Archives For Faith

Eyes Wide Open International

September 29, 2010 — 1 Comment

Last night I received a note on facebook from a college friend. After some discussion and prayer, my wife and I made a commitment to help as best we can. Thanks to the internet and social media, I have the blessing of being able to spread the word to each of you as well. Below are excerpts from my dear friend Nicolle’s note:

“My husband David has been volunteering, working and building relationships in Haiti since the earthquake hit on January 12. Just two months prior we launched a non-profit called Eyes Wide Open International fulfilling a life long dream to help widows and orphans locally and around the world. Right now we have two projects one in Romania and one in Haiti. Both projects are currently concentrating on getting food to those trapped in deep poverty. We also work alongside local ministries that do food distribution in Logan county.

I have been back and forth to Romania and Haiti over the past two years. In Romania, I have looked into the eyes of a 90 year old woman as she stirred a giant galvanized steel pan filled with clay to patch her house before winter. With a tear stained face she shared her story of hunger and loss. In Haiti, I saw the faces, heard the laughter and learned the names of more than 87 orphans. All of them have no food and no hope for food. It takes $2 a day to feed a Haitian Orphan and $4 a day to feed a Romanian widow. We are trying to raise money quickly to put food in their bellies. We have had two garage sales that raised more than $2,000 and we hosted a Golf Marathon event but we are $2,350 short of our goal.

David and I each committed to give $1 per hole for each hole golfed. David golfed 100 holes. We are looking for people who will consider matching our pledge. 100% of the profits will go directly to feed widows and orphans through the projects we are working on in Romania and Haiti. None of it will go to overhead or budgets.

Blessings,
Nicolle

I share this because I know the hearts of many of you that read this. I also don’t know who else reads that I might not be aware of. If there is one thing that Jesus was clear about it was helping the less fortunate, the orphan and the widow. We can argue about buildings, churches, philosophies and worship styles all day long, but Jesus made this one easy. We are called to be the hands and feet. We are called to help those that can’t help themselves.

To offer a donation to Eyes Wide Open International, you can do so (HERE)

To learn more about their ministry, you can do so (HERE)

May God bless each of you that can offer something. May God also richly bless the gift. I appreciate your support.

In Faith ,
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Faithful

August 4, 2010 — 7 Comments

My running has been a mess lately. It’s been a battle. Ever since completing the 4 half marathons in 4 straight weekends, something just hasn’t been the same. Add the high temperatures and humidity and training this summer has been no joy. What makes it difficult is knowing that I’ve got a half marathon scheduled for September 18th in Dayton. It’s too late to just quit. I often wonder how I’ll get through that race though.

As I was getting ready to head out on a training recently, I glanced over to the book shelf in my office and what you see in the picture caught my eye. Several very clear things ran through my mind at that moment.

He carried me through before, He will carry me through again

He’s been faithful

You see, any accomplishments I have were nothing I did on my own. Credit is due and it wasn’t me. The Lord has carried me through life and every race I have run (figuratively and literally). I walked out of the house with a renewed purpose and reminder that God has been faithful. I’d like to say my run was awesome that day, but it wasn’t.

His promise is still true.

Throughout the Bible, we see times where God reminds his people that he was faithful. While there are not medals to mark the moments, we have memories. We can also see his faithfulness all around us. Maybe it’s your spouse, your children, your home, your job, your health….he’s been faithful. These reminders are there to serve that He will be again.

Your Turn: What reminder do you have today that God has been faithful?

In Being Me, Faith
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Is Your Cloud Moving?

July 21, 2010 — 5 Comments

Last week I spent a few days at “The Mothership” (our Corporate Headquarters) doing some strategic planning. Since I had not been there in awhile, it provided an opportunity to get my yearly review out of the way. Thankfully, the review was positive. I would have been well pleased had it not been for some “discussion” that took place as we talked about future advancement and opportunities. It was at this point that the following comment was made:

“Aaron, while staying in Columbus isn’t hurting you (career wise), it certainly isn’t helping you either”

Before you start asking for our new address, let me be clear in saying that this isn’t the first time this conversation has taken place. Moving to Indianapolis has been in the back of our minds as long as I have been with my current employer. As my position within the organization has grown, so has the discussion. It has never been a “You have to” talk, just a “you might consider”. At the end of the day, this is all about my career with this organization and if I ever want to go to “the next level”.

Numbers 9:16 tells the story of a large cloud above the Tabernacle. It was the guide for the Israelites to know when God was moving them.

“16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.”

