Keepin' It Real

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a beautiful new day begins to dawn on the Texas Gulf Coast. I also hope you have had a great week and that you are looking forward to this Labor Day weekend and, most importantly, the start of the college football season! :)

This morning I want to do two things. 1. I am going to take off my mask for a minute and show you my heart and my struggles. We are all so good at putting on the right face for others we often miss the opportunity to truly testify to others like us - the lost, confused, hurting and broken. Well, you are not going to get the "right face" this morning...you are going to get the pure heart. And 2. I want to challenge us all with "What Will Your Influence Be...in your life?" 90% of the Happy Friday's I write are about the influence we will have in others lives however the most critical part of all of this is what influences our lives because what influences our lives determines the influence we will have in others lives (what's in the well always comes up in the bucket) - especially when we feel lost, confused, hurt & broken.

So off with the mask.

The first time I really remember being slapped in the face with keepin' it real was when my Mom passed away. My oldest Tender Warrior, Payton, came up to me and said something like, "You know Dad, it is o.k. to cry. You don't always have to be the strong one." I honestly didn't realize that this is what I had done - making my Tender Warriors think I never cried, hurt, etc. I get up so early and seek God, laying my heart bare before Him, getting things right, that by the time my boys got up I had already cried and let God renew my mind, my heart & my strength. They weren't seeing the fullness of everything and that is not a good thing because life is hard, it hurts sometimes and I need to show them how a man deals with these things.

During my Mom's celebration of life I cried like a baby when "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me played. The thing is, I was to get up and speak immediately following the song. After a brief minute to say another prayer, desperately asking God to show up through me to honor this most beautiful woman and blowing my nose - remember, keepin it real! :) - I turned around to face the crowd. Man, you should have seen the look on my Tender Warriors faces! I then spoke the message that God laid on my heart because that is what men do...through the hurt, through the pain, with God's strength & wisdom they show up and they do what they are supposed to do.

Several weeks ago I went through a tough time. I was severely disappointed. Something I had hoped for did not come to fruition and it was a punch in the gut to me - one of the biggest I had ever suffered up until this point in my life. I hurt, I was angry and I was disappointed. I was very mindful in that moment that I had 3 set of Tender Warrior eyes on me and they were watching how a man handles hurt, anger & disappointment. So I covered it up and put on a happy face, right? No!!! What I did was I told them I was hurt, that I was disappointed and that I need them to be praying for their Dad right now. The reactions were both funny and sweet. I was very mindful that how I handled this was huge as they were watching and it would either provide the road map or road block to handling their setbacks in life. My Beautiful Bride and I talked about it and I prayed about it - it is o.k. to let them know that I am hurt, angry & disappointed however what is most important is what I then do with it. It is not a license to be rude, mean & nasty to everyone else. It doesn't make it o.k. to ignore my responsibilities. And it is absolutely critical where I turn for strength, courage, knowledge & wisdom. In so many ways, one of my greatest disappointments became my greatest opportunity to witness to my boys...not in words, but in actions. So I sought God with all my heart, relied on Him for strength, courage & wisdom.

And then there was this week. So on Sunday we took our middle Tender Warrior, Gehrig, to college. He is going to a beautiful college about 4 hours from where we live. Gehrig, Kath & I drove up there on Sunday morning - check in started at 1:00 p.m. Everything went perfectly from the drive, to the actual move in, to getting his room set up, to the dinner we shared together that night, to collapsing in our hotel room around 8:00 p.m. that night - Praise the Lord, this is what I had prayed for. Monday morning Kath & I got up and had breakfast at the hotel. We had a wonderful breakfast and conversation. We then met Gehrig at the Student Center and then went to the bookstore to get all of the Haslam's gear - hat for Dad and t-shirts for the whole crew. If nothing else, we fully support one another! We then walked out to the car, hugged Gehrig goodbye, prayed one more time and then left.

And then it happened...no, Kath didn't start bawling or anything like that - it was me! It felt like my heart was being ripped right out of my chest! I hurt so bad! And I need to be really clear here on the front end - it wasn't that I didn't think this was right, that I didn't want Gehrig to go, that I didn't think Gehrig was ready or anything of the sort. I know Gehrig is exactly where he should, doing exactly what he should be doing, surrounded by great coaches & teammates - all the things I had prayed for. No, it wasn't any of those things. It was simply that I love my son with all of my heart and it is hard to drive away leaving him there. 

