As a child my grandparents would often vacation with us and one summer we went to Daytona Florida. Back in the 70’s you could drive automobiles on the beach and when we sat back far enough, the traffic passed between us and the ocean. 

My grandpa loved to sit on the beach and look through binoculars at the activities on the sand and in the water. (We all knew who he REALLY was watching.)

When cars would pass within Grandpa’s line of sight, he would pull his feet back.  Even though the cars where several yards away, through his binoculars they were going to run over him!

According to Webster, “Perspective” is defined as “A glass through which objects are viewed”.

A perspective is a filter on how we see our lives and the world, it affects our attitude and even influences how we order our days.  

Lester Sumrall started and pastored several churches, including growing a church in the Philippines to 24,000 members. He was the founder of World Harvest Bible College, World Harvest Radio International and a Christian magazine. He also acquired television stations that are now known as LeSEA Broadcasting and many consider him the “father of Christian television”.

During the latter part of his life, Lester said “I have never done anything great for God. I just do something for Him every day.”

I think Mr. Sumrall had a “today” perspective.

Each day is a building block for your life. Where you are now did not suddenly happen.  The sum of your days thus far equals the life you are currently living and the impact you are making in the lives of others. 

I love the image from Psalm 95:7: “For He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care.”

A good shepherd is never absent. He is constantly providing.

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

A good shepherd is always instructing.

 “I am teaching you today-yes, you- so you will trust in the Lord.”

(Proverbs 22:19)

A good shepherd is always protecting.

 “Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.” (Proverbs 19:23)

I think many of us fall for the trap of building our lives in blocks of weeks, months and even years, which can cause us to take our eyes off the possibilities of today.

Just as Jesus is the Lord of today, I want to encourage you to have a “today” perspective. Today, you can realize God’s presence in your life. Today, you can draw closer to Him. Today He can be your shepherd. Today you can do something for God by being a blessing to others.

Influence is a great word. To say one has influence “on” you or “with” you does not capture the depth of the word. According to Webster, it literally means: “a flowing into; a power whose operation is invisible and known by its effects”.

Influence penetrates. It flows into you and can become a permanent part of who you are.

Here is the great news about influence: you have it!  In fact, it is highly probable that you influenced someone today. When you are in the presence of others, you can influence them.

In the early 80’s I started in the hotel business as a desk clerk. Kerry, the Front Office Manager became my mentor. He had a genuine interest in my success and taught me everything he knew about leading and managing the front desk staff, bellman and night auditors.  In a short time, I was promoted and transferred to a hotel as their Front Office Manager. The impact of Kerry’s tremendous influence is still evident in my life today.

I will always remember my mentor Kerry. His life mattered to me. He influenced me for MY benefit!

Leadership expert John Maxwell said, “Deep down we all want one thing. We want our lives to matter. We want our stories to be of significance. Nobody wants to feel like the world wouldn't miss him if he'd never lived.” 

Isn’t that true for you?  Don’t you want to matter to others by having influence into their lives, for THEIR benefit? 

I believe this desire is planted in our hearts by God.

The Lord said, “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!”         -Jeremiah 15:19-

Since I gave my heart to the Lord in 1989, I have experienced the blessings and warnings of this biblical truth. I have witnessed God influencing others through me. Sadly, there are times when I speak worthless words resulting in negative influence.  Also, I am keenly aware of the ongoing battle to resist the negative influences of this world.

That is why I am thankful for the mercy and grace of God. Despite my failures, He loves me and restores me as my heavenly Father and continues to bless my life with the honor of serving Him.

Jesus is the Master Influencer. When you ask Him into your heart, His first act of influence is to let you know how much you are loved and that you are now part of the family of God.

“The Spirit Himself testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God.”

-Romans 8:16-

Are you under The Influence?

Take a moment and think of one of your favorite stories. It may be from a favorite book or movie; fiction or true. Do you have one in mind?

Have you ever given serious thought as to why you like that story so much? Even if it is simply entertainment or a momentary escape, there are still profound reasons why you are drawn to that story.

It starts with our attraction to one or more of the characters in the story. You begin to identify with them. Maybe you are like them in some way or can relate to their story through similar circumstances.

Then you begin to connect with them emotionally. You feel for them, with them and like them. You want them to win. You want them to be loving and to be loved. 

Finally, while being engrossed in a story, do you have thoughts like, “That’s what I want to be like.”? You wish you were more courageous like him or kind, forgiving and selfless like her. You want to change lives like they did.

I think most people have this experience as they enjoy a good story.  Why? Because you, I and everyone else on the planet share something in common: deep down we want our lives to matter to others because we made a difference in their lives.  

When we matter, we feel valued.

However, when we need the validation of others, it creates a paradox:  we must know we are valuable before we are able to make a real difference in the lives of others.

There comes a time in our lives when we must understand and accept the origin of value and this is something the world and this life cannot give. True value can only come from the Creator of this world and the Giver of life.

Because God created you, you are already valuable to Him.  God validated you when He sent His Son Jesus to die for you. To ratify your value, God said He wants to live in and through you!

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Phil 2:13

Regardless of where you are in your faith, I encourage you to calculate your value by examining your approach to God.

Do you feel you must earn God’s approval and favor? Do you see God only as a judge who condemns you every time you blow it? This is a religion that must be endured.

Or do you see God as He really is, a good and forgiving God. A God who shows you unearned, undeserved and unmerited favor, which is grace. This is a relationship meant to be enjoyed.

Then, accept your real identity.

“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:26

Because you are His child, the Holy Spirit says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7

We accept our real identity when we simply say yes to Jesus.

In elementary and high school, I hated history classes. History was boring. Maybe it was how it was taught.   Of the teachers who made school interesting or dare I say fun, none were history teachers. Maybe the problem was what was being taught. Thinking back, which is now WAY back, I never saw or felt a connection between history and my life.

Of course, maybe it was just me.

For most of my school career I was a pretty good student. However, by my senior year, the wheels had come off my life. My priorities and attitudes were out of whack. At that point, I simply did not care about learning and barely graduated. I was not very interested in politics. I did not even vote until my late twenties and not consistently until after I got married.

Sadly, my indifference to our nation’s history in the 80’s is currently a national epidemic.

A recent survey said that 2 out of 3 Americans could not pass the U.S. Citizenship test given to immigrants.  And the passing grade is only 60%!

Since the early 90’s I have done a decent job of playing catch up to the miracle that is the United States of America, which started with the vision, courage and self-sacrifice of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Before signing, they knew they were about to lose everything to gain only one thing, freedom. In the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, they wrote, “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor”. They knew if they won, they faced years of hardship. If they lost, they would be hung because King George labeled them traitors. Basically, when they signed that wonderful document, besides taking a vow of poverty, they personally signed their own death warrant. All of them lived a hard life and paid a very a high price so that I may live a free one.

In honor of them, this is my Declaration of Dependence on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, written by our nation’s founders, for the natural freedoms I enjoy in my great country. Without the enforcement of those documents, I lose the very freedom given to me by the sacrifices of so many.

I believe our Founding Fathers were pursing God’s will for all people to live an abundant life under His loving care and protection as our one True King. “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is one of the best know lines from the Declaration of Independence and mirrors the heart of God.

“And this is the way to have eternal life-to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth.” (John 17:3)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

“Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 144:15)

God’s perfect gift of life, liberty and happiness came at a high price - through the cross of Jesus. He knew from the beginning of the world He would send His Son to be punished and sacrificed on a cross to do something for me which I could not do on my own.  I depend on Jesus for forgiveness of sin. I depend on Him for eternal life. I depend on Him for liberty from guilt. I depend on Him for happiness that comes from my relationship with God. I depend on God’s grace.

This is my Declaration of Dependence on the One Who gave His life for me.

 June remains one of the most popular months for weddings. Weddings are a wonderful celebration usually followed by the all-important honeymoon (that’s right) then the first-year newlywed period and finally reality: marriage.

Marriage, wives and husbands are common targets for comedians. Rodney Dangerfield said that he and his wife were happy for 22 years, then they met. He also complained that his wife’s cooking was so bad, the flies in the neighborhood pitched in to fix the holes in their screens.

For you older folks, you may appreciate George Burns’ take: “I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.”

Husbands are equally assaulted. Rita Rudner quipped that “Men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage-they’ve experienced pain and bought jewelry.” 

According to Ann Bancroft “The best way to get most husbands to do something is to suggest that perhaps they’re too old to do it.” I could have told you that. It carries over from the mindless dares and challenges from allies and adversaries alike at school, on playgrounds and in the neighborhood.

Many a male’s last words before departing this earth were “Watch this.”

Now, before I say another word, I want to go on the record that I enjoyed my wedding day and would not trade it for anything. I think most men feel the same but let’s face it, everyone knows the wedding day is for the bride.

I also hope the men reading this will appreciate the personal risk I am taking by getting out into the open what many of my male species think and feel about what has become of the wedding ceremony.

Of course, I know most of you will deny agreeing with my opinions when confronted by the love of your life. Cowards!

I read recently that the national average cost of a wedding in the United States is $30,000, which does not include the rings and honeymoon.  $30,000!!!

Most ceremonies include symbolic customs to illustrate commitment to one another. For generations lighting a unity candle has been a staple and was included in my wedding.

As a twist on this lasting tradition, some couples use two jars of sand that each pour into a single glass.

Still others plant a tree or pot a plant together. >Sniff. So beautiful< Some couples create a cocktail! (Ok, this has merit since you may need it after a few years of marriage.) Finally, the majestic release of doves… I am not even sure what that means.

Has a groom, ever in history, been the one to suggest these? Oh, you may get on board quickly, but it was not your idea. This, my fellow husbands, is the beginning of “yes dear” training.

Then there are those unusual ceremony locations. I will simply address one here to strike a blow for all mankind and save friendships. Destination weddings.

It is as if the couple is telling everyone “Our wedding day is so important for your future we want you to give up vacation time, spend a bunch of money on travel, lodging and food so we can get married in some far-off location where no one we know lives.”

Who are you people? I personally know someone who declined attending a destination wedding over 10 years ago and the bride and groom have not spoken to him since and they are FAMILY. Yikes.

Now, to understand the man’s approach to the perfect wedding ceremony, we need to go back to the very first one between Adam and Eve.

God put Adam into a deep sleep, removed one of his ribs and formed a woman. Basically, Adam woke from a nap to find a naked woman with him. Married! (Genesis 2:21-23)

2,000 years later Abraham, Isaac’s father, sent a servant to a far-off land to find his son a bride. When his servant returned with Rebekah, Isaac met her, took her into his tent. Married! (Genesis 24: 62-67)

All joking aside, I love the simplicity of God’s design for the union between husband and wife. It really is about how we privately commit to one another in a covenant before God.

Sometimes the stress and strain of planning that special day or focusing on elements of the ceremony can rob us of experiencing the moment when the Lord unites us with our spouse.

Marriage is also a powerful picture of how Jesus wants to be united with you.

“Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.” (Isaiah 62:5)

I love that. When we give ourselves to Jesus like a man and woman do to each other before God in marriage, He rejoices like a newly married groom.

You may have heard that a good marriage requires a 50/50 partnership between husband and wife. That is simply not true. A good marriage takes 100% commitment, honor and support from each person.

My wife needs to know that I am giving 100% to her and the marriage. When I said, “I do”, I was really saying “I will” honor the unbreakable marriage covenant with my wife. Furthermore, my 100% should not be affected by anything she does, good or bad.

That is how Jesus feels toward you when you join with Him. The Holy Spirit wrote “For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband-Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2)

Once united with Christ, He promises to never abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6-8) and that does not depend on what you do, good or bad. He remains in a covenant relationship with you. 

God continues to honor His covenant with you as His bride even when you are not honoring your covenant with Him. This is grace and it gently and lovingly draws you back into fellowship with Him. 

It all starts with saying “I do” when you respond to Jesus as He is asking now, “Do you want me to be your Savior?”