contrary"
Text: Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
"You shall have no other gods before Me."
Way back in the day, when I was just a wee little fellow, making my way through the hallways of my high school, I was only interested in a few things.
- Sports
- Girls
- World History
One piece that really jumped out at me was the idea that the Earth was the center of the universe and everything else revolved around it. I can understand the concept and why people of that time would believe such an idea. Why not? From their vantage point, they lived, as an intelligent society, and by simply looking toward the sky they would see things like the moon, stars and other amazing celestial bodies moving from east to west in the midnight sky. But something changed. That idea was proved to be wrong and instead of our planet being the most important and most meaningful, we finally realized we orbited something bigger, more meaningful and more powerful. The Sun. What a crushing blow to the ego. But, we have become a well-adjusted planet. Haven't we?
However, when it comes to our daily lives, and even for those of us that consider ourselves Christ-Followers, we often still make our way through life with an "It is all about me" or "I'm the center of the universe" attitude. We want what we want, when we want it. And if those around us don't recognize this, then they are wrong, against us and should just get out of the way. And that even includes our relationship with God.
Think about it. Next time you pray, write down what your prayer consists of. How much of it is "Me" focused instead of "HE" focused? We tend to pray for or seek the things that will best meet our needs of enable to get ahead in this world. Is that the true purpose? It is so easy to look back at those societies that firmly believed that the Earth was the center of it all, many, many years ago, and say "How silly they were." Yet today we don't necessarily look at the planet we occupy as the center of it, but we have no problem thinking WE are the center of it all. And until we truly begin to realize that God is the center, most powerful and most important thing of all, we will never fully become all we can be, live the lives God desires us to live, and truly impact the kingdom of God with all God has gifted us with.
So, next time you begin to huff and puff and even think about blowing someone's house down, all in the name of "It is all about me!", remember one very important thing. If it isn't all about God, it just isn't worth it, and you have totally missed the point.
Friday, January 22, 2010
January 22nd, 2010 "Push On Through"
Tsunami Devo by Steve Keaton
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Title: Push On Through
Text: John 16:33 (NIV) 33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
It is no secret that I’m a big guy. I like to eat. Now, I’m not talking about eating the healthy stuff either. I am a meat and potatoes kind of guy. I love sweets. A bowl of ice cream at 10PM is not something out of the realm of possibilities for me. I joke that I was born at 189lbs. So, I hope I have painted a pretty decent picture of myself. And any of you who are familiar with youth ministry, you know that eating junk is just part of the sacrifice we dedicate youth workers make to reach the needs of the youth we serve. Well, last summer I had gained back most of the weight I lost in 2003. You see in 2003 I hit the 300lb mark, and knew I had to do something about it. So I set a goal of competing in a triathlon and lost 70 lbs. I was looking pretty good for an ugly, old guy. But over the past 6 years I allowed the weight to creep back up on me. I knew I needed to do something because my weight had hit 270 again.
It wasn’t until a comment that cut me to my core. I remember so vividly a father of one my youth, on our summer mission trip calling me “Fat”. It hurt me. I didn’t show it on the outside, but it really hurt me on the inside. This was a man who I respected and loved. How could he?
Later that night as I lay sweating in that hot Nassau church, it hit me. Sometimes we have to be slapped in the face and be cut to the bone to wake up and make a change. So the day after we returned from that trip I started a new work out program. It wasn’t your typical 20-minute, get your heart rate up a little, workout. It was a punch you in the face, kick your booty, make you cry for your mommy workout. Once I realized that as much as it may hurt while doing it, and as difficult and challenging as it was to finish each hour-long session, that I wasn’t going to die, I began seeing a transformation take place. It was a physical and mental transformation. It was a transformation that was obvious to those around me. And the feedback was so positive. As a matter of fact, because of the example I set, several others began that 90 day, extreme workout program. That’s a pretty awesome feeling.
But imagine what would have happened, or should I say, not happen if I had not become motivated to make such a change in my life? How would my life continued to go down a dangerous path. How about those who have stepped up to take on the challenge to see themselves changed? Who knows? What about the negative example I was setting for those around me? But I know this much. Not one minute of it was easy, but every minute of it was worth it. I am a different person today because it.
Our walk with Christ is much the same way. Being a true and authentic follower of Christ is not something to be taken lightly. It is not easy. No bed of roses to be found. The fact is that striving to transform ourselves to be the true people God created us to be is not supposed to be easy. Nothing worth having ever is. Yet, the impact on ourselves and even more so on those around us will astound you. You have to push through the adversity. You have to strive to overcome all the obstacles and change your mind-set to one of “I can”, instead of “there’s no way I could ever do that.” God gives us the strength to do it, if we will dig deeper and put forth the effort.
Listen to what I’m saying. You exist for more than consuming oxygen and taking up space on this big rock circling the sun. You have a special purpose. And in whatever form God reveals that to you, that purpose is simply to glorify God, be a light in the darkness, help set the example for the world around you, and worship our Creator with every fiber of your being with everything you do.
So, get up, get out, get moving, get motivated and push on through. Why? That’s what our Savior did, and we can do the same.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Monday, January 4th, 2010 "Have Your Heard?"
Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, January 4th, 2010
Title: Have You Heard?
Text: Matthew 10:27 (NIV) What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
In 2009 my wife and I made the decision that we would start a new tradition with our children. We have named this tradition the “Rite of Passage Trip”. The plan is that when each of our children reaches their 5th grade year of school, and they are doing what they should be doing in school, at home and in general as they continue to develop as quality young people, we will take them on a 4-day trip to New York City. Just the three of us together in the Big Apple. Spending some quality time in one of the most magnificent cities in the world.
