What I Learned From Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow holds a Heisman Trophy and the 2010 first-round draft pick as quarterback for the Denver Broncos.  On the Fourth of July, our family had the chance to hear his perspective on life, football and faith.

If you can get past his cuteness and the way the spotlight reflects off his broad shoulder pads, you'll find that Tim Tebow has a heart of gold.  Here are four things that I learned from this All-American:

1. Obey the Little Things.  Tim Tebow never dreamed of the impact that a single, small decision would make.  One morning he woke up and thought, "What if I wrote a personal message on the black strips I wear beneath my eyes?"  He wrote Phil 4:13.  The scripture read, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  He wore that reference for most of the season.  One game, he thought he should change it.  He wrote, John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  Later that week he learned that after the game, John 3:16 had received over 3 million hits on Google.  What impact could I have if I obeyed the little things that the Holy Spirit prompted me to do?
2. Count Your Success.  During a recent interview, Tim Tebow was asked if, given all his awards and accomplishments, he would consider his life a success.  His answer?  Yes.  His life was a success, not because of his athletic accomplishments, but because Jesus Christ was Lord and Savior of his life.  Do I consider my life as successful as Tim Tebow's?
3. Bloom Where You're Planted.  The youngest of five, Tim Tebow was born in the Philippines to missionary parents.  That heart for missions has stayed with him.  He continues to promote the Gospel, but views football as his mission field.  Every gift can be used for the glory of God.  How do I use mine?
4. Look to the Future.  Some say he'll make it in the pros and some say he won't.  Is he worried?  Tim Tebow says, "No.  I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."

Keep the faith, brother!

Day 23 - The Gift of Goody Bags

It just so happened that the girls' Vacation Bible School missions project precisely coincided with my decision to clean out the pantry.  For the last week I had been wondering why the pantry still seemed so full after our now 23 day financial fast.  What I found surprised, no, astounded, me.  As I carefully dug through every nook and cranny, I pulled out seven various sized shopping bags full of candy and small toys.  

I realize that most moms manage to simply toss all the stuff that comes home with their kids after school parties, birthday parties and every candy involving holiday.  Apparently, not me.  I did, at least get it stashed on the top shelf and far reaching corners of the pantry, where I, (and hopefully the kids) would forget about it!  So here I stood, with my kitchen counters cluttered with candy, realizing that this would be the perfect moment for a goody bag project.

Now, the idea of the re-crafted goody bag is not new.  Anna first came up with this idea a couple of years ago when she created over 100 cellophane goody bags from her and her siblings Halloween candy.  Halloween, then, became a hunt with a purpose.  Since they weren't allowed to eat the entire giant plastic pumpkin full of candy, anyway, they, in effect, went Trick-or-Treating for charity.  After all the trading and sorting that goes on after the Halloween collection is complete, the girls divided the candy into cellophane bags.  I purchased individually wrapped cheese sandwich crackers to throw in for at least a minimal amount of nutrition.  The girls tied the bags with colorful curly ribbon.  I then drove the girls down to North Fulton Community Charities where they presented the sparkly, cellophane goody bags.  They were a hit!  I know this, not only from the encouraging comments from the director, but also from witnessing the workers pocket a few for themselves!

And who do you think the recipient of the VBS mission project was?  You guessed it, North Fulton Community Charities.

From the excess in our pantry, the girls managed to fill 42 cellophane bags with candy, toys and cheese crackers.  What amazed me was this.  What I expected to hear from the girls were possessive cries of their long lost treasures.  Instead, I saw Anna holding up a small Hello Kitty purse, saying, "Some girl is really going to LOVE this!"  Then I watched Arielle putting together themed bags - a pirate bag, a boy bag, a teenager bag - carefully selecting each item and thinking of the potential receiver.  

It made me think.  Do you think creating Goody Bags could be a gift?  I don't mean a gift, as in a present, I mean a real spiritual gift?  So often we think of spiritual gifts as things that leaders in the church have.  They sound righteous and important and holy. But, really, is there anything less holy in a child whose heart is reaching out to others?  Could a spiritual gift come in something as small as a cellophane bag?  I think the answer is YES! 

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord."  (I Corinthians 12:4-5)

Ours just happens to be the Gift of Goody Bags. 

TODAY'S SPENDING:

Bread, Milk, Cheerios, Bananas and Cheese Crackers:  $21.28

An Historic Easter

We celebrated Easter away from our home church and apart from our extended family in an historic part of Williamsburg, Virginia.  We were reminded that even the early settlers of Jamestown, amidst their toil and hardship, took time to gather together to worship our risen Lord.  Despite their meager existence, these early colonists would have made a special meal to celebrate Easter.  Living in our shiny, new suburban neighborhood, it is easy to forget the sacrifices that were made for our religous freedom.

Living 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, do we remember the sacrifice that was made for our spiritual freedom?

Williamsburg Baptist Church, which we attended Easter morning, was built directly across the street from the College of William and Mary, the country's first college.  Below is The Wren Building.  Erected in 1695, it is the oldest college building in the U.S.  It was interesting to walk around the side and look into the large, open basement windows.  The cool, cellar classroom must have been a favorite in the Virginia heat!  Two large fireplaces kept it warm in the winter.

Forgetting that restaurant reservations are usually a good idea on Easter Sunday, we enjoyed a not-so traditional Easter dinner at a trendy local coffee shop.

Followed by....

ICE CREAM!!

(Of Course!)

I Have Called You By Name

Sometimes during life's most ceremonial moments, God speaks to us directly - a newborn niece is baptized, a cousin is married, we bury a neighbor and friend.

It was during my son's first communion that I was reminded how individually God has called me - not as a member of a church or of a school or of a family, just me.  He knows my name.  He knows my gifts.  He knows my weaknesses.  He doesn't call me to be anyone else but the me whom he created.  Isaiah 43:1 says,

"But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. 

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine."

As our creator, God knew us before we were even born.  He had a plan for us from the very beginning of our lives.  How cool is that?  Jeremiah 1:5 says,

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,

before you were born, I set you apart."

As I was talking with my son before he went to bed the other night, I asked him what he thought his purpose was in life.  He shrugged and said maybe it was to go to college or to play football.  I said to him, "I don't mean what are you going to be doing in 10 years, I mean, what is your purpose in life right now?"  It hadn't occurred to him that God actually had a purpose for him in the present, as a 12 year old boy still in training.

Our purpose in life is to bring glory to God, the one who created us.  It's a purpose that can be lived out by anyone of any age, of any education or of any occupation.  How we live that out will look different from day to day, but it can change our perspective.  It can make our big personal goals seem less important and our small daily acts seem more significant.  For what purpose has God called you today?