In his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey writes that one habit effective people have is that they begin with the end in mind. In other words, they determine where they want to go and then they are intentional about doing the things necessary to get there.

Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love, has a chapter titled, “Profile of The Lukewarm.” In it he describes what a lukewarm Christian looks like. It is quite sobering. He quotes CS Lewis who said, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

I have been stressing this point to my fourteen year-old son lately. I have been telling him that real men expect the greater reward, God’s reward. I explain that men push through their feelings and do what is right, even if it means not getting what they want right now. They are to expect something much, much greater…God’s reward.

God does have something much greater for us. In addition to being with Him for eternity, He has rewards for us that He wants to give us for what we have done here (on the Day – notice the capital D in the verse below). Let’s look to those rewards which are much greater than any rewards we can receive here.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfSYAvQII8]

On Wednesday night, history was made, but not in the way two individuals would have liked. The Detroit Tigers were hosting the Cleveland Indians and the Tigers’ pitcher, Armando Galarraga had to get one more out in the ninth inning to complete the 21st perfect game in major league history. He had faced 26 batters to this point and gotten 26 outs. Amazing stuff.

He pitched to Jason Donald who grounded to first baseman Miguel Cabrera who then tossed it to Galarraga who rushed over to cover first base. Jim Joyce, (who was born in my home town of Toledo) the first-base umpire called the runner safe when replays showed he was clearly out.

Being a lifelong Tigers fan, I was furious when I saw this. I was amazed though at Galarraga’s reaction. He just smiled. Then the next day I was even more amazed at the graciousness, humility and class shown by both Galarraga and Joyce (I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH THE ABOVE VIDEO – IT IS A MUST SEE!).

Armando Galarraga comes out to present the lineup card (a job typically done by the manager of the team) to Jim Joyce who is the home plate umpire. Joyce is totally choked up with emotion because he knew that he had made a mistake and cost this young pitcher a place in history. He is totally undone by this and looks totally humbled. And then there is Galarraga, who could be very bitter and angry, supporting this broken man with great compassion.

Total class in action from both of these guys. Totally amazing and beautiful to see!

I have posted a couple of times now about a landscaping project that we began a month or so ago in our front yard (post 1 here, post 2 here).

This past weekend, my son Robbie and I were outside and we noticed that there were a ton of weeds in the area that we are growing new grass (see above picture) so we began to remove them. While doing this, Robbie asked me why there were all these weeds here and not in the rest of our lawn.

Great question I thought. I went on to explain that we put down a special fertilizer in the spring which helps to prevent weed seeds from germinating and that I made sure not to get that fertilizer on our new soil, otherwise, in addition to not having weeds we wouldn’t have much grass either.

Then I had the opportunity to point out to him about how this is like our life. Without missing a beat he said, “I sense another devotional coming.” He was right of course.

I shared with Robbie that our lives can get infested with “weeds” if we don’t apply the proper fertilizer…
* Reading the Bible regularly
* Talking with God regularly
* Hanging out with other Christ-followers to hold us accountable
* Keeping a thankful heart

So remember to fertilize.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

On Sunday at my church, Andrew, our Creative Arts Pastor delivered a message that was incredible. The focus of the message was to answer the question, “How can I fully live my life with God?”

A lot of what Andrew spoke about was taken from a 16th century monk named Brother Lawrence. There is a book out which is very good called The Practice of the Presence of God which is a collection of letters from Brother Lawrence. In the letters it is revealed how he went about seeing God in everything in his life, even the pots and pans he needed to wash.

The following is a summary of how Brother Lawrence suggests we practice God’s presence:

1. Seek purity in our lives
2. Find or create triggers (eg. put a sticky-note on your computer or every time you stop at a red light, pray and connect with God)
3. Practice inviting Him in

4. Don’t be discouraged when it “doesn’t work”
5. Offer yourself fully to God – “God, I’m all Yours. Make me more like You!”