A Toast and Charge for Michael and Emily

On October 7th, we gathered to recall our relationship with two very special people and to honor them as they step into tomorrow for the rest of their lives – as one. On October 8th, 2011 (today), Michael and Emily will be married.

For Michael: We have admired your joy, your love of life, and your character.

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Even as a baby, your laughter brought a smile to our faces. And today, no one is a stranger to you. You are not a respecter of persons – whether it’s your boss who has his own business or a homeless person on the street you treat them each with respect. That trait draws people to you because they know you care. You’ve shown yourself friendly, and, as a result, have been a friend to many – a true friend.

Your love of life has demonstrated that you are truly not “anxious about anything” even when your mother and I have been. Passion is defined as “boundless enthusiasm; intense emotional drive.” Christ came to give you an abundant life; therefore, live passionately to the fullest within His will for you.

Your character has been tested and found to be faithful. In high school, in the accident with your arm, and as you faced challenges in college, you have walked in integrity and have taken a stand on your values and in your faith. Hold fast to your character and to your relationship with Christ.

For Emily:

A very good friend of mine, Jeremy Kingsley, once said that there was one requirement for whomever his son would marry: “… that they draw their son into a closer relationship with Christ.”

Your passion for Christ, for knowing him, and for teaching others like your Young Life girls to know him better is evident.

You have truly pointed Michael toward a stronger relationship with Christ.

For you together, there’s no greater one-ness in your relationship that that which comes from your relationship to Christ together as you take this step into tomorrow for the rest of you life. Here’s to you!

A charge for your life together:

The first “not good” in scripture dealt with man’s loneliness. God’s remedy was to prepare a mate. You have been prepared for each other.

Marriage is the first institution ordained by God. In Genesis we find, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” King James uses the term “cleave”. The ESV says to “hold fast.” Whatever comes your way, you need to grip one another with the love that you feel at this moment and with a love that will only grow as you grow together in Christ.

As parents, God calls us to release you so that you can become one together. We give you over to Him in this marriage.

Of the specific things that God calls out that he “hates,” divorce is one of them. Why?

Because marriage is an institution that most closely represents the trinity of God. Oneness yet with different personalities.

Because marriage is the description of the Christ’s relationship with His church.

He has prepared you for each other. He has ordained you to be together as one.

So I leave you with this charge:

Cleave to one another. Hold fast to each other in this journey you will be taking together.

Keep Christ in the whole of your marriage and he will keep you.

God bless you both.

We look forward to celebrating with each of you today as you step into tomorrow for the rest of your life.

Personal Mission Statement

Some time around 1991 when I was early in my thirties, I wrote a personal mission statement. It has served as a compass for direction and decisions in my life. Recently, a young friend of mine asked me for a copy. I’m posting it here as a reference.

My Life Mission

It is my mission in life to experience sustaining joy in living an abundant life spiritually, industrially, socially, and financially.

Objectives

Possess and instill values (integrity, respect for others, passion).

Impact, positively, the industry in which I work.

Achieve financial independence.

Have fun!

Passion: A powerful emotion; boundless enthusiasm.

Strategies

Live through positive interdependence.

Celebrate the eternal moments.

Live by stewardship.

Be grateful.

Assembling - on the Disc Golf Course ?!?

We are relational people. From the beginning of scripture throughout, we see evidence that God designed us to be relational. The first “not good” in scripture was regarding man being alone. Thank God for women :-).

In Hebrews, we see that God encourages us to be in relationship with fellow believers.

... let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another ... (Hebrews 10:24 − 25 NAS)

We are to be in relationship, encouraging one another.

Where? Does this only mean in church? I don’t think so. There are at least two instances where God communicates to us the concept of “as you go.” In Deuteronomy 6, he talks of spending time communicating with our children “... when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” When we received the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, the phrase “Go” is literally translated “in your going.” So, we should spend time with one another in various ways encouraging one another in life and in our walk with God.

So, here’s my vote ... Disc Golf. Seriously, I really enjoy the sport. I’ve spent plenty of time on the course — alone, with family, with friends, and with general acquaintances. The time on course takes about 90 minutes. There’s plenty of time to talk. I’ve had at least four or five opportunities to use this time to encourage people who are struggling or looking for guidance.

It’s not about disc golf. Find something you enjoy doing and invite others to come along. “In your going” spend time with people, get to know them, and encourage them. If they don’t know Christ, invite them to experience life — and a relationship — with Him. In your time with them, you’ll find yourself encouraged — I promise.

PS. If you’re interested in Disc Golf, you’ll find opportunities all around you. And, I’ve found a cool site where you can order some nice discs online. Give it a try — http://www.discgolfstation.com/Disc-Golf-Drivers.html.

Live LOUD,

Russ

In the Arena?

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

Be an encouragement to those in the arena; or better, join them in the arena. Life can be tough — it’s better when it’s fought with someone alongside you. The context or circumstances that people may be dealing with was highlighted to me as I read “Same Kind of Different as Me” and “Shattered Dreams.” We rarely now the battles of others. In the beginning, God declared that it was not good for man to be “alone.” We need people in our lives who are on mission with us. Some will be warriors, some will be helpers, some will be in need, some will be providers ... God granted us gifts and talents. We have various experiences. When we use these together on mission with God, we can be “more than conquerors.” Better a conqueror than a critic. See you in the arena.

[Reference valiant warrior]

For God so loved ...

"Every Man, Woman, and Child" - The Infinity Alliance (http://www.theinfinityalliance.com/)

"Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Revelation 5:9)

If Jesus died to purchase them, shouldn't we try to reach them?

Solitary Purpose

Solitary in habit
He runs alone
Inside himself
His mind races

No rest inside
The battle rages
The search is constant
Purpose drives him

Community at home
His love she strengthens
Together in life
The passion renews

Connecting in Christ
The purpose is realized
The future is hope
This day is mission

Happy in God's Will -- Not!

Joseph was born into a life of favor. He was the firstborn of Jacob's favorite wife, Rachel. Because she had been barren, Joseph was an answer to her prayers. At his birth, she said, "God has taken away my disgrace." Jacob loved Joseph and showed him favoritism.

Then, "all hell broke loose." At the age of 17, Jacob was sold into slavery by his brothers. Over the next 14 years, Joseph was a slave and spent years in prison. Was he happy -- not likely. Was he in God's will -- most definitely. On numerous occassions, the scripture states that the "LORD was with him."

Somewhere in modern Christianity we leave the impression that if you are in God's will, you'll be happy. At peace, maybe. Joyful, maybe. But, not necessarily happy.

Sometimes God positions us in difficult times in order to prepare us for what's next and to put us in a position to bring him glory through his work in our lives.

Ultimately, Joseph rose to the position of the second most powerful person in Egypt. From this position, he was able to rescue his people from famine. His path to get there wasn't fun or enjoyable. However, the path and God's work in his life shaped him. When Pharaoh asked for Joseph's help, he said, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Joseph, through his journey, came to place his trust fully in God -- even when it wasn't the path Joseph would have chosen for himself.

We often think that God owes us something. If we live for him, all should go well. That's not true -- at least, not by our definition. It's not about us. God chooses to work in our circumstances to conform us to his image so that we live in such a way that brings him glory and extends his kingdom gathering more people who will worship him.

Proverbs 3:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.