The first thing I tried to press home was how they really control their time, they have more of it than anyone and they can choose how to use it. I reminded them of this quote for which I don’t know who to attribute it.

For every minute you are angry or irritated, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

I think they found the math there pretty impressive.

The second point was an attempt to show them that using your time to give to others has great returns, especially when you mind the measure that you use to give to others.

Oh course that’s all based on this verse – one that is just full of hope.

³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38  New International Version (NIV)

I did try to explain this to them with a crayon box and a large trash can.  I hope they understand measures!

Mind the measure you use today, and remember don’t waste those seconds of happiness on things you really can’t control. (or maybe I should say you can control….)

• This is a funny but encouraging piece of motivation this morning
  

  “Be like a postage stamp, stick to one thing until you get there.” – Josh Billings

• As you think about solving issues, and facing whatever is holding you back, consider these words of the great King David
  

  in God I trust and am not afraid.
  What can man do to me?  Psalm 56:11

And that second thought will circulate around a song I heard this morning from Matthew West called Strong Enough.  It’s a catchy little number that reminds of us of these great word from Paul that are found in his letter to the Philippians.

The song reminds us that we don’t have to be strong enough, that our strength comes from the Christ.

Be Strong today – just remember where you power actually is coming from!

“Pardon your servant, Lord..” Ex 4:10

It would be so easy to just do nothing.

It’s in these times we need to consider the creator of the Universe’s answer

 ”Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go;” Ex 4:11-12

Go, and He will be with you.

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 1 Timothy

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just read that, and boom, we had power, love and self-discipline?  And why is it that we seem to want to favor timidity instead of boldness?

As you go about your day today, think about how different your life could be if you trusted the spirit and let go of the timid nature and grasp the power, living full of love and discipline?

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

7Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.

14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Be Strong, take heart, and let go of those fears and anxieties that control you.

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4

The Christ bore our sins for us, and made us new, and he pleads with us to put off the old corrupted self and have a new attitude.  It’s this change that is so fundamental to following the Christ and can create so much freedom and power in your life.

What part of your old self are you holding on to as your identity, that would be better off with a replacement?

It’s prayer for him that as he continues to mature into manhood that he will seek the wisdom and instruction discussed in Proverbs 3.  ( I can’t believe I mentioned manhood and him in the same sentence.  I guess my AARP card will be coming soon!)

As for you guys.  As all of use continue to mature spiritually, it might be a good time to stop and see if we are listening to the corrections and instruction from our heavenly father.  There is wisdom there that will manifest itself in many great ways:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere  James 3

I started my run a few blocks from the trail head and just as I approached the start of the levee another gentlemen started down the path.  Uh-no!  a rabbit.   So as I rounded the first turn and could see across the levee for quite a distance I noticed there were several runners and walkers out in front of me.  One by one, I placed my eyes on the back of the individual in front of me and ran them down.  As I approached the first mile, I noticed another runner in the distance, maybe 1/4 mile ahead, and sub consciously I fixed in on him.  I traveled through the first mile 15 seconds faster than I wanted, but I was feeling so fleet a foot and completely in control.  I continued ahead, slowly gaining on the object of my fixation.   I come along side the final runner with about a third of a mile to my turn around marker, the two-mile.  We arrived together at the two-mile mark more than 20 seconds faster than my intended pace and even faster than the first mile. Yes!

He was continuing down the path, so we parted ways and I turned around.  Since there were no returning runners in front of me, I had nothing to focus on but to gloat of my achievements!  And as you can guess, my time greatly reduced on the two miles back in.

This morning, I came across these great proverbs

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

I could not help but be reminded of my trip across the levee last night.  As long as I had someone to focus on, to fix my gaze directly on, I was in the zone.  Moving efficiently and effectively towards the target – actually not even realizing the effort I was giving!  But as soon as I had no focus.  As soon as I could observe the grass, and the distance, and the birds, and get absorbing in myself gratifying thoughts, my efficiently was greatly reduced.

So it is with our spirits!  Make sure you are focused on the right thing today.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2 NIV

¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³ That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.Ecclesiastes 3:12-13New International Version (NIV)