Oh to have that cloud. Seems pretty straight forward to me. Especially with the technology we have at our disposal these days. I could just dial up the local Doppler and know exactly when the cloud was moving. It’s not that simple anymore is it? I know so many that are looking for the cloud, seeking wisdom, discernment, something…anything. They just want to know if “this is God’s will”. It doesn’t have to involve a moving truck either. It could be a relationship, a job, a church. We’re seeking a cloud and wondering when it will move.

I am currently not planning on moving to Indianapolis. I just know I want to be obedient. If God has larger opportunities that involve my family and I relocating then I want to be obedient and available. If His plan is to walk away from one opportunity to stay because the cloud didn’t move then I want to be obedient and available. If he’s got a major shift in the cloud that I’m not even aware of, then I want to be obedient and available.

It’s the least I can do. He’s always been faithful.

In Being Me, Faith
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Son, there is only one King

July 9, 2010 — 1 Comment

Son, sit down here for a minute or two. Let’s talk about what happened last night and what that really means in the big picture of your life. Son….there is only one “King”.

You and I both love sports Son. Maybe it’s my fault. Since the time you were born, I have programmed you to follow athletes, teams and sports. I wrapped you in the colors of the Tar Heels and Cavaliers in your bassinet. I clothed you in team colors and we’ve spent many hours breaking down our teams rise and fall. We’ve hung the posters on your walls (and mine). We’ve worn the hats, the jerseys and even the shoes. We have made a significant emotional investment and that is why today, you hurt. “The King” has left your team and this morning you’re mad. Son, there is only one King and he won’t leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

Son, “the king” that made “the decision” last night was just a man. A very talented man that God has gifted with amazing ability on the basketball court. We’ve both enjoyed watching him do fascinating things. He’s given us great memories and I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you. But Son, he is just a man. A human man with free will. No matter how much we hope, he will most likely let us down. There is only one King.

Son, I’ve noticed how many times you do what I do. You want to go where I go, wear what I wear and love what I love. There is no higher honor as your Dad then to know that you feel that way about me. But Son, I too am human. I’ve probably let you down and most likely will again. There is only one King.

Remember that story about the little guy that killed the big giant with a slingshot and stone? His people made him a king too. They danced and shouted his praises. They loved him. He was even “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). He rose to great fame and at a high point in his “career” he made a big mistake (2 Samuel 11). He responded by making an even bigger mistake to cover up his bad choice. He failed. He was human too. There is only one King.

The King I keep referring to didn’t play basketball (that I’m aware of). He was, however, perfect. He didn’t promote himself but in the end the people were mad at him too. His “career” was spent doing things that no one can do. He is the one we should most want to be like. He won’t be on the cover of Sports Illustrated or ESPN, but He is who we worship today and will be who we worship when our days on earth are over. Unlike athletes and stars that say they gave everything, He did. He did that so you and I can spend eternity in His presence. We will trade in our team colors and jerseys for a robe that He earned on a hill, not a basketball court. There is only one KING.

I know you can’t see this King, but He is with you. He is with you today as you feel sad about the other king letting you down. He is with you when I disappoint you. He is with you when you make a bad decision like that king David did. He will be with you then and we will be with Him forever.

Son, there is only one King.

In Faith, Sports ,
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Taking Risks

June 30, 2010 — 2 Comments

On vacation my wife, “the boy” and I went on a one hour jet-ski rental (insert your Gilligan’s Island three hour tour joke here). Prior to pushing off, the instructors gave us specific directions about staying inside the buoys and keeping a distance of 100 yards from the other weekend warriors on jet-ski’s. We then hit the accelerator with “the boy” sandwiched between my wife and I on the jet-ski. We ONLY rolled it twice but that’s another post for another day.

What stood out to me was how adamant “the boy” was about the rules. Whenever we got close to someone else, or the buoys, he was very quick to point it out. It was unbelievable to see how much he took those rules of nautical excellence to heart. My wife and I alternated driving so it was during one of her turns that I thought to myself….”this kid’s going to have to learn to take risks“. Don’t get me wrong, I love that he is a rule follower but the rest of the week I wondered if there are times when we have to be willing to take a risk or two. Is life made up of staying in the buoys, the lines, the guides or are there times when we must risk, challenge, test?

I wondered what his life will be like when he is an adult. I wondered what if he was a business man and asked to think “out of the box”. I wondered about his faith and when God calls us to do something totally radical with what He’s given us. Am I wrong in believing that our faith often calls us to risk?

Abraham did.

Moses did.

Peter did.

Jesus did.

Each went against what they knew, what they were supposed to do. God called them to throw caution to the wind. To risk it all for a much higher purpose. I wonder if we’re not called to the same too. We stayed in the buoys and didn’t come within 100 yards of another jet-ski. We obeyed each rule. We also took risks like hitting waves at 50 MPH.

We had the time of our lives too.

In Faith
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