All of us have hopes and dreams. There are things we want to achieve and improvements we need to make. We want to be a better spouse or parent. Deep down we have a desire to be a better Christian with meaningful relationships. We will do something great one day and in some way.

Most people dream of a better future with vague generalities.

The reason we never accomplish any of these things is that we have no specific steps.

It is like me saying that one day my wife and I hope to visit Hawaii, but we are not making any plans to get there in the future. If we really want to go, then we need to come up with a series of smaller action steps. We need to save money. We need to start researching places to stay. We need to talk to our work about vacation. And on and on it goes. You get the idea.

Whatever it is that you want to achieve in life, the best way to make it happen is to think in small actions steps. Big dreams come in little pieces.

I am not saying these steps will guarantee success in life, but if you do the daily work, then you will be a lot closer to your dreams in a year than you are today.

I love music. One of the greatest inventions of the last 25 years has to be the portable electronic music device. When I was young, my dad paid me to mow the yard and every week I went out front with my Walkman and two or three cassette tapes. I would listen to one side and then flip it over. Each week I could push mow the yard and listen to about three full cassettes. Now when I cut the grass, I have thousands of songs to choose from and custom created playlists.

My love of music makes me want to sing. I love to sing, but I cannot do it very well. Keys are hard for me to find and I am a level of tone-deaf. My words often sound more like someone is torturing a cat than trying to soothe the soul.

These thoughts lead me to ponder my time in Church on Sunday morning. Each week we gather to spend time with other believers in fellowship. We also listen to a word explained from the scriptures. And yes, we also sing four or five songs every week. Whenever the music starts, my toes begin to tap, and the song wells up inside of me. My mouth starts out with great joy and enthusiasm; it is only my voice that betrays me. Sometimes while I am singing, I realize how far off key I am, and I stop and try to find the proper notes. In those moments when I quit, I often find a surprising joy.

One of my favorite moments is when I can clearly hear the people behind me singing. Worship leaders are great people, and I enjoy listening to their voices in front of me. I prefer to listen to the sounds behind me. My seat at the front of the auditorium allows me to hear everyone else who raises their voice to God.

There are a couple of reasons I love this time. One, I am blessed every time I hear someone singing about God. The common faith we share in Jesus is what brings us together. Second, I know the stories of many of the people who are singing. Their words come through the filter of life. Some of them are struggling with loss and yet they sing. Others are going through difficult seasons of life, and again they sing. A few of them are turning the page on new chapters in their lives, and they sing. The words of all those wonderful people join together in a chorus of delight. No matter what situation we find ourselves, we have faith in a God that is working in our midst, and so we sing to him.

I love to sing, but there are moments I like to listen. One of the greatest joys in my life is hearing the people of God sing his praises. It connects me with other believers in a powerful way that shows me a picture of heaven. Most of what happens on Sunday morning can be created somewhere else, but when the followers of Jesus join together in song, Church is the best place on earth.

Most Monday mornings I sit down in front of a blank screen and wonder to myself, “Why do I keep writing?” Maybe that is because most Monday’s I start tired and must work to get my brain going full throttle again.

Sunday’s are my big day. I preach and help lead worship in my local Church. I meet with people and pour out my life. The rest of the day I try to do busy work that requires little thought. I spend my time bring closure to the previous week and preparing for the coming one.

Then comes Monday morning. I sit down in front of the computer. My brain feels blank, and I am sure that this is the week I will quit writing. “I’ll take just a little break,” I tell myself.

Finally, I remind myself of a personal commitment I made years ago to keep writing, even when I didn’t feel like it. There is only one reason I made that decision. I keep typing every week in the hopes that I will help somebody. I hope that what I post each day will inspire or encourage someone in their faith. I hope that my words will bring clarity and insight to people searching for answers. I pray that these simple blogs will touch the life of someone in a meaningful way. I write because I want to help people on their spiritual journey.

God gifts certain people in specific ways. Some people can preach and teach while other can write. He gives some people leadership skills and other talents to play music. There is a long list of special abilities that God gives to his people.

We also live in a world full of tools. We have at our disposal things like computers and the internet. We have blogs, Instagram, and social media. There are opportunities all around us to use our lives for good.