So during TK’s 5th grade year, we boarded a plane and spent December 26th-29th seeing the sights, experiencing the city and spending some amazing time with each other building memories that will last a lifetime. We had a blast. We toured the city on one of the huge double-decker tour buses, we saw the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, threw football in Central Park, ate pizza at Ray’s and of course we popped into the Toys R Us in Time Square. The entire trip was magical and it was a wonderful gift for Kim and me to spend some personal time with our oldest right before he hits middle school. And we all know what life become like once that occurs.
New York City is always a place that is filled with people, but never before have I ever seen it like this. I mean, it was wall-to-wall people. I would have paid big money to get a glimpse of what the sea of humanity must have looked like from above. People shoving and pushing their way past each other. Trying to keep up with their friends. Attempting to navigate the hustle and bustle of the chaos. It was simply crazy. There was one time when we were trying to get from Central Park to the subway station in Time Square that, as snaked our way through the pushing and pulling bodies, I began to think about something. A question rang out so clearing in my mind and it consumed me so much so that from that moment on I didn’t even recall how I finally reached the other side and found my way into the subway station. The question was a short and simple one. “Do they know?” Three small and seemingly insignificant words once put together made a truly significant inquiry. Did the people around me know that they are special? Did they know that the creator of the universe also created them? Did they know that no matter what they were going through, what they had done, where they had been, what mistakes they had made, or whatever garbage the world had fed them to the contrary, that God loves them? That they are special and have a true purpose?
The sad fact is that while some of those people may have known those things, I rubbed shoulders and came within a fraction of an inch of people that had no clue. I passed by people who may never come into a life-changing relationship with God and never hear the good news of the life, death and resurrection of our savior.
Now, to be fair to myself and my family, it may have been a bit difficult to bring our journey to a screeching halt while I grabbed some stranger as asked them about their faith. But the truth of the matter is that from day to day I find myself around people where I do have that opportunity. At the bank, in the store, at the gym. And yet I still don’t take advantage of those Godly appointments to allow God to speak through me and share with them the greatest love story every. Am I selfish? Am I too dense to realize? Am I so self-absorbed in my own life or am I just too lazy? Or am I scared? Whatever the excuse is, it just isn’t good enough. I am a Christ-Follower, and it is my mission, my call, my job, and it should be my passion to live a life that proclaims who God is, how God has changed my life and how God wants to do the same for all of us.
So watch out world. Don’t be surprised if you see me perched high upon a roof somewhere singing the praises of God. And if you’re bold enough you can feel free to join me. I’ll save a spot for you.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Tsunami Devotional: Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
Tsunami Devotiona; by Steve Keaton
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
Title: Checking Any Bags?
Text: Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to do a ton of traveling around the world. It is always an experience to plan your trip, get to the airport, board the plane and see what adventure awaits you. Whether it is a trip with my family or while leading a group of youth, traveling is something that I have really come to enjoy.
During those years of trekking the from place to place I have certainly learned a few things. One, always pack a few snacks in your backpack. What can I say? I like to eat. Two, make sure you have all of the contact numbers and information for the place you are heading to. And Three, don't drag along any more luggage than you absolutely need. Of those 3 things, I would say the last nugget of traveler's wisdom would cause you the most pain. You will more than likely be able to find some food along your journey. As long as you have a the name of your final destination, you will more than likely be able to get to where you want to go, but if you are dragging too much baggage with you, you will definitely make your experience far more difficult that you would ever need.
Back in 2006 I took a group of high school youth on a 5 day trip from Winston-Salem, NC to New York City. The trip was to be a combination of service and fun, and one that would build some amazing memories for the entire group. When the group members showed up at the church to start the trip, each person had, not only a backpack, but at least 1 HUGE rolling suitcase. Watching my group navigate the Manhattan streets, the New York City subway system and the millions of pedestrians on the streets, was not nearly as entertaining as one may assume. Instead, the entire journey was filled with complaints, arguments and plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth. Not because the journey was hard. But totally because each of us were dragging way too much baggage. Things we thought we couldn't live without or that we must have to make the trip better, quickly became things that we should have left behind.
Our journey as Christ-followers is much the same way. As we make our way on the adventures and travels that lye before us, we tend to accumulate and collect more and more stuff. Most of these things are items that we should let go of, dump and eliminate from our lives. Many of these things have been hurts and harms that we have allowed ourselves to drag along with us, weigh us down and make the road God has us traveling on far too hard to enjoy. And when we drag too much junk with us on that journey, the only person to blame is ourself.
So, how much baggage are you carrying? What are the hurts and wrongs that you are toting with you as you take step after step on your path? What are the things that you need to forgive, forget and leave behind to truly enable you to be the person and fully live the life God has blessed you with? What are the things that are causing you to fall short of reaching your potential? It may not be easy to do. Sometimes those hurts are so deep and the thought of forgiving someone who has hurt you so badly is something that we just feel we can't do. But know that this is what God calls us to do. And it is something that God will help us do. Instead of living the way the world does, dragging huge pieces of baggage of unforgiveness with them through life, drop those bags at the feet of Christ and then step boldly, confidently and happily into the journey God gives you.
Something to Think About:
List the baggage you know you are carrying with you.
How has carrying those bags caused your life/journey to be harder than it should have been?
What can you do to drop those bags?
A Few Minutes with God:
God, help me understand that carrying all of the baggage that I have accumulated during my journey is not what you want from me. Help me rely on you and your strength to drop those bags, leave those burdens behind and fully live the life that I can live in you. Amen.
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