Broke - But Not Broken

Have you ever accidentally broken something, then 'fixed' it, put it back in its original location and prayed that nobody would ever notice?






I remember when I was much younger, I broke one of my mothers precious moments. I laugh now looking at the name of this item, as they were certainly PRECIOUS to someone - and I forever share a MOMENT with one particular piece.

I am very foggy on the details, as I'm not quite sure how it happened but I surely remember the piece itself and my reaction all to well.

The victim; the ceramic mother goose and her little attached babies. 

There she stood. Magnificent. Proud. Erect with her long and slender neck. 

Next, she was flying (okay - more like falling) and when she hit the wood floor ...

CRACK!

Time was moving very slowly at this point, and at first glance the goose appeared to have escaped the crash landing unscathed.

Relieved, I bent down to carefully pick her up and return her to her perch - but what I picked up felt like it lost a little weight. I looked down and gasped! The body of the goose was in my hand, and at the scene of the crime remained her pretty little head with half of the long ceramic neck attached.

The bird lost its head and I nearly lost my mind. Panic stricken, my mind races - what to do, what to do!! Heart racing, head spinning and even a little nauseous as I feared for my young life I could barely contain a single thought.

Suddenly, my brilliant scheme came to me ... GLUE!

I raced to the kitchen, ripped open the infamous junk drawer and there it was ... my instrument of deception. After some careful repair artistry, I returned the victim back to her splendor and sat her back upon the shelf. It was like it never happened. Nobody will ever be able to tell ... 
did I mention I was much younger at the time?

Again, I'm a bit foggy on the details, but I'm sure either my Mom or Dad could fill in the gaps. I don't remember who discovered the piece, how long it took before it was discovered or even what happened to me because of it. 

What is my point you ask?

Well, this THING that was broken still exists today and is currently on display at my parents house. To the naked eye (and at a distance) you would never know the difference. Although the broken bird was fixed and looked the same as before the fall - it wasn't the same and now has a story to tell.

We are very much like this precious moment. At some point (or many points) during our existence, we were dropped by our parents; a family member, a friend, a classmate, teacher, or even tripped over our own two feet ... and we broke.

Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Never to be the same again, but fixable through the healing powers of God, our Creator. Only now we have a story to tell - a story worth telling. We may look the same on the exterior (mostly) but we carry something within us that has forever changed us for the better - if we choose to see it that way.

Just because you're broken and the world has tossed you to the waste-side doesn't mean you don't carry value. God can and will use you for something of importance, some specific purpose; something beautiful.

Whatever it was (or is), God has something specific in mind for each of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 says; For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

It wasn't designed for you to carry alone, or carry at all. Its intention was not to isolate you and make you feel like you are less than the next individual. This is what Satan and the world wants you to feel - powerless.

Matthew 11:28-29 says; ²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

This 'rest' is available to us all, and you can find it in God. As Jeremiah, chapter 29 continues it says;

¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Pray to Him, He's waiting to hear from you. Look with all of your heart and you will surely find Him. God is the GLUE to your brokenness - you no longer need to be a victim, but victorious!!

If you like what you've read and would like to see more, check out my first book Encourageman or check out the links below.
 
Book: Click on Encourageman above or if you have the Kindle or the Nook see the options below.

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Encourageman-Shawn-M-McNamara/dp/1620245728

BARNES&NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/encourageman-shawn-m-mcnamara/1112493671

Community: www.facebook.com/the-e-league

Author: https://twitter.com/EncouragemanS
Do you know anyone who is struggling, who may be in need of a new perspective? Send them Encourageman today - or forward this message on to them.

Know anyone whose broken? Send them this message and be an encourage man or woman in their lives.
For His Glory

99 Problems But My Faith Ain't One

Well, maybe this title is a little deceptive, or perhaps exaggerated.




Thankfully, I do not have ninety nine problems -but I sure have my share.







I'm not going to specifically list each one, but I'm pretty confident that I'm not alone or unique in any of the struggles and/or burdens that I face today.

To list a few; anger, co-dependancy, internalization, financial struggles, etc. Do you relate to any of these problems?

In the early stages of my transformation from a worldly being to a follower of Christ, I learned that with God there are no negatives; only positives.

Let's be clear, burdens, struggles, hardships, uncomfortable times for sure - but rather than seeing these things as problems, how about as an opportunity?

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Problems are always going to be here, as perfection doesn't exist on this side of eternity. So what needs to change?

We do! If we keep looking at things the same way and approach them the same way, what do you think we're going to get?

The same result.

Isn't this the definition of insanity?

Ephesians 4:23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

If we've accepted Christ but still face our struggles in the same ways we are not truly allowing the renewing of our minds and will continue to struggle.

The 'yesterme' had a really short walk to the land of insanity. It's a much further walk today. I am far more accepting of things today. I react less to "opportunities" and think first (most days). I recognize that I'm not in control but surely have an active role to play that greatly affects the outcome.

And how about how we affect those around us? How are we representing Christ when we allow the "yesterme" get the victory?

This is an area where I struggle greatly. I don't regularly or immediately give it to God. I fall to internalization, which leads to silence, ignoring, and eventually evolves into murmuring which only leads it to an explosion ... and then there's the collateral damage.

There I go trying to be in control again.

Where did the unconditional love go?

I used to tell my son, "you get out what you put in". Time to take my own advice;

or better yet - Gods.

Galatians 3:3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

Ever stop to think that God is using other people around you and their circumstances to provide you an opportunity to grow? An opportunity to apply something different than what you've always done before?

Start today. Change your perception. Turn to God first.

Find the silver lining in your struggle/burden and see how 99 problems begin to look like opportunities.

James 1:2 [ Faith and Endurance ] Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

For more from Encourageman, see the options below.

Community: www.facebook.com/the-e-league

Book: Click on Encourageman above or if you have the Kindle or the Nook see the options below.

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Encourageman-Shawn-M-McNamara/dp/1620245728

BARNES&NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/encourageman-shawn-m-mcnamara/1112493671

Author: https://twitter.com/EncouragemanS

Do you know anyone who is struggling, who may be in need of a new perspective? Send them Encourageman today - or forward this message on to them.

To He Be The Glory!

Employed By The Lord

The unemployment line is very long these days, and it does not appear to be getting any shorter.

I have fallen to the back of this line two times over the past six years. The Lord however, has been good to me and has blessed me with a paycheck; not without a little hard pressed lesson along the way.

My first experience was a tough one. I was a single parent with a child at home, a mortgage, car payment and all the other financial responsibilities of the average individual. I was with this particular company for almost ten years, started as the lowly 'fax boy' and worked my way to become the company's Marketing Analyst. It was between years eight and nine that I made a decision for Christ and my transitioning began.

I wrestled with the Lord for the remainder of my time with this company, as the work load increased, the political air in management turned bleak, work relationships soured (particularly with my immediate supervisor) and the stress levels were dangerously unhealthy.

It took a while for me to realize that while I did NEED a job, it didn't need to be this one. The exiting of this job is not one that I'm particularly proud of and the experience of this unemployment period was, well ... scary.

With my new and developing relationship with God, I attempted to take control of this situation and worked really hard looking for work, managing my available funds; all without turning to God once.

Then it came, one sour job opportunity 
after another, I had transferred the remainder of my savings to cover those pesky bills - and I cracked. I'll never forget the moment. I was standing in my private courtyard at home. I was on the phone with my father and totally broke down. Hanging up the phone, I prayed to God for help. It went a little bit like this;

"God, I have tried everything I can and have come up empty. I don't know what else to do. I need your help. Would you please help me?"

Would you believe that no more than an hour later my phone rang, and a long-time family friend offered me a position at a bank where he was the Regional Manager?

Now I had interviewed for this position maybe two-three weeks earlier but I didn't take it seriously. First, my Mom has been in banking pretty much for her entire working life; and I told myself I would never take a job at a bank. Second, the pay was almost a third less than what I was previously making.

God's timing is never wrong. It was a huge lesson in trusting God and going to the Lord first. Many lessons came over the course of the next three years. Lessons in finances, appreciation, acceptance, trust; this list can go on forever. Let's just say that it was a 'pivotal moment' in my life and in my walk with God. For more details, check out my first book Encourageman.

Now the lessons from God didn't just stop at the three year mark (like the Energizer Bunny - they're still going) but the third year at the bank job marked another 'pivotal moment'. The bank had decided to pull the plug on the Florida region - turning me back to the line of unemployment.

Big difference this time around. My previous experience had prepared me for this 'opportunity' and how I walked through it looked nothing even close to the first. I had a peace about it. I was able to encourage others who were also going through the same experience. God equipped me through one 'opportunity' and gave me the ability to handle the next one better while being example for others along the way.

Above earthly employment, as Christians we are first employed by the Lord, and there are no part-time positions available - although in many cases it may appear that there are.

We are His hands and His feet here on Earth and we are called to 'get to work'.

James 2:26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

How many times have you heard that reference before?

We have the opportunity throughout the course of each day to be that smile someone needed to see, that kind word that someone needed to hear, the helping hand that no-one else would give and an example of something that looks different from everything else to all those who surround us.

Our struggles and our burdens are no different than those who are still of this world but our experiences with these very things should look a bit different.

Why?

Because we know that we're not alone. We know that there is no problem too big for God. We are equipped with the Holy Spirit and have instant access to peace and understanding.

There was a time when I used to view things as positive and negative. I just don't see things that way anyone. I believe that there is only positive and opportunity. The uncomfortable, the burden, the struggle; all usable by God and all have 'silver linings'. Each experience can make us stronger, wiser and can deepen our relationships with our Father.

Granted, still today I am imperfect and believe from time to time that I can out-wrestle God. How quickly I am reminded of the truth. You can't argue with 'The Boss' and be victorious.

There are so many pros to taking employment in Gods company.

He is always hiring.

You will never be fired.

Health benefits are second to none.

Your salary is eternal.

Your office view ... shall we say HEAVENLY?

Are you facing tough times? 

Whether it's unemployment, ridiculous work stress or something else; have you turned to God yet? Or are you still trying to do everything you can to solve your own problem(s) - and are coming up empty?

Stop what you're doing and turn to God right now. Say a prayer. Ask for help. Join the E-League and share your burden. Ask for prayer. 

As I said earlier, we are not alone. 

We have God first.

Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

We then have one another.

Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

If you are reading this and you are currently going through tough times, please know that I am praying for you.

Challenge: if you are receiving this blog by email and know at least one person in your address book who can use this message - pay it forward and send them this email.


COMING SOON!

Have you ever accidentally broken something, then 'fixed' it, put it back in its original location and prayed that nobody would ever notice? 

Tune in next month for Broke - But Not Broken.

www.encourageman.blogspot.com

For His Glory

The Dimmer Switch of Faith

A little while back, my wife and I watched a film titled "Not A Fan". The film was written by Pastor Kyle Idleman, produced by City On A Hill Studios and spoke to me in a few different ways. I would certainly recommend this film.

As Pastor Idleman narrates, he offers up an apology. It was something I never even thought about, nor thought I would hear from a Pastor. Basically, he apologized to anyone who he had presented Christ to ... not for offering the path to salvation, but the presentation itself.

Often times, we talk about the glory of salvation, eternity, mansions in the clouds, heaven; you know, all of the good things that would attract the potential "buyer".

While these things are true and certainly good, the truth is the day we accept Christ is the day we also choose death. Yes, I said it ... death. Now isn't that something you're in a hurry to sign up for?

Don't tune out yet, here's the truth. Once we accept Christ, we are supposed to die to ourselves.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Mark 8:35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

The truth? Accepting Christ has forever changed my life, and it will forever change yours too...

there's no light switch affect - but more like the effect of a dimmer switch. 




You're still you. Your life is still your life. Your problems, struggles, burdens; still yours - but with continued obedience the light gradually gets brighter and brighter as you begin to transform.

Check out this song by the Casting Crowns.
http://vimeo.com/7474108

It's transformation time. Time for renewal.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Same flesh - different perspective.

Perfection doesn't exist on this side of eternity.

Let me be a little transparent. 

Since accepting Christ, my life has certainly gotten better ... but it is most definitely not without its share of struggles, trials and tribulations. The Lord has blessed me with so much, but I am still a flesh being living a midst a fallen planet. My weak areas that existed before accepting Christ are the very same areas that are frequently attacked by the adversary.

Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Surround yourself with those who can lift you up and encourage you. Check out The E League for starters. Know that in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33), but if you keep your eyes on Jesus rather than hanging your head; you shall overcome.

If you've enjoyed what you've read, sign up to this blog for more or purchase a copy of Encourageman for a source of on hand encouragement.

Next blog entry: Employed by the Lord. I'll take you on a personal journey through the joys of unemployment and how God grows us through difficult circumstances. Thankfully, God's employment is permanent - and full-time.

For His Glory

I'm No Hero

I wrote a song a while back that my father and I are currently working on in the studio.

It's title is "Don't Follow Me", and it offers a reminder that while I have a roll to play in the lives of other believers and non-believers ... my most important task is to point each individual to Jesus Christ and scripture.

John 14:6(NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

After all, I am flesh and flawed like everyone else, and just because I'm a follower of Christ and a published author certainly doesn't mean that I have it all together.

I continuously struggle with control, wrestling matches with pride and all out wars with financial struggles. My current mode of transportation is hanging on (barely), my master closet shelves have fallen to the floor (twice now) so our clothes are all over the house ... and while there are more examples to give, these things add additional stresses through the relationship shared under the roof as well.

James 1:2 tells us to consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

I think that the word "know" should get some serious attention here. We are going to face trials ... we simply need to know that and accept that. I assure you, I am not a fan of the discomfort my trials create, but to complain about them and fight against them is pointless. To worry about them is counter-productive.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

Know that God has a plan and purpose in all that He does (Romans 8:28) and if we choose to recognize that, the joy can come through our trials a little more naturally. It doesn't make the trials any less comfortable, but perhaps a little more tolerable.

Feeling down? Defeated? Check out the story of Job, the most righteous in the land. Does your life bear any close comparison? In the end, does Job not prosper for his faithfulness?

I know that some of these 'trials' we go through seem so tedious and controllable, but that is where the danger usually lies. It's when we attempt to solve the problem ourselves and apply our fleshy methods to them that we add to the stress load. We are quick to think we know it all, have all the answers, understand what's really going on - but we don't. We need only to first turn to God, seek His will, His way and make our way through the trial peacefully to its end (and quite often we get to the resolution quicker).

You will see it throughout the pages of my book 'Encourageman' ... God first!

When you choose you, you lose. When you choose Him, you win. 

Let go and let God be the hero in your life. 

God bless you all!

For His Glory