I am certainly not the best writer in the world. I don’t have the most significant following by size or influence. My platform is small. Yet, I want to offer something that is helpful to the world. If only one person is influenced for Jesus through my blogs, then I think my time is worth it.

So all this begs the question, “How are you using your life?”

You are gifted and talented, and I pray you are using those things for God’s kingdom. Even if you feel unqualified and inexperienced, there are still opportunities for you to help people in the name of Jesus. It is not about what God has given you; it is about what you are giving back to him. For me, I hope what I write helps someone. What are you doing?

With the fourth of July happening this week I know many of you are on vacation or enjoying the outdoors. Here are a few good articles for you to read when you have the time or on a rainy day. Enjoy.

OUR CHILDREN’S BUSYNESS IS NOT A BADGE OF HONOUR (AND WHY WE NEED TO CHANGE IT) – A great read. This is a topic of which I feel strongly. Starting September with a sermon series called “Crazy Busy.”

A Parent’s Guide to the 5 Skeptics Who Want to Shame Your Kids for Being Christian – Another great post with good thoughts for children and their parents.

Hey, Boomers! Let’s Step Up And Be The Elders The Church Desperately Needs Right Now – title says it all.

#StuffChurchpeopleSay: The Funniest Sermon Responses – I found some of these to be funny/sad. This is why I no longer stand by the door after the sermon.

Four Resolutions Every Christian Must Make about Our Phones – Simple wise counsel.

This week our nation celebrated its freedom with Independence Day. The people of our country have a tremendous amount of freedom to choose the direction of their lives. As a follower of Jesus, we have a responsibility to pick from our options in a way that honors God.

Let me offer you a few thoughts about our choices.

When given a choice between love or hate: Choose love.

When given a choice between showing kindness or not getting involved: Show compassion.

When given a choice between assuming the best or the worst in people: See the best.

When given a choice to feel happy or sad: Pick happiness.

When you have the options of responding with anger or forbearance: Exercise self-control.

If you ever the opportunity to act like Jesus or satisfy your flesh: Walk the way of Christ.

You have within yourself the power to choose the direction you walk, the attitude you display and the way you will respond to others. Choose wisely.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Independence Day.

Some of my childhood memories include my dad flipping through the radio while we were traveling and landing on the voice of Paul Harvey. Anyone over the age of 40 will remember the exact sound of which I speak. Paul Harvey hosted a radio show called “The Rest of the Story.” If you remember he would take a person or story from history and give you interesting facts about what happened to them.

Once dad, or I, landed on the show we had to listen to the rest of it. You can’t hear the beginning of a story about a World War Two veteran without knowing what happened to him. And with Paul Harvey, you knew the rest of the story was going to be interesting.

I think of these words as I view the future. What will be the rest of the story?

Honestly, I hope you enjoy this day and this week. I also pray you have a wonderful summer full of blessing. May this year be the best year of your life so far. But don’t forget the rest of the story. Many people have experienced beautiful seasons of life to slip into pain and struggle.

This idea caught me recently as I was looking at the lives of two old friends on social media. Once they were champions of the faith, and now both are far from Jesus in their lifestyle and words. Sadly, both people started down this road away from Christ by a series of small, poor decisions. They started skipping Church, put their Bible on the shelf, dropped out of fellowship with believers and they quit serving other people in Jesus name. Inch by inch their lives moved away from God, and now they are miles from him.

One significant question worth asking yourself is, “Where will this decision lead me in 30 years?” Maybe for the Christian, the words are even more specific, “Where will this lead my faith in 30 years?”

I hope you spend this season investing in fun and family but be sure not to neglect the future. The decisions you make today will pave the way for your life tomorrow. Take the time to be sure you are on the right road.

This morning I was refilling the candy dishes in the lobby of our Church with mints, and I began thinking, “Why am I doing this?” Suddenly my mind went back several years in my ministry.

At one of the Church’s I served, I was a part of an elder’s meeting shortly after arriving. Somewhere in the conversation, one of the elders started talking about our guests. He went on to say that we had a man who usually did the greeting of everyone as the came into the building to worship. He then went on to say, “Unfortunately he has horrible breath.”

Silence fell over the room. The cat had been let out of the bag. I assume everyone knew it was a problem, but no one wanted to offend this man by addressing it. The sad result, everyone knew the problem, but no one had a plan to fix it without making things worse.

