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looking back

Looking Back, I Can See The Stepping Stones

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13thStreet000

13thStreet001

13thStreet002

First of all, I apologize for the poor quality of the photos above. These were taken a few years ago before digital cameras were beyond 5 megapixels. Let us narrate the photos: what you are seeing is me (in orange playing bass) and two others on the right playing music with the three on the left. The funny story about this day is that we were asked to come and play but we were not informed of the set until the moment was literally happening. Actually we were only told the key and the name of the song. Fun stuff!

What I want to make sure I bring out before we go on is that this was during the first few critical weeks of my recovery and there were people keeping me busy in the Lord for sure! As I recall the experiences (as well as many others similar to this with these guys) it brings back good feelings and provokes a thought in my spirit.

Looking back, I can see the stepping stones:

1) This was an investment of someones time to give me an opportunity to enrich my life.

I spend a lot of time now working with other people to learn music and to sing, mentoring young ministers, providing counsel, singing and preaching at revivals, studying for the word, blogging as much as I can, the list goes on and on. And when I consider the wealth of blessings and gifts God has given me to work in I know that it was not just for my benefit alone; for it was to invest in people that need an opportunity for change through Christ!

2) The investment in my life was selfless with no desire to have a return or reward.

If you asked these guys today I would be certain that the responses may differ a bit as to “Why did you do it?”, but there is one central theme all mentors have: they want their proteges to grow. Without great coaching and support in your initial steps your ministry can stop as quick as it stops. I want to take this moment to thank people like these two that have been all around me!

3) Without these investments I do not know where I would be.

If I could encourage you do to anything (regardless of your calling) it would be to mentor someone that needs a chance for change. I would also tell you that you may not get anything immediately from the person, but the blessings from God as you help others are worth more than selfish gain. And finally, if for no other reason please remember that the reason we all work in ministry is to bring others to a place in God where they can then lend a hand to another. And as we work together, we grow and sustain in life with joy abundantly!

Looking Back, I Can Still Hear The Sounds

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rebekahandjaredsinging

In the picture above you see me and my sister singing (and cheating by reading off the page too!) at a baptism service on the lake bank. There is no more precious of a moment to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ than during a baptism! Nowadays in what little spare time I have I like to listen to old cassette tapes of services and practices from when we (me and Rebekah) were younger siblings. We would quite young, trying to find a part for harmony with our mother and her two sisters, all the while that our pops was coaching us to ‘get up to the mic’ and to be loud.

Now, as I take a look back into time, I now realize more than ever how precious it is just to sing and worship with those you love. It is not something you get to do forever, nor do you have the promise of another opportunity to do so. I try to iterate my point to our collective singing group and those we have worked with over the years but you can just never do justice the blessing you receive from sharing in the talents of God with others.

If you ever have another chance to share with your friends and family the collective talents God has given you to fellowship with then I say do it while you have the chance. So long as I have a mind and am living in this life I will always remember the days with loved ones as we rejoiced in the Lord together; for this thought is the closest thing that my mind can comprehend to how we shall all celebrate one day in that glorious heaven. There are so many I wish could read this today. To my family whom I love, thank you for encouraging the talents of God more than anything else. And glory to God for allowing me the precious chance of having a family that fears God and serves Him together (regardless of our differences and paths of life).