Just a Thought: Life Changing Moments

Something caught my attention tonight. It was in an email sent to me likely as a result of my involvement in Christian Publishing. Interestingly it was from a company called Positive Media Resources and came from a URL called "Massmediamail." Don't ask me why exactly I read something from a place called massmediamail—not a personal appeal to say the least–also the word "Positive" is very often a code word for something Christian in content dressed to not look like it. Regardless, I read it.

The email was a sales pitch for a movie called Bella. What caught my attention was the idea that a single moment can transform. And on the heels of my first mission trip, it especially resonated.

A portion of the email read...
There comes a time in everyone’s life when something happens that changes them forever. Bella is a true love story that shows how one day in New York City changed three lives. It reminds us of surprises that await us in each new day that sometimes a single moment can transform our life forever.

But here's what really got me thinking. Isn't it more accurate to consider that a series of single moments, in the bigger picture, weaves our story? A scary thought when I remember back to my actions even earlier today. Am I making sound decisions and guarding my heart to insure each single moment counts? What would it be like to be intentional about your day to the degree you can consider your thoughts and actions in terms that are separate, individual, but intertwined single moments? And one's that all mattered.

No doubt it is a neat thought that one single big thing can change your life. Or someone's you know. Costa Rica did change me. Lots of what I experienced, what was revealed to me and what I experienced as a collective whole was very life altering. We all want that "in-the-park-homerun" feeling of being a light to someone, especially if it's exactly at the right time. And we all search to be changed. For me I know I'm not that fortunate, or disciplined in my walk to be in the right place at the right time. So I challenge myself (and you) to be intentional about and make your single moments count. See what that adds up to, even at the end of a single day.

Just a thought.

The Quiet As We Wait And Wonder

Over a week has passed since my return from Costa Rica. Since then I’ve had a significant amount of inquiries regarding the details of this mission trip, and as I stated in my post upon my return, I’m uncharacteristically at a bit of a loss as to what to say about my experiences. Also about responsibilities, which include this blog. On one hand I want to share what I saw and what God laid on my heart. On another hand, I feel God helping me to focus on him, the work required of me at work for my job and my contribution to our companies’ chapel presentation, etc. The sense I have heard whispered through it all is a call to quiet. Something foreign to me.

In the past, people close to me have shared instances where they feel the Lord’s leading in their live’s, and frankly, I get a bit jealous. Jealousy is no doubt the wrong response in these instances–it’s just that I’ve always wished God would speak to me in similar fashion. What I’ve experienced since my return from Costa Rica makes me think that perhaps this time he is.

It’s no doubt made me pause and think. About my life, and recently about my work and priorities. So it is with a sense of change, peace, focus and realignment that I enter a new phase in my life. Fatherhood. My wife and I just received confirmation of something that was driven home for me in Costa Rica– that little ones all over the world are crying out for help, and that God is calling us to serve. Yesterday we received the written confirmation that we are deemed suitable to adopt. We are embarking on the journey of adoption of a baby from El Salvador. When I consider my condition, physical, emotional, and the responsibilites financial, I cannot say with certainty I’m up for the task. But I’ve realized that God thinks so, and he’ll bring a baby into this world in 4-7 months from today. Some woman who is alive today and doesn’t know myself or my wife, or perhaps not even the love of Christ, will give birth to one of God’s precious creatures.

God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you, I knew you! Before I formed you, I called you to be something brand new.” With divine fingers God shapes every person in the womb into an image and form like his own. Each precisely etched embryo is a person whom God has laid out for his own use from eternity past. Each one of us has been known and loved since the beginning of time–even before the world was made!

The idea that we are all made for His glory sits well on my heart even though it's not something I always feel. But with God's grace and perfect timing (in our case that's been 6 years and counting), we’ll become first time parents, and I will draw on Him for wisdom.

As I write this I find even more reasons for quiet. For reflection. And until I find adequate words and time to share, that's all I have for now. I ask you to please pray for the woman who will have this baby. I can't imagine the circumstances leading to giving a baby up for adoption, but it is a courageous decision when you consider the alternative. A little over a year or so ago I posted about Mark Schultz. He is adopted, and he and Cindy Morgan wrote a song together called Broken and Beautiful which really illustrates this well. Check it out if you have a moment.

Costa Rica Experience

My experiences in Costa Rica were life altering and at this point beyond my ability to describe. I look forward to posting about it soon, and have tried a couple of times already. Once I get my head around it all I will share this here.

Right now I'm struck by a single observation. I can't get it out of my mind. To me it is an irony, but it may in fact be something God is revealing to me. The thought is how amazing it is how God's placed the least in a place of most. Costa Rica–it's rainforests, cloud forests, volcanos, species, people–the overall natural beauty in general has got to be a glimpse of Heaven. And God has given it to people with so little. Yet so much.

It strikes me how this may be a tangible glimpse into His word Spoken in Matthew 19:30...

“In this way the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

God is doing mighty works in the people of Costa Rica. I went there to be a blessing, and was blessed in return.

James 1:27: Caring for Orphans and Widows

Beginning 2:45am Saturday, November 27th, I embark on a first. I journey to Costa Rica in Central America to work in several homes needing repairs. These homes are occupied by loving and giving foster parents who are associated with an organization called Casa Viva.

I will share my experiences upon my return, but beginning today, I will not post until then.

You might consider digging into my blog while I'm away to find things which either you've not seen, or might be worth going deeper. I also have some great places to visit on the blog role on the left column of BarryBlog.

While I'm away, if you think of it, please pray for my health (I am nursing an injury prone back), and for opportunities to be an encourager on the job sites and to anyone in spiritual need (who isn't?). But mostly that my work and my actions will show somebody, somehow, that I'm determined to live a life worthy of His name. I want my life to reflect His goodness and grace.

See you in a little over a week. I pray next week also finds you in step with Him, and that God gives you peace, understanding and joy.

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