In all youthful confidence, I said, “I will take care of it.” They smiled as if to reply, “Sure kid. You take care of it. Let’s see what kind of mess you can make.”

That week I went to the store and bought a big bag of peppermint candy. I found two small baskets at the Church. Then I filled them with candy and placed them on the table in the lobby where we set the printed programs and other Church material.

The next Sunday, I watched our friendly greeter walk into the lobby, see the candy, pick one up and pop it in his mouth. That day his breath was fresh, and no one who attended was offended. Problem solved.

Now, here I am many years later and a basket full of mints has filled every Church lobby I have served. Sure, some parents get mad because their child doesn’t need any sugar. They usually tell me this after their kid has stuffed several in their mouth one after another. I still have remained steadfast. The mints have stayed and will stay in the lobby until I give up the ministry.

This week the mints remind me that sometimes the solutions in life are often simple and overlooked. In all my years I have never had another complaint about bad breath in the lobby because there is always a solution waiting. I imagine that one of the problems you are facing this week may seem huge, yet a little creative thought will bring a solution that is as easy as a mint in the lobby.

One of the songs we sing at Adrian Christian Church is called “Thrive.” I originally heard the song in 2014 as performed by the band Casting Crowns. Personally, it is a favorite song of mine. It has become a theme song to my life and ministry through words like “Just to know you and to make you known.” The chorus hits another nerve as it proudly declares, “It’s time for us to more than just survive, we were made to thrive.”

I have now been the preaching minister at ACC for 1,460 days. So far, we have had a good run together as a community of Jesus. We have seen both numerical growth and spiritual growth. We have shared the ups and downs of ministry as we served alongside each other in the name of Jesus. Lives have been changed, and viewpoints have been shaped.

Yet, I still feel like we are standing on the edge of something bigger and better. In my previous ministries, I have seen that this is the time for a minor shift. People begin to view me as part of the community, and their trust in me grows. Everyone has recovered from past hurts and can now focus on the future. New dreams form and God moves as only he can. In the words of the song, “It is time for us to more than just to survive,” now is the time to thrive.

As I stare out my office window, I look forward to the next 1,460 days.

I am praying God will bring 100 people to Jesus in that time. I am asking God about the possibility of multiple campuses. I am hoping to build a connection with areas ministries and ministers. I want us to become an integral part of a worldwide mission. I look forward to watching people grow in their faith as they live for him in new and exciting ways.

The past is done, and I am thankful for everyone who has helped me on this journey. Now is a new day and I believe it is time to thrive.

Recently I noticed a dramatic change in a person I know. I asked a couple of other people if they had seen the difference in this individual too. They confirmed my observation and echoed their joy over this new attitude.

Once we agreed on this transformation, the follow-up question involved what had changed in their life. Out of a list of several possibilities, the one thing everyone could confirm was the impact of another person who was no longer a part of their life. The negative attitude was the result of one dissenting voice which continually spoke into his life.

This story made me think about the impact of the negative voices in all our lives. Here are five negative voices that can drag you down with their words.

1. The Angry Person – Some people are always mad. Their anger is spurred by everything and anything. They spew their rage on other people and expect them to feel the same way.

2. The Complainer – Some people can find something wrong in everything. They see the glass as half empty. The make sure everyone knows they are not happy.

3. The Critic – The critic knows how everything should be done. They see the good, but they can also point out all the flaws in anything. They rarely act but know they could have done it better.

4. The Gossip – The gossip loves to share stories about other people’s lives, especially if they are ones of failure and mistakes. The feed other people stories with a steady diet of poor choices and defeats. They make sure everyone knows that failure is inevitable.

5. The Manipulator – These people have an agenda of their own, and so they begin to undermine anyone who stands in their way. They ask seemingly simple questions that created an environment of mistrust. They are only happy if you are promoting their cause and plan.

Quite often we encounter people who have a negative attitude not just because of their own feelings, but because of the voices that are speaking into their life.

Which leads me to some significant questions: What voices are speaking into your life? Whose words hold the most value to you? Where are you receiving the most information?

Is it possible that your life has a negative tone because of the voices that you listen to each day? One part of Godly wisdom is knowing who has the right to speak into your life.