So I told Kath what I was thinking & feeling. We listened to two different sermons on podcast, we talked. We got home and we were going to take a nap - I laid there for about 5 minutes, my heart pounding out of my chest so I decided I needed to get up and do something. I still needed to finish staining our fence so I ran to the store, got the stain and got to work. I thought about Gehrig and talked to God as I painted that fence. I took a break for dinner when my other Tender Warriors got home. Kath encouraged me to stop painting now saying, "It will take you until 10 to finish." Heart still hurting I told her I was going to keep painting. I looked ridiculous - I had one of those flashlights on my head so I could see, missing my boy, asking God to give me strength, courage & wisdom. Oh, and by the way, Kath was totally wrong - I didn't get done until a little after 11! :)

So, how have I handled missing my boy? Well, I have confessed my heart to my family and co-workers...didn't try to hide for a moment that my heart hurt. I also haven't hidden the fact that I believe Gehrig is where he should be, doing exactly what he should be doing. And I have continually sought God.

I know you have heard the expression, "You find what you look for." Every morning I get up early, I seek God, I study leadership and then I write my Beautiful Bride & Tender Warriors a note. I always write scriptures that have spoken to my heart at the top of the page and then I write thoughts that I have gleaned from leadership stuff I have read. You wanna know how faithful God is? You want tangible proof that if you seek wisdom it will be given to you? Let me share with you the scriptures and quotes I wrote on their notes this Wednesday & Thursday.

Wednesday's Note
Scriptures:
"Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed or broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going." 2 Corinthians 4:8 - 9

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Thoughts:
"Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook, and broadens our perspective."

"Lord, prepare me for what I am praying for."

"Doing our best and doing it better everyday will help us lead our lives with peace of mind."

"God's timing, not mine.
God's will, not mine.
God's plan, not mine.
God' glory, not mine."

"Life is a gift and God gave you that gift for a reason. You have a purpose. You're special. You're loved. Never forget that."

Thursday's Note
Scriptures:
"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." - Jeremiah 29:13

"Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor." - Proverbs 22:9

"Our only power and success come from God." - 2 Corinthians 3:5

"O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise Him for His wondrous help; He will make me smile again, for He is my God." - Psalm 43:5

Thoughts:
"Quit being discouraged about what didn't work out. It's not over until God says it's over."

"The most powerful way to maintain a steady supply of inspiration and unconditional peace is to find and pursue your calling."

"Where God guides, He provides. No matter how things look, God is still in control. Stay in peace and be hopeful. Your blessing is coming soon."

"Dare to ask God for your greatest dreams and desires. Don't settle for a lesser dream."

It's amazing to me the words God spoke to my heart, and does again as I have typed these things verbatim for you. Also, I must tell you, when I write the quotes for my family I don't usually write who said it...trust me, they know it is not me! :) Please know the same.

So here is the challenge of this Happy Friday Friends; life can be hard. We get sad, hurt, disappointed, etc. It truly is a matter of when, not if. The thing that you and I have to decide, and redecide, is what we will do when these times come. I can testify that God will show up, He will carry you through and He will provide direction...I am literally walking that out this morning! But I still miss Gehrig!!! :)

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev

The Tongue

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a beautiful new day begins to dawn on the Texas Gulf Coast! :)

This morning I want to share a resource with you that I would highly recommend. It is a book by Deborah Smith Pegues titled 30 Days To Taming Your Tongue, What You SAY (and DON'T SAY) Will Improve Your Relationships. I am on day 27 today and I can honestly say that I have found this book to be transformational. I am going to share excerpts from 3 different days with you in a moment, just to give you an idea of the kinda things you will read, however before doing so I want to share a scripture with you.

To understand the power of the tongue, and our need to tame it, let's take a quick look at James 3: 1 - 12 (NIV):

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Alrighty then! Now that we have established the fact that "no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." let's sprint to some excerpts from Deborah's great book! ! :)

From the Prologue:

"Teachers often teach that which they need to learn themselves."

