A Summer That Changes Everything

I'll always have fond memories of the missions’ trips our family took because those trips changed everything about the way we viewed what we had, and what we may not have had. It's a culture shock to see how other people live who are not afforded the conveniences, the comfort and the many blessings we encounter daily, and take for granted.

So, to see my grandchildren, Payton Wallace and Alexia Wallace, packing and getting all geared up for their Guatemala trip with over 50 from their church, and to be so excited about the opportunity they'll have to impact people there, was so inspiring to this Nana. Payton amused me with all his “must haves” for the trip: first aid kit, Allen wrench, small “Barbie” fishing pole and tackle (he’s caught some whoppers with that little pole), Papa’s walking stick, lots of snacks and his waterproof “Outdoor Bible”! Alexia carried Papa’s snake skin coin purse. I loved that Papa is getting to go with them (in their hearts, as missions was his passion).

My hat’s off to the youth leaders that are taking these kids – no doubt, it’s a work-out to orchestrate the journey, making sure these kids’ own personal needs are met, and to keep up with each and every one. You know that they know the rewards will far exceed whatever work-out they’ll have. They are having a huge part of giving these kids – not a trip to Disney World for their own pleasure – but to a country where they can be a bright light to darkness, and seeing how these kids’ lives are changed as they are used by God to bring change to others.

Honestly, if you or your children haven’t had the opportunity to go on a missions trip, I urge you to consider taking one. It causes a new perspective of the blessings we have and helps us have compassion and sincere desire to bring change to someone else’s world. It's not about "What's in it for me?", but about "making a difference in other people's lives".

I'll never forget taking a busload of college students to Mexico where we were going to be "Jesus personified" to them. And, as it turned out, we left there being far more inspired and blessed to have encountered people who not only were radically transformed by God's love and light coming from us, but to see how little they had, yet were so joy-filled with the greatest gift they could ever receive -- coming to know Christ as their Savior. Their love for God was so much more than what they could get from Him -- it was about loving God with all their hearts -- because, basically, He was all they had. It certainly altered our consciences from "needing more" to "thankful for what I have".

Though we may not be going on a missions trip this summer, it doesn't mean that we, daily, don't have a mission to fulfill. In fact, when we leave our homes and when we walk through our doors, we are entering our mission field. Missions: an important assignment carried out for going out into the world and spreading faith and good news. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." And I love St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words".

What is our mission field? I believe it is to everyone that we encounter on a daily basis. The clerk at the store, little children, the homebound, the family next door, the yard man, our own families & friends, our neighbors -- just anyone we have the opportunity to BE A BLESSING to and share the LIGHT of Christ with.

Perhaps, we need to develop a Mission Statement for our lives that keeps us focused on our calling to missions. In Genesis 12, where God makes His covenant with Abram. God tells Abram that He will make him into a great nation and that He will bless him. And then, what God says to him in the last part of verse 2 just may be our Mission Statement, too. "You will be a blessing."

That's it -- whatever we do, wherever we go, whoever we encounter -- our mission is "TO BE A BLESSING". Isn't that a great way to live? On purpose, outside of us 4, and no more -- TO BE A BLESSING in our communities or our school or office building or gym -- BE A BLESSING, and in doing that.....we will be IN OUR MISSION FIELD!!! If we do that....then this will be a summer that changes everything!

Mary, Did You Know?

I love this song so much, and even more so since the song is being sung by my daughter with the backdrop of the "Son of God" movie at Elevate Life Church's Christmas production all of this week. BTW -- the production will continue tonight and every night and two times on Christmas Eve. If you're in the area, I urge you to attend. The music, lighting, and visuals are breathtaking!

As Staci sings this inspiring and heart-touching song -- we don't see that sweet and mild visual of Mary pondering her baby's future, but this production conveys the REAL story of a "true grit" mom who had heard Simeon's prophecy in the temple "Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul" (Luke 2:35) and now felt that sword as she watched her baby boy who had performed remarkable miracles -- blind eyes and deaf ears opening, walking on water....AND now being rejected, despised, beaten and murdered FOR US. I'll admit from the beginning to the ending of the song, I had chill bumps.

Now I really get it. This song brings Mary right to where we are. It helps us to know she was one of us. She was a woman with real emotions, real challenges, and real love for her baby boy. In 1984 Mark Lowery wrote the lyrics to, “Mary Did You Know?” in response to his Pastor’s request to write the script for their church's Christmas production. Not until twelve years later, did Buddy Greene put the script to music. When Mark was asked to write the script, little did he realize what that little "seed" would bring about in an abundant harvest. That script was one of those Jeremiah 29:11 moments “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Mark had no idea of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that was on him for that significant moment in time.

"Mary, Did You Know?" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs for so many reasons. It momentarily shows Mary more than the lovely woman in blue and white clothing, radiant face, and a halo affixed perfectly above her head. She really was one of us. Like us, she held her baby, she cared for him, she thought about his future -- just like we do for our children.

And, what do you think? DID MARY KNOW -- that He was her Creator, that He would walk on water, that He would heal the blind man, that He would raise the dead? Did she know that when she kissed her little baby boy that she was kissing the face of God?

We'll ask her that question one day, but one thing's for sure, she was the vessel God chose to bear His Son, and I believe she was chosen because He knew she would be the role model, the caregiver, the teacher/trainer, the spiritual director, and the guardian that enabled her son to “grow in wisdom and stature with God and man" (Luke 2:52). I believe she recognized that her boy's talents and abilities would "take Him places" and that He would do great and mighty things, because she was "tight with God" and she held His promises close to her heart.

The question for us is "Do we believe as Mary did?" What God's Word says about Jesus is true. And her example for being that role model, caregiver, teacher/trainer, spiritual director and guardian, is one we should follow in raising our children and grandchildren to "grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man".

I love this beautiful song, and this amazing rendition by Staci and the choir at Elevate Life Church. I share it as a gift for you to realize that Mary's faith and reality is our faith and reality, too. "This little child that Mary delivered, delivered her and us!"

This video no way compares to the "live" performance. Bring your family and enjoy the entire Christmas production that includes lots of humor, dance, incredible musical performances and special guest performances.

https://www.facebook.com/larrywallace/videos/10154693897240499/

EXCEL in 2016

 Home sweet home after 22 days in Texas and Washington over the Christmas holidays.  Precious times away, and excited now to EXCEL in 2016.  

Those incredible 22 days were topped off, yesterday, when many of our Unstoppable Summit attendees went to Elevate Life Church to worship and praise God together.  And to hear a message by Pastor Keith Craft entitled "EXCEL" only provided the icing on the delicious "cake" we'd experienced all weekend at the summit.  In 2 Corinthians 8:1-11, the Apostle Paul was speaking about the folks in the Macedonian churches and in verse 2 said " In the midst of very SEVERE TRIALS, they had OVERFLOWING JOY and their EXTREME POVERTY welled up in RICH GENEROSITY."  Did you get that?  They were experiencing severe trials, but had overflowing joy.  They lived in extreme poverty but were richly generous.

And, then in verse 7, he encourages the Corinthians by saying "Since you EXCEL in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also EXCEL in this grace of giving."  WOW -- did those words ever pack a punch!  God is impressed when we have overflowing joy in the middle of trials and He's even more impressed when we're generous during times of lack.  Pastor Keith said, "EXCEL means to soar -- surpass limitations".  I reached up and grabbed that word as I heard this message.  I desire to soar, surpass limitations and, as Paul mentioned, "EXCEL in everything" -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and above all, in the grace of giving this year.

Giving comes in so many forms:  a hug, a smile, an encouraging word, a compliment, time, treasure, and a host of other ways to EXCEL in the grace of giving.   I'm going to be "in the moment" and "on the lookout" for ways to EXCEL by being an extravagant GIVER this year.

"Powered by Relationships" has been our tag line for over three years now -- and as I think about the power we receive in our relationship with God, as well as His beautiful people like those who joined us in the summit this weekend, I expect EXCELLING to be the norm.    I loved being able to share my heart with these precious people yesterday afternoon, and they shared their love and heart right back to me.  We were EXCELLING.   Indeed we had an empowerment weekend that surely fueled us for a beautiful and blessed year to come -- a year of continual EXCELLING.  Let's EXCEL together as we truly become extravagant GIVERS this year!