Blatherskite (Psalm 19:14)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “blatherskite.” Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who just likes to talk?  If the answer that question is negative, then maybe you are the person in that conversation.  My mentor, Kevin, is a man of few words.  He always has been and still is to this day.  I remember having countless conversations with him when he didn't say more than three words.  And, even if he would have wanted to, I did not ever let him get a word in edge wise.  Now that I look back on those times with him, I realize that I was probably missing out on a ton of wisdom that I could have learned had I been not so worried about talking all of the nonsense that I did.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

~Ps 19:14

My question is: what are the words that come out of your mouth?  The stuff that you say is usually a direct representation of what's going on inside of you.  Sooner or later, even if you try to fool people, your true self will come out through your words.  What I realized is that for so much of my life I was a blatherskite, or someone that just spoke nonsense.  It wasn't until Kevin taught me to think before I would speak did I begin to mature.  That was some years ago, and I still feel like I am worlds away from where I would like to be.  My prayer is that you carefully consider the meditations of your heart and give God an opening into your thoughts and actions.

Praying for you,

Mo

Schuss (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “schuss.”  As you all know, we are coming to the end of a very long season.  As we move into this final week, it is important for you to remember that you must not relent on the training you have dedicated yourself to for such a long period.  In fact, the Bible talks about making sure that you finish what you started.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

~1 Cor 9:24-27

My question is: what are the things in life that you run after with the most fervor?  My prayer is that each of you makes God a priority as you move through this year.  I'm not saying that you have to be all crazy about your relationship with God necessarily, but I think that adding the Jesus perspective in everything that you do might give you a better list of options when dealing with life.  We are excited to see you compete next week.  Don't forget to run the race, and everything that you do.

Praying for you,

Mo

Bonhomie (1 Peter 3:15)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is " bonhomie.”  There are a ton of different personalities in this world.  They can actually be categorized into four major types, which causes us to adapt to those whom we care about.  Although I've never really been one to be laid back, some of the people that I most drawn to are just that kind of person.  The two guys that speak into my life daily both have a pretty easy-going manner.  It's funny that both of these dudes always know what to say at any given moment.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as Lord, and always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully."

~1 Pet 3:15

My question is: who were the people that you are most drawn to in this life?  My mentor once told me that I want to become the person that I would like to have as my friend.  My prayer is that each of you gets better each day, knowing that to receive good friendship you must first become the person that others would like to have as a friend.  Whether you are easygoing, with a bonhomie kind of outlook, or the complete opposite… God will give the influence over people in this lifetime.  It is up to you to take the responsibility to be the kind of person that others would like to emulate.

Praying for you,

Mo

Farceur (Proverbs 1:1-5)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “farceur.”  All of us have our weaknesses and insecurities.  I learned that one of mine is the nervous laugh.  When I was in the Masters program for my Christian studies, we had to all be evaluated by other counselors, pretty much just to show how screwed up we all were.  Our professors told us that until we understood our own strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities we would not be able to help anyone in any kind of substantial way.  I learned a lot about myself during that time.  The Bible talks about the importance of learning, especially about oneself.

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance…”

~Pr. 1:5

My question is: what are your strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities?  I know, kind of loaded for this early in the morning.  But, until you know yourself and decide to take the path of learning, your effectiveness for Jesus will be limited.  My prayer is that each of you chooses a life of learning.  Up until that point in my life in my Masters program, everybody just thought I was a farceur, and incessant joker that did not take anything serious.  When in fact, I learned that I just needed to begin moving through my own weaknesses and insecurities so that I might be effective in my ministry to others.

Praying for you,

Mo

Inglenook (Mark 4:33–34)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “inglenook.”  I remember when I was a young Christian I would do my best to spend as much time with my youth pastor as possible.  He was a pretty knowledgeable guy, hence the reason he was the youth pastor of our ministry.  He always had something to say.  Whenever I was in a bind, I went to him and asked for advice because I knew that he would have a good story for me.  I didn't realize though, that he never gave me the answers.  He only gave me suggestions of what I needed to do.

“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; substantive.  He felt better.  Someone finally he and his own game.  he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

~ Mk 4:33–34

My question is: who are the people in your life that give you counsel?  I know that if I can get time with my mentor, I will take everything out of my schedule to make sure that I give him the opportunity to speak into my life.  Even today, he has stores for me that apply to my life.  My prayer is that you heed the advice of others whom you respect.  Whenever you get the chance, settle down in an inglenook, and glean as much wisdom from as you can.

Praying for you,

mo