Compassion and Integrity

How is the chief end of Man to be accomplished? (I do not feel the need to be politically correct, here). What is the chief end of Man? As many in the church have probably heard at least once, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. In layman's terms: This should be the goal of a man's life.

I was recently having a conversation with my friend, David, about the legacy that a person leaves behind. I was commenting on the disappointment I sometimes felt at being recognized for the things I could do rather than the way I lived. I mean, yes, I can sing pretty well... I'm good with special needs children... I'm a hard worker. So David posed this question: What did I want people to remember about me when I was gone? What legacy did I want to leave behind? I told him the following: I want to be known for the passionate love I have for people. I want to be known for my honesty, compassion, and integrity.

As I thought about this to myself, this week, I found myself wondering if those following things really are meant to be my legacy. Sure, it would be nice to have people think well of me, but is that what God wants? Does He really care? When applying the exact characteristics I mentioned, the answer is yes and no. Yes, God wants us to leave behind an example of goodness - An example of His Son. No, it should not simply be our legacy. If I am known, when I die, as this person who could love so deeply and live with such integrity, it should be because of Who I lived in honour of. To glorify God, we live in the glorious, mirror image of His Son.

Now, the hard part. You think living righteously is hard, trying actually enjoying yourself! Okay - so it really shouldn't be that hard. In fact, I find it quite easy to enjoy God. This might mean different things for different people. For me, to enjoy God is to live with rapturous joy in the blessings He has provided me. Sometimes, I revel in the beautiful earth He has given me. People often tease me of my obsession with clouds... I love them because, to me, they boldly declare the wonders of God. Sometimes, I bask in the company of people that God has placed around me. I may not talk much, but just to be around people I love fills me with inexpressible joy. Sometimes, I sit in His sanctuary, wherever it may be at the moment (For Jesus has provided many forms of a sanctuary), and spend time in His Word. To enjoy God, enjoy what He has given you! Do not question Him, asking why He would give you something you do not deserve. Is that not like apologizing profusely? Praise the Lord for His gifts, whether they be wonders in nature, the people around you, the food on your plate! Whatever He has given, He has given to be enjoyed by His people.

I challenge you to live with integrity and joy in Christ. What better legacy can we leave?

TM

David Phelps' Funny Side :)

This is first shows Mark Lowry's very "original" humor :) You can tell that David and Guy had no idea what was going on because of the surprised looks on their faces and the fact that they couldn't control their laughter :)




Apparently the rumor is spreading that Mark Lowry rubbed of on David Phelps when they were in the GVB together. Enjoy!

My Favorite Contemporary Singer

Admittedly, he's the only one I listen to :) David Phelps, ladies and gentlemen. I'm not sure what to say about this great man of faith, except that you can see his faith in his singing, and you can hear it in his CD's. Enjoy!

Do It With A Prayer

I just did another concert today... For those who don't know, I sing. It is a gift; not something I worked to get or bought from someone. Saying this I also say, most humbly, I sing pretty well. I boast of nothing I do not have in Christ, and this is true to the greatest extent.
I have to admit that I was not always humble about it. God had to show me that it was a gift, not something I won, in a way that humbled me greatly. I won't give any details, but suffice it to say I was greatly embarrassed at my big-headedness. God has shown me much since then, and though I can't say I showcase very well, He has shown Himself through me in the most amazing ways.

Something I've never told anyone about my singing is that I always pray and give my song to God before I sing. I do it several times, actually, depending on the amount of preparation I have. I just let God sing through me. I know this may sound very superficial and silly, but I've never felt like it was me singing after I started praying about it beforehand. Before I would struggle to show off, but now I leave it completely up to God what my performance will sound like. If I sound terrible, I can say it's His fault :)
After I started praying beforehand I noticed a difference in my singing that was probably unnoticed by others. If I forget to pray, it is noticed by others, whether they say so or not.

Tonight I prayed so hard. My music was out of place for the concert, because my style was very different... But I gave it to God, and He gave me His Spirit, just like I knew He would. The result? I believe Mom said, "They were transfixed as soon as you started."

All the glory and the honor belongs to my Father.