30 Days of Encouragement: Day 3

Day 3:

My friend Kelsie Pinckard actively walks out Ephesians 5:3 and I took this day as an opportunity to tell her how much I appreciate the example that she's setting to everyone in her life. Kelsie and her boyfriend are taking a bold stance to keep their dating relationship free from sexual immorality. They're doing this simply by making the choice to refrain from kissing.

I know what you're thinking. "But James, that's just weird." My response is this: "Yeah it's weird, but normal doesn't seem to be working." Too many Christian relationships toy with where the boundary lies in regards to 'going too far' and I'm right there in that mix. I've seen boundaries come crashing down in an instant, regardless of how good the intention was to stay pure.

I absolutely love the stand that Kelsie and her boyfriend have chosen to take in an effort to honor the Lord and hurdle the obstacle of sexual purity. Thank you both for your steadfast faith, your obedience to pursue Christ before each other, and your willingness to go against the grain. I deeply respect and care for both of you. Thanks for reflecting Jesus.

30 Days of Encouragement - Days 1 & 2

Day 1
My job took me to Richmond, VA last weekend for the NASCAR race and our company needed some extra help. I asked my friend Adam to bring some guys in from Huntington and I was extremely impressed with the quality of men he brought. Once the race was over and work was finished, I texted each one of the guys to tell them how much we appreciated them. You would be surprised how much encouragement can come from a simple text message. Adam, Patrick, Rich, and Alan: If you're reading this, thank you again. You guys are incredible and your walks with the Lord are an encouragement to me. Can't wait to work with you again!

Day 2
On this day, I had the opportunity to talk with a group of young men at an FCA Bible Study here in Orlando. We talked about an issue that isn't talked about nearly enough in our churches...the topic was pornography. We spent about an hour unpacking the numerous ways that Satan uses pornography and sexual addiction to drive a wedge in our relationship with the Lord. We talked about practical ways that we can hold each other accountable, and I encouraged them to lean on one other as they take a united stand against sexual immorality.

After the Bible Study we all went to Chick fil a, where I got to spend some time getting to know several of the students. I was blown away at the spiritual depth of one student in particular. His name is Matt and he's finishing up his junior year at Boone High School. Matt leads a group of his peers every morning before school and they simply pray. To be Matt's age and understand the importance and the power of prayer is amazing to me. Bringing his classmates alongside him in this spiritual discipline shows not only an incredible amount of leadership, it also reveals his genuine heart to love and communicate with our Savior. If you're reading this Matt, thank you for playing an active part in growing God's Kingdom on earth. You are an inspiration to more people than you know.

If you are fortunate enough to know Adam, Patrick, Rich, Alan, or Matt, make sure to send them a note and let them know how amazing you think they are. Never discredit the power of your encouragement.

Peace, Love, and Licorice,

James

30 Days of Encouragement

It was the summer of 2006 in the drive thru at Taco Bell when it clicked for me...the moment when I realized the importance of encouragement. The words came from a close friend and they weren't complex. He simply told me the gift he saw in me.

As I reflected on the kind words from my friend that night I read a passage in Romans that says this: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Something inside of me came alive when I read that passage of scripture. We have all been uniquely gifted by our Creator. We all have something to offer this world and what we have to offer is good.

I began to couple my recent revelation that we all have a gift, with a verse in Hebrews 10. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." When I looked at these two passages in Romans and Hebrews, I noticed something huge. We have been given a powerful opportunity to call out the gifts and talents that we see in the people that God has placed in our lives!

In light of this eye opening realization, I decided to try something. As awkward as I thought it would be, I started intentionally telling people the gifts I saw in them. I realized that as I encouraged the people around me in their specific gifts, they started operating out of them more and more. Friends that were naturally servant hearted started serving more. Friends that were filled with wisdom began to share that wisdom, and share it often. Friends gifted in showing grace and mercy, became even more gracious and merciful.

In the month of May, I will be challenging myself to encourage at least one person a day and I want to bring you guys along for the journey. In order to do this, I'll be blogging about the experience throughout the month. My intent in sharing this with you is not to boast of what I'm doing, but in hopes of revealing some simple and effective methods of encouragement. I'm praying that this experience empowers you to build up and affirm individuals in your life, causing those that you're encouraging to be a bigger blessing than they already are.

You guys are incredible and I love you more than you know.

James