"To "tame" means to bring from a state of unruliness to a state of submission."

"The only hope for the tongue is the Spirit of God."

"I have learned that most interpersonal problems will not be resolved without being confronted. However, there is a time and a way to say everything. We can rejoice knowing we are already empowered to use our tongue wisely.

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season (ISAIAH 50:4 KJV).

Words are the vehicle through which we communicate our thoughts; the tongue is the driver. As such, it takes us to our destiny. Moving in spiritual maturity requires that we learn to speak the right words in the right season and for the right reason."

As for the 3 different days I want to share, I have intentionally selected days, topics, that perhaps we would not normally think of when we think of taming the tongue. The excerpts I am sharing are simply what I highlighted as I read through each day. Enjoy! :)

"Day 13

The Belittling Tongue

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29

Do people feel better about themselves after spending time with you? Or are your expectations so high that you focus on their shortcomings rather than their assets. If someone speaks well of a person you envy, do you follow up with a disparaging remark? Are you so insecure that you can only feel good about yourself by denigrating others?

When we had a room expanded in our home, I was fascinated by the use of the hammer. It was used in the demolition as well as the construction process. Words are like that. They can tear down or they can build. How do you use your words mostly? Is it your normal behavior to build?

Cheerleaders tell you that you can do it; coaches tell you how to reach the goal. They all have the same goal: They want you to win!

If you want to maximize productivity, then learn how to build up your employees.

TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: No unwholesome talk comes out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

"Day 15

The Know-It-All Tongue

A prudent man conceals knowledge. - Proverbs 12:23 

"Have you considered...?" sounds a lot less controlling and will be more welcomed - especially by men - than "You should..."

Assuming the role of the arrogant expert on almost every topic is a sure indication of pride, which is repulsive behavior to God and man.

How do you let go of that know-it-all tongue? You can start by letting someone share information with you that you already know - without letting him know that you know it. This can be great training in humility and emotional maturity.

Your interpersonal relationships will improve when people feel that interacting with you has been a mutual sharing of ideas.

TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I am prudent and therefore I do not flaunt my knowledge."

"Day 17

The Tactless Tongue

Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. - Colossians 4:6

Lesson learned: We will always get more mileage from diplomacy than tactlessness.

While honesty is indeed the best policy, it is not a license to say whatever we want. One of the most important skills we can develop is the ability to deal with others with sensitivity and to speak inoffensively when we find ourselves in difficulty or problematic situations.

Must pain always accompany the truth? The extent to which a person experiences pain from being told the truth depends on numerous variables, including his degree of emotional security, his perceived worth, or his desire to grow.

...even though I spoke words of truth, at the root of my actions were anger, frustration, disappointment, or retaliation. It was William Blake who said, "A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent."

The key is to develop a habit of being tactful in every situation.

TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: My words are seasoned with grace as I speak the truth in love."

Again, I would strongly recommend this book to you. I have truly found the insights to be profound.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families!

Kev

It's Who You Are...

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day on this beautiful Friday afternoon on the Texas Gulf Coast!

So, I know what is on my heart...let's see if I can get it out! :)

You don't have faith because everyone around you is filled with faith...you have faith because it is who you are!

You don't have a positive attitude because everyone around you has a positive attitude...you have a positive attitude because it is who you are!

You don't speak positive, encouraging words because everyone around you is speaking positive, encouraging words...you speak positive, encouraging words because it is who you are!

You don't do everything to the best of your ability because everyone else is doing everything to the best of their ability...you do everything to the best of your ability because it is who you are!

You don't pour yourself selflessly into others because everyone else is pouring themselves selflessly into others...you pour yourself selflessly into others because that is who you are!

You don't look for the greatness in others because everyone else is looking for the greatness in others...you look for the greatness in others because it is who you are!

You don't treat everyone (that's measurable by the way!) with dignity and respect because everyone else is treating everyone with dignity and respect...you treat everyone with dignity and respect because that is who you are!

You don't make time for others because everyone else makes time for others...you make time for others because that is who you are!

You aren't polite and courteous to everyone because everyone else is polite and courteous to everyone...you are polite and courteous to everyone because that is who you are!

You don't quickly forgive because everyone else quickly forgives...you quickly forgive because that is who you are!

You don't live a life of passion every day because everyone else is living a life of passion every day...you live a life of passion every day because that is who you are!

You don't send handwritten notes in our digital world because everyone else is sending handwritten notes...you send handwritten notes because that is who you are!

You don't extend mercy and grace to others because everyone else is extending mercy and grace to others...you extend mercy and grace to others because that is who you are!

You don't fight through the pain and disappointment because everyone else fights through the pain and disappointment...you fight through the pain and disappointment because that is who you are!

Should I continue?!?!

You don't work tirelessly because everyone else is working tirelessly...you work tirelessly because that is who you are!

You don't love, respect, honor & protect your wife and children because everyone else is loving, respecting, honoring & protecting their wife and children...you love, respect, honor & protect your wife & children because that is who you are!

You don't believe in your darkest hour because everyone believes in their darkest hour...you believe in your darkest hour because of who He is - see what I did there?!?! :) - AND because it is who you are!

You don't keep going because everyone else keeps going...you keep going because it is who you are!

Now, I feel a real conviction to share a couple of things with you...

1. Being who you are doesn't mean you will achieve unbelievable success, that you will achieve any level of success at all actually, or that your hopes, goals and dreams will come true. It doesn't mean you will be without problems, challenges or heartaches? In fact, the Bible tells us that there will be times of great trial and tribulation. So why do it? Why be you? Because it is who you are!

2. Being who you are doesn't mean that everyone will be nice, kind, considerate, compassionate, helpful, understanding, empathetic, sympathetic, that they will care, that they will help you, that they will value you.... In fact, we live in a fallen, broken world and hurting people tend to hurt people. So, you can almost count on the fact that some will be mean, rude & inconsiderate. So why do it? Why be you? Because it is who you are!

So Sweet Friends, I beg you, please don't be the thermometer in this crazy world...be the thermostat! Regardless of what others say, think and do, please keep being the best version of you! Not going to lie...that hurts sometimes however I have found there is a Great Healer! Please don't say, think and do things because others say, think and do them...be you! Honor who God has called and created you to be! You & I are fearfully & wonderfully made, created on purpose for a purpose, lacking nothing and please never forget, we were bought at one heck of a price...the crucified body of Jesus Christ! While you & I might never see glory this side of Heaven, the ultimate battle has already been won and, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you have the promise of spending eternity where there is no pain, sorrow, shame, etc. If this is the only reason to be you, isn't it enough?

I also want to share a few things...

Be Yourself

by Ellen Bailey

Why would you want to be someone else

When you could be better by being yourself

Why pretend to be someone you are not

When you have something they haven't got

Cheating yourself of the life you have to live

Deprives other of that only which you can give

You have much more to offer by being just you

Than walking around in someone else's shoes

Trying to live the life of another is a mistake

It is a masquerade; nothing more than fake

Be yourself and let your qualities show through

Others will love you more for being just you

Remember that God loves you just as you are

To Him you are already a bright shining star

Family and friends will love you more too

If you spend more time practicing just being you

"Don't let the expectations and opinions of other people affect your decisions. It's your life, not theirs. Do what matters most to you; do what makes you feel alive and happy. Don't let the expectations and ideas of others limit who you are. If you let others tell you who you are, you are living their reality - not yours. There is more to life than pleasing people. There is much more to life than following others' prescribed path. There is much more to life than what you experience right now. You need to decide who you are for yourself." - Roy T. Bennett

"Are you a stupid sheep in the flock or a free eagle in the sky? Look at the mirror, what are you? Are you some dullish cattle in the herd or a wise owl in the forest? Look at the mirror, what are you?" - Mehmet Murat ildan

"Every day, live in a way that honors who you are." - A.D. Posey

"Don't forget who you are; a sacred soul." - Lailah Gifty Akita

"Keep smiling, treat people with respect, be cool even if some may not treat you the same. How people treat you doesn't change who you are." - Assegid Habtewold

"There are hundreds of reasons to be kind, but only one that matters - because it's who you are." - Richelle E. Goodrich

I pray Sweet Friends that you & I will have the faith, wisdom, strength and courage to always be we are!

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your families. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev

HOF Lessons

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day on this glorious Friday!

So, do you remember that last week I encouraged you to watch the NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies on Saturday? Do you remember I told you that there are a lot of great messages that come from the messes that others have lived as they walked their perfectly beautiful paths? Do you remember I told you that I would laugh and cry as I watched them? You remember all that? Well, I hate to tell ya BUT, I told ya so! :)

Today I briefly want to share a few words that Brian Dawkins spoke. They struck me as incredibly powerful when I heard them last Saturday night and they are even more profound to me in my life today. You can watch his entire speech - it is a little more than 22 minutes long - by googling "Brian Dawkins Hall of Fame Speech." I really like, and am sharing what I am sharing below with you, from the recording that is at MSN.com.

Before I dive into what I really want to get to I want to share a few nuggets that Brian shared.
1. The first thing he did is explain that he didn't get there alone. He talked about, and thanked, the many people who God had placed in his path to help him along on his life journey. The same is true for you & I.

2. He talked about football being what he did, not who he is. Funny, a couple of the Hall of Famers mentioned the exact same thing. Your job, your professional vocation, does not define the person you are...it is simply one of many platforms God has given you to make a difference in this world. I pray you, and I, never forget that!

3. And here is what I want to share with you. Direct quotes from Brian:

"The majority of success that I have had have come on the back end of pain. Pain has pushed me to levels unknown for me at the  time. All that I know is that is pain at the time. But on the other side of it, all of the sudden, I became better in an area. So when we go through those situations in our lives, pain helps you develop those things that is going to take you to the next level of whatever it is that the Lord has for you. Believe that. I am a living testimony of that."

"What that pain did for me, it increased my faith exponentially. I have grown leaps and bounds because of the things I have gone through. And that is one of those things I went through. And when I say I went through, that means I came out on the other side of it. So for those who are going through right now there is hope. You do have hope! There is something on the other side of this! Don't get caught up where you are! Don't stay where you are! Keep movin! Keep pushing through!"

I apologize if that is not all 100% accurate...I have replayed and replayed and replayed his speech trying to get it right. Regardless, there is no doubt I have captured Brian's heart.

So, Sweet Friends, what pain are you dealing with? Brian was talking about a season of his life where he was dealing with deep depression, to the point where he was contemplating how he would actually kill himself. Maybe for you it is depression, or loss, or addiction, or fear, or discouragement, or... Let Brian's powerful testimony speak to your heart. Whatever the pain, please fight through, keep the hope and believe that this pain is taking you to the next level of whatever the Lord has for you.

And one more thing I just have to share, quickly. Does it ever irritate you that those who say things like "keep the faith", "God is in control", "everything will be fine', etc. always seem to be preaching this from the mountain top? Yeah, me too. Well Brian has walked through the storm and he is yelling back to us through the wind and rain..."You do have hope! There is something on the other side of this! Don't get caught up where you are! Don't stay where you are! Keep movin! Keep pushing through!" Me? I am in the throws of a storm. I don't feel or hear God but I know He is there. I have yelled at Him and cried out to Him. I am not telling to you push through standing off on some mountain top somewhere...I am standing beside you as a broken man who believes in God, that His word is true and I am placing all of my hope in Him. I know that feelings are not facts and I refuse to pay attention to them. I will continue to seek the Lord, I will continue to persevere, I will fight for my faith until the day I stand before God. The storm will pass and I am grateful that my faith and strength will be greater because of it.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev

Instructions for Living

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day on this beautiful Saturday afternoon! I am having arguably the best day of my life - I have gone on a long walk, target shooting with my youngest Tender Warrior and a lunch date with my Beautiful Bride. I still have the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony to watch tonight, as well as a family movie, AFTER a Saturday afternoon power nap. Blessed! :)

This week I simply want to share a couple of things with you. As is always the case, I cannot - nor do I want to - tell you how to live your life. I can only offer some options - presented most powerfully through actions, not words - and testify to what I have found, believe and choose to try to do. That is my heart as I dive into this Happy Friday message.

The first thing I want to share with you is Romans 12. I read it earlier this week and my Spirit was doing jumping jacks as I was reading. :) Experience has taught me that this means the words are right and true. Though I fail to live them out far more often than I would like to admit, I am driven by this God-inspired wisdom. I will share the entire scripture, bolding the parts that in particular speak to my heart and perhaps offer a thought or two. I am not doing this to influence you one way or the other - just my testimony.

Romans 12(NIV)A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Kev's Thoughts: My mind is renewed by seeking God in His Word, prayer and by the Godly men & women He places in my life. When my mind is renewed, when I seek God's way, then I am able to test and approve of His will for my life. When I seek the worlds view I am helplessly lost.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a]faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Kev's Thoughts - God & my Mom both taught me this one; I am not better than anyone. We all have different talents, gifts & abilities and everyone should be honored. When people ask if I truly believe that every life has value, meaning and purpose I can emphatically say without hesitation - "ABSOLUTELY." 

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Kev's Thoughts - People know if you truly love, value, cherish & adore them...you can't fake it and you can't give what you don't have. If you don't have it perhaps you should go to the source of your information and then look again.

Jesus came to serve, not to be served...surely it is not too much to ask for me to honor others above myself.

The only chance I stand of being joyful in hope & patient in affliction is by being faithful in prayer...and a quadruple dose of God's mercy & grace! :)

Mom always modeled this one too...practicing hospitality. Mi casa es su casa...my house is your house. I am not given the many blessings I have to hoard them...they are to be used to bless others. Thank you Mom! :)

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

Kev's Thoughts - Augh! More, much more, mercy & grace needed here Lord! It is so hard to bless those who curse me and yet when I do I find that deep, abiding peace that goes beyond all understanding. And when I don't? I feel & act like a fool! Just keepin it real Friends! :)

As I have matured I have really learned this about rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourn with those who are mourning. What helped me? Realizing that it is not about me. God doesn't have everyone here to serve me or you...sometimes we are the joy in someone else's celebration, the anchor of hope in their moment of despair. When we are so caught up thinking about how uncomfortable we feel because what they are going through, perhaps it would be wise to remember that it is not always about me & you.

The Bible tells me that pride goes before the fall  and I can testify that every time I have been proud, I have fallen. Go figure!

I think this is another one I can directly attribute to Mom; first, she would not be pleased if anyone was defined as being "of low position." And second, she would absolutely not tolerate ignoring anyone. Every life has value, meaning & purpose! If I don't see it, the problem is with me, not them.

May I please give you one more "Momism?" It is not directly related to the conceited part but yet, perhaps it is. I remember one time she looked me dead in the eye and said, "Don't you ever make yourself look good at someone else's expense!" I am telling you, I feared Mom much more at that moment than God! :)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

Kev's Thoughts - There is such a key part of this verse..."as far as it depends on you." I cannot control what anyone else thinks, does or says...I can only control me. I can choose to be all of the things listed above, or not. What my Bible tells me is to control what I can control and then leave the rest up to Him.

Probably one of the hardest roads I have ever walked, a couple of different times. When others have said and/or done things to me that were not right or fair, that hurt deeply, to leave it up to God. And yet, peace - and deliverance - are found when I do and they are not when I don't.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

    

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Kev's Thoughts - Isn't this really the point of "What Will Your Influence Be...?" Yes, we live in a fallen, hurting, broken world. With this I must INTENTIONALLY  choose the things I will read, watch and listen to and then I must INTENTIONALLY choose to be a positive, encouraging influence in the lives of others. Evil is real and I can't be overcome by it. And while I might not be able to get rid of all evil in the world, I can be a light to others in this world.

I also want to share a quote with y'all that I came across just this morning. As the saying goes, "I am just going to leave this right here."

“The truest human is the one whose conduct proceeds from goodwill and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.” - Markesa Yeager

And finally, I want to encourage you to watch the NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tonight if you have the opportunity to do so. Why? Have you ever heard the expression, "God will take your mess and give you a message?" Well, there will be a whole lot of messages delivered tonight. I will laugh, I will cry and I will learn. Just thought you might enjoy it as well! :)

Enjoy the rest of this Saturday, have